Julien Anquetin piloted Farah Tame, a nine-year-old mare, to victory in the leading showjumper of the year in the final class at the Horse of the Year Show which concluded at the NEC Birmingham on Sunday.
“I went at the end of the jump-off because I was fastest in the first round, so I did a slower jump-off than normal. It was easier to win from the end of the jump-off than at the start, for sure,” said the French rider.
“It will be a good night tonight. Everything went incredibly well. I am really happy and it is very good preparation for the start of my indoor season – we go to the Helsinki World Cup next.”
Julien and Farah Tame, who were making their first appearance at HOYS, finished over 1.5 seconds ahead of runners-up Angelie von Essen and Daniel. Adrian Whiteway and Chacco Volo were best of the Brits – and leading combination of the show – in third.
Superb Sienna
Another rider to triumph in their first appearance at HOYS was five-year-old Sienna Clay whose lead-rein mount Derw Dream Boy was crowned Supreme Products Supreme Pony of the Year.
Derw Dream Boy is a seven-year-old gelding who is owned by Sienna’s mum Heather and has been produced by Craig Elenor and Sara Parrott.
Heather is no stranger to the winners’ enclosure at HOYS as her show cob Hallmark IX won Supreme Horse of the Year with Simon Reynolds in 2013.
“It’s everybody’s dream in the job we do and to have a pony this good is just fantastic. He has sheer class and quality and looks after his little rider – it’s a rare thing,” said Craig.
Dreams are made for Craig
Craig Kiddier and Mulberry Lane II were crowned Supreme Products Supreme Horse of the Year champions.
“If I never win another rosette ever again, he’s made all of my dreams come true,” said an emotional Craig who’s been riding Sue Tennant’s nine-year-old Irish Sports Horse since he was four.
The pair had enjoyed a successful week winning the Show Hunter champion title and finishing third in the Sport Horse Breeding of GB Working Hunter Championship before lifting this trophy.
As Mulberry Lane II is Craig’s Working Hunter horse he confessed that winning the Show Hunter title was ‘unexpected’.
“He’s got everything. To find one that is good enough to do the workers and be a flat horse, they’re just not there. We’ve been looking ever since we got him for another one and we’ve not found one yet – and I don’t think we ever will,” added Craig.
Mulberry Lane II is by OBOS Quality and out of Lisnarree.
All the champions from the week were invited back to a final show in front of supreme judges Tissie Reason and Ann Overton-Ablitt who decided which equines took home the prestigious titles.
