The first day of the 2018 Royal Windsor Horse Show featured Hackney driving for both the pony and the horse. The Hackney horse developed during the 14th century in Great Britain. As roads of the time were rather poor, the trotters were better suited as war horses than horses with more ambling pacing gaits, resulting in the Hackney becoming a popular light Calvary mount. Henry VII, Henry VIII and Elisabeth I all passing acts concerning horse breeding and the value of the Hackney. It wasn’t until the 1800s though that the Hackney became a ‘driving’ horse. During the 1870’s the Hackney pony evolved by breeding in the Fell and Welsh pony. According to the American Breeds Livestock Conservancy, there are roughly 3,000 Hackney horses left in the world, with the majority found in England. It is a real treat for us to see the Hackney horses, and of course, the Hackney ponies.
Wentworth Ebony, shown above, is owned and driven by Joey Peters. The pair not only won the Open Hackney Horse class but also the Hackney Championship.
Luddington My Way won the Open Hackney Pony class with Billy Ward at the lines. They were reserve in the Hackney Championship.
Congratulations to both horses and their connections!
