THE EQUESTRIAN EVENT OF THE YEAR! - Countrywide Farmers

Royal Bath & West Show President HRH The Countess of Wessex presenting the Dartmoor champion and HOYS Cuddy qualifier winner Moortown Countryman,owned and bred by John and Dianne Jordan of Gidleigh and led by their son David. Picture by www.kathrynpearnmedia.co.ukHeading for HOYSKATHRYN PEARNCelebrations have reached fever pitch this season with a record number ofWestcountry-based riders, owners and breeders fulfilling their dreamsof qualifying for the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). Kathryn Pearnputs the spotlight on a small contingent of hopefuls heading for the big stage atBirmingham’s National Exhibition Centre in October (4-9).A fantastic four tickets have fallen to Cornwall’s leading show jumper Sammie JoCoffin who started her phenomenal run with the Roseway Stud’s stallion Zig Zag inthe HOYS grade C qualifier at the Devon County Show. James Luker’s seven-yearoldson of Concorde went onto confirm his exceptional potential by securing hissecond ticket and a victory in the Horse & Hound foxhunter qualifier at the HandEC before adding a third to his tally in the newcomer semi-final at Crofton Manor.“Ziggy’s fan club will be in full voice at the NEC,” said James who acquired the16.2hh stallion as a two-year-old from breeders James and Alison McIllwraith ofthe Solland Stud in Devon. Sammie Jo’s fourth chance of a HOYS title comesin the eight-year-old championships with her own Willem de Lux. Fourteen-yearoldOlivia Sanford-Wood from Darracott, North Devon, was “floating on cloudnine” following her memorable weekend at the Royal Bath & West and the HandEquestrian’s junior premier shows. The elated West Buckland schoolgirl enjoyed afabulous two-days on her mother Caroline’s mare Shaft’s Montego Bay. The pairwarmed up with a win in the Royal Bath & West junior open championship anda day later landed their HOYS ticket in the junior foxhunter qualifier at the Hand.“We qualified last year and I feel just as excited,” said Olivia. “With more experienceI’m confident we’ll be there for the competition rather than just for fun.”The Royal Bath & West Show also proved successful for John and Diane Jordanwhose Dartmoor stallion Moortown Countryman received a pat from ShowPresident, HRH, The Countess of Wessex after clinching victory and a covetedHOYS ticket in the prestigious in-hand Cuddy qualifier. Bred by the farmingfamily from Gidleigh, the ten-year-old was superbly handled by their son Davidin the final judging. “We’re over the moon,” said John Jordan. “Having a homebredqualify for Birmingham is fantastic and wonderful for the Dartmoor breed.”Darren Commins secured his passage with a win in the ridden Arab mare of theyear qualifier on Summer Place Blossom. Owned and bred by Mr and Mrs StaffordCharles of Exeter, this lovely grey mare looked the perfect picture and will be a hotcontender for Birmingham. The momentum continued at the Royal CornwallShow where Lizzie Luxton from Lifton lifted her ticket to the open workinghunter finals on her ex-event horse Lotus Elan. The combination recorded theonly flawless performance over a testing course. “I’m elated,” said Lizzie. “He gaveme a fantastic ride and deserved to win.”HOYS tickets fell to local combinations in the ridden hunters with AnnetteBuckingham from Helston gaining her passage with a win in the smalls on herconsistent gelding Miner’s Lamp. Jethro Bloodstock, who have a tremendous recordat this show secured the lightweight ticket with Magnifire ridden by Sam Kitsonwhile Emma Gibson from Bridgwater emerged with the heavyweight qualificationon the Candleman. Alison Melhuish from Liskeard landed the ladies’ hunterqualifier on Margo Harwich’s striking grey Master Fiddler Look at Me. Cornishsisters, Abigail and Victoria Dymond have shined all season and look forward tofour championships on their string of show ponies Annandale Darcy, Barkway Tiaraand Cosford Charelle. Also making the journey up from Cornwall are Mel Hennahwith Carolyn Stevens’ exciting six-year-old Anchorman in open working hunterfinal; Lucinda Waters in the small intermediate show riding type championship onher mother Kathy’s nine-year-old gelding Roseberry Highland Fling and NatashaYates with her father Chris’ small riding horse Jackson Fair and Square.Jo-Ann Sharp joins Mel in the working hunter final with her own Regal Spark who10 Town & Country Matters Spring 2011 www.townandcountrysupplies.co.uk