Sue Hughes’s Pumphill Buckthorn finished his phenomenal 2010 season in style by claiming the National Pony Society (NPS)/Baileys Horse Feeds supreme ridden title at Olympia Horse Show.
The seven-year-old stallion has now won some of the most coveted prizes in showing with his producer Sarah Challinor in their three seasons together.
“The champion was foot-perfect and gave a lovely show,” said ride judge Gill Evans. “He moves like a Dartmoor should, he was beautifully balanced and his transitions were superb.”
In reserve was the Connemara stallion Lecarrow King, owned by Lady Vestey and her sister Henrietta Knight.
The stunning grey is produced by Sam Roberts, but the Olympia ride went to Jayne Webber, as Sam was busy on board the best of the Welsh section Bs, Millcroft Iska Roc.
“We bought ‘King’ running wild in Ireland and he wasn’t broken until he was six and a half,” Henrietta. “He takes everything in his stride.”
Gill Evans praised the perseverance of all of the 35 finalists in making it to the show.
“We were amazed at the hard work that all the competitors had put in, considering the difficult conditions. Everyone deserves a tremendous amount of praise for that,” she said.
Best of breeds
Connemara: Lecarrow King
Dales: Kilmannan Black Velvet
Dartmoor: Pumphill Buckthorn
Exmoor: Rosefinch
Fell: Castle Hill Raven
Highland: Moss-side Iain Mhor
New Forest: Woodfidley Saint George
Shetland: HRE Bigton
Welsh sec A: Gartconnel Shooting Star
Welsh sec B: Millcroft Iska Roc
Welsh sec C: Yrallt May Day Surprise
Welsh sec D: Broughton First Lady
Read H&H’s full report on all the showing action from the Olympia horse show, including the veteran classes and the riding club quadrille, on sale Thursday 23 December
