‘He’s such a genuine pony’: perfect child’s pony takes HOYS mini title for the second time

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HOYS mini M&M
(Image credit: Stephanie Bateman)

Shilstone Rocks Thunderbird repeated a foot-perfect performance to land both the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) M&M lead rein pony title, followed by the Colne & The McNeil Family HOYS mini M&M championship honours for his young rider Willow West, owner Brogan West and handler/producer John Harvey, for the second consecutive year.

The consistent 12-year-old Dartmoor gelding is by Shilstone Rocks Atlantic Gale and out of Shilstone Rocks Snowbird. The team qualified for HOYS at the Showing Register Summer show and here, they performed a relaxed and flowing show to wow the judges for a second time in the Topspec arena.

Stephanie Bateman
Stephanie Bateman
Freelance journalist

Stephanie Bateman began her career working for Horse & Hound’s sister title HORSE magazine in 2009 after studying a BSc Equine Science degree at Hartpury university. After a few years working in-house for a national equestrian title, she went freelance in 2011, and now writes for a variety of print and online platforms, editing sections of national monthly magazines and contributing regular features and event reports to Horse & Hound. She juggles working with being a mummy and wife, and riding her coloured mare Matilda.