Williams has puissance record in his sights

Joss Williams, who has become a local favourite due to his success on the Jan Coomer-owned Zandokan Z, is back at GHOYS after making a big impression three years ago.

The 27-year-old will end the week by targeting a puissance mark a decade older than he is.

The main attempt will not take place on chestnut gelding ‘Eric’ but instead mare Culmore Prospect, AKA ‘Sox’, a specialist in the puissance – a horse high-jump, for those unfamiliar.

The target mark of 6ft 2.5in. over ‘the wall’ dates right back to 1982 and yet Williams has cleared higher previously.

‘I’m hoping to be competitive, but someone might have a secret tool that we don’t know about,’ he said in humble fashion.

The less-reserved Coomer added: ‘I am hoping that we might break the record that’s been held for 37 years over here, but we don’t know.’ Williams did not doubt this possibility.

For the rest of the week, Williams is jumping a variety of classes on both horses, though he will contest the team event on Sox to avoid division.

‘He’s not in the England team on my Guernsey horse, because we thought that might cause controversy,’ chuckled Coomer.

However, a rider Coomer credits with having ‘the best hands in the business’ reserves special praise for GHOYS.

Having provided welcomed publicity for the island with the competitive success and character of Eric, Williams is pleased to be returning to a show that clearly had him hooked on the first visit.

‘It’s such a well-run family show and it’s fun – we don’t have shows like this in England,’ he said.

‘I’m judging as well and it’s just a week of competing, chilling, making friends – my family’s here – and having fun.

‘I hope to be successful. Better win some.’

• All is still to play for in the pony team jumping.

Yesterday, both the Guernsey and England teams went clear in the first leg, leaving them on level ground for Sunday.

The senior team jumping begins tomorrow and confident first-time captain Sarah Jackson said: ‘The big aim is to win on home ground.

‘This is the time that you want to be on the team – there’s a lot of home support, but also there’s three other teams competing for the seniors, so it’s a big competition.’