HOYS first timer, Jessica Burke (IRL), secured a hat-trick in wins during today’s afternoon performance at the 2022 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).
Riding Inpulss, whom she won the HOYS Accumulator on, Jessica navigated the mare superbly around the Andrews Bowen International Arena fighting off some of the industry’s best-known names for a win at the Speed Horse of the Year Class.
“The mare is such a sweetheart, not the easiest of courses but she just fought so hard”, said Jessica.
You would be forgiven for thinking Jessica was a familiar face at the Horse of the Year Show. With her experience, skill and top-class horses, the Irish rider is every bit the professional we’ve come to expect at events such as this.
Owned by Louisa Church, the KWPN mare is known at Pulse at home for her need to do everything quickly,
“The mare believes she can do anything” smiled Jessica “she pulses around the place”.
“She never stops, she does everything fast” she continued. “She comes out of the stable fast, she has to run on the truck fast, everything is fast”.
On her year so far Jessica stated,
“This year has been amazing. I’ve jumped my first Nations Cup, and I’ve jumped in the Dublin five star, I think now you’re getting to know me”.
Taking a break from teaching to ride professionally, Jessica spoke of her hat-trick at HOYS,
“It’s incredible, it doesn’t sink in does it until you get home”
The class was the first of the afternoon’s performances and was kicked off by Saturday evening’s Puissance winner, Commandant Geoff Curran (IRL). A focused and what looked like determined Geoff delivered Tempo Manor past the finish with a clear to stop the clock on 54.01 seconds.
In a class that adds 3 seconds per pole (fence) lowered, Robert Murphy (GBR) and his new ride, Ayrton IV took their chances by riding tight corners and jumping sharp angles. Sadly, the effort proved costly as there were 6 seconds added to their time after 2 poles fell to the ground.
Robert Smith (GBR), riding Cimano E, was the next rider into the arena to steal the lead as they rode a faultless round to stop the clock on 53.1 seconds.
Mark Edwards (GBR) and Flying Tinker II proved a force to be reckoned with as the pair thundered around the arena. The bay gelding powerfully carried Mark over each jump to cross the finish line collecting the first time in under 50 seconds.
Mark’s lead was short-lived, with Jessica and Inpulss coming only a handful of competitors later. Following her spellbinding super-quick round, the audience waited anxiously to see how the remainder of the competition played out. With nine riders still to go, including Trevor Breen (IRL), Guy Williams (GBR) and Anthony Condon (IRL) there could have still been a shakeup on the leaderboard.
As none could break the 50-second barrier, Mark would realise eventual 2nd place with Flying Tinker II, with Trevor Breen and Jicarla in 3rd.
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Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.