While most of the equestrian world was either snowed under or put off by the freezing temperatures, these plucky combinations weren’t to be beaten by the second instalment of the ‘Beast from the East’ which reared its ugly head over the weekend.
Check out these 11 show ring winners who scored gold at the select few shows which ploughed on through the snow…
The Dowager and and Vicky Smith
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The traditional coloured The Dowager, owned by Gaynia Gross, took the junior ridden class with Tally Gross on board at BSPS Area 2B. The mare also won the restricted coloured class with producer Vicky Smith at the helm.
Moyabbey George and Ailsa Vines
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The five-year-old Class 1 Connemara stallion made his ridden debut a winning one with his owner Ailsa in the saddle. They made the trip to BSPS Area 2B to compete in the novice classes, where they won their section and took the novice title.
Roseberry Super Trooper and Sammi Elliott
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The intermediate and part-bred contender Roseberry Super Trooper and his rider Sammi Elliott were unbeaten in their weekend of showing. Produced by Team Ahern, the duo were crowned part-bred champions at BSPS Area 6, and then champion intermediates and supreme of show at BSPS Area 17.
Greenholme Emblem and Kirsty Aird
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At the BSPS Scottish winter show, Gwen Rae’s Fell pony stallion Greenholme Emblem won his working hunter pony class, the championship and the supreme of show accolade, with usual partner Kirsty Aird in the saddle.
Phoebe Price and Lostock First Whip
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The Julie Templeton-produced Lostock First Whip and Phoebe Price has a successful day at BSPS Area 17, winning the open premier league show hunter class followed by the championship. A last minute decision to put ‘Stanley’ in the RIHS 15hh class paid off as the pair trotted off with the first place rosette and reserve championship title.
Langfield Kaisa and Steph Carney
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Also braving the Lancashire wind was Steph Carney and team who took both the open M&M and novice working hunter pony titles at BSPS Area 2B with the consistent Dartmoor stallion Langfield Kaisa.
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Lucy Glover and Carrwood Shimmering Gold
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Topping the M&M RIHS qualifiers at BSPS Area 17 was the Welsh A and B winners, Carrwood Shimmering Gold and Lucy Glover.
Annandale Augustus and Jessica Summers
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Five-year-old Jessica Summers stood in for Annandale Augustus’s usual jockey Emilia Demetriou, who was unable to make it to BSPS Area 17 due to snow, and piloted the lead rein pony of hunter type to win his RIHS class, with producer Sharn Linney. Jessica also won and qualified on her own pony, Thistledown Kintra, earlier in the day.
Bricklefield Jack and Savannah Spillman-Penn and Rockeyview Eclipse and Tallie Spillman-Penn
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Some healthy sibling rivalry was witnessed in BSPS Area 17’s Best of the Best supreme — taking the title was Bricklefield Jack and Savannah Spillman-Penn, while taking reserve was Rockleyview Eclipse and sister Tallie.
Wenden Choice and Jasmine Wharton
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The combination of the Dartmoor Wenden Choice and Jasmine Whartoncame to the fore at BSPS Scotland to win their lead rein class and take the RIHS ticket followed by the mini championship (Photograph by Sinclair Photography).
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Former H&H showing editor and deputy features editor
Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.
