Reigning Supreme Horse of the Year and Cob of the Year Champion, Our Cashel Blue, delighted the crowds on the penultimate evening of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) when he successfully defended The Colosso Family Cob of the Year Champion title, navigated once again by Allister Hood.
The lightweight cob, who seems to turn heads wherever he goes, has enjoyed another phenomenal season standing Champion at the Royal International, BSHA National Championships and now at HOYS.
“That’s the best he’s ever gone,” said Allister after the Championship. “I felt like we were at one all morning and tonight; he was with me and I was with him.”
There could be something to be said for the enthusiasm of the HOYS audience. “I have to motivate him now,” said Allister who has taken advantage of the end-of-summer stubble fields for Our Cashel Blue to enjoy a regular gallop, and sent him out with the hounds with son Ben to keep him busy. “Unless he’s got a HOYS crowd watching him, it’s boring!”
Blue will now defend his Supreme title in the Ripon Select Foods Supreme Horse of the Year Championship tomorrow evening and Allister fully intends to bring him out again next season. “He always keeps on giving,” said Allister.
Reserve Champion went to the winner of the Heavyweight Cob section, Clare Trebble’s 11-year-old Morrows Marksman ridden by Simon Reynolds. Second to Simon in the Heavyweights was Allister’s son Oliver Hood riding Judy Byford’s Chestnut gelding Master of the House.
Image credit: Nico Morgan/1st Class images