Nine-year-old scoops £3,000 at Ponies (UK)

28 August 2001

Nine-year-old Josh Duncalf claims supreme of show title at Ponies (UK) with the foot perfect Dartmoor, Vean Hobajon

A charismatic Dartmoor pony and his accomplished nine-year-old rider enchanted a packed grandstand to take the supreme award at Ponies (UK) Summer Championships, earning a record £3,000 for their evening’s work.

Despite the persistent drizzle, nothing could dampen the spirits of the Turner/Duncalf family when Josh Duncalf began his run with the Noel Edwards Salver as ridden M&M supreme on the eight-year-old home-produced gelding, Vean Hobajon.

Josh was immediately called back to contest the Ron Hayes supreme ridden title against champions from seven other divisions. Hobajon never turned a hair and it was a popular and well-deserved win, ahead of the hack champion Stanley Grange Way Above (Sally Judge) and Melton intermediate title-holder, Angie Allison’s Comberton Little Owl (Hayley Ironside).

When Hobajon crowned the evening with the Hindley Cup as supreme of show, he raised rapturous applause with his final lap of honour, resplendent in his many championship sashes. This brought him the third of five £1,000 championships on offer.

• For full report see Horse & Hound issue dated 30 September.