Danielle Heath took to the Horse of The Year Show this year for the first time and celebrated a double win riding Oathills Take The Biscuit, owned by Sally Iggulden.

Blue Chip Feed Owner Clare Blaskey caught up with Danielle and Sally at HOYS 2011 to talk about her spectacular win, how they found the horse and what it feels like to ride in the championships.

Danielle was sponsored by Blue Chip earlier this year for the first time. It was her first time riding at HOYS, as well as first win.

Sally Iggulden met the breeder of winning horse, Oathills Take The Biscuit, by buying another horse. Neither Sally or Danielle had seen Oathills in the flesh but they liked what they saw from photos and took a leap of faith and brought him.

He is a 5 year old horse so it was his first season under saddle, he is a very balanced horse and has good manners. Hunter judge, Paul Cook said he gave him the best ride of the day and Sue Rawding said that the only problem was Danielle got the horse and not her.

Danielle said it was a dream come true to win HOYS. She described the atmosphere as fantastic and loved having all her owners there to witness her spotlight moment, which she calls a team effort.
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Jessica Lawrence won a competition in Absolute Horse entitling her to a lesson and makeover with top show rider and producer Katie Jerram, courtesy of Blue Chip.

Jessica and her pony Wolfie went to Katie Jerram’s yard in Essex.

“When my pony Wolfie and I arrived at Katie’s yard she was very welcoming. I had a lesson in her arena where she gave me so many tips on how to really get my pony to go better.”

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Jessica at the beginning of the lesson

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When Katie started the lesson, Wolfie was very stiff, had no bend in his neck and very little movement through his shoulder. When Jessica was asked for more movement she had no joy in getting any energy or propulsion from behind.

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After being asked to push on

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Katie decided to stop the lesson to assess Jessica’s position in the saddle, making sure she was sitting correctly and holding the reins properly, without a bend in her wrist. This also gave Katie chance to hold the reins and get a feel of Wolfie in her hands from the ground.

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Katie assessing Jessica's position and hands

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At this point Katie decided that Jessica and Wolfie would benefit from some work on the lunge. This meant Katie could have a contact with Wolfie to help Jessica through the transitions, improving his suppleness, balance and propulsion. Twenty minutes with the lunge running from the bit to his girth made all the difference.

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Working on the lunge to help with balance, propulsion and suppleness

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Once it was evident that Wolfie was giving with his jaw, Katie set the pair off on their own. However, Jessica found it difficult to keep a rhythm, with the energy coming from behind so Katie followed them with the lunge whip to maintain the energy.

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Katie giving a little help to keep the energy

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By the end of the lesson they were working consistently in walk, trot and canter and riding figures of eight.

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Katie setting Jessica & Wolfie off on their own

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Katie said, “Wolfie can give at the jaw and push from behind, he just needed some schooling and work to get him there. What a difference this lesson has made.”

Jessica said, “I was so excited to have won the Blue Chip competition to have a lesson and make over with Katie Jerram. After the lesson she gave Wolfie a make over. She gave me some clues on how to make his white bits whiter and great tips for general turn out for shows.

I had a fantastic day and learned a lot. Thanks Katie!”

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Name: Jo Bates/Holly Bates

Horse/s for 2011:
Man of Quality – Lightweight Hunter,
Shybont Navaho Girl – Coloured Non Native Horse, Bronze Star – Small Hack, Buriana Cashel – Large Intermediate Show Riding Type/Large Hack, Deli’s Andiamo – Small Hunter, Cambridge – 4 year old Dressage Horse, Oldcourt Charlotte – 14.2 hh Show Pony, Thriller – 4 year old Large Riding Horse.

Best 2010 Results:
Champion Royal Show – Shybont Navaho Girl; Overall Supreme Champion Royal London Show – Shybont Navaho Girl
Reserve Supreme Royal London Show – Bronze Star
Reserve Champion Restricted Champion BSHA – Buriana Cashel – Holly Bates
6th HOYS – Deli’s Andiamo
6th HOYS – Bronze Star

2011 Goals:
To qualify all our main contenders for RIHS and HOYS

Top Tips:

• Be Well prepared before taking new horses to shows.
• Remember to Use the Blue Chip Products to help in your show production – they really do work!
• Always make sure you have great attention to detail so that your turnout and way of going is of the highest standard – Never be afraid to ask professionals for their advice.

Memorable Horses:
Broadstone Dee/Broadstone Wizard/Daldorn State Melody

Website: jo-bates.co.uk

Danielle riding Oathill Take The Biscuit

HOYS, known to many as the ‘World’s Most Famous Horse Show’, has just celebrated it’s 63rd event.

After six fun-filled days of everything equestrian 2011 HOYS is officially over for another year.

The event took place at the Birmingham NEC, where spectators turned up in there thousands to cheer on their favourite riders.

The stadium was filled with enthusiasm, competitive spirit and laughter proving that the 63-year-old event is still as popular as ever.

We were very proud to have some of our Blue Chip sponsored riders (Katie Jerram, Danielle Heath, Louise Bell, Jo Bates and Beth Vernon) competing in such a prestigious event.

The competition was tough and the standard of riders so high, but our Blue Chip sponsored riders held their own and did a magnificent job.

Katie Jerram, Danielle Heath, Louise Bell and Jo Bates all competed in showing events.

Here’s how they got on:

Katie Jerram

Danielle Heath

Louise Bell

Jo Bates

In the Showjumping events we had our sponsored rider Beth Vernon competing.

These are Beth’s results:

Beth Vernon

Sponsored riders Katie Jerram and Danielle Heath both won a competition and Louise Bell finished in 2nd place for Cuddy Working Hunter Of The Year.

Danielle Heath celebrated a double win riding Oathill Take The Biscuit, owned by Sally Iggulden.  She scooped Middleweight Hunter and Hunter of The Year, both with Oathill. Together they proved to be an unstoppable duo.

HOYS rounds up a fantastic year for our sponsored riders. All their hard work and preparation leading up to the show has paid off, resulting in numerous wins.

Well done to all that competed!

Blue Chip Sponsored Rider Danielle Heath, a top show rider and producer has been aspiring to get to the top spot at The Horse of the Year Show.

After three 2^nd placings and two reserve championships in the past, Danielle has finally done it.

Sally Iggulden’s five year old Oathill Take The Biscuit fought off thirty other competitors in the Middleweight Hunter class to lead them to victory.

Securing the elusive red rosette at The Horse Of The Year Show is the icing on the cake for Daneille, who has done brilliantly in 2011.

Oathill Take The Biscuit has also had a fantastic season from start to finish.

Determined to leave their mark on HOYS 2011 the unstoppable pair also took the prestigious Show Hunter of the Year title.

Danielle said after her win, “I am over the moon. We have had an amazing first open season, he was such a star today and really raised his game.”

Congratulations Danielle!

Blue Chip Sponsored Rider Danielle Heath attended The 2011 Bakewell Show with her horse.

We went along to see how she prepares both herself and her horse before the show.

Danielle rode in the Ridden Open Small Hunter Class and explained the importance of her horse wearing a double bridle to conform with the class. To try and make him more comfortable on the day she tends to introduce the bridle on numerous occasions leading up to the show.

Danielle felt the judge of the Hunters Class was looking for good substance, type and confirmation in a well mannered horse. The conformation is important to the judge and she thought he was after a good fore-leg, nice flat bone, a good stamp of a horse with a good shoulder.

As well as the horse looking class appropriate the rider also has to be wearing the correct attire. The Hunters Class requires riders to wear tweed, which is what Danielle wore, paired with a straight top boot with a garter strap and spurs.

She believes in the best for her horse, which is why she feeds Blue Chip Original. The feed balancer covers the overall condition and health of the horse, making sure he’s always in tip top condition.

She also found the Blue Chip Instant Calmers, which come in delicious Apple and Carrot flavours, particularly effective.

Danielle thought AppleCalm and CarrotCalm were very good, especially for the young horses, as it takes the anxiousness away. They are easy to use at shows and a great last minute fix if a horse needs a little something to help it settle.

Watch the interview with Danielle below