New classes thrill crowds at HOYS

Scott Brash and Bon Ami.
By Roberto Cubbedo

There was excitement in the jumping classes with the brand new 'Five Fence Challenge', in which fences are raised in each round over a maximum of five rounds and was a huge success with the enthusiastic HOYS crowd in the packed stands.

Only Britain's William Funnell on Billy Grand and Belgium's Cindy van der Straten riding Twan had jumped clear in the first four rounds to go head-to-head one last time. Both had a fence down last time out, so shared the honours.

"This is my first time in Britain and I can't get over the atmosphere in the arena," said Cindy. "If all shows over here are like this, I’ll be coming more often."

Take your own line
Bringing the day to the close was the second new international class, the Zinc Management Trophy with a ‘take your own line’ jump-off. This turned into a nail-biting jump-off where the in-form Scott Brash and Sam Hutton came within a hundredth of a second of each other. Scott took the title by the skin of his teeth with a masterful round on board Bon Ami. What a climax to the day to have two such up-and-coming riders leading such a distinguished line-up which included Billy Twomey, Kevin Staut and William Funnell.

Belgian success
The British were pipped to the post in the Dick Turpin Stakes by Belgium's Dirk Demeersman, who used his horse Tymoon Calloo Meerchen's natural speed to better Irishman Cian O'Connor's early lead in the one-round competition on Goldex and claim the win.

"I've been coming to HOYS since it was held at Wembley and it's always nice to win here," said Dirk. "Having classes with around 30 in them means everything goes to plan and runs smoothly."

Dual discipline winner
Emily Ward, previous winner of the 133cm and 143cm Working Hunter of the Year classes at HOYS added a bit of show jumping silverware to her trophy cabinet. Riding her father Nick and Michael Whitaker's King Mac, she claimed the Blue Chip Feed Balancer Pony Newcomers Championship, holding Darby Ward at bay to finish second. Having won the lower two working hunter height divisions in 2009 and 2010, Emily is going for a hat-trick this year. She is riding Noble Loughnatousa in the 153cm Underwood Working Hunter of the Year on Noble Loughnatousa.

Young riders
The Young Rider of Great Britain Championship went to Scotland's Lucy Guild, 19, and her own Titi d'Oase. Lucy beat Jessie Drea and Baloufina, who was bought from Cian O’Connor at HOYS in 2009, with a late charge in the jump-off. Lucy has had an amazing year with this gelding, including winning a team bronze medal at the Young Rider European Championship and of course earning herself the wild card to the international classes here at HOYS.