How we reigned at HOYS
No other show creates quite the same buzz and whether it’s your first or your 31st ticket, bagging a seat on the Horse of the Year Show train never loses its appeal. Alex Robinson talks to five riders who had a notable triumph there last season to find ou
FOR 17-year-old Tierney
McKinnon and her 15hh show hunter pony Kativa Dumbledore (Andrew), Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) 2017 was their chance to brush off their bridesmaid status. Tierney is the daughter of show producers Brett and Nicola, who run a successful yard in Cornwall.
Andrew, who is owned by Dawn Weston, was bought from Shelly Argyle’s Carnsdale stud as a four-year-old. Now nine, he has been consistently placed at all the big finals, including taking two thirds at the
Royal International (RIHS) and a second at HOYS.
“I’ve always dreamt about winning
HOYS and the occasion is always nerveracking,” says Tierney, who took the 15hh show hunter class and championship. “Andrew always goes well, but this year the judges both came to me and said he looked incredible to ride and both wanted a go.” At home, the charismatic grey enjoys plenty of hacking and is rarely ridden in the school.
“Horses aren’t machines,” says Tierney. “They need their time off in order for them to go their best when needed.”
She also stresses the importance of having a strong support system around you.
“Never pressure yourself, but remember, what you put in equates to what you get out. One of my favourite quotes is ‘practise as if you’re the worst and perform as if you’re the best’,” she says — wise words from a reigning HOYS champion.
FIRST WIN
‘She haS the heart of a lion’
DESPITE making her first HOYS appearance two decades ago, Northumberland-based Exmoor breeder Gail Whetter made sure her 20-year anniversary at the show was one to remember, when she scored her first win on the Exmoor mare Barhill Marigold in the 122cm mountain and moorland (M&M) working hunter final. Gail, who has a small yard of up to six ponies, first qualified Fiona Dickson’s Exmoor stallion Vinca Major for the same class in 1997.
Nine-year-old “Marigold”, who is owned by Juliet Rogers, has also qualified for the past two seasons on the flat and won two worker qualifiers this term.
“She was quite challenging to begin with,” says Gail. “But she has turned out to be the most charming pony with the heart of a lion.”
HOYS preparation for the duo didn’t quite go as planned, as in early September, Marigold developed a cough so they didn’t actually jump until the day before they left for the NEC.
“The course was nice and flowing, she didn’t look at a thing and did a great show,” remembers Gail. “I was thrilled to be called in to the top 11, but I genuinely couldn’t believe it when we were called forward as the winners. The cheer from our huge band of supporters was amazing and the championship in the international arena was incredible, a childhood dream finally realised.”
To keep her fresh, Gail says that she rarely jumps Marigold at home, but rather identifies certain weaknesses and heads off to a clinic.
“It’s much better to have someone on the ground,” she says. “We did a lot of grid work in the beginning and also do cross-country, as it lets ponies see lots of different things without boring them with too much showing.”
GAIL’S TOP TIPS
Master the basics — don’t rush things.
Assess where problems are and get help to put them right.
Love the challenge — taking a pony right through the ranks from a novice to an open is so rewarding. All ponies are unique and require different approaches, but this is all part of the fun.