Farewell to a showing superstar

Young Dragonara, one of the most famous and successful show horses of all time, has died at the age of 24.

Owned by the Ryder-Phillips family, the 15hh son of Dragonara Palace won show hunter pony, working hunter pony, intermediate working hunter, intermediate show riding type, side-saddle, small riding horse and dressage championships.

Ridden for most of his career by Christopher Ryder-Phillips, Young Dragonara accumulated more than £17,000 in prize-money. Among his many titles were three Royal Show championships, three Royal International titles and three HOYS championships.

He was a member of the English working hunter pony team for many years, and in 1994 Christopher and Young Dragonara won the BSPS President’s Award and the BSPS Pony Personality of the Year.

His final public appearance came in 2003, aged 21, when he gave an immaculate “birthday” evening performance with 12-year-old Jamie Ryder-Phillips at the BSPS Summer Championships.

“There will never be another Young Dragonara,” said his owner, Jon Phillips.

• This article was first published in Horse & Hound (20 April, ’06)

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