Five days of top-class showjumping and showing at last week’s Horse of the Year Show (7-11 October 2015) calls for two things — some serious thrills… and some equally serious spills. Our photographers were on hand to catch those hairy moments when our fists are clenched and it was hard to fully open our eyes to watch the drama unfold in Birmingham’s NEC.
1. ‘Er… what’s meant to happen here?’
In the Cuddy Working Hunter of the Year Championship, Sophie Round and Captain EC get into a spot of bother with the wall.
2. The rear view
A day of ups and downs: Victoria Gulliksen and Grand Balou 4 are the joint winners of the Puissance — but take an unexpected tumble after the finish line.
3. ‘Is this bunting about to flap around my legs?’
Emma Augier De Moussac’s grey stallion Wembley doesn’t like the look of this fence in Sunday’s Speed Horse of the Year class.
Continued below…
PICS: 16 riders reach the point of no return
We’ve all been there — one minute you’re enjoying the ride of your life and the next you experience that More…
4. ‘We can make it…’
The London 2012 postboxes cause a problem for Jonathan Buxton and Toupie Du Quesnoy…
5. Hold on tight!
Julie Andrews and her bay gelding Wilando B tip a pole in Thursday’s CanterBanter.co.uk class.
6. It’s that bunting again…
Larksong puts in a stop with Helen Tredwell.
7. A side door exit
Things seem to be happening in slow motion for Emelia Mitchell and Litte Miss Ebony in the 138cm Championship.
8. Head first…
Sally Swiers and Millfield Long Socks get into trouble in the H&H Senior Foxhunter Championship.
9. Wave goodbye to the white breeches…
Emma Crawford takes a tumble from Maximus Gladiator in the Leading Pony Showjumper of the Year class.
10. The butterflies strike again…
Lily Dean’s Mister Seamus tips a pole in the Leading Pony Showjumper of the Year class.
11. ‘I’m not sure about this one…’
Maia Andrews and Miami Carwyn survive a blip for four faults in the Pony Newcomers.