Royale is king of the ring

A young hunter pony stallion, two Exmoor mares and a single clear round stand out in front of the judges

- ALEX ROBINSON

Royal Norfolk, Norfolk Showground

A FOUR-YEAR-OLD stallion will return to contest the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) supreme in-hand final two years after he made his debut.

Thistledown Harper Royale, handled by his owner, producer Craig Elenor, was Robert Allcock’s choice for the ticket.

By riding pony Rendene Royal Charm, the impressive bay finished seventh in the pony section of the HOYS final in 2021. He came through to the final championship at Norfolk after heading the hunter pony breeding section.

“He’s been at home since HOYS and he’s now broken in; he absolutely loves his work,” explained Craig’s fiancée, Sara Parrott, who also recently booked a HOYS place with her own coloured mare Starlight, at the Royal Highland.

“It’s really nice to have a couple of our own on the circuit; there’s no pressure and we can just enjoy it,” she added.

RARE BREEDS WIN BIG