It was third time lucky at the 2023 Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) for the home-produced Dartmoor pony Lowlandview James Bond and his connections, as he took the BSPS Heritage ridden M&M Pretty Polly mini supreme after his third crack at the lead rein class.
Lowlandview James Bond, a Springwater Happy Day nine-year-old, topped the lead reins with seven-year-old Harriet Lomas in the saddle, handled by mother Lynsey Lomas.
Showing is a true family affair as Harriet’s grandmother, Julie Massey, owns James.
James is out of Pumphill Belladonna II and he was bred by Katie Duxbury. James was initially bought by Julie and Lynsey from Nikki Ashcroft.
“He’s done everything we wanted, and so much more,” said Lynsey, who fits in showing the mini duo around her full-time work as a hairdresser.
On their first appearance together at the RIHS three years ago, Harriet and James, a winner of multiple-supreme titles during his run with the family, finished third in the same Pretty Polly lead rein final.
“He was unplaced last year, so to come back and do this was so unexpected,” said Lynsey, who has led the pair at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). “James is a mother’s dream. He’s so well-behaved and Harriet can do anything with him.”
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Woodend Marigold, ridden by Camilla Hollis, finishes reserve in the championship.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Reserve mini champion was the second placed lead rein pony, Heather Cook’s 13-year-old Welsh section A Woodend Marigold, ridden by Camilla Hollis.
Completing the championship line-up were the top two from the first ridden class, winners Poppy Gresty and Pumphill Rasputin, as well as second placed Tabitha Hughes and Towergate First Impression.
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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.
