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.
