Anglesey riders to compete at 2023 Horse of the Year Show

The 74th edition of the event, held across four days at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham from October 4-8, is considered “the biggest week of the year for equestrian entertainment”.

Kelly Hannah Morris and her horse, Abbeyvale Higher Love (stable name “Stella”) will be competing tomorrow (October 4), having qualified at The National Welsh Championships for the Open Ridden Welsh Section D of the year.

READ MORE:

Body of man discovered on Anglesey, police confirm

Man groomed girl who he told he ‘had a crush on’ in North Wales

Greggs planning to open Caernarfon store ‘later this month’

Stella also qualified for the Junior Ridden Mountain and Moorland of the Year, with fellow rider Nansi Evans-Brooks at the same show and winning the same class again at the Denbigh and Flint Show.

Nansi Evans-Brooks (Image: Submitted)

Kelly said: “Stella is only six, and this is her first season under saddle.

“It is such an incredible feeling to think next week (Wednesday for me, Friday for Nansi) we will be riding round the arena at the Horse of the Year Show, which so many people only get to dream of.

“My Horse of the Year Show preparation mostly consists of riding on Pentraeth Beach in-between working!”

Meanwhile, Maddison Maguire and her horse, Holyland Lion In Winter (Bertie), have qualified for the 148cm Children’s Riding Pony of the Year and are competing on October 7.

Maddison Maguire (Image: Submitted)

Maddison, who has competed at the Horse of the Year Show twice before, has owned Bertie since August 2021.

Her mum, Julie, said: “When we got the phone call from The Showing Register, we were extremely excited as we have been working so hard this year to get that final ticket that we have been working for.

“We are all feeling very excited for the Horse of the Year Show, as this is Maddison’s third time competing.

“But this year, it’s different as we are doing Bertie home-produced. We can’t wait to compete and be a part of this incredible show!”

Elsewhere, Helen Ingham bought Fabels Aurora (Rose) at the Royal International Horse Show this year for her daughter, Nellie, who turned nine a few weeks ago.

Rose arrived at North Wales producer Carl Owen’s yard, and with just three weeks to go and lots of practice, qualified for Horse of the Year Show, a dream that Nellie and Helen thought would never happen in their first open show season.

(L-R) Nellie and Helen Ingham, with Carl Owen (Image: Submitted)

The team are now on tenterhooks for their day in the spotlight on Sunday (October 8).