A Lovely seasonal debut

A hack makes a winning return, a Dartmoor wins a bittersweet HOYS ticket and a show hunter pony secures a pass on her first attempt

- CELESTE GALL

ABSOLUTELY LOVELY made his first showing outing of the season a winning one, booking his return ticket to Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), where he finished second last season in the small hack final. Owned and ridden by Laura Nicholson and produced by Team Walker, 14-year-old “Jim” missed the first half of the season due to an injury.

“It was a huge ask and we expected it to be more of a practice run to get back in the ring but he went beautifully for me,” said Laura, who also went on to clinch the hack championship.

“I have had him for nine years now and we have a really special bond,” added Laura of the Whiteleaze Dominion-sired gelding.

Absolutely Lovely was bred by the Keens, who were also responsible for breeding the winning ladies’ show horse Absolutely Fashion - by the same sire - who was ridden here by Amelia Hood. She is owned by Helen Whiteley-John, who clinched the riding horse title at the Hickstead Derby Meeting on the mare.