Source:  News Release

Robert Maguire Jumps to Victory in the Horse & Hound Senior Foxhunter Championship

Lancashire showjumper Robert Maguire took centre-stage on day two at Horse of the Year Show in Birmingham, when he won the Horse & Hound Senior Foxhunter Championship.

Photo credit: E.S. Photography

One of the show's most established and famous classes,  once again lived up to expectations.

Six combinations made it through to the jump-off, including both of 60-year-old John Whitaker's rides, but it was Wigan-based Maguire who came out on top with eight-year-old mare Anastasia Van De Helle, to land the £1,700 top prize.

Their time of 37.76 seconds ensured a clear victory from Scottish challenger Douglas Duffin and Djoel, with another Scottish rider Mark Turnbull third aboard Cartouch III and Yorkshireman Whitaker taking fourth on Cassins Chaplain and fifth with Fabrice van Overis Z.

Maguire said: "It's a class, when you have got a nice young horse, you always want to win it.

"I knew my time wasn't too fast, and I knew I had John Whitaker behind me. I would say that nine times out of 10 he would beat me, but he had a rail down."

A special member of the presentation committee for the class was William Sheret who won the Horse & Hound Senior Foxhunter Championship forty years ago.

Day Two: Show Jumping at HOYS 2015

Lancashire showjumper Robert Maguire took centre-stage on day two at Horse of the Year Show in Birmingham when he won the Horse & Hound Senior Foxhunter Championship.

One of the show's most established and famous classes, it once again lived up to expectations.

Six combinations made it through to the jump-off, including both of 60-year-old John Whitaker's rides, but it was Wigan-based Maguire who came out on top with eight-year-old mare Anastasia Van De Helle to land the £1,700 top prize.

Their time of 37.76 seconds ensured a clear victory from Scottish challenger Douglas Duffin and Djoel, with another Scottish rider Mark Turnbull third aboard Cartouch III and Yorkshireman Whitaker taking fourth on Cassins Chaplain and fifth with Fabrice van Overis Z.

Maguire said: "It's a class, when you have got a nice young horse, you always want to win it.

"I knew my time wasn't too fast, and I knew I had John Whitaker behind me. I would say that nine times out of 10 he would beat me, but he had a rail down." 

Sweden's Angelie von Essen, a regular campaigner on the British circuit, landed the opening international class of this year's event - the ReadySupp Cup - with West Falica. 

Von Essen conquered a class that had two phases against the clock, but only after a thrilling battle with Irish star Billy Twomey. 

The Swedish rider posted a time of 28.78 seconds, which edged out Twomey and Tin Tin by just 11 hundredths of a second.

Belgium's Karel Cox finished third on Covia Z, and Ireland's Anthony Condon took fourth spot aboard Balzac. 

Von Essen only got the call to compete at this year's event on Monday of this week, and she could hardly have made a finer start to proceedings.

"I am really pleased with the win," she said. "My horses are in good form, and when I got the call on Monday I wasn't too stressed about it. I have just come here to do my best. 

And there was more international success in the CanterBanter.co.uk Cup, when last year's HOYS grand prix winner, Frenchman Julien Epaillard, prevailed with Pigmalion Du Rozel.

Their time of 53.55 seconds headed a multi-national leaderboard as Colombia's Daniel Bluman finished second on Conconcreto Apardi, with Twomey and Diaghilev third and Egypt's Abdel Said, riding Luron SZ, fourth.

Preston schoolboy Robert Murphy, meanwhile, completed a memorable family double when the 14-year-old landed the prestigious Leading Pony Showjumper of the Year title - 30 years to the day after his father Peter won it. 

Peter, who is showjumping coach of the successful Great Britain eventing team, has proved to be a major influence on Robert's riding career. 

Riding nine-year-old mare Rainbows Mocha, Robert clocked 40.89 seconds in the jump-off to win by almost a second from Jessica Hewitt and Amman Valley Santino, while Scarlett Charles - daughter of London 2012 Great Britain showjumping team gold medalist Peter Charles - was third aboard Aroldo. 

Reflecting on his victory, Robert said: "It was great out there, if a bit nerve-wracking. 

"It was all good. I had to take a few risks that my dad mentioned to me, and that is exactly what I did. 

"It's good doing something at the Horse of the Year Show that my dad has done in the past."

Showing Champions Crowned on Day Two at HOYS 2015

The Showing Championships on day two of HOYS kicked off with the Great Scot! Ladies Side Saddle Horse of the Year Championship in the Andrews Bowen International Arena.

After a spectacular display of tradition and elegance it was Jayne Ross and Hello Dolly who emerged victorious.

The Great Scot! Ladies Side Saddle Horse of the Year Championship replaces the Ladies Hunter of the Year Championship in 2015. For the first time HOYS saw the class opened up to all types of horses, not just hunters.

“Absolutely thrilled, and thrilled for the horse because she tries her heart out and she deserves everything” says Ross of her win.

When asked what makes the Great Scot! Ladies Side Saddle Horse of the Year Championship so special Ross said: “I love it because it is a bit like going back in time. It just brings back memories of yesteryear and I think it is a very elegant class.”

Georgia Darlington and her 10-year-old mare Tynwydd Good Friday were crowned Champion in the Mountain & Moorland Working Hunter Pony of the Year Championship.

The combination qualified earlier this morning in the Caldene Arena in the Mountain & Moorland 133cm Working Hunter Pony of the Year.

“I feel amazing I have had such a good year on the pony. It was so much fun I just want to go and do it again” Darlington said of her win.

Later that evening it was the Topham Barnes Hack of the Year Championship that took centre stage with Swansea’s Victoria Heysford and Whalton Forgery winning the title.

Heysford and Whalton Forgery qualified in The Stennett Family Large Hack of the Year, beating Jordan Cook on Fleetwater Xecutive.

The win tonight was a momentous occasion for the pair who have been together for many years. “I have had him since he was a yearling so I have watched him grow and he is my best friend, I adore him.”

The final Showing Championship, rounding out the second day of HOYS, was the NPS/Baileys Horse Feeds Mountain & Moorland Ridden Championship.

The class provided a variety of spectacular ponies with 12 breeds represented. The winner was Sarah Parker and Sarum Rembrandt who represented the Welsh A Section.

“I won this Championship last with Pumphill Buckthorn in 2011 I just didn’t think I could do it again, it’s unbelievable” said Sarah

The title was presented by HRH The Princess Royal adding an additional touch of honour to the proceedings in the Andrews Bowen International Arena this evening.

The success of yesterday carried over to today for Romney Marsh Pony Club in the Virbac 3D Worming Pony Club Mounted Games as they were crowned the overall winners. Monmouthshire Pony Club and East Cheshire Pony Club took joint second place after a fiercely contested round.

The evening also saw the first Pony Club teams compete for the prestigious Prince Philip Cup.

Today the audience witnessed the second section of the Osborne Refrigerators Double Harness Scurry with the section B large pairs navigating the course.

After exciting competition the class was won by Chip n Dale driven by Alison Tucker. Tomorrow sees round two for both section A small and section B large with the Championship final on Saturday.