Another Championship title has been defended on day two of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). Dianne Stennett’s Hello Dolly claimed The Colosso Family Ladies Side Saddle Horse of the Year Championship title for the second year running, ridden by Jayne Ross.
With 22 immaculately turned out starters, spectators were treated to scenes of a bygone era as horses of all types were put through their paces. This is the second year that the Championship has not been restricted to hunters.
The eight-year-old Thoroughbred X mare was pulled in first in the provisional line up and impressed both the ride and conformation judges enough to stay in the top spot and claim the honours.
“It’s the best she’s gone,” said Jayne. “She stood like a rock in there. She’s so level headed”.
Yesterday Hello Dolly was placed third in the Irish Horse Gateway Small Show Hunter of the Year Championship. Bred by the Old Lodge Stud, and by Parco, she also likes to jump. “We give her a pop at home,” says Jayne. The combination qualified for The Colosso Family Ladies Side Saddle Horse of the Year at Edenbridge and Oxted Agricultural Show.
Second to Hello Dolly was Gary Merton’s Seabourne Silent Valley with Esther Rostron in the saddle. Gemma Chapman and her own Atonement went two places better than their performance in this Championship class last year and were delighted to take the third place rosette.
Source: HOYS