Side-saddle mare Hello Dolly does it again at HOYS

Hello Dolly retained the Colosso Family Ladies Side Saddle Horse of the Year Championship title for the second year in a row.

The eight-year-old mare, owned by Dianne Stennett and ridden by Jayne Ross, beat 21 rivals to take the top prize.

“It’s the best she’s gone – She stood like a rock in there. She’s so level headed,” said Jayne.

In the NPS/Baileys Horse Feeds Mountain & Moorland Ridden Pony of the Year championship, the win went to the seven-year-old Welsh Section B stallion Cadlanvalley Buzby, owned by Hayley Grota and shown by Katy Marriott-Payne.

“I’m speechless – I wanted it so badly. I’ve won every major title but this one had always eluded me,” said Katy.

Reserve went to the Connemara pony Slieve Bloom Jill, ridden by Hannah Horton.

Native ponies also took centre stage in the TopSpec Arena, with the British Show Pony Society M&M Working Hunter Pony championships.

The Eddis family had a day to remember, with sisters Lucy and Susie Eddis each winning their respective height division, and Lucy going on to take the overall championship with her mother Polly Eddis’ Cashel Bay JJ.

In the Topham Barnes Hack of the Year Championship, both champion and reserve came from the large hack division, with Suzannah Welby’s Elusive standing Champion and Sarah Carey’s Pearly King in Reserve.

Six-year-old Elusive was ridden in the ring by Jo Bates, who said: “He’s a complete star. He’s given me everything. He tries his heart out for me and I’m incredibly proud.”

Image credit ES Photography

Horse & Country’s coverage of HOYS is brought to you in association with TopSpec. Watch the daily highlights show on H&C TV each night at 7.30pm from Thursday to Monday. Watch on Sky 253 or sign up to H&C Play to watch on your computer, smart phone or tablet.