The daughter of a former NEC winner who was runner up in her class finished as eventual Royal Windsor novice show pony champion at this year’s Royal Windsor Horse Show.
Tandridge True Gold, a 148cm bay mare, took the title despite having finished second to Penny Carvosso’s Wedgeknock Song Of Morning in the first class of the day.
The six-year-old True Gold, ridden by 15-year-old Livie Smith, is owned by David Jinks and Antony Gribbin.
“We’ve had her since a three-year-old and this is only her second show,” said David. “We’ve taken our time with her as she’s been fairly tricky, but we’re getting there now.
David and co-producer Adam Forster watched the pair win their first championship at British Show Pony Society Area 2B last month.
She was bred by Joanna Adams by the well-known sire Tandridge Democrat out of Crafton Touch Of Gold, a double Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) winner during her own career.
Reserve in the Royal Windsor novice show pony championship went to the 138cm class winner, Swan Lake, ridden by Isabella Walker.
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The daughter of Llanarth Topcat is owned by Helen Davies. Last season, the six-year-old reigned in the part-bred pony championship at HOYS with Sophie Staveley before they went on to take supreme pony honours. Swan Lake’s dam is Dance All Night, a two-time Royal International (RIHS) supreme victor and a HOYS show pony winner.
“Our champion was pulled top in the class but didn’t quite go well enough, but in the championship it outshone the rest,” said Suzanne Hatton who judged alongside Marilyn Ludlow. “It just goes to show competitors that the championship is judged as a separate class, and it can all change. I think the champion is definitely one to watch for the future. Our reserve is a beautiful pony that is full of quality but in the championship our eventual champion just outshone it on the go-round.”
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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.
