Ponies sparkle at P(UK) winter

A tiny figure on a beautifully mannered pony stole the limelight in the final competition of this year’s action-packed Ponies (UK) Winter Championships, which were held once again at The College EC, Beds.

Isadora Welby, nine, scooped the show’s supreme award with a foot-perfect performance on the open ridden show hunter pony title-holder, Bennochy Royal Ensign, to head a line of multi-garlanded champions.

This lovely bay, bred and co-owned by the Welby family’s mentors, the Gilbert Scotts, was champion on his only two previous outings with Isadora.

Isadora is no stranger to the spotlight, though, having won the Blue Riband title at last year’s BSPS Summer Championships on Aberbrynwen Royal Diamond. “But this was just amazing!” was her verdict.

Suffolk-based Petrina Theobald, who qualified three animals for various supremes, stood reserve supreme with her own six-year-old 158cm grey, Sporting Huzzar, the overall confined novice champion.

Bought from Wendy King in October with SHP and working hunter ponyclasses in mind, he shone in both fields here, winning each section’s confined novice title. He was also reserve in the competition horse championship.

The supreme winter in-hand title – and overall first reserve – went to another Suffolk-based team when the superb grey Welsh section A colt, Idyllic Entrepreneur, captivated a succession of judges on his way to the top spot.

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