New combination who almost didn't make the show help land stand-out victory for team
Max Mcdonnell and his own WKD Little Gift jump to victory in the inter-country working hunter pony teams competition at the BSPS summer championships
Irish working hunter team member Max Mcdonnell landed a standout win in the 153cm section of the inter-country teams competition at the British Show Pony Society summer championships with his own 10-year-old WKD Little Gift (Lola), having almost had to sit the fixture out owing to lorry troubles.
“Our lorry caught fire on the way to Dublin,” said Max’s mother Mary. “But we were lucky we had several offers to borrow one and came here in a neighbour’s lorry.”
The McDonnells have only owned the lightly campaigned mare for 10 weeks.
“He was riding with a friend and fell in love with her. She was for sale and he said, ‘Don’t sell her to anyone else, I’m buying her’,” Mary said.
“He came home and told his dad in the milking parlour that he was buying a horse. He just thought she would be fun to have about on the farm as his other good horse was injured, and she reminded him of a pony we once had for his sister.
“She’d not been in competition before, but we started jumping her and we took her over to the Scottish – she’d never been on a boat before – just to see what she was like and she won and qualified for [Horse of the Year Show] HOYS. She’s so calm and takes everything in her stride.
“Max was under no illusion she would do anything like qualifying for HOYS, but she loves it and she’s just so sweet. It was pure luck.”
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
The win, along with reigning Dublin champions Evie Kennedy and Little Dromin Phoenix’s win in the 143cm, contributed to Ireland’s historic win in the inter-country teams competition, led by chef d’équipe Stuart Murphy.
To stay up to date with the latest equestrian news, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website
Bethan joined Horse & Hound as showing editor in January 2025, after spending two years as Editor for Showing World. Having adored ponies since childhood, she started showing as a teenager and has enjoyed wins at major shows up and down the country, including Royal Highland, New Forest, and the Royal Welsh, as well as HOYS, RIHS and London. She is particularly passionate about Welsh breeds and is also a Welsh language commentator.