'Beyond expectations'

The country's best producers and breeders will showcase some exceptional young horses in next week's HOYS finals.

- Jennifer Donald

Over the summer, British producers have been on the quest for qualification for the four prestigious young horse finals at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). The senior newcomers championship and Events Through A Lens talent seekers inc. seven-year-old championship take place on Wednesday, 8 October, followed by the Redpost Equestrian senior Foxhunter championship (Thursday, 9 October) and grade C championship (Sunday, 12 October). Competing for one of these titles is the perfect showcase for the best young equine talent, as well as the skilled riders nurturing them through their early careers.

BRITAIN can boast a raft of skilled young horse producers and two in particular are braced for a busy week at the Birmingham NEC.

Joe Trunkfield admits his team will be “all hands on deck” as his tally for the national finals reached double figures but, with one horse since sold, he has a slightly more manageable seven berths to contest. He brings Usha Z, a seven-year-old Untouchable x Casmir Z mare, for the newcomers and grade C finals; the year-older Corvette VH Reukenis Z (Cicero Z x Corland) who goes for the four-timer in the Foxhunter, talent seekers, newcomers and grade C; new ride for Tracey Fletcher Orovito (Chacgrano x Comme Il Faut) came with qualification for the newcomers and seven-year-old Nomthago M, whom Joe qualified, will be ridden by his pupil and the horse’s owner Serena Kullich in the newcomers final.