Tears for Kettering rider who has become a champion among champions
Kettering rider Kristie Short was overcome when she won the Search for a Star Riding Horse/Hack class on Carrhouse Deal Me In at the prestigious Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) last week.
The show is only for horses that have become a champion in a qualifying event this year - a competition for the cream of the cream.
Kristie, from Thorpe Malsor, bought the bay as an unbroken five-year-old and she has done all the training work herself, with the help of good instructors. The pair qualified at Hartpury in August and took their place in the ring on Thursday - the second day of the five day HOYS spectacular.
"Walking into the arena my heart was in mouth. It was packed and all I could wish for was a good ride," said Kristie.
"Never in a million years did I expect for my number to be called out as the winner. At that moment I instantly burst into tears with shock and joy."
Kristie's Mum, Kim, said: "I was amazed and thrilled as my daughter had worked so hard with him. He is one special horse with a wonderful personality. It was so nice as his breeder was there and came to see him."
Kristie and Carrhouse Deal Me In will have to keep up their training in preparation for the Royal International Horse Show, which they have also qualified for, in December.