2022 RIHS supreme pony results

For the second consecutive year, Mia Donaldson and her family’s delightful show pony mare Wilderness Early Bird took home the Supreme Products RIHS supreme pony championship and Dick Saunders trophy at the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS).

Just a short while after they’d clinched the show pony championship for the second time, Mia and 13-year-old Birdie, also part-bred Arab champion yesterday, returned to Hickstead’s International Arena to vie for the supreme crown.

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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.

‘She’s done it again’: ‘perfect’ mare is crowned RIHS supreme for the second time

It was evident that the pair had been here before and they knew how to impress judges Michael Maryan, Martin Clunes and Sue Bunn enough to achieve a winning score of 28, one more mark than they received last year.

Mia’s flowing show displayed Birdie’s manners, paces and star-quality. The mare oozed charisma, while proving her suitability as a children’s riding pony by not batting an eyelid in the electric atmosphere.

Remarkably, Birdie now stands unbeaten at the RIHS for two years on the trot.

“I’m in shock; she’s done it again,” said Mia. “She did exactly the same last year; went champion part-bred and show pony and now supreme. After last year, I felt a bit more pressure as we were trying to get the title back.”

Mia said she rode the same show as she has previously, adding: “Going in with a plan makes it easier, then you can nail it when you’re in there. Birdie always gives a good performance; she’s perfect. She loves her job and always wants to please, and will do anything for you.”

Mia added that the feeling of galloping round the International Arena, sash in place, to the cheers of the crowd, was undimmed for feeling it a second time.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” she said. “It’s so good to be in there.”

The last pony to win the RIHS supreme pony title two years on the bounce was Dance All Night, who won in both 2012 and 2013 with sisters Lucinda and Sammi Elliott.

Zara Brookes nearly did a RIHS supreme double for Team Walker with her show hunter pony champion Merrycorner Mister Bui. The pair finished on 26 after a lovely account, pushing them into reserve.

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