WHP makes history at BSPS
For the first time ever a working hunter pony claimed the top award at the BSPS Summer Championships
Stambrook Pavarotti wrote a new page in the British Show Pony Society history book when he became the first Desert Orchid Working Hunter Pony Champion to win the show’s coveted Timberwolf Supreme award, saving his best until last to beat the country’s cream from all sections at the BSPS Summer Championships at Peterborough.
This wonderful 143cm campaigner, who has been such a great servant to the Lears family and joined Rachel Green on lease this season, also won his Premier League WHP division and was reserve in the prestigious John Peel Show Hunter Pony section.
Although Rachel was individual international champion at this show two years ago with her 133cm, Springdale Sensation, this was voted “the best win yet”.
Her father was quick to credit local instructor Lyn Lloyd, who teaches Rachel at home and travelled from West Wales to help, and Sarah Lears (pictured riding Stambrook Pavarotti ), who walked the fearsome Desert Orchid course with her.
“We had absolutely no expectations of getting this far, though,” said John Green. “As far as we were concerned, a home-produced pony – and a worker to boot – wouldn’t be in the running for an award like that.”
This year’s judging for the supreme award followed a very different format than in previous years. Five nominated BSPS members, not already panel judges nor in any way connected with the finalists, were drawn out of a hat. Separately positioned, they judged a final show from each contender, awarding marks out of 10.
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