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‘He just gets better and better’: six-year-old is crowned HOYS small hunter champion

Bethan Simons Bethan Simons

    • Alan Marnie’s six-year-old Highview Overando (Reggie) just gets “better and better”, according to his delighted rider Jayne Ross after they won the Hamilton Tarmac small hunter of the year title at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

    Jayne said the quality gelding has not had many outings but he “took it all in his stride”.

    “I think that sometimes, young horses go in there and they have this innocence that allows them to really open up and go, and I think that’s what must have caught the judges’ eyes,” she said. “It’s interesting – he’s coming of age and I’m just so thrilled with him.”

    Jayne said Reggie “got a bit worried” when the other horses left him to his moment in the spotlight, but that this was also a trait of Twinshock Warrior, who was so successful for Jayne in the heavyweight ranks.

    Alan first spotted Reggie at Dublin Horse Show when he was owned by Debbie Harrod and produced by James Smyth.

    “I thought he really had something about him,” said Alan, “so I approached Debbie and it took a bit of persuading but we came to a deal eventually and he came over. He’s really a lovely horse; clean-limbed with a lovely front. And I love a grey, so he is the whole package.”

    Matching her Royal International Horse Show placing, standing runner-up, was Morean Hamilton’s Annaghmore Huntress, ridden by her producer, Kirstine Douglas.

    Kirstine first spotted the eight-year-old as a foal with breeder Sinead Healion. When she later saw her as a three-year-old, Kirstine decided that she had to have her on the team.

    “I said, ‘She’s coming home with me’,” said Kirstine, who also shows her older brother in the weight classes.

    Now owned by Morean Hamilton, she’s in her second season.

    “She’s not actually done that many shows. In two seasons, she’ll have done 10 shows,” said Kirstine. “She’s a fabulous mare.”

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    Bethan Simons
    Bethan Simons

    H&H showing editor
    Bethan joined Horse & Hound as showing editor in January 2025, after spending two years as Editor for Showing World. Having adored ponies since childhood, she started showing as a teenager and has enjoyed wins at major shows up and down the country, including Royal Highland, New Forest, and the Royal Welsh, as well as HOYS, RIHS and London. She is particularly passionate about Welsh breeds and is also a Welsh language commentator.
    Bethan Simons

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