The Royal Show

Becky Edwards and Deanhills Sweet Rhapsody maintained their recent good form by taking the show pony championship at The Royal Show at the National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh.

Having won their 128cm class, they went on to take the tricolour in torrential rain. A big winner in-hand, the four-year-old bay mare has made a spectacular start to her ridden career with Becky, 10, who describes her as “a dream pony”. Owned by Jane Laffey, who bought her from her breeder Robert Cockram, Deanhills Sweet Rhapsody is by Sandbourne Royal Ensign out of Rosslyn Sweet Fun.

Emmie Collier and Sannan Valley BobbySox took the working hunter pony title. Offered the ride on Isabel Pendred’s 12-year-old chestnut gelding just after Horse of the Year Show last year, Emmie and BobbySox have qualified for both the Royal International and Horse of the Year Show. Emmie, 16, is the reigning Horse of the Year Show WHP champion with the now outgrown Oscar Charles, who gained the title in 2006 and 2007.

Emma Holder and Out of the Blue literally galloped away with the show hunter pony championship. Winners of a strong 133cm class, Regina Daly’s cracking chestnut gave a blistering gallop in the championship to clinch the title.

In his debut season, the six year old of unknown breeding, has never been out of the first two. With normal jockey Hannah Horton not available due to a previous engagement, 13-year-old Emma made her first ride a winning one. “He is an amazing pony to ride,” she said.

Louise Bell and Man On Fire again turned on the heat to win the lightweight working hunter class and subsequent championship in The Royal Show’s grand ring. Bred by John Whitaker, and by the well-known coloured jumping stallion Utah Van Erpekom, the six-year-old quality bay has notched up 13 wins so far in this, his debut season. “He did it in style” said Louise.

www.royalshow.org.uk

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