Ten pairs of ponies across the Large and Small sections of the Osborne Refrigerators Double Harness Scurry qualified over three days at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) to battle it out in the ‘World Cup final’ of Scurry driving on Saturday night.
After nipping at the heels of her fellow competitors all week in all rounds, Jemma Millman and her fabulous ponies pulled it out of the bag to dominate the Osborne Refrigerators Double Harness Scurry of the Year Championship, claiming both the Champion and Reserve titles in a thrilling finale of speed and agility.
Just 0.8 seconds separated her two pairs of ponies with Tigger & Owl standing Champion in 40.75 seconds and Piglet & Roo Reserve in 40.83 seconds. James Starr finished third with Thunder & Lightning on 41.42 seconds.
An ecstatic Jemma said: It’s so awesome, they’re such good ponies!
“We just had to give it our all this evening and they did. I’ve been really ill all day and they just did it; they’re amazing. 0.8 of a second between the two pairs is unbelievable.
Jemma last lifted the Champion trophy in 2016. Piglet, of Alison’s large pair, has been Champion six times with her between 2008 and 2016, but since then the Championship had eluded them.
“We’ve been Reserve six out of the last eight years, so it’s amazing to finally get it,” said Jemma, who plans to celebrate tonight with “a large gin!”
| Double Champions on the penultimate evening of HOYS |
Oliver Hood was crowned a double champion on the penultimate day of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) taking The Harrod and Coles Family Cob of the Year Championship with Catherine Dickens’ Carters Top Gun after standing Maxi Cob Champion this morning with another of his rides.
Oliver won the Heavyweight Cob class earlier in the day with the nine-year-old grey gelding, who judge Faith Ponsonby described as “a proper cob in every aspect,” and said “he was the model, the movement and he floated on air”.
It was an emotional result for Oliver whose father, the legendary show producer Allister Hood, sadly passed away last year.
Oliver said: “He’s probably one of the last horses that dad saw me do well on, so it’s very special.
The elegant, floating paces of the contenders in the British Show Pony Society Children’s Riding Pony of the Year Championship posed a difficult decision for judges Chris Walker and Fiona Cabrol.
The Harker team pulled off the second fantastic double of the evening in a very strong field. Winner of the 148cm section Rotherwood Fantasia stood Champion, ridden by Emma Harker, while 138cm section winner Stanley Grange Crescendo was Reserve ridden by Matilda Holmes. Both ponies are produced by Victoria Harker and owned by Emma and Victoria’s mother Jenny Harker.
Winner of the 128cm section was Helen Davies’ Stoneleigh Showtime ridden by Izzy Walker.
Rebecca Faulkner’s 14-year-old Partbred Stretcholt Roulette stood Shine Source Footwear UK LTD Show Hunter Pony of the Year Champion ridden by daughter Ella Eynon following a win in the 143cm section.
A delighted Ella said: “This has been a dream for me to go Champion on the flat at HOYS. I was Champion here in the Workers in 2022 and to be able to do it on this pony of a lifetime is unreal.
“This is the second year we’ve had him. He doesn’t really like going in the school, so hacking is his main thing and going out in the field.”
Reserve went to the winner of the 133cm section Jane Lindsay’s seven-year-old Partbred Arab, Tandridge Hallmark, ridden by son Rocco and produced by Emma Holder.
Nicol Donaldson’s CSF Chantilly Galway Girl defended his title in the 153cm section ridden by Mia Donaldson. The 123cm section winner was Rowfantina My Buddy ridden by Darcie Fielding and owned by Aimie Fielding.
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