If you love a grey, you’ll enjoy our line up of some of the beautiful animals that got the nod from judges in the show ring recently…
Thistledown Van Der Vaart
The reigning Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) mini mountain & moorland (M&M) champion is Birmingham bound again after topping his lead-rein class and taking the tricolour at Royal Cheshire County (21-22 June). Ridden by Hannah Wilson, the pony is produced by Sharn Linney.
Secret Times II
Lauren Mollard’s Secret Times II beat nine others to the area 2b members’ supreme title at the Lancashire Championships (28 May). The eight-year-old intermediate also contested his first horse class — the small hunters — on the same day and headed that line up too.
Synod Mischief
Another grey winner at the Lancashire Championships was Synod Mischief, who scored in the novice supreme, confidently ridden by Sarah Sandiford.
Briar Snowman
This handsome Shetland qualified for HOYS in the new M&M junior ridden class at NCPA Derbyshire Festival (11-12 June). Briar Snowman is ridden by 11-year-old Grace Litherland and he lives in Grace’s grandmother’s garden.
Stockham Jeremy Fisher
Also scoring at the Derbyshire Festival was Stockham Jeremy Fisher, who earned his HOYS M&M first ridden ticket and took the section championship, before standing overall mini supreme. He is ridden by 11-year-old Matthew Procter.
Rochestown Prince
Alasdair Prickett partnered this pony to stand overall supreme working hunter pony at the Lancashire Championships. The duo also stood reserve novice supreme and finished second in the premier league championship.
Briar Piccolo
Abigail Hampton’s stallion took the in-hand Shetland championship at Herts County (28-29 May). The 14-year-old also stood reserve ridden native champion and reserve supreme M&M in-hand champion.
Crumpwell Harry Potter
The small breeds title at Lincolnshire County (22-23 June) went to this Welsh section A, ridden by Isobel Lines.
Way Out Star
This eight-year-old mare took the novice working hunter title at Sport Horse Breeding (GB)’s annual show (2 April), piloted by Karen Scott.
Banks Timber
Sandra Burton’s eight-year-old Connemara stallion Banks Timber headed a strong heritage section at the Lancashire Championships, taking his Royal International ticket at the first-ever attempt.
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Rowfantina George Washington
Produced by Oliver Burchell, this lovely pony carried eight-year-old Isla Sturrock to the open winter classic title at the NPS Spring Festival (10 April), after topping the lead-reins.
Bloomfield Excelsior
This stunning grey who measures more than 18hh headed the heavyweight hunters at BSHA Southern Spring (12 May), ridden by Jayne Ross. Stable jockey Jamie Smyth then partnered the gelding in the championship (pictured), where the grey’s almighty gallop impressed to stand overall reserve — pipped by Jayne on the 2015 Royal International supreme, Time 2 Reflect.