Ireland’s Billy Twomey has won the Suregrow Five Fence Challenge at Horse of the Year Show – achieving the only clear over a massive course. Three riders made it through to the fourth round, where they faced a frankly terrifying set of fences, which included a 1.70m upright and a 1.90m wide triple bar. Cian O’Connor (Ulme De Feugeres) and Graham Lovegrove (Centolove) both had one down, which meant a clear from Billy would win him the class. The 37-year-old, who is based in Nottinghamshire, looked like he was schooling Royale Du Rouet around the course. The nine-year-old stallion didn’t put a foot wrong and came home with the maximum number of points to win the class. “He’s got lots of ability and is super careful – he doesn’t want to touch the fences,” Billy stated. “This class suited him as he grew in confidence with each round. I was really pleased with him." "It’s only our second indoor show and it can take a round or two for a horse to get their eye in, but he’s not really phased by much. He has a good mentality and gets on with his job.” The Five Fence Challenge sees riders take on a course of five jumps, which go up in height with each round. There are a maximum of five rounds, with points awarded for every fence cleared. The rider with the most points at the end of the competition is the winner.
Ireland’s Billy Twomey has won the Suregrow Five Fence Challenge at Horse of the Year Show – achieving the only clear over a massive course. Three riders made it through to the fourth round, where they faced a frankly terrifying set of fences, which included a 1.70m upright and a 1.90m wide triple bar. Cian O’Connor (Ulme De Feugeres) and Graham Lovegrove (Centolove) both had one down, which meant a clear from Billy would win him the class. The 37-year-old, who is based in Nottinghamshire, looked like he was schooling Royale Du Rouet around the course. The nine-year-old stallion didn’t put a foot wrong and came home with the maximum number of points to win the class. “He’s got lots of ability and is super careful – he doesn’t want to touch the fences,” Billy stated. “This class suited him as he grew in confidence with each round. I was really pleased with him." "It’s only our second indoor show and it can take a round or two for a horse to get their eye in, but he’s not really phased by much. He has a good mentality and gets on with his job.” The Five Fence Challenge sees riders take on a course of five jumps, which go up in height with each round. There are a maximum of five rounds, with points awarded for every fence cleared. The rider with the most points at the end of the competition is the winner.