THE National Pony Society (NPS) championship show always witnesses one of the strongest Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) Price Family in-hand supreme championship line-ups, and this year was no exception.
Connemara Cloverhill Magic was one of the finalists to contest the supreme final after he had won his breed title earlier in the day.
Led by Jamie Frost, the Glencarrig Knight-sired stallion has been the bridesmaid this season thus far, achieving reserve places in HOYS qualifiers at both Royal Bath and West and Royal Cornwall.
“This championship win is a real accolade for him,” said owner Cathy Wood, who watched Magic finish fourth in the final at HOYS last year. “He has about 18 mares in foal for 2024 and a super crop on the ground this term. Due to a busy stud season, Magic was contesting only his fifth and final show of the year. He’s been Mr Consistent.”
This year, Magic has won on all five outings, including taking the supreme honour at the Connemara breed show two weeks ago.
The six-year-old won four championships under four different judges here at the summer championships.
“He’s still such a young stallion, of what is a notoriously slow-maturing breed,” Cathy added. “For him to qualify for HOYS at both five and six years of age feels slightly surreal.”
Reserve went to the Welsh section B champion Moelview Moonstruck, who just made it into the evening performance after his owner Richard Jones borrowed a suit from Oliver Burchell.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change