An beginner rider and her home-produced Fell stallion took to the centre line on the London Worldwide Horse Present after successful the 2024 BSPS ridden M&M supreme championship ultimate.
Victoria Taylor and her personal Birkettbank Grasp John (Jay) had been one among 4 Fell pony finalists to compete. After the journey part, they stood in second place with scores of 43 and 45, respectively, from journey judges Philip Hilton and Marilyn Ludlow.
Conformation judges Amanda McHale and Helen Starkie agreed on the Greenholme Elect eight-year-old’s sort and high quality, scoring him 44 and 47, respectively, placing him on a ultimate successful whole of 179/200.
“I can’t even say I’ve ever dreamed of this earlier than because it appears so far-off from the attainable for an beginner like me,” mentioned Victoria.
Victoria’s mom Jane Sonnex purchased Jay unseen from his breeder Robert Briggs, who led him to win the Fell Pony Society stallion present youngstock championship when he was a two-year-old.
“He was then damaged by Sam Roberts and had a few novice years, although he’s by no means accomplished an terrible lot,” Victoria continued. “He went to HOYS and completed within the high few on his first go to there in 2022. He then had a really quiet 12 months final season as I had my second child.”
Jay was the consummate skilled all through his efficiency in London.
“He loves an environment,” added Victoria, who retains Jay at residence. “Mum and I share doing the ponies. We each work full-time – we run pet store companies – and exhibiting is our interest.
“This result’s unimaginable and I’m simply speechless,” Victoria continued. “I’ve at all times recognized he was ok as he’s a famous person, however as an beginner you by no means suppose you’ll win one thing like this.”
Reserve champion for the second 12 months in a row only one mark behind on 178/200 was Joe Watson’s Dales stallion Griseburn Main. The Wolsey Viking seven-year-old, who was bred by Helen Horn, completed within the runner-up spot 12 months in the past, however regardless of this spectacular inserting, he didn’t handle to win the most effective of breed crown. In the present day, he achieved that aim for his long-term rider Joe.
Main was awarded Amanda McHale’s equal high conformation mark of 49/50.
“I might cry; this pony has been wonderful from begin to end at present,” Joe mentioned. “Despite the fact that he was reserve final 12 months he didn’t get that better of breed title, in order that’s what I needed for him.”
As a five-year-old, Main was M&M champion at HOYS.
“We couldn’t consider he received that title at such a younger age, however he’s simply bought higher and higher every year,” Joe mentioned. “He offers the loveliest journey; he’s so balanced for a giant furry. Subsequent 12 months, I’m going to face him at stud for the primary time. I even have his half-brother ready within the wings at residence, so it’s an thrilling time.”
Chris Grant and Highland stallion Dunedin Iolare completed third and better of breed on their debut in London, scoring 175/200. The Moss-side Iain Mor son, who was bred by Anne Mitchell, additionally scored a close to excellent 49/50 from Amanda. Iolare’s 2024 CV consists of the ridden M&M supreme on the Royal Highland, a breed present supreme win and a second place on the Royal Worldwide.
High Welsh part C, April Gilmartin and Gems Malt Whiskey, completed fourth general on 171/200. This pair have received the most effective of breed accolade on earlier events and so they had been additionally HOYS victors In October.
Ellena Thomas and Highland stallion Ashleyvale Glen Duror, one other London debutante, had been main the sector after the journey on 89/100, although they completed fifth general after the conformation section on a ultimate whole of 169/200.
Sixth fell to Sarah Parker, final 12 months’s supreme winner, using Leah Could’s reigning RIHS M&M supreme winner Nipna Mighty Oak (Dales), whereas seventh was Amy Canavan-Smith and Laura Marshall’s ever-consistent Fell stallion Hardendale Ray, just lately third at HOYS with Laura within the saddle.
Three Connemaras occupied the subsequent three areas within the 2024 BSPS ridden M&M supreme championship; these had been Lucy Glover and Amanda Sharman’s 2022 M&M supreme winner Fort Kestrel, Harlow White and King Bunowen Fort Ali, who had been additionally the best positioned junior mixture, and Harrison Taylor and Kerry Wainwright’s former better of breed winner and multi-HOYS in-hand and ridden finalist Skellorn Déjà Vu.
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Credit score: HPower / Peter Nixon
Credit score: LIHS / Peter Nixon
