A first overall supreme title for Team Harvey, a champion catch ride and a jockey who won despite having a chest infection — there was plenty to celebrate at the BSPS Winter Championships last weekend (2-5 April), where all eyes were on arena UK to round off the winter season.
Scroll down to see who won what and whether H&H’s reporter snapped you
Toncynffig Liberal Lord
Elliee Stunt, 19, piloted Toncynffig Liberal Lord, a 153cm show hunter pony who was crowned supreme and provided producers Team Harvey with their first overall title. This was only the pony’s second show after being backed over the winter.
Bannview Black Bess
A stunning gallop from Sue Brewis’ Bannview Black Bess helped clinch the overall restricted show hunter pony championship title. The five-year-old measures 143cm and was piloted by Ellis Taverner-Burns.
Thistledown Van Der Vaart
The winter winners supreme title went to Thistledown Van Der Vaart, a Welsh section A ridden by Hannah Wilson. This excellent example of a lead-rein pony is popular with judges — the pony also stood Heritage supreme at this show two years ago and again at the summer championships last August.
Parccarreg Ingot
Evie-India Daniel is usually in the driving seat of the Jill Rushton-produced Parccarreg Ingot. However, a substitute jockey was required when she was taken ill. The job fell to nine-year-old Marnie Dunne, who returned from holiday in Florida the day before, and the duo landed the winter Heritage supreme title.
Thistledown Special VIP
Michelle Baxter-Davies describes Thistledown Special VIP as being “full of character — he makes us all smile’. The grey is ridden by her six-year-old daughter, Poppy, and he picked up a number of accolades, including the Heritage novice and restricted reserve, before heading the Royal International section and securing his qualification. This is the first year the Oliver Burchell-produced six-year-old has competed in lead-rein classes after being gelded over the winter.
Moelview Prince Consort
Reigning Olympia champion Moelview Prince Consort impressed yet again — this time jumping fences in a ring for just the third time under producer Sam Roberts to stand novice Heritage and winter winners worker champion, as well as restricted reserve. The five-year-old section B is owned by Helen Skirton.
Griseburn Faye
Teacher Beth Simons and the Gill Simpson-owned Griseburn Faye headed the Heritage novice ridden finale. Gill spotted the flashy Dales mare on the side of a hill last Easter, when she was “gangly, dirty and unhandled”.
Lemington Nougat
Loraine Homer’s Lemington Nougat II stood champion in the winter mini novice/restricted working hunter pony under Alice Homer. The pair also clinched the winter restricted open nursery stakes.
Bellevue Tomboy
Winter novice and restricted worker champion Bellevue Tomboy is a former BE90 ride of British eventer Piggy French. The Irish-bred horse is now in Matt Cooper’s stable.
Gone With The Wind
Despite battling a chest infection, Harriet Dennison piloted Gone With The Wind to victory in the intermediate working hunter championship. Harriet also claimed the RIHS section working hunter pony title with Glenviews Bubbling Brooke, while Rotherwood Another Peep clinched the RIHS show pony section.
Don’t miss Horse & Hound’s full report on the BSPS Winter Championships out on 16 April 2015
