The Semifinals: Vote Your Favorite for 2019 EquiRatings Horse of the Year

Photo courtesy of Equiratings.

In the eventing world, the off season also happens to be our award season, and that means it’s time for the 5th annual EquiRatings Horse of the Year contest.

Sadly, hometown hero and domestic heartthrob Tsetserleg did not make it through the first round, falling short to the formidable SAP Hale Bob, but there are four quality horses who need your help for this accolade. Let’s meet the candidates.

SAP Hale Bob OLD: A 15-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Helikon xx x Goldige) owned by his rider Ingrid Klimke. Hale Bob most notably won the European Championships this summer, becoming the second horse to earn back-to-back victories. He also won the Event Rider Masters leg at Wiesbaden.

Quality Purdey: A 13-year-old Oldenburg mare (Quality x Lara) owned by Dom and Claire Poole and Bek Burton. Riding under the Australian flag with Chris Burton, Quality Purdey finished second in the Pau CCI5*-L and third at Aachen CCIO4*-S over the summer.

Vanir Kamira: A 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare (Camiro de Haar Z x Fair Caledonian) owned by Trevor Dickens had a banner year with Piggy French. The mare won Badminton in an emotional finale and also finished second at Burghley, helping Piggy set a new record for most international wins in a season.

Rioghan Rua: A 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare (Jack of Diamonds x Highland Destiny) owned by Frank and Margaret Kinsella. The Irish are pulling hard for this mare, piloted by 22-year-old Cathal Daniels. They impressively won the Bramham CCIU254*-L before claiming a podium spot in third at the European Championships. If they continue this will be the first Irish horse to make the #ERHOTY final.

The semifinals end this weekend. You can cast your vote by clicking on the photo of your preferred horse in the posts below. Need some help choosing your pick? Tune into the #ERHOTY19 Eventing Podcast at this link.

A big semi final matchup between two great horses. Wouldn't be surprised to see Ingrid Klimke and Chris Burton stood…

Posted by EquiRatings on Wednesday, December 18, 2019

You can love and admire them both…but only one can go to the final. Will it be Piggy French to defend the title for GB…

Posted by EquiRatings on Wednesday, December 18, 2019