Welsh section D gelding scoops 2019 Olympia M&M supreme accolade
A Welsh section D came to the fore at the Olympia International Horse Show as he trotted away with the Lemieux BSPS Mountain and Moorland (M&M) championship, giving his rider her first Olympia title.
Producer Emma Boardman piloted her own nine-year-old Dyffryngwy Sir Picasso to advance on their third place achieved last season. The pair qualified for this year’s show at Westmorland County.
Picasso has been a regular at the championship since qualifying at his first ever ridden show as a four-year-old.
Bred by Gwyneth Griffiths, Picasso was a winner at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) this season where he stood reserve champion and was also M&M supreme at the Great Yorkshire Show in July.
Standing reserve was Melanie and Gemma Stanford’s prolific Highland stallion Benbreac Of Croila ridden by Matthew Cooper. The 12-year-old was making his final apperance under saddle before retiring to stud.
Sam Roberts and her own Welsh section B gelding Colby Silver Sprite stood third and top of the small breeds.
The top 10 results were as follows:
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10 — Nipna Golden Poppy (Dales)
9 — Okedene Justin (New Forest)
8 — Lunesdale Dixie (Fell)
7 — Highland Chief Of Talisker (Highland)
6 — Cadlanvalley Buzby (Welsh B)
5 — Cashelbay Rocket (Connemara)
4 — Shilstone Rocks North Westerly (Dartmoor)
3 — Colby Silver Sprite (Welsh B)
2 — Benbreac Of Croila (Highland)
1 — Dyffryngwy Sir Picasso (Welsh D)
Other best of breed awards:
Shetland — Firle Ricardo
Welsh A — Llandrith Nemesis
Welsh C — Lynuck The Showman
Exmoor — Stowbrook Red Kite
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Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.