Welsh section C mare Merioneth Salandy Fly (Sali) won the senior mixed age in-hand horse and pony class at the 2021 Royal Windsor Horse Show.
31-year-old Sali, who is by Fourwinds Flyer out of Chalkhill Dragonfly, won her age group and achieved the highest placed marks overall across the sections. She was handled by Samantha Watson for owner Jean Smith of the Jebeth stud.
“The older animals were looking incredible, with three of the top four placed ponies being aged between 28 and 31,” said Jean, who has owned Sail for seven years. Sali was based at the Twyford Stud for several years but after founder Alison Mountain sadly passed away she was in need of a new home.
“Alison had one of my yearlings so I went to pick him up,” continued Jean. “Alison would have never wanted the older ponies to go to market so I gave Sali and another mare a home.”
During her career as a broodmare Sali has bred 16 foals, five of which reside at Jedbeth. One of her off-spring is now Jean’s leading stud stallion. Sali bred her last foal at age 25 and has also previously competed at the Royal Welsh as a ridden pony.
“A few years ago I tried to buy one her foals,” said Jean. “This pony turned out to be the dressage star Twyford Salamander, who’s competed up to prix st georges. Sali’s a clever old thing really. She has a real character and she’s got her little ways, but we wouldn’t change her for the world.”
Sali was also a champion veteran at South of England prior to the pandemic. When asked what the secret to keeping her so youthful and full of vigour is, Jean says she pays attention to the small details.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“She comes in at night and goes out everyday, even just for a few hours,” she said. “We put a fly rug on her to stop her coat bleaching and we watch her diet. Mainly, it’s about keeping her comfortable.”
Keep up to date with all the news from Royal Windsor Horse Show here on Horseandhound.co.uk throughout the show and don’t miss our full indepth reports in next Thursday’s magazine. Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find out more about getting the magazine delivered to your door every week
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
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.
