13-year-old rider takes HOYS Pony Foxhunter title

Izabella Rogers and Neil 55 win the HOYS pony Foxhunter title — Izabella Rogers riding NEIL 55, winner of Class 7, Robinsons Equestrian Pony Foxhunter Championship, during the Horse of the Year Show held at the NEC in Birmingham in UK between 6 -10th October 2021

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Izabella Rogers completed a hat-trick of 2021 titles by taking the Robinsons Equestrian pony Foxhunter title at HOYS.

The 13-year-old and Neil 55 jumped one of only two double clears in the Andrews Bowen international arena, taking the win from Marni McMym and Hoofprint Caleb with over two seconds to spare.

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Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.

‘No words for my elation’: 13-year-old rider takes pony Foxhunter title

“My trainer told me the ways to go and I agreed, but then we found out no one had gone clear so we changed our tactics,” she said.

Izabella opted not to take the very tight inside turn to the big oxer at the start of the penultimate line, instead taking advantage of the Tangelo Van De Zuuthoeve gelding’s powerful stride to ride a beautiful outside curve.

This left the option for others to turn inside — but no one who made all the turns also left all the fences up.

“I did wonder after I’d finished but I knew I’d put the pressure on the others,” she said.

“I’m beyond proud, there are no words to describe how elated I am. I’ve had the pony just over a year and we’ve just grown and grown in trust.”

“I’ve jumped here before but I’m so proud of the way Neil took it all on, with the atmosphere, the lights, the arena,” she said. “I just trust him; he doesn’t really care what he jumps, as long as he jumps. He loves his job.”

Izabella is due to contest the 138cm championship tomorrow on Sharman Sundance.

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