2023 SSADL in-hand supreme results

Ellena Thomas and Gwenllan Birt win the SSADL in-hand supreme championship at London International.

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

A Welsh section C stallion lifted the 2023 SSADL in-hand supreme title on his debut at London International Horse Show.

Quantity surveyor Ellena Thomas led her own pride and joy Gwenllan Birt, 23, on what was her first time leading a pony on London turf.

“He was my first stallion; I was only 14 when I first got him,” said Ellena, who is set to return to the main arena at London International on Monday to contest the BSPS supreme M&M ridden final. “He’s taught me so much over the years. He was 10 when he arrived with us and he was quite set in his ways, but we bonded and he had a great career until we bowed him out aged 16. He really put me on the map and helped me step up into open native classes.”

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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.

‘He’s taught me so much’: 23-year-old Welsh stallion shines on London International debut

“My main goal of the day was to not fall over while running,” joked Ellena, who was first acquainted with Birt 13 years ago. The Gwenllan Seimon son was on loan from Amy Trevor, and he was gifted to the Thomas family in his later years.

“This season we brought him out as a veteran in May,” Ellena continued. “I’ve had novice ponies this year so I was a bit stuck on what to do for the majority of the season. We thought why not give Birt another go, and here we are.

“He’s a typical old man in many ways, but sometimes he acts like a four-year-old. He keeps us on our toes. He’s our family horse we’ve had for 13 years, and now he’s given me my first London title.”

On form after winning the SEIB Search For A Star veteran accolade at Your Horse Live last month, Heidi Bull’s home-bred 18-year-old Romany (Play The) was pulled into third position.

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