Excessive leap thriller, how John Whitaker stays younger, plus different issues the horse world is speaking about

1. “Unbelievable horse” wins HOYS puissance

Joe Trunkfield was the topic of some feedback for his horse’s white tendon boots at Horse of the 12 months Present (HOYS) – “however they’ll all need a pair now,” he joked, after he, the boots, and Locomotion cleared 2.15m (7’1”) to win the Ripon Choose Meals puissance. “He’s an unbelievable horse,” stated Joe, who added that it was solely final week that he obtained the e-mail to say he was within the class. “I almost didn’t get in – I’m very glad I did!”

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2. Mini stars on cracking kind at HOYS

9-year-old Annabel Widdowson and 23-year-old Bunbury Conquest thrilled crowds on the NEC once they flew around the course to win the Enablelink 128cm championship. The tiny mixture, final to go within the 13-strong jump-off, took greater than half a second off the time set by Anya Dewey Clark and Jim, which had beforehand proved untouchable from second draw. “He’s simply magical,” stated Annabel. “He loves it in there, and I like the atmosphere and all of the individuals; it’s simply fabulous.”

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3. ‘All of them trip good’ – John Whitaker on his household guard of honour

The Whitakers fashioned a guard of honour at HOYS as legend John was named the present’s 2024 equestrian of the 12 months.

The award, which HOYS provides every year to somebody who has made an “extraordinary contribution to the group and dedication to not solely HOYS however to the guts of our sport – the horse”, was introduced in the principle enviornment on the primary day of worldwide showjumping.

John, 69, was joined by members of his household together with brother Michael, 64, and John’s five-year-old great-niece Gracie-Might, driving a Welsh pony.

John, who has been competing at HOYS since 1971, stated: “It’s good to have all of the household right here; it’s superb there are such a lot of of us, they usually all trip good!

“I really feel nice on a horse; I’d stroll round like an previous man however after I get on a horse, I really feel like a younger man. And I really feel I can win, and that’s the principle factor.”

John Whitaker’s recognition awards at HOYS

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H&H editor-in-chief

Sarah has greater than 20 years expertise as an equestrian journalist and editor. She has reported from main championships together with the Europeans and the World Equestrian Video games. She has co-written books on equestrianism together with The Full Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. Sarah has ridden since childhood, owned horses and ponies for over 25 years, and labored for and educated with Olympic gold medallist occasion rider Leslie Regulation previous to going to school.