Hovis takes the biscuit as Sally sets sights on Great Yorkshire

She still can not quite believe that a young horse that she bought unseen, Oathill Take the Biscuit, stepped into the ring at the Horse of the Year Show and won the prestigious Show Hunter of the Year title.

Hovis, as he is known at home, won the Open Middleweight section ridden by Danielle Heath and then went on to be Supreme Hunter Champion. The five-year-old “just took it all in his stride,” according to Sally.

Having never bought horses unseen before, in 2010 Sally broke all her rules and made two purchases. The first was a small hunter yearling, whose owner then mentioned a four-year-old middleweight hunter for sale in Devon. One look at a picture of Hovis was enough to make Sally decide he was worth the gamble.

Hovis went to Danielle Heath’s yard in Cheshire. His first season proved impressive from start to finish. He won the Novice Hunter title at the Newark and Notts show and a win at the White Rose County show qualified him for the Royal International Horse Show. He gained his HOYS ticket at the Derbyshire Festival of Showing.

“He fulfilled one of my lifetime ambitions by winning his class at the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead and then went Reserve Hunter Champion,” said Sally.

At the National Hunter Show at Addington, Hovis took a different class in his stride, winning the sidesaddle Ladies Hunter Championship.

He has spent the winter with Sally, at Westow near Malton, but is now back in Cheshire.

Sally does have one ambition yet to achieve with Hovis and that is to win at the Great Yorkshire Show.

She also has another important date in her diary this year – her wedding in October. She recently became engaged to George Primarolo, press spokesman for Betfred.

THE Derwent Hunt point-to-point takes place at Charm Park tomorrow, with 109 horses entered. The first race, due off at 12.30pm, looks like being a very competitive one.

Nineteen horses have been entered for the PRORA Club members’ race for veteran and novice riders.

William Easterby is aiming for his first winner with Gwyre, while Chris Cundall will have the choice of riding either Andre Chenier or The Gloves Are Off.

HELEN BELL is looking forward to the first British Eventing affiliated horse trials at Breckenbrough near Thirsk at the end of this month. There will be BE 90 and BE 100 classes over the two days, March 31 and April 1. Two new cross-country courses have been built by joint organiser Moray Nicholson and Helen’s husband, Tom. See www.helenbellequestrian.co.uk.