I’m Lucy Eddis, a 17-year-old from Essex, at full boarding school two hours from home where I’m studying four A-levels; English, Latin, French and classical civilisation.

Ten years ago I started competing in working hunter pony classes, first in tiny tots and then cradle stakes with Bradmore Raindance. I progressed to nursery stakes and open 13hh classes with Valentine Hazel, then 14hh workers with Champfleurie Cream Cracker. For the past three seasons I have had the 14.2hh Connemara, Cashel Bay JJ (Cash), who is pictured top after we went champion at Royal Windsor in 2014.

I have competed at HOYS and the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) on all four of these fantastic ponies, represented England in last year’s BSPS WHP International (a real highlight) and have won HOYS.

I hunt regularly with the Essex & Suffolk Hunt, which I absolutely love, and I have done several BE events with Cash. If I could go back I would love to have done pony trials on him, but it was simply too difficult to squeeze everything in and do it properly, especially with one very precious pony. For this reason I really concentrate on working hunter pony classes which I absolutely love and recommend!

I have a younger sister, Susie, who is at the same school as me and has been very successful with several ponies, particularly Kyregate Peter Pan and Beat The Boss. I also have a 10-year-old brother who is a very good sports but avoids riding.

My father is completely un-horsey but very supportive from afar (he just comes to the big shows of the year where he yawns quite a lot!). My mother Polly runs everything pony-related for us and loves nothing more than a ‘board meeting’ as she calls it at our kitchen table when we have family post-mortems of classes and lessons and make plans for the future.

There’s plenty of travelling, early starts and compromise in this working hunter pony life of ours, but we have so much fun, a great deal of laughter and we love our ponies and friends. As we often say: “it’s what we do”.

I do hope you will enjoy following the ups and downs as I squeeze competing around my school commitments and exams this year.

Lucy

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The flag has dropped on Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) qualifiers and I am astonished how ready the pony producers are. Horses have always started later in the season so are a bit slower out of the blocks. Many of the top ponies were at the first 3 qualifiers and the results list reads like the RIHS results themselves.

It is interesting to see the numbers in the classes and it definitely shows a lack of 143cm show hunter ponies around. I know a good friend of mine has been looking for one for a long time without any joy. The 133cm and 153cm SHP classes were very well supported indeed with tremendous quality down the line.

We were absolutely delighted with our new pony Annandale Maria, who went really well and achieved great results both days at Onley Grounds. Hightopps Jazz kicked off his summer with a win and a fab round in his first novice nursery stakes class. He will make a super cradle stakes pony one day.

It was interesting to see the different style of course building in the WHP ring over the 2 days. Sunday’s course at the Area 17 show was considerably more demanding than the course provided by Area 6 on Saturday, however the results didn’t alter much with several of the same ponies coming to the fore in WHP classes both days.

It was such a treat to be outside in the sun with excellent facilities, courses and happy competitors. We have some great friends in the WHP set and it is like a step back in time for me seeing many of the same families as when I did it 30 years ago!

Away from the showring

Now hunting is over Harry has a new 153cm pony from Ireland that he has been trialling for the Warwickshire Hunt Pony Club team. I’ve been trying to get him to do a WHP class, but without much joy. I think Alice has her eye on the pony for a few years time as it pops 1.20m with ease. Frightens me to death!

The Cheltenham Festival was great fun this year and the racing was good too. I can’t remember ever seeing so many fantastic finishes and, although there were a few casualties, in general horses were coming home well on superb ground.

It is such a magnificent occasion and I’m now looking on my diary to see if I can fit in a quick trip across the water to Punchestown. What other industry could give so much pleasure?

Loraine

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Ron and Debbie Thomas almost made it a clean sweep in the show hunter pony classes, the Welsh producers turning out the first three winners Tom Thumb II (Jessica Baybutt), Clemenstone Charleston (Lizzie Smith) and Parkhills Ronaldo (Julie Bankier) who headed their respective 153cm, 143cm and 133cm classes.

In the main ring championship, it was Lizzie Smith and Clemenston Charleston who got the nod from Jo Jefferson and Sue Rawding to take the title. Taking the reserve was the smallest contender Julie Templeton’s Hightopps Jazz who topped the 122cm class for Shannon Meer.

After producing one of only four clear rounds to win their 143cm class, Lucinda Parkes and Folly II claimed the working hunter tricolour. The grey mare was maintaining an outstanding Hickstead record as she has never lowered a rail for Lucinda and her previous rider Alice McCullagh.

Kevin Millman built a traditionally challenging rustic track that included true hunting obstacles such as a bullfinch, log and wall.

Taking the reserve was Crabbswood Nutmeg, who jumped the sole clear for Hermione Gee to win the final 133cm section.

Darren Crowe registered his first RIHS win riding Dr Tiffani Stewart’s PHA Silvern Risalm in the pure-bred Arabian class. The Silvern Sceptre 17-year-old grey stallion has an enviable list of major wins to his credit, and he was having his first outing since winning at Horse of the Year Show two years ago.

“I always seem to be the page boy here as I have been second twice with him (Silvern Risalm), and I have even been second in a show jumping class here, but it has all worked out today” said Darren.

Jonathan Stevens clinched the Ponies (UK) M&M young rider championship riding his mother Lesley’s black Dales stallion Waterside Black Prince. Jonathan is in his second season with the six-year-old who is described by his rider as one of the most laid back ponies on the circuit.

“He always has breakfast in bed — as in lying down,” said Jonathan.

Wednesday 27 July showing results

Sandal – BMW SHP (Mrs J Jefferson, Mrs S Rawding) 153cm. 1, A Baybutt’s Tom Thumb II; 2, J Thurston’s Carnsdae Sir Lancelot; 3, K Marfleet’s Valentino III. 143cm. 1 & ch, K Smith’s Clemenstone Charleston; 2, E Jackson’s Firthwell Champagne Charles; 3, B Edmondson’s Sycamore Candyman. 133cm. 1, Mr & Mrs Bankier’s Parkhills Ronaldo; 2, S Mace’s Wicklea Wakanda; 3, J Blythman’s Westerby Firelight. 122cm. 1 & res, J Templeton’s Hightopps Jazz; 2, E Perry’s Greedown Jake; 3, S Dennison’s Crystal Vision. BSPS LR SHT. 1, Clark & Lucas’s Brookhall Wise King; 2, J Van Praagh’s Joebex Chitty Chitty Bang Bang; 3, R Walker’s Annandale Phoenix. Black Country Saddles WHP (Ms J Darwin, Mrs J MacInnes) 153cm. 1, E Manning’s Kilkenny Kid; 2, S Weir’s Otto; 3, J Cooper’s Mirah Kilgobben Rebel. 143cm. 1 & ch, H Parkes’s Folly II; 2, S Smith’s Todley Hall Noah; 3, S Weir’s Ruby Slippers. 133cm. 1 & res, J Meyrick’s Crabbswood Nutmeg; 2, A Prince’s Noble Toreen Lass; 3, C Thompson’s Keltic Print. Brickell/White Ponies (UK) young riders sml. 1, S Darlington’s Wortley Celebration; 2, A Bromwich’s Waulkmill Redstart; 3, A Lines’s Pumphill Banter. do riders under 18yrs. 1, Lady Vestey’s Kentchurch Charity; 2, D Barr’s Sauvey Golden ; 3, L Bates’s Mowcastle Mickey. interm. 1 & ch, L Stevens’s Waterside Black Prince; 2, T Millard’s Waterside Ben; 3, Ablett, Langdon & Williams’s Tawbitts Mystic Major. pure bred ridden Arabian (Mrs V Ayling). 1, Dr T Stewart’s PHA Silvern Risalm; 2, S Holland’s Tukki Amira; 3, G Ayub’s Dreamcatcher.

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On their first outing over Hickstead’s challenging working hunter course, Abi Boulton and Pebbly Pipe Dream produced one of the few clear rounds of the day to win the 143cm section at the Royal International Horse Show.

The nine-year-old Irish-bred dun gelding has proved a brilliant all rounder for Abi, and a stunning gallop in the championship clinched the tricolour over 153cm winners Callum Barnes and Noble Rockstar.

The show hunter pony title went to Yasmin Cuddy riding her 153cm winner Midtown Magic. Yasmin bought the six-year-old mare last summer, and their recent accolades include the championship at Midland Counties.

Andrea Boyle and Maleikero scored their third Royal Iternational win when heading the pure-bred Arabian class. Andrea has owned her 17-year-old grey gelding for 13 years, and his previous victories here were in 2003 and 2005.

The P(UK) young rider mountain and moorland finals were well supported, and it was the small breed winners Rebecca Harvey and Susan Rogers’ Annandale Water Lily who took the inaugural championship.

The four-year-old palomino mare belied her age when giving a lovely show in the main ring championship. Taking the reserve was Kilmannan Kilty, who won the intermediate section for Aimee Hoare.

Don’t miss next week’s Horse & Hound (out 5 August) for a special RIHS report, including comment and analysis of all the action

Results

Sandal – BMW SHP (Mrs A Cole & Mr D Kellow) 153cm. 1 & ch S Cuddy’s Midtown Magic; 2, Y Thompson’s Déjà vu; 3, W King’s Mosstown Rockstar. 143cm. 1, N Haynes’s Chiddock Over the Limit 2, J Cambray’s Nutwood Spring Charm; 3, L Parr’s Highmede Night. 133cm. 1 & res, J Cambray’s Parkhill Ronaldo; 2, V Windsor-Phillips’s Dykebeck Wild Foxglove; 3, A Marling’s Stambrook Wedding Belle. 122cm. 1, K Gillott’s Annandale Darcy; 2, V Rudd’s Duntarvie Yogi; 3, L Burnip’s Wingland Make Believe. LR SHT. 1, T Baldwin’s Millay Topic; 2, Mr & Mrs Walker’s Mirabelle P; 3, K Fuge’s Charn Secret Legend. Black Country Saddles WHP (Mr A Perkins & Mrs L Brudenell) 153cm. 1 & res, C Barnes’s Noble Rockstar; 2, C Barnes’s Laughtons Bramble Pie; 3, J Cooper’s Mirah Kilgobben Rebel. 143cm. 1 & ch, L Boulton’s Pebbly Pipe Dream; 2, A Wybergh’s Chandaem Pippaley; 3, S Weir’s Ruby Slipppers. 133cm. 1, G Worrow’s Silverfox II; 2, C Bower’s Zelston Bellquest; 3, C Wheeler’s Tetcott Paper Boy. Kelbie Metals P(UK) young riders M&M ridden (Mrs M Appell & Mrs J Seymour) sml breeds. 1 & ch, S Rogers’s Annandale Water Lily; 2, L Pope’s Glenwood Lancelot; 3, M Syred’s Sidehill Single Malt. do lge. 1, P Moseley’s Whitefield Prince Nettle; 2, D Barr’s Sauvey Golden Condor; 3, Lady Vestey’s Kentchurch Raindrop. intermediate. 1 & res, A Dawson’s Kilmannan Kilty; 2, P Starkie’s Pumphill Bennet; 3, Grisdale & Stevens’s Waterside Black Prince. arab ridden pure bred (Mr S Fleming) 1, A Boyle’s Maleikero; 2, P Pinkerton’s Nequitta; 3, J Bishop’s Muzahla.

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Newark & Nottinghamshire County Show organisers have been informed of a late change of judge for the Working Hunter Pony classes, taking place this Sunday 9 May.

Mrs P Pattinson from Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, will now judge the Jump phase for classes 213 – 214 and classes 216 – 218 and not Mrs K Pole.

Exhibitors with any queries should call the Entries Office on 01636 675141 or email: barbara@newarkshowground.com.

Ponies from the 143cm show hunter pony section stood both champion and reserve on the second day of the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead. Jane Findlow’s Ellenbrook Master Plan took the tricolour over Debbie Thomas’s Greylands Stardust.

Charlotte Thompson proved an able deputy for Ellenbrook Master Plan’s regular jockey Becky Findlow, who arrived feeling ill after flying into Gatwick Airport from a holiday in Italy. Although shown lightly this season, Master Plan, a seven-year-old by Strinesdale Matador, has claimed championships at Cheshire County and Midland Counties.

The long journey from Dumfries in Scotland paid dividends for Start Sloan, who claimed the working hunter pony tricolour riding Highgrove Valentino, who produced one of only three clears in the 153cm class. In his fourth season with the Haarlam nine-year-old, Stuart recently clinched the title at Royal Highland, and he is also qualified for the intermediate, and open horse classes here at Hickstead.

The reserve went to 10-year-old Emily Ward riding the ultimate schoolmaster Stambrook Pavarotti, who has won here four times in all, with different jockeys. This combination was tipped as one-to-watch in H&H’s RIHS preview.

Sam Darlington’s Wortley Celebration headed a strong lead rein pony of hunter type class for Scarlett Jewson. The five-year-old pony also claimed third place in the 122cm class for his regular rider Georgia Darlington, who is now out of lead rein. Standing top of the 122cm line up was Tarryn Rudd riding Duntarvie Yogi.

Stephanie Zebedee and Piatza claimed top spot in the pure bred Arabian class. The grey stallion had claimed his Royal International ticket on his only other outing this season, at Wales & West.

• Stay in touch with all the showing highlights from the RIHS on Horseandhound.co.uk throughout the show
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A new working hunter pony series for natives debuts at UK shows this season — with categories the organisers feel are fairer to individual breeds.

Qualifiers for the National Pony Society (NPS)/Equine Services native breeds open working hunter pony championships series will run alongside traditional NPS classes at NPS area and society breed shows.

Liz Launder, who shows Welsh section As and Ds and Highland ponies, pitched her idea to the NPS last year and they took it up.

She said: “In traditional classes, breeds are lumped together in three classes by height. So Shetlands jump against section As and Bs and Highlands and fells against Connemaras and section Ds.

“In this series we have six divisions. It’s more realistic.”

The aim is to encourage different breeds to come forward for performance classes and to showcase them to a wider public.

But Anne Harries, chairman of the British Connemara Pony Society, said they were not happy with the divisions and had declined to hold the classes at its breed show.

“A 138cm Connemara would jump against section Ds over 152cm. We feel that would not be fair,” said Mrs Harries.

The series final will be held at the NPS summer championships at Three Countries Showground, Malvern (5-7 August).

• For details of which shows will hold qualifiers go to www.nationalponysociety.org.uk

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (2 April, ’09)

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Horse of the Year Show showing competitors will have to choose for the first time which section they wish to contest between intermediate or 15hh working hunter classes.

Previously competitors could qualify for and contest both sections. Now if they qualify for the 15hh working hunters and accept that qualifying ticket, they cannot accept the ticket if they also qualify for the intermediate workers, and vice versa.

There will be 21 qualifying places for the intermediates — in line with the three worker height sections — up from 15.

www.hoys.co.uk

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (7 February, ’08)

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Young Dragonara, one of the most famous and successful show horses of all time, has died at the age of 24.

Owned by the Ryder-Phillips family, the 15hh son of Dragonara Palace won show hunter pony, working hunter pony, intermediate working hunter, intermediate show riding type, side-saddle, small riding horse and dressage championships.

Ridden for most of his career by Christopher Ryder-Phillips, Young Dragonara accumulated more than £17,000 in prize-money. Among his many titles were three Royal Show championships, three Royal International titles and three HOYS championships.

He was a member of the English working hunter pony team for many years, and in 1994 Christopher and Young Dragonara won the BSPS President’s Award and the BSPS Pony Personality of the Year.

His final public appearance came in 2003, aged 21, when he gave an immaculate “birthday” evening performance with 12-year-old Jamie Ryder-Phillips at the BSPS Summer Championships.

“There will never be another Young Dragonara,” said his owner, Jon Phillips.

• This article was first published in Horse & Hound (20 April, ’06)

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