Hollie Gerken lands the Leading Pony Showjumper of the Year title at HOYS with Ramiro High Society
Thursday 05 October 2023
.jpg "Hollie Gerken lands the Leading Pony Showjumper of the Year title at HOYS with Ramiro High Society")
Hollie Gerken had to settle for second and third in the earlier Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Championship on Thursday, but the high was to come in the Leading Pony Showjumper of the Year.
“It’s amazing, I know she’s careful but I was a little nervous,” said Hollie, who was full of regard for Deborah Doyle’s Ramiro B x Ekstein 12-year-old.
Twenty-three competitors faced course-designer Ben Townley’s 1.35m track in the first round and six solved all the technical questions to advance into the jump-off. But second time out, the double on the long side of the arena caused unexpected problems to leave mid-drawn Harriet Hodge leading the way with the only clear on the 9-year-old Little Charlie II.
She didn’t hang about and set a competitive target for final-drawn Hollie to chase. Hollie wasn’t daunted, using the mare’s stride to ride a deceptively fast route, breaking the beam with 0.57 seconds to spare.
“Harriet was quite fast, I had something to beat,” said Hollie, who has been riding High Society for almost a year.
“She was amazing from the start, she likes to leave the poles up and I feel confident on her,” said Hollie. “She’s kind and loving, can be sassy but as soon as she’s in the ring, she focuses.”
Hollie has enjoyed a terrific season and gained 10 HOYS qualifying tickets with her team of ponies in the Pony showjumper, Pony Foxhunter, Blue Chip Pony Newcomers and 138cm Championships. Although aged 13, she only has two years left in ponies.
“I have a bad birthday in December, if I’d been born in January, I’d have three years left,” she said.
HOYS, NEC, Birmingham – 5 October, 2023
Leading Pony Showjumper of the Year
1st Hollie Gerken & Ramiro High Society – 0/0 34.85 seconds
2nd Harriet Hodge & Little Charlie II – 0/0 35.42 seconds
3rd Georgia Cooper-Hall & Saxton Freedam – 0/6 49.01 seconds
Image: 1st Class Images
