Area 5 – The Wynnstay at HOYS – 08/10/24

8th October 24

HOYS 2024 – we have arrived!

Following the elation of winning at Champs, the Wynnstay mounted games team have thrown themselves into fund raising and at least twice weekly practices in preparation for Horse of the Year Show.    

The team, Sam and Thomas Courtney, Archie Pearson, Izzy Lyons and George Bradley, trained by Lisa 

Pearson, have had an amazing summer which has culminated in the dream of qualifying for HOYS.

We arrived on Monday to an almost empty car park at the NEC, but we quickly settled our group of horse boxes close to the stables and in bright sunshine, erected our team marquee. Once deep beds were laid and a tackroom masterly built, the ponies were installed into their home for the week. Following our first briefing, official trot up and weigh in we settled down to a delicious supper where we were joined by various members of other branches.   

Our first full day started early with feeding the ponies at 6.00 and then in dim light, all the teams hacked down for their first experience of the grand arena. The excitement rose and the reality hit home as they rode past the Kings Troop stables and approached the warm up area and saw the entrance to the Grand Ring. Tack and turnout completed, the moment came to ride through the famous purple curtain – fortunately all the ponies took it in their stride and we had an excellent training session. Back to the stables and a huge breakfast for both ponies and their jockeys. 

The team from Lemieux, this years sponsor, were given a guided tour round the stables and the chance to meet the teams. This took place in torrential rain but not enough to stop the appearance of Shetland pony Lemieux iconic Lemon.  

LeMieux has generously provided all the teams with personalised coats and this evening they were all given numnahs in their team colours. This was followed by each team giving a short entertainment. North Hereford and Athelstan were fantastic as were the rest of the teams but I dearly hope the Wynnstay perform better in the ring than they sing!   

Early start tomorrow with a 6.00 practice and then our first appearance in the afternoon. Just to be here is amazing, and the last two days have been a fun introduction to what we are sure will be an amazing week. Huge thanks goes to the Pony Club and LeMieux for making the teams dreams come true.

2nd October 24

Good luck to The Wynnstay Mounted Games Team as they go to HOYS on Monday to start The Prince Philip Cup on Wednesday.