Take a look at the 12 ponies crowned best of their breeds at Olympia
Uphill James Fox was crowned the Blue Chip BSPS Heritage native champion at Olympia yesterday (19 December), but another 11 ponies also took home prizes after being crowned the best of their breed. Scroll down to see pictures of all the winners.
Welsh section A
The eight-year-old Uphill James Fox is owned by Tonwen Hughes and produced by Katy Marriott-Payne, who rode the stallion in the ring at Olympia. He is the first-ever Welsh section A to stand heritage champion here.
Highland
Standing overall reserve and best of the Highlands is Melanie and Gemma Stanford’s Benbreac Of Croila. Ridden by Matt Cooper — who lives and works not far from the Kensington, London venue — Croila scored the best performance mark of the day, 91 out of a possible 100 marks.
Welsh section C
Lynn Scott’s Lynuck The Snowman, who finished third overall with Aimee Devane in the saddle, was crowned the best Welsh section C pony — a super way to round off the 10-year-old stallion’s first showing season.
Connemara
The best-placed mare became Lady Huntingdon’s Slieve Bloom Jill, overall fourth and the Connemara breed winner, piloted by Hannah Horton.
Dales
Considering they only got the call up for Olympia two weeks earlier — due to the pony who originally qualified at the BSPS Heritage championships in September having a connection with the judges — Tarnya Shields’ Waterside Black Prince impressed for overall fifth and was crowned the best Dales.
Welsh section D
Michael Wood’s Swchyrhafod Brenin finished best of the Welsh section Ds, ridden by Michaela Wood.
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Welsh section B
Cadlanvalley Sandpiper claimed the best Welsh section B prize for owners Kathleen Scott and Collette Green. Collette rode the pony in the ring.
Fell
Jenny Crane’s Murthwaite Windrush, ridden by Stephanie Peto, stood best of the Fells.
Dartmoor
Joyce Newbery’s Newoak Furious, ridden and produced by Sam Roberts, finished best Dartmoor.
New Forest
Lucinda Stapleton’s Marleydenes Nashaal, partnered by Gemma Rees, took the New Forest prize.
Exmoor
Frankie Currell was in the driving seat of Maureen Richardson’s Dunkery Wigeon, the sole Exmoor to qualify for the final at Olympia.
Shetland
The smallest in the line up, Brinleyview Camanchee, ridden by Georgia James, flew the flag for Shetland ponies.
Don’t miss the full Olympia report in this week’s issue of Horse & Hound, on sale Thursday 22 December.
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Aimi was responsible for Horse & Hound’s showing, pointing and veterinary pages, as well as assisting with eventing content. Aimi also edited Horse & Hound’s popular occasional magazines, Ask The Vet and Ask The Trainer. She is the former deputy editor of Eventing magazine. She left Horse & Hound at the end of 2017 to take on new challenges in the publishing industry and is now editor at Your Horse.