Welsh C crowned top M&M at Olympia
21 December 2001
Welsh ponies reign victorious at Olympia, taking four of the top six places including champion and reserve
A Welsh section C has claimed the NPS/Baileys Horse Feeds M&M of the Year title at Olympia for the first time since 1990.
Mr & Mrs G P Baker’s superb Welsh section C Starcrest Discovery took the supreme title after winning best of breed, ahead of the Welsh section A, Whitsand Warrior.
Starcrest Discovery,a compact six-year-old dark bay gelding, has had a fantastic season winning all of his first four Olympia qualifiers. Ridden by Debbie Baker at the final, he is by the top stallion, Pantyfid Toy Soldier out of a Tywood mare.
Whitsand Warrior also claimed the best of breed award on the way to standing reserve in this prestigious championship. Owned by Mrs G Simpson and ridden by Jack Simpson, this nine-year-old grey gelding is by Sunwillow Niklaus.
Fourth and fifth were also claimed by Welsh ponies. The Haynes’ successful Welsh section A Oldmere Holly, ridden by Lucinda (Tuffy) Stockley, stood fourth, with Rotherwood Wild Snowdrop (section B) in fifth.
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Connemaras claimed the remaining places with Robin Avery’s Tulira Roebuck taking third and Elaine Kelly’s Walstead Hunny Bear in sixth.
Best of Breed awards
- Connemara: Tulira Roebuck
- Dales: Carrock Sparkle
- Dartmoor: Shilstone Rocks Snowfox
- Exmoor: Subhainn
- Fell: Sunnybrowe Jack
- Highland: Trowan Cultoon Moss
- New Forest: Willoway Bright and Beautiful
- Shetland: Valley Whiskers
- Welsh A: Whitsand Warrior
- Welsh B: Rotherwood Wild Snowdrop
- Welsh C: Starcrest Discovery
- Welsh D: Murrayhill Faiths Reward
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Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.