With nine class sections over two days, the excitement of the NPS/Baileys Horse Feeds Mountain & Moorland Ridden Pony of the Year culminated in a nail-biting final on the second evening at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). Top honours went to the Welsh Section B stallion Cadlanvalley Buzby, owned by Hayley Grota and shown by Katy Marriott-Payne, who was over the moon to add this prestigious HOYS title to her wins.
Katy said: “I’m speechless – I wanted it so badly. I’ve won every major title but this one had always eluded me!” There were four Cadlanvalley ponies competing in the Welsh Section B class and all of them were placed in the top nine. Cadlanvalley Buzby, who Katy says has a temperament to match his looks, has only been lightly shown this year. “He has been used as a breeding stallion at Cadlan Valley Stud for the last two years,” explained Katie. “He only came back to me in June this year. We’ve been to about six shows but he stood Royal Welsh Overall Ridden M&M Champion this season as well.”
The seven-year-old is by Russetwood Elation and qualified at the New Forest & Hampshire County Show. Reserve went to the winner of the Connemara section, Sue Huntingdon’s Slieve Bloom Jill ridden by Hannah Horton. The eight-year-old mare is by Brock Lodge Buster. The Championship offers the perfect opportunity for spectators to view all 12 of Britain’s native breeds of pony. The top two from each breed section go through to the overall championship to contest the prestigious title.
