AMATEUR rider Hayley Shippey has triumphed at the Horse of the Year Show after wowing judges with her eight-year-old thoroughbred General George.
Ms Shippey, from Upwell, rode to victory in the cob final of the South Essex Insurance Brokers’ Search For A Star Championship.
She bought General George, who is thought to have been bred in Ireland, as a young horse when she was looking for a cob to show.
Ms Shippey said: “He is very brave and always gets me out of trouble.
“He is quite a character but a real gent at home, although he likes to get out of his head collar and go for a walk around when we are at shows.”
Judge Clare Oliver said: “The winner gave a lovely ride, steady and mannerly. The standard gets better each year.”
General George also finished ninth in the Open Lightweight Cob category.
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