Stormhill ready for tearful finale at the top show

This week's Horse of the Year Show at the NEC is going to be his swansong so far as competing at top level goes and there are likely to be a few tears shed by his owner, Rebecca Walker, and his many fans.

"It's very much his moment," said Rebecca, who has owned the horse for the past seven years. She is based in Batley and he went to her from a riding school in Tong where he did everything from hacks to hunting and cross-country.

"It's going to be very emotional at the Horse of the Year Show. The fact that he could come from a local riding school and go to this – it proves we can all fulfil our dreams."

The 17-year-old is a prolific champion and has also just had a busy stud season based at Jerome Harforth's Stanley Grange Stud. He has been graded an elite stallion with the British Skewbald and Piebald Association (BSPA) and, says Rebecca: "It would just be the icing on the cake if he got his elite grading with the Coloured Horse and Pony Society (CHAPS) too."

Stormhill Mink competed at HOYS in 2007 and this year has had an extremely successful season in the show ring. He was the Supreme Ridden Horse at the BSPA Championships and won all his classes at the CHAPS northern show at Richmond, qualifying for the Horse of the Year Show in May. He also competed at the Royal International Horse Show.

In September at the CHAPS championship at Grantham, he was In hand Horse Champion and also won the stallion class for the third year.

"Now we have HOYS and after that we have decided to retire him from competing at top level," said Rebecca. "He'll maybe do some dressage. He enjoys it so much and is such a character."

Stormhill Mink will compete at HOYS with his regular rider, Derbyshire-based producer Julie Judge. And waiting in the wings back home, Rebecca has a colt foal by Stormhill, called Spirit of Storm, who she hopes will be following in his footsteps.

Stormhill Mink is online at www.stormhillmink.co.uk.

SIX Pony Clubs will be battling it out over the next few days at the Horse of the Year Show in pursuit of the Prince Phillip Cup. And this year the final six teams competing in the Pony Club Mounted Games include two from Yorkshire, the Badsworth Hunt and the Rockwood Harriers.

COLIC and how to treat and prevent it is the subject of the first in a series of evening talks being organised by the Minster Equine Veterinary Clinic at Askham Bryan College tomorrow night. Admission is free. To book a place go to www.minstervets.co.uk.

JOE CLAYTON, 20, will be having a busy time at HOYS where he will be riding in three competitions, including the Horse and Hound Foxhunter. Joe, who is from Huddersfield and is based with Michael Whitaker, will be riding Ashkari and Wild Rose, after qualifying both horses at the Wales and West.

Northallerton's Paul Barker will be riding Temple Ryefield in the international classes.

ASKHAM BRYAN COLLEGE near York will be holding its first national horse trials event on Sunday.

Results

Stokesley Show (agricultural horses) – brood mare with foal at foot: 1, K Brown, Shortwaite Lady; 2, D & S Rutter, Ingleby Silver Charm. Foal-colt-filly: 1, D & S Rutter - Ingleby Ernie; 2, G Gorman - Dapplefield Marcall Tom; 3, K Brown - Westside George. Yearling-colt-filly-gelding: 1, RF Pearson, Sledgate Bonnie. Two-year-old colt-filly-gelding: 1, RF Pearson, Sledgate Violet; 2, H Emerson, Powguild Roxy; 3, D & S Rutter, Ingleby Silver Crystal. Colt-mare-gelding: 1, G Gorman, Dapple Elizabeth Ann; 2, D & S Rutter, Ingelby Silver Dollar; 3, Mr & Mrs ES Cumbor, Ayton Final Discovery. Pairs: 1, Mr & Mrs Escumbor, Ayton Lady Katherine & Ayton Final Discovery; 2, RF Pearson, Sledgate Bonnie & Sledgate Vilolet; 3, D & S Rutter, Ingleby Silver Crystal & Ingleby Silver Dollar.

Champion: Dapple Elizabeth Ann; reserve: Shortwaite Lady.

Nidderdale Show (agricultural horses) – brood mare with foal at foot: 1, K Downs, Camalter Lily of the Valley. Foal-colt-filly: 1, K Downs, Milnerfield Mascot. Yearling-colt-filly-gelding: 1, C Wilkins, Oaklodge Maisie. Two YO colt-filly-gelding: 1, AJ Gribbin, Leaventhorpe My Girl. Barren mare-filly-gelding, three years & over: 1, K Downs, Moorfield Lady Sarah; 2, S Green, Lockley Challenger; 3, S Green, Cowthorpe Ella Green.

Champion: Moorfield Lady Sarah; reserve: Leaventhorpe My Girl.