The novice show pony classes provide a stage for young jockeys and their stars of the future to strut their stuff
The four-year-old 148cm contender Rotherwood Fancy That and India Till shone in the Adelaide Arena to capture the novice show pony accolade on day three of the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
Winning the first class of the day, India and “Fredrick” put on a show stopping performance, to triumph ahead of the second placed 138cm combination of five-year-old Rotherwood Peter Pan mare Tremarl Ladybird and Jessica Cliff.
Fredrick is by prolific sire Treworgan Dare To Peep out of the late broodmare Rotherwood Flight Of Fancy. He joined the Till family in January, and wasn’t intended to compete this early in the season, but after India’s pony of a lifetime Drakemyre Putting On The Ritz (Alfie) died suddenly in May, Nicky Smith-produced Fredrick has been required to step up.
“We bought him directly from Elizabeth Mansfield of the Rotherwood Stud,” explained India’s mother, Henrietta, who was overjoyed at the result after such a devastating start to the year. “He was broken in February and this year’s plan definitely didn’t include Royal Windsor, but because of what happened to Alfie we decided to bring him. Nicky has done a wonderful job producing him. He lives a very varied life , which has only helped him grow in strength. This win means the world to India; she has really suffered losing Alfie, though she doesn’t show it. Fredrick was awesome today; he’s only done two shows prior.”
Fredrick was initially bought as a hunter pony but it was quickly decided he would flourish better in show pony ranks:
“We’re really excited about him,” continued Henrietta. “His temperament is second to none; he comes straight off the lorry and needs 10 minutes working in before going into the ring. He’s still such a baby, too, so we won’t over do it, but he’s definitely stepped up when he needed to.
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“It’s been a bizarre experience; it’s like he knows that it’s his time to step up and that he’s got to follow on from Alfie for India. He’s even wearing Alfie’s saddle, bridle and numnah and it all fits him perfectly.”
The full novice show pony class results were:
148cm
138cm
128cm
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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.
