Two riders from Essex gained top honours this year at the Horse of the Year Show.
At the end of one of her busiest, and most successful weeks in Birmingham, Katie Jerram deservedly claimed the supreme Horse of the Year Show championship riding her ladies’ hunter Dunbeacon.
Katie’s side-saddle freestyle show in the preliminary judging was a joy to watch, and Dunbeacon then rose to the occasion under the lights to impress judges Graham and Tina Fletcher.
Top show producer Katie Jerram
“I can’t believe we’ve actually done it. He was an absolute star. It has been a hectic few days, and this is just reward for all the effort the grooms, and horses have put in,” said Katie, who is from from Dunmow in Essex.
Laura Renwick crowned HOYS leading showjumper of the year
Maldon based Laura Renwick finished off her week at Horse of the Year Show having taken the two showjumping titles everybody wants to win.
Rollercoaster III ridden by Laura Renwick, Windsor Horse Show 2009. Photo copyright: Don Carey
On Thursday night, she headed the Horse & Hound Foxhunter final with Parvati De Breve and in the final performance of this year’s show, she took the leading showjumper of the year accolade with Oz De Breve.
She was first to go in the class with David Perry’s eight-year-old gelding, a draw which suited her.
“I always seem to be lucky when I go early,” she said. “Perhaps because if I go later I change my mind. Then I change it again and again, when I should stick to my original plan.”
As the fastest clear rider in the first round, Laura went last in the jump off and rode a more forward round taking two seconds from former leader Tim Stockdale’s time.
“It was tough when everybody else had gone clear,” said Laura. “One mistake and I’d have ended up sixth.”
