The supreme in-hand last on the Horse of the 12 months Present (HOYS) is arguably essentially the most hotly-contested championships on the displaying circuit, and Shane Rogers has been working exhausting to get there.
For many who present in-hand, main a pony via the gates into the TopSpec Enviornment on the NEC is on the bucket record, and Shane Rogers did simply that in October 2022, presenting Jane Laffey’s part-bred Welsh Rotherwood Firefox.
Shane certified the three-year-old gelding at Stoneleigh Horse Present and the duo completed a reputable sixth on the last.
Shane’s 2022 present season has been his greatest but; he not solely certified for HOYS however received on the Royal Welsh, a dream he’s been chasing since he began his dealing with profession.
His cost was Rhian Roberts’ beautiful Welsh part C Broodmare Rhencullen Fairly P, who is called Maz at residence, who received her class and trotted off with the Welsh part C broodmare championship.
Shane Rogers hails from a non-horsey household and he started displaying by way of Lucy Thompson’s thoroughbred Showcase, who he campaigned at native degree each in-hand and under-saddle.
“I’d tried a little bit of all the things however settled on displaying after competing for a number of seasons,” says Shane, who then started displaying Welsh ponies and located a long-lasting love for the breeds.
Through the years Shane has received at quite a few exhibits, together with Royal Windsor, Royal Cornwall, Midland Counties and Royal Cheshire, amongst others. Whereas Welsh ponies are his bread and butter, he’s been concerned with varied breeds, together with Friesians, New Forests, part-breds and driving horses.
“Ever since I first skilled the Royal Welsh present I wished to win there,” Shane explains. “After knocking on the door for a few years — I’ve had a number of seconds and even been reserve champion — I lastly received on the present with Maz.”
One in all Shane’s most constant ponies is Jane Laffey’s Rotherwood Jubilee Diamond who has loved a run of success within the ring, successful at Royal Windsor, Royal Cheshire, the Welsh Nationwide championships, the Nationwide Pony Society summer season championships, Herts County and Newark and Notts. He was additionally pulled into the highest six in a number of HOYS Cuddy (now referred to as the Value Household) in-hand qualifiers.
Jane Laffey’s Rotherwood Jubilee Diamond, a winner at Royal Windsor in 2022
“Jane’s Rotherwood Firefox certified for the Value Household in-hand championship at HOYS this yr, too, which was a tremendous motion,” says Shane, who additionally has fond recollections of dealing with Netherlands-based Welsh part A stallion Potteries Simon for 2 seasons. He completed as reserve male champion with him on the Royal Welsh in 2019.
Shane leads Rotherwood Firefox to a HOYS in-hand supreme ticket
Shane additionally owns the Welsh part C stallion Bodynys Kaino who, beneath Katy Marriott-Payne, was a three-time HOYS ridden finalist and Royal Welsh champion under-saddle.
“I’ve owned him since he was six months previous and he’s in all probability the one I’m most pleased with,” says Shane, who will likely be displaying ponies for the Lewis household’s Rhydyfelin stud subsequent season.
Shane runs his personal yard and most of his present animals reside at his base, except for a few ponies who he meets at exhibits.
“I don’t have a staff of individuals on the yard, just some good mates who assist out with cowl while I’m away at exhibits,” he says. “We’ve some beautiful kids coming via who we’re very enthusiastic about, although I will likely be protecting them a secret for now. It actually appears to be like like 2023 goes to be my busiest but!
“I’ve met so many individuals while displaying everywhere in the world, many who I can genuinely name good mates,” he continues. “It’s nice watching mates compete and do effectively.”
Shane hasn’t slowed down an excessive amount of throughout the festive interval.
“Christmas revolved across the ponies,” he says. “In the intervening time, the yard is quiet as the vast majority of ponies have returned residence to their homeowners for his or her winter breaks. However earlier than we all know it, the present season will likely be upon us and we will likely be raring to go.”
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Credit score: Trevor Meeks
Credit score: Trevor Meeks
Credit score: Trevor Meeks
Credit score: Future
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