Local rider qualifies for Horse of the Year Show

A LOCAL amateur rider has qualified for this year’s Horse of the Year Show.
Donna Harrison, 18, from Lowton, took first place in the ponies class in a qualifying round in Lancashire, riding her mother Sandra Harrison’s horse, Pictus Sleepy Hollow.
Donna fought off stiff competition from other riders in the class to gain qualification for the Horse of The Year Show (HOYS).
The Harrisons have owned the six year old pony, known as Angus at home, for a year and started competing in novice classes last season.
A delighted Donna said: “We just came along today to see what he was like – I can’t believe that we have won!”
This was the first time the pair had competed in a show at this level.
“I would have been happy if we had been placed – but it was my ambition to get to HOYS”.
The pony’s former owner, Donna Howarth, was at the show to support and acted as groom for Donna on the day.
She said: “I had him since he was a scruffy yearling – you would not recognise him today.  I am very proud of him.”
Sandra and Donna have not yet made any plans for more competitions this year, but hope to do some more show classes in preparation for HOYS.  Donna said: “He will cope with the atmosphere at HOYS, he is so laid back he can actually be quite lazy.  When he is at home he can be spooky, but at a show he really seems to enjoy it and is a different pony”.
Donna’s dad, Ken, makes up the support team, driving to shows and giving moral support, and the whole family will be making the trip to the finals at the NEC in October.