JERSEY’S Charles Le Moignan has scooped a top award at the Horse of the Year Show.

Le Moignan and his horse Principal Partner last night beat the best in Britain to capture the Show Hunter of the Year title at the NEC arena in Birmingham.

It was a fairytale ending to a long quest by the UK-based rider, formerly of St Brelade.

‘I’ve been at the Horse of the Year many times.

I was second last year but have never managed to win anything,’ he said this morning.

‘It’s always been my dream since I was a child in Jersey.

It’s like a tennis player wanting to win Wimbledon – it’s the ultimate.

Yes, I’m absolutely delighted.’ Le Moignan’s wife Hilary bought the seven-year-old bay gelding in England last year and he rode him to second in the same class.

This year 90 horses started in the class.

They were whittled down to just six before Le Moignan (53) and his mount came out on top in the final.

His victory means that on Sunday he will bid to become Supreme Champion when he and Principal Partner compete against the winners of the other classes.

Before then he will be riding four other horses in different sections of the show.

This year Le Moignan won his class at the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead for the fourth time.

He also won the Royal Windsor show.

Meanwhile another Jersey entrant, Rachel Bownes, and her pony Hermes will compete in the Harness Pony of the Year driving event at the NEC on Sunday.

It is the third time the partnership have competed in the show.

They were fourth in 2003 and fifth last year.

Said Rachel as she travelled to the NEC this morning; ‘Hopefully we’ll do a bit better this time!’