Conan Books A Grand Date

A former HOYS winner books his return trip to Birmingham, while a coloured cob heads both his amateur and open classes

- Rebecca Haywood

Wales & West Hunters, David Broome Event Centre, Monmouthshire

ONLY four clear rounds were recorded from both the lightweight and heavyweight sections of the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) Cuddy working hunter qualifier.

With the eventual champion Morse Code already through to Birmingham, the ticket went to the reserve winners — Grand Conan and Polly Gredley — who won the lightweight division. This 10-year-old bay gelding won the HOYS championship in 2015 when partnered by Polly’s brother Tim.

“Conan jumped absolutely amazingly; we loved the course,” said Polly, who owns the 16.2hh son of Conan Z, who was originally sourced and ridden by working hunter specialist Kelly Ward. Morse Code is getting to grips with new jockey Rosie Skier, who has recently taken over the ride from owner Jamie Ryder-Phillips. The eight-year-old chestnut gelding picked up his HOYS ticket at the New Forest show in July.

“Rosie has the ride for as long as she wants him,” said Jamie’s mother Penny. “They are still on a learning curve and he is a horse that likes a one-to-one partnership and Rosie has been fantastic.”

The son of Outcast won the lightweight amateur hunter class at the Royal International (RIHS) last year.

“Our champion stood out among the others,” said conformation judge John Llewellyn. “You could quite easily have a day’s hunting on him, and he’s something that would stay sound all season.”