Hunter ponies gallop for glory at Royal Windsor Horse Show

Hunter ponies were out in force for the final day of the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Joshua Hill, last year’s 133cms worker victor, made his mark early by heading the nursery stakes with his mother’s Milton Bellerina. This is Joshua’s last year in nursery stakes but his younger brother, Toby is waiting to take over the ride.

“The mare does everything including hunting, dressage and is on all the riding club and pony club teams,” Joshua’s mother Nicci told H&H. “She only had one pole down in the whole of last season.”

William Prince took the 133cms with his mother’s Red Robin II before Izzy Dixon’s returned to head the 143cms with Johns Choice and take the title, which they won here three years ago.

In her second season with O’Macca, 17-year-old Jessica Andrews-Gayler led the 153cms to take reserve. The pair qualified for the Horse of the Year show last time in this section, as well as an intermediate. Jessica also show jumps for Judy Ross.

Daisy O’Halloran partnered The Navigator II to head the intermediate workers on their third outing. The roan gelding moved to trainer, William Chatley, early in the year and Daisy now enjoys hacking in the New Forest.

Producer Gill Thompson who claimed the top two show hunter pony slots last year returned with Jane Findlow’s Ellenbrook Masterplan, who had been reserve, to go one better and take the title with Beccy Findlow. Gill also scored with Eagle Moor ridden by Lillie Twitchett to head the intermediates.

Katie Roberts was in reserve with Sue Andrew’s 133cms Rhoden Master Frederick. Katie also headed the 122cms with Redford Bizzy Bee for Debbie Thomas and Kevin Roberts.

Don’t miss H&H’s indepth report from Royal Windsor, on sale 15 May, ’08

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