Master sells his star quality
Youth reigned over experience in the Cuddy in-hand championship as a new producer led a Dartmoor colt to land a place in the October final
A YOUNG producer aged just 19 took the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) Cuddy in-hand ticket in his debut season as a professional. Tom Pearson’s achievement was even more remarkable as he is believed to be the youngest person ever to qualify for the prestigious final. He handled the three-yearold Dartmoor colt Collstone Mastermind to perfection for owners Karen Lamont and Joyce Russell, under judge Charles le Moignan, to head a quality field of fellow champions.
“The winner had to sell itself to me, and this pony did,” said Charles. “I loved its front, its
presence and its showmanship. Everything about it said ‘I am a star and I’m going to win’.”
Billy, as the colt is known at home, is by Moortown Crusader out of Vean Melusina and was bred by Nicki Coll.
“I think I’m still in shock,” said Tom, who is based near Chester. “I’m doing something I love, but I never expected this so soon. I was up against the big boys today and didn’t think we had a chance.”
The colt has had a brilliant start to his season, taking his breed title at Windor in May.
“Tom could ride before he could walk,” said his sister Rebecca. “However, he decided he preferred showing in-hand and has never looked back. He doesn’t ride anymore although he is really good.”
AN APT NAMESAKE
ZARA OWEN had her very own red-letter day with her horse of the same name when she took a strong HOYS qualifying ladies side-saddle class to book a return visit to Birmingham. Zara, who breaks and schools horses for a living, has had the 10-year-old part-bred thoroughbred for seven years and has previously finished third at HOYS.
“I won some champagne flutes, so I might just be using them.” she said.
The loudest cheer of the day was reserved for Maddy Turner, aged 12, who was called forward to win a huge HOYS junior ridden mountain and moorland large breeds class with Bev Bowers’ seven-year-old Dales gelding, Carrock King Kenny. Maddy suffers from an auto-immune disease and undergoes weekly chemotherapy sessions. Onlookers were simply captivated by her beaming smile.
“It was so emotional,” said Bev. “This is only the second HOYS qualifier Maddy has done and I asked myself what on earth we were doing when we saw the size of the class. She is on medication for her pain as she also suffers from juvenile arthritis — she is always so brave.”
Maddy, from Radcliffe near Bolton, was then called forward to take the championship to an emotional response from the ringside, which left even the judges in tears.
“I asked competitors to impress me, and this young lady did just that,” said Kerry Wainwright, who assessed performance while Jill Burgess was on conformation. “She really thought about her show and her smile was a joy; she is a breath of fresh air. I had no idea about her medical condition until afterwards as neither Jill nor
I had judged her before.”
DONALDSON DOUBLE
MIA DONALDSON won the HOYS section show pony championship with the 128cms Archwood Ballerina, owned and bred by Yvonne Selby, who had travelled from her home in Colwyn Bay to watch her pony compete. The duo also took their HOYS ticket in the part-bred class, making it a successful day for producers Team Ahern. Sharn Linney had the reigning HOYS supreme pony of the year Thistledown Van Der Vaart on song to take the supreme mini championship, held in memory of Pauline Barfield. The pony is being ridden this season by fiveyear-old Lily Richardson for her mother Lucy.
Julie Templeton stood reserve with the charming lead-rein show hunter pony Littlebriars Horatio, ridden by six-year-old Hattie Mustoe, who has already chalked up wins at North of England and Windsor. This pony was previously ridden by Hattie’s older sister, Sophie.
Harriet Dennison and the impressive 153cm Merrycorner Mister Bui headed a strong show hunter pony championship, producing a blistering gallop despite the sizzling Somerford
heat. Harriet is in her second season with the delightfully named “Buttons” who is owned by her mother Shirley and produced by Rachael Helliwell.
Catre Mitchel, eight, and her mannerly first ridden pony Litton Perfection took the overall HOYS mini show pony championship and booked their ticket to Birmingham despite Cate nearly not making it to the show due to a lorry failiure. Cate travels from Dumfries in Scotland to meet with the Edward Young-produced pony at shows.
“Cate is in her first season off the lead-rein and has taken time to gel with her pony,” said Edward. “They were the last on the yard to qualify for the Royal International, but are the first to qualify for HOYS. Cate was absolutely exhausted today, but she rode brilliantly and we are very proud of her.”
This pony, by Nantcol Libretto out of Litton Dancing Pixie, is only five, but has manners to burn. Last year he was ridden last by India Till and produced by Kate Carter.