Macclesfield duo secure HOYS slots

SAMANTHA Henshaw, 46, and Carly McGuinness, 32, from Macclesfield, qualified for the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) at the SEIB Insurance Broker’s Search for a Star 2016 qualifier held at Bury Farm Equestrian Centre in Slapton, Buckinghamshire recently.

Samantha came in second place in the Riding Horse Hack class aboard her horse Trevisquite, and Carly won the cob class aboard her own Cobra.

Samantha bought Trevisquite from an eventing yard two years ago, and intended to focus on dressage with her.

“She was not keen to go cross country, and I wanted something to do dressage. She is bred to do dressage, and is by the stallion, Sandreo, and at competitions people suggested that we should also try showing,” she explained.

“We did two SFAS qualifiers last year, but she wasn’t in a double and it has taken a while for her to get used to it.” The pair contested Houghton Hall, placing 5th, before coming to Bury Farm.

“I have got some good constructive comments from the judge on what we need to work on,” she adds.

“Her grand-dam is The Wexford Lady, who evented at top level, and she has a very strong character. I have to ask her nicely.”

The pair are working at elementary level dressage and did the regional finals last year.

“Showing is really good experience for her, particularly the atmosphere with the flags,” says Samantha, who has two young children and runs Rooftops Letting, a property rental company in Cheshire.

“She won’t come in from the field until she is ready, she is very happy out.

“She also has had a foal by embryo transfer.”

Samantha has taken some words of advice from an interview with a football manager, and refers back to them when working with her talented but opinionated mare.

“He said you have to keep trying, and don’t be afraid of failure. Just give your best.

“We did, and it has paid off,” she said.

Samantha’s groom for the day was friend Nancy Hofton, who learned to do quarter marks so that ‘Chockie’ would look her best.

Imported from Reid Finlay in Ireland eight years ago, Carly McGuinness’ black gelding Cobra was intended for riding club activities.

Carly has been persuaded to do more with him by friend, colleague, groom, and prosecco-provider Lucy Penrose.

Together, they made the three-and-a-halfhour journey to Bury Farm.

“And just look what happened!” says a thrilled Carly. “This was our aim, and I’m delighted.”

Carly, who works in administration, and Lucy, an equine vet, work together at Wright and Morton, a mixed veterinary practice, and also keep their horses at the same livery yard. Carly and Cobra will now contend some open classes and concentrate on the preparation for HOYS.

“We do some working show cob classes, fun rides and riding holidays – he really is the complete alrounder,” says Carly, who backed Cobra and has brought him on herself.

“He was not easy, but we persevered with some help and once we had clicked he just went from strength to strength. I would trust him entirely.”

The pair will now contend some open classes and concentrate on preparing for the final.

“It’s a good job I booked our holiday for the week after HOYS!” she laughed.