Coloured Horse or Pony of the Year
Burghwallis Razzmatazz
Burghwallis Razzmatazz and Lucie Gordon-Burgess have had a super year, with this consistent little showman earning himself a win at the RIHS. But it’s not just wins that make him special. We received scores of nominations crediting his temperament. One nomination said: ‘He’s an amazing pony always; he always tries his heart out and is a pleasure to watch. A beautiful boy inside and out’.
Red Rock III
A winner at HOYS, RIHS and Windsor in 2021 under Victoria Hesford, he was purchased this spring by the Lisha Leeman for daughter Janay Atherden after she tragically lost her ‘Notty’, Randalstown Top Notch. Red and Janay hit the ground running with an early ticket to HOYS at the Royal Bath and West and stood reserve supreme coloured at the RIHS. They also stood second in their cob class at HOYS before going on to win their coloured class and stand reserve champion coloured.
Ace of Kings
Ace of Kings is a small pony but a big hit in the ring. He was purchased unseen in 2018 by his owner Samantha Johnson, and he remains home-produced by her. A pocket-rocket of a pony, Ace is one of the most consistent traditional cobs on the circuit, holding his own and winning many championships up and down the country. The former TGCA Pony supreme of show has had a superb season in which he has been truly multi-garlanded. He was supreme at Stirling Agricultural Show and stood reserve supreme ridden at TOYS. One nomination read: “This is just a fantastic pony who can turn his hoof to anything including in hand, ridden, side saddle and concourse de elegance. This year he has done it all with grace and an amazing ability no matter the conditions this is truly a pony of the year.” Described as an ‘exceptional example of the breed, Ace’s temperament is also praised. “Ace takes everything in his stride and always performs. He is a true gentleman who is not only handled by adults but by children of all ages. Once in the show ring, Ace is a star; he shines.”
Addien Toy Soldier
Mounted policewoman and amateur showing enthusiast Helen Jackson’s Addien Toy Soldier have a ball in her down time, progressing together in the showring. However, in January 2022, he was left fighting for his life from a serious case of pneumonia. Helen carefully nursed him back to full health and in spite of his earlier illness, he looked a picture through the summer to hold his own in HOYS qualifiers, and has qualified for Your Horse Live and STARS. He was recently overall supreme of show at the North West Championships. “He is quite simply a legend,” beamed Helen.
Red Warrior
Victoria Ward’s talented Red Warrior is home produced by his loaner Ro Hamliton, from grass and no menage at home. However, the pair have had tremendous success together. Not least, they stood supreme amateur at the 2022 RIHS, making Ro’s “dreams come true”, and supreme amateur at Equifest after winning five classes. Similarly, at the CHAPS championships, they won four classes, including the Kaleidescope Amateur class, and took the 14-strong championship before standing second reserve overall supreme amateur. They have already qualified for the RIHS in 2023 so no doubt we’ll be seeing more success from this pair next year. “Red Warrior is a pony of a life time and has made so many dreams come true. I am a full-time primary school teacher and I fit my ponies around my job. In the winter it is tricky as not school and dark evenings. It just shows you don’t need top class facilities to do well,” said Ro.
Wot Perfection
Lindsay McCulloch’s Wot Perfection, or Spook, was first spotted by her producer Richard Telford when he was out teaching. He persuaded long-term owner Anne Vestey to snap her up, and after watching Lindsay enjoy her at home, facilitated a further change for Spook. This year, they had a magical HOYS, when Spook made HOYS 2022 a magical one, winning the non-native pony class and going on to give a beautiful account of herself in the Andrews Bowen International Arena to take the coloured championship. “It’s honestly just unreal,” said Lindsay. “She’s my everything even before she won anything as she’s my best friend and always looks after me and gives me everything”.
