The 138cm and part-bred Arab contender won the RIHS and Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in both classes with his long-term partner India Till. The duo were also champions on their debut outing of the 2021 season at the beginning of May.
“He was looking a million dollars,” said his owner, India’s mother Henrietta Till. “The vets did all they could and it all happened so quickly; we are absolutely devastated.”
India first rode Alfie as a four-year-old novice at the British Show Pony Society championships, where she picked up a chance ride in a championship. Henrietta then bought the Turberry Top Cat gelding for India to move into 138cm classes.
Alfie first won HOYS in 2018, when he took the children’s riding pony of the year accolade and the following year at the RIHS he took both part-bred and show pony championships before landing the supreme pony sash. He completed his 2019 tally — which included overall championships at North of England, Great Yorkshire and Three Counties — with the part-bred of the year tri-colour at the NEC.
“He had the kindest attitude and the biggest heart,” said India. “His character was something else; some days I would ride him and he’d have a little joke with me, and other days he’d be foot-perfect. But every time I rode him I just couldn’t believe how lucky I was to have him in my life.”
“His presence was something else,” added Henrietta. “The way he stood over the ground, even in the stable, was magnificent. We’ll miss seeing his pretty head looking out over the stable door.
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“Watching India and Alfie win the 2019 RIHS supreme was so emotional; I think I cried the whole time they were in the ring. India had continued to form such a bond with Alfie. At their final show together she wanted to blow everyone out of the water with her individual show and she really went for it; it was poetry in motion. We thought so much of him and had such big plans for him.
“I take solace in the fact that he had a wonderful life; he was able to be a real pony and enjoyed hacking, riding on the gallops and cantering around open fields. In the ring he always had his ears on and was the ultimate showman; his movement and power was just spectacular. His personality always shone through and he was such a happy pony. There will never be another like him.”
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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.
