Welsh pony takes BDS crown

Planning no more than apleasant weekend away from her Jersey home, Rachelle Bownes was highly surprised to find herself taking the Brewin Dolphin Securities Supreme Championship at the BDS annual show with her section A, Ovington Hermes.

“He’s only done a couple ofshows at home this year,” she said. “And last year I was concentrating on driving him as a pair with his uncle.”

Judging the championship, Caroline Dale-Leech was clear about her winner, saying simply: “His image wouldn’t leave me.”

Rachelle has owned the eight-year-old bay since he was two and has competed him on the mainland for a month or so each summer for the past three years. Before winning the supreme championship, she had already fulfilled a dream by taking the Welsh pony title and earning her first ever ticket to HOYS.

Caroline’s reserve was Reg Chapman’s eye-catching home-bred Vienna Charm, who, after taking strong Hackney private driving class, went on to win one of the show’s new championships, beating rare breeds winners Modris Kesans’ Friesians, Tarlis and Bramble.

The 10-year-old Vienna Charm has enjoyed considerable success. Champion at Lincoln recently, she had already qualified for HOYS.

The NEC ticket went down the line to multiples champion David Baker, driving Sealmaster Fire, Draught and Weatherseals’ Morgan tandem, Thankyou Ovation and Waveney Cabaletta. At only its fourth outing, this was one of the most spectacular turnouts of the 200 on show.

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