Bergerac secures the star role
2-4 August
Bakewell Show, Derbyshire
WORKING hunter campaigner Adam Taylor fulfilled a childhood ambition when the better of only two clears — from 20 starters — earned him a first-ever Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) ticket and the section title.
His partner, Sue Tennant’s classy Irish-bred eight-year-old, Bloomfield Bergerac, made it all look so easy, but David Cole’s seemingly straightforward track proved deceptive, catching out many who simply lost concentration on the long runs between fences.
Sadly, the going was also an issue for this ever-popular show. Despite Herculean efforts by showground staff, patches of churned-up ground still remained as the legacy of a motorbike convention held almost two months previously in wet weather. Obviously, fences were sited well clear of these areas, but some horses were clearly distracted.
Adam, who produces workers and also showjumps from his Nottinghamshire base, made nothing of them, though, and returned a performance that was stylish as well as penalty-free.
He began riding the handsome Passion chestnut in novices last season.
“This is his first open year, but he was third at Hickstead last week and that set him up brilliantly for today,” said Adam. “The course was tough and took some jumping, but rain had helped to soften the going.
“I’ve dreamed of competing at HOYS since I started riding as a child but until today, I’d missed out on a golden ticket by one place — both in workers and also showjumping.”
This was a year for “firsts” and, amazingly, Danielle Heath numbered in these ranks when she landed the ridden hunter title with Philippa Scott’s new acquisition, It’s The Kings Speech, who also took his HOYS ticket. Numbers were well up this year but ride judge, racehorse trainer Bryan Smart, was won over by his champion.
“He’s a beautiful, natural mover and oozes quality,” he said. “He went up and down the gears effortlessly and when I took my leg off, he just waited to see what I wanted. He was my best ride of the day.”
The quality bay middleweight, by Kings Master, came over from Ireland only four weeks previously, but hit the ground running to stand second at Great Yorkshire and third at Hickstead.
“The last time I had a championship here was on a 143cm pony about 20 years ago,” said Danielle. “I’ve never had one on horses.
“This one has a fantastic step and would be the closest ride to Hovis [former HOYS and Royal International Horse Show winner Oathill Take The Biscuit] that you could get.”
Spookily, Danielle also produced and rode a small hunter called King’s Speech for the Davies family, and he won on the same spot six years ago on her last visit here. It was an emotional moment for owner Philippa Scott, too, as her father, Philip, was rushed into hospital the day before. Happily, he was reported to be on the mend.
Danielle also headed the small hunters with the Wood family’s Ballard Playboy, who took his ticket at the Scottish
Horse Show on the pair’s debut last month.
Two days later, Michaela Wood took the reins to guide the Ghareeb seven-year-old to an intermediate victory at his first attempt.
The top spot here went to another first-season partnership. Locally based Jess Renshaw-Smith had her mother Karen Gillott’s December 2015 purchase Sharlen Royal Enclosure right on song to score the highest ride and conformation marks in a wellsupported class.
Tide turns for Team Young
ANOTHER local team overcame their usual Bakewell luck to dominate the show and show hunter pony (SHP) sections. Although Collette McGoldrick landed the intermediate championship here seven years ago for Team Young, they had never managed a “pony” tricolour.
All that changed, though, as Pia Robinson nailed the show pony title with the 148cm victor Rotherwood Another Peep and Angela Hunt’s in-form Carnsdale Sir Lancelot won his 153cm class and took the SHP equivalent.
“We’ve won the odd class and snatched the odd ticket here, but it’s a while since I thought of it as a show to look forward to,” said Edward Young, who also fielded the 133cm SHP victor, Fayre Dafydd. “I’ve waited all this time for a championship here and then two come along at once.”
Edward had only 20 miles to travel home, but the reserve show pony champion had much further to go.
Olivia Marnane, 16, set out on a road trip from Co. Tipperary last month to try and qualify her smart 148cm runner-up, Goldsworth Little Miss Mophet (Isha), having contested her first HOYS last year with this mare’s half-brother, the small intermediate Goldsworth Sir Edward. Both ponies were bred in Wales by Angharad and Angelique Thomas.
“We were fourth at New Forest, sixth at the NPS [National Pony Society] championships and thankfully qualified today,” said Olivia. “It means we can go home tonight to let Isha have a well-deserved rest in the field.”
Reserve in the well-filled SHP section went to another homeproducer. Talia Aristidou, 12, has done all the work herself with her 15-year-old 122cm victor Crystal Vision since her family bought him three years ago. Here, he put in yet another foot-perfect performance to earn his third consecutive HOYS ticket for them.
Liberation scores on debut
AT the other end of the experience scale, Lauren Falcus headed a strong small riding horse qualifier with her elegant Liberation (Ronan), a five-yearold making his show ring debut.
“We found him in Wales two months ago,” said producer Wayne Thorneycroft, who also fielded the lightweight cob victor, Tom Richards’
Paddy Power.
“Ronan had done a couple of dressage competitions and has been to a few shows to ride round, so we decided to put him straight into the qualifier. We think he’s something special.”
Ailsa Vines’ much-loved Connemara Knockmore Merrel Prince will make his Olympia debut in senior ranks after winning the second round qualifier. The 15-year-old was measured out of breed classes in 2009 after winning at HOYS the year before.
“We were heartbroken when that happened, and almost gave up showing,” said Ailsa, who stood reserve in the new Saracen supreme final at North of England.
“He is our pride and joy so I thought we’d have a go at this — he’s absolutely loved being back in the ring. Neither of us can stop smiling.” H&H