Flute is on song
A new combination claims the first HOYS young rider ticket of the term, while a testing course makes working hunter ponies work hard for their Hickstead qualifications
MATTHEW PROCTER made his debut in junior mountain and moorland (M&M) classes a victorious one when he took the first Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) junior ridden ticket of the season on the large section winner Fly The Last Flute.
This striking 12-year-old Connemara gelding, known at home as “Willy”, previously stood champion at Olympia and second at HOYS in his breed class with owner Sandra Burton.
“We decided a change of direction was in order for Willy, as he has had such success as an open pony,” said Sandra. “Matthew is a family friend and, after watching him ride last season, I thought he and the pony were perfectly matched. This is only the third time in the ring and I think they will be an exciting combination.”
Sandra purchased the British-
bred pony from his breeder Elaine Tomlinson six years ago, and has produced him through the ranks with the help of daughter Emily.
Matthew, who is 13 and from Blackburn, was thrilled when offered the ride.
“I have admired this pony for a long time,” he said. “He is so easy — you just sit and go.”
The duo then went one better to clinch the championship ahead of the small section winner 10-year-old Chloe Heathcote and the Sarah Parker-produced Welsh section A gelding, Uphill Freddie Fox, who stood reserve. The pony was purchased after HOYS last year and has already qualified for the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) in both the first ridden and junior.
“He has the most amazing temperament — we will never sell him,” said Chloe’s mother, Tammy. “Chloe has two younger brothers, so he will have a job for a very long time.”
Chloe has been riding since she was 17 months old at her home, the Roseberry Stud in Derbyshire, and has previously competed at HOYS on the lead rein and in first ridden.
“Both our champion and reserve were super ponies,” said Gill Simpson, who assessed ride with Sara Hird on conformation. “They had plenty of bone — so important for a native breed — and were beautifully presented.”
TESTING COURSE
THE opportunity to qualify for RIHS drew strong entries in the M&M working hunter pony classes. Speetley boasts a fabulous arena with a water splash and steps, which course-builder Steve Martin used to good effect.
The exceeding 143cms winner and eventual champion was another Connemara, Gortnalea Boy, aged 10, owned and ridden by Kate Musgrave. They posted a flowing clear round and a fabulous championship gallop to break a run of seconditis and book a return visit to Hickstead.
“I’m currently changing jobs so it would have been difficult to do any more qualifiers,” said a relieved Kate, who purchased the pony at the Clifden sales in Ireland six years ago. “I am heading south to work for Katie Jerram-Hunnable. Gortnalea
Boy will be coming too and I will continue to campaign him.”
Reserve champion, and also booking a return visit to Hickstead, was the not exceeding 143cms winner Gwerniago
Gethin, owned and ridden by Ashley Bird. The Welsh section D stallion is no stranger to working hunter success, having won HOYS in 2016 and 2017, finishing reserve on both occasions.
“This is only his second outing since HOYS,” said Ashley. “He was rusty on his first outing, but has more than made up for it here. He can be a diva but, on his day, he is brilliant. If he wins at RIHS this year, he can retire.”
Brooke Pickering, 13, took the not exceeding 122cms ticket with Helen Summers’ Swedish-bred Welsh section A Malby Mahyong.
Aliya Khan won the not exceeding 133cms class with her Highland gelding Aigas of Achnacarry; the 11-year-old was champion at Hickstead with Amy Smith last season and will be campaigned by Aliya for the rest of this year.