Clydesdale wins first Ridden Heavy Horse Championship at HOYS

The Clydesdale Kinclune Danny Boy took the honours in the inaugural Ridden Heavy Horse Championship on the final day of showing from HOYS.

Ridden by Virginia Osborne and owned by mother Marguerite, the 11-year-old is a regular winner on the showing circuit, having enjoyed success at Blair Horse Show three times in his career.

But the Clydesdale is mostly found competing closer to home in the Scottish borders so the HOYS win was extra special for Virginia.

“We got the very last ticket at the New Forest! Thank you so much to HOYS for putting us in that arena,” she said.

The eight-year-old Suffolk Punch – Suffolk Eyke Diamond took second place to celebrate success for the breed that is now classed as endangered and this year’s new championship was set up to showcase what the heavy breeds have to offer as both ridden and show horses.

It was another sweet victory for Woodhouse Calendar Girl at HOYS, as the bay mare was crowned Shire Horse of the Year for the second time in three years.

Owned, bred and shown by Martin Fountain, the pair qualified for this year’s finale at the Great Yorkshire Show back in July.

Speaking after the six-year-old’s success, Martin said “It’s what you strive to do. And it’s the icing on the cake because she’s homebred.”

Horse & Country’s coverage of HOYS is brought to you in association with TopSpec. Watch HOYS action on Catch Up on H&C Play.