Riding horse reaps Royale reign

A riding horse in-hand champion will make her debut at HOYS, a Welsh section A continues success for breeder and a pony bought for £750 proves a worthy purchase

- REBECCA HAYWOOD

DESPITE tearing his hamstring at Midland Counties, Ian Boylan wasn't prepared to be defeated in the Price Family supreme in-hand championship here as he led Jill Whittaker's Dakiora Royale to the title, securing their spot in the Birmingham final.

The three-year-old bay in-hand riding horse champion is by Kataro out of Raphaela JBH and, although shown lightly in 2024, she stood champion at the British Show Horse Association championships.

She was led by Ian Boylan's team-mate Sophie Clohessy in her initial class and the championship before Ian took over for the supreme.

“I collapsed in the ring with a hamstring tear at Midland Counties and Sophie had to come in to take over while I was carted off,” said Ian. “I'm struggling a lot with my leg, so we won't do very much with her now until the end of the season.”

Reserve was awarded to Lesley Bishop-Milnes' show hunter pony champion, Wayfaring Posy. Led by Craig Elenor, the three-year-old is out of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in-hand and riding pony finalist Wayfaring Bluebell, and by HOYS supreme in-hand champion Rendene Royal Charm.

“She's only been shown twice this season,” said Craig’s partner Sara Parrott. “She was champion show hunter pony at Hambleton and District and reserve for the Price ticket there, too. She's a beautiful stamp of a pony that you could scale up or down - she will go under saddle for a few seasons and will then be retained as a broodmare. We are really excited about her.”

PRICE WINS TOP PRIZE