Billy Twomey wins HOYS Leading Showjumper of the Year - HOYS Day Five
Sunday 13 October 2013
With only one ride at this year’s Horse of the Year Show, Billy Twomey had a defined aim – to make sure he qualified and claimed the Leading Showjumper of the Year title with Tinka’s Serenade.
“I had to get enough points in the week’s earlier classes to get qualified and give her a day off before tonight,” said the Irishman. “It worked perfectly.”
Under this Grand Prix’s rules, six riders are required for the jump-off. Five of the 24 starters had gone clear, with two of those carrying time faults. Therefore, Daniel Neilson, who had four faults with Varo M in the first round, joined those.
As the final showdown was run according to faults and time in round one, he was first to go. A clean round this time was good enough for eventual fourth after first-round faults were taken into account. Britain’s final hopes for a home win followed in the form of Ellen Whitaker (Arena UK Lando) and Chloe Aston (Quiet Easy), both carrying a single time fault from round one. However, both toppled fences leaving the door ajar.
France’s Julian Eppailard (Qarat de la Loge) had one down, but kept up the pace to take the lead. But, he was soon followed by Ireland’s Cian O’Connor (Cooper) who opted to gamble on aiming for a steady clear. He got the result to move ahead of Julian, but had left a generous time for his fellow countryman, Billy Twomey, to chase.
The Nottinghamshire-based rider used this to his full advantage and jumped an immaculate round to the delight of the crowd.
“She’s very talented and helped secure European team bronze a few weeks ago,” said Billy, who last won the Leading Showjumper of the Year title in 2008 with Je T’Aime Flamenco. “It’s very special to win here and this class has a lot of history.”
He may not be a home-grown rider, but Germany’s Daniel Deusser proved to be an exceptionally popular rider at this year’s Show with his super speedy rounds on his fabulous horse Domingo. Having won The Accumulator the previous day, the pairing again beat Guy Williams (Bijou Van’t Vijfheide) in to second place, pipping the Brit by 0.02 seconds in the Vinopolis Speed Horse of the Year.
“It’s hard not to go for it when the crowd is so behind you,” said Daniel. “The atmosphere here is something special. There are lots of indoor shows like in Europe, but here it is different.”
Irish rider Richard Howley enjoyed three top three placings in national finals at this year’s Show and one of them was a win in the Speedi-Beet Grade C Championship with Benedictus.
“It’s great to win this and I am hoping to compete here in international classes in the future,” said Richard, 21, who has recovered from breaking his back earlier this year.
Emily Ward claimed the intensely competitive Leading Pony Showjumper of the Year Championship with her father Nick Ward’s King Mac, a pony with whom she has enjoyed much success.
“He’s just got better and better and is a previous winner of the Blue Chip Pony Newcomers title here,” said Emily. “To now win one of the most important pony classes in Britain with such an amazing atmosphere is fantastic.
The six teams competing in the Virbac 3D Worming Pony Club Mounted Games had entertained and wowed the crowds all week in their quest to be crowned Prince Philip Cup Champions this evening. It was Strathearn who finally took the sought-after title, having previously been the bridesmaid for two years running. The team is trained by Alistair Brewster and consisted of Sophie O'Neil, Sam Ryder, Iona Wilson, Hamish d'Ath, Sophie Targell-Worth and Heather Halley. Earlier in the week, the Warwickshire took the Virbac 3D Worming Cup after three consecutive wins.
Before the evening came to an end, the fabulous gala evening finale consisted of a spine-tingling performance from Military Wives Choirs and an appearance by three very special equine guests: Arko III, Beckside Little Toff and Holme Grove Prokofiev, as well as the day’s Champions. Actor and equestrian enthusiast Martin Clunes took in the atmosphere from Hospitality and every visitor received a very special HOYS 65th Anniversary memento rosette to mark the occasion.
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