14.2hh New Forest pony makes light work of two-star track
A 14.2hh New Forest pony made light of a two-star track at Fair Hill International horse trials last month (15-18 October).
American eventer Sinead Halpin rode Forrest Nymph (“Farrah”) in the CCI2* and flew round the challenging cross-country course.
The pair finished 16th — their highest placing to date in a two-star, having completed five events at this level.
The 11-year-old chestnut pony went clear across country with no time penalties. She added just four faults to her dressage score of 53.10 in the showjumping.
Farrah, who is owned by the Forrest Nymph Syndicate, was also awarded the best conditioned and the small and mighty award at the Maryland event.
“Best cross-country yet!” said Sinead at the time. “I would like to say it’s fun out there, but honestly we are both just working hard to get it done.”
Sinead proved her worth on the world stage in 2011 when she was placed third in her first four-star at the Kentucky Horse Trials riding Manoir de Carneville. The following year she was placed second at Burghley Horse Trials with the same horse.
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Other mini marvels
Little Tiger stood just 14.3hh and gained a huge following eventing at four-star level with Phoebe Buckley.
Frosty, as she was known at home, was put down in 2013 (29 May) due to joint issues in her off-fore.
Theodore O’Connor (“Teddy”) was another incredibly talented event pony.
The 14.1hh gelding competed up to four-star level with American event rider Karen O’Connor and won himself a huge fan club on both sides of the Atlantic.
He finished third at Rolex Kentucky in 2007 and sixth the following year. He also won team and individual gold medals at the Pan American games in 2008 and was on the short-list for the American team at the 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong.
Teddy was put down in 2008 aged 13 following an accident at home.
Forrest Nymph’s career highlights
- 16th Fair Hill International CCI2*, October 2015
- Completed the Plantation Field CIC2*, September 2015
- Completed the Richland Park CIC2*, August 2015
- Completed the Fair Hill International CCI2*, October 2014
- Completed the Plantation Field CIC2*, September 2014
- 5th Seneca Valley intermediate, September 2014
- 10th Virginia intermediate, May 2014
- 7th MCTA Summer Horse Trials intermediate, May 2014
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Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.