2024 HOYS 133cm M&M working hunter pony winner

A proud mom credited weekly outings on the hunt area with the Previous Berks for her son’s victory within the 2024 HOYS 133cm M&M working hunter pony of the 12 months last on the Horse of the Yr Present (HOYS).

Cheryl Elcock’s 11-year-old mare Brynithon Poachers Gold (Ruby), an 11-year-old by Leyeswick The Poacher, soared to glory with 12-year-old Oscar Elcock within the plate.

They certified at NPS Space 7’s summer time present and it was their first time competing on the NEC.

The 133cm class noticed three riders half firm from their ponies early on, although luckily nobody was damage.

“Earlier than I went in I used to be actually nervous,” Oscar mentioned. “Then, after I went by the primary a part of the double I misplaced my reins and I assumed ‘oh my god’.”

Ruby, nevertheless, bought the pair by, taking Oscar boldly ahead so he might regain his composure and proceed the spherical fault free.

“She’s so trustworthy,” added Oscar, who final received at HOYS on a lead-rein present hunter pony.

“Ruby and I do all the pieces collectively and for the final three years we’ve gone out searching each single Saturday,” mentioned Oscar, whose father was the senior grasp of the Previous Berk for 10 seasons, solely retiring this 12 months. “It should even be my final time driving her at HOYS, although, as we’ve a 14hh pony ready at dwelling for subsequent 12 months, so it’s all nonetheless thrilling,”

Ruby, who is likely one of the smallest within the class at simply 12.2hh, was purchased simply earlier than lockdown, as Cheryl defined: “We’d been searching for a pony for about two years and couldn’t discover one. We noticed her on-line and went to see her. She’d by no means been proven and had solely finished Pony Membership and searching. She was purchased primarily as a enjoyable pony. We gave just a few reveals in the past and we realised she may very well be fairly good at this. Searching has been the making of the pair of them. And Ruby has made Oscar into the rider he’s right this moment.”

Oscar added: “She’s given me a lot confidence. She’s a tremendous mare, the perfect pony I’ve ever had.”

After profitable the 2024 HOYS 133cm M&M working hunter pony of the 12 months last, Oscar and Ruby will re-join the opposite class winners for the championship later within the day.

You may additionally be curious about:

H&H exhibiting editor

Born and raised within the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the exhibiting scene. She has certified and competed ponies on the Royal Worldwide, Horse of the Yr Present and Olympia and has first-hand information of the present points within the exhibiting world in addition to the horses, ponies and riders who compete within the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 since when she has cemented its place because the main equestrian publication for each exhibiting experiences and present exhibiting information within the UK.