Rider takes second HOYS title 10 years on – with son of her first successful journey

The very first champion of the NAF Bronze League last at Horse of the Yr Present (HOYS) has completed it once more 10 years later – on the son of her first winner.

Julia Helm and Helms Rossio triumphed by three tenths of a second to take the 2024 title, a decade after Julia did the identical with Rossio’s dam Helms Tolu. Julia additionally completed second in the identical last in 2015, on Eros 2000, who’s Rossio’s sire.

“Ten years in the past was the inaugural last of the bronze league; the primary time it was ever run. To win 10 years later, on the seventy fifth anniversary [of HOYS), is just absolutely fantastic,” Julia said, adding that both mother and son had been “fantastic campaigners”.

“I had the granddad too so it’s absolutely in the family!” she said.

Julia and the 16-year-old gelding were among only three combinations to jump clear in the first round, and she said she thought her jump-off time was beatable.

“He’s actually got quite a short, choppy stride; like his mum, he goes round and almost looks slow,” she said. “So it’s a surprise when he always comes out and wins; he just doesn’t take any time off round corners or anything like that, he just keeps moving. I actually felt I could have gone quicker, but in the end, it turned out to be enough.

“This is an absolute dream; any amateur, everyone just loves to even qualify. I woke up this morning and was just thankful I’d even got here, and whatever happened, happened, and then to win, again, I can’t put it into words.”

Silver winners

It was two in a row for 2023 NAF Silver League champions Lucy Gilbertson and Hip Girl, who are the first combination to secure back-to-back wins.

“I’m really proud,” Lucy said. “I think the pressure was off because it felt like I had done it once so I felt more relaxed that I could just go and enjoy it this time.

“I was quite early to go in the jump-off, so it was about going as fast as I could and hope the poles stay up. This is a great show and she is an incredible horse that has really made my dreams come true.”

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H&H news editor

Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.