Laura Pritchard takes the spoils in HOYS Foxhunter Final

Welsh rider Laura Pritchard saw off stiff competition from a number of leading international riders to claim the Senior Foxhunter Championship at HOYS on Thursday (6 October).

Laura, 22, described the victory as the biggest win of her career.

Drawn halfway through the jump off, Laura and her ride Horse Victory’s Fayot went clear in a time of 34.25sec, which ended up being almost half a second quicker than second placed Billy Twomey and Eindhoven GH.

“I felt pressure, but not too much, because I always know that he never lets me down,” said Laura. “I was half-watching the others go. I kept looking back at the television in the collecting ring, and I thought the last two might be quicker, but we managed to do enough. Winning this class is so surreal, but it has happened!”

The Senior Foxhunter final has seen many top horses win in the past, and Laura is delighted for her horse to join their names on the roll of honour.

“He has a very bright future. I think he is going to be a very special horse. I am always confident on him, and when I jumped the first round I said to my Dad ‘today’s the day’.”

Earlier in the day, Belgium’s Karel Cox won the Grandstand Welcome Stakes with Caven van het Hobos, claimning a top prize of £7,350.

In the two-phase ReadySupp Cup, it was Joe Whitaker – the brother of Ellen – who won, giving him his first international victory at HOYS.

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