Elissa Herrmann crowned Leading Pony Showjumper
Thursday 07 October 2021
It was a fantastic end to the season for 15 year-old Elissa Herrmann from Winchester in Hampshire this afternoon at Horse of the Year Show when she won the Sorbeo sponsored Leading Pony Showjumper title.
Taking the win from a starting field of twenty-six riders, Elissa was one of the seven that jumped clear in the first round to secure their place in the jump-off. It was Elissa though, with the eye-catching and consistent dun pony Lapislazuli that produced the sole second round clear to take the win.
Talking afterwards she said “I can’t put into words how I feel, it’s just amazing. It was quite difficult to hold your nerve with the crowds and the lights but I had a good team of people cheering me on so it was all good. The jump off was challenging but it was a well built course. I’ve had him [Lapislazuli] for two years and then we got Covid so I missed a year on him but this summer has been building up to this, we went to the European Championships this summer and it’s all paid off. This is my last year [on ponies] so it’s a good way to go out.”
Asked what winning at HOYS meant to her Elissa added “This is the big one, there’s nothing more special than HOYS in England, it’s the one that everyone wants to win.”
Full results
The Horse of the Year Show continues though until Sunday 10 October at the NEC, Birmingham. For further information and tickets visit www.hoys.co.uk
