'Face of an angel' horse goes to national contest

Six year-old Sox takes the scrutiny of the show ring in his stride, but apparently, does not like early mornings

A Norfolk family are celebrating after their prized horse qualified to compete at a prestigious national show.

Six-year-old Sox was hand-reared on the yard outside of Thetford in Norfolk, which is owned by Fay Leneghan and her mum Gabrielle Williams.

He was entered for the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifier just to gain experience, but won the class, and will head to the NEC in Birmingham for the final.

Mrs Williams said Sox was an excellent example of what a cob horse should be, with his thick legs and a strong neck.

"They say cobs should have the face of an angel and the bottom of a cook," she explained.

"I think he is just fabulous."

Sox will be one of ten horses to compete in the so-called maxi cob class at The Horse of the Year Show

Sox competes under the name Four Courts, and will compete in the maxi cob class in the amateur section of the competition.

Unlike other equestrian sports like dressage or showjumping, all competitors are in the ring at the same time trying to catch the judge's eye.

Sox's rider Ms Leneghan said he loved the attention.

"We all walk, trot and canter, and then either we all have to do an individual show for the judge or the judge will get on and ride the horse," said Ms Leneghan.

"We then take off all the tack and run them up and down the ring too to show how they move."

Describing Sox's surprise new stardom, she said: "We never expected it. There was a lot of shock and a lot of tears".

Mrs Williams said she competed at HOYS as a child but has never in her decades of competing had a home-grown horse qualify.

"It is unbelievable really," she said.

The family will drive their horse lorry 130 miles to Birmingham, where the conference centre is transformed into accommodation for hundreds of equine competitors.

Their class takes place on 9 October.