Director Claims His Place

Bacup based Hollie Butterworth was delighted to take the first HOYS ticket of the year and her very first qualification riding Acle Director [Adie].

Hollie and her husband, Michael, purchased five-year-old Shire, Adie, at the beginning of June last year and had him gelded before breaking him in to ride. “Initially, I had his dad, Leverton Leon,” said Hollie.  “Michael used to shoe at the stud where we bought him from and mentioned him to me. We got him going under saddle and had him covering, too.  However, after several issues we decided to retire him. He’s the gentlest, kindest stallion I’ve ever met so I was absolutely heartbroken.”

Hollie explained that at first, Adie wasn’t as easy as his father. “He looked at things and always felt on his toes, but Michael felt he was ready to go to a show”.

Despite Hollie’s apprehension, the couple drove him to Garstang show where he gave the judge a lovely ride to stand fourth. “He blew me away,” said Hollie. They subsequently attempted a few qualifiers and came away with a second in Hollie and Adie’s last attempt for 2021 at the BSHA championships.

It was decided that Adie should enjoy some time off during the winter and as Hollie and Michael had mares to foal, it was uncertain that they would make the Shire Horse show held at Newark Showground over the weekend. Hollie said: “Adie was a monkey in the inhand with Michael which made me even more nervous. I first attended HOYS last year to support a close friend, Michael Martin, but I’ve never qualified before. It really is a dream come true. It’s been incredibly testing at times but so worth it!”

Second to Hollie and Adie were Nicola Manders and Oaklodge Endeavour [Eddie], who finished a commendable sixth in the HOYS final last season.

Photo from Jacqueline Pettigrew