Birdhill’s Andrew is top of his class

Sharing joint first on a sold-out night of dramatic action at the prestigious Puissance at the Horse of the Year show in Birmingham was a significant milestone in the successful career of a Birdhill rider.

Birdhill's Andrew Hodgins and UK's equally accomplished competitor, Rachel Proudley, who has competed regularly at Dublin's RDS Horse Show were the only riders to make it to the final rounds of the event and went on to share the coveted prestigious overall award as joint winners.

They had arrived there by clearing 2.13 metres, with the final height rising to 2.18 metres, or seven feet and two inches and going on to share the top honour after they bowed out together in front of a crowd that packed the Andrews Bowen International Arena to its rafters.

Andrew's horse is Shanaclough Luichew, owned by John and Ann Glynn from Co.Limerick and Rachel's mount was Easy Boy.

Andrew has had huge successes this year being placed at the Dublin Horse show Puissance, placed fifth in Hickstead Speed Derby in the UK and won a high jump competition at Tattersalls show and a Six Bar competition at Mullingar Equestrian centre.

Assessing his share of the top prize, Andrew said: “My horse’s heart is completely in the right place. Sometimes he can be become too brave, but you couldn’t but love him. He gives you everything.

“I think I have slept about four hours in the last two days. I can’t sleep, and I don’t think I’m going to sleep tonight. When you actually get on the horse’s back and you get going and focus, that is the best thing.

“It is just about trying to keep as calm as possible, and trying to keep everything as controlled as you can. It is a bit more difficult at times than I would like it to be, but he is who he is, and I love the horse.”

Continued success to Andrew, whose future is certainly looking very bright.