October started and ended with great success for West Kype show jumpers, Cameron Rogan set off for the Highlight of the year, the Horse of the Year Show at the Birmingham NEC a the beginning of the month. Cameron had qualified with his pony Tommy, for the finals of the Blue Chip Pony Newcomers, at the Scope festival. A great number of supporters also travelled down to support him when he competed in the first Show-jumping class of the Friday and they were not to be disappointed. Cameron was last to go in the first round and the pair entered the ring as if they had been there a hundred times before. Not phased at all by the television lights and the electric atmosphere, Cameron and Tommy jumped a superb round to be the final clear to join the jump off, the visiting contingent went wild and he got the biggest cheer if the class. There were eight clears with Cameron last to go and nothing to do but ‘go for it’. He set off a great pace tuning over number one before he had even landed but unfortunately took a pole in the double, the crowd still went wild as he had earned himself a place in the presentation parade and a treasured HOYS rosette which not many of us will ever be lucky enough to win.

The month concluded with a superb win for Kelsey Smith and her horse Hero, qualifying for Hickstead in the winter novice. With only £1 of winnings left on his card before she would be ineligible for this class it was her last chance. Kelsey was 13th to go in the jump off and took the lead but had a nerve racking wait to see if any of the following riders would beat her time. Luckily for her they didn’t so now she is planning a summer visit to Hickstead for the final.