Pony of the Year Show

Rachel Connor won the coveted Pony of the Year Show (POYS) 148cm grand prix on The Irish Builder after a two-way battle with Pippa Allen riding Spot The Lady. Zoe Adams, winner of the JA small grand prix, was third with VIP Tixylix, while Heledd Thomas finished fourth on Dooly.

Scotland’s James Smith’s consistency throughout the show earned him the leading 148cm rider award with Mr Nice Guy.

Alison Barton netted a well-deserved talentspotters grand prix victory with McFly. She was also awarded the Sheila Elstone Memorial Trophy for most promising pony/rider combination.

Rebecca Roe put Rosie’s Delight into the talentspotters small grand prix top slot, while Abbie Squires won the 148cm restricted final on Touch Of Joy in the early hours of Monday morning. Abbie was back on form the following morning when she headed the JC small grand prix with Kingstong.

Stephanie Gunn and Blakt’s Jordi edged in front of Danielle Willett on Funfair in the JC grand prix. Megan James clinched the leading JC rider award with Sprite, and also won the novice grand prix with Spot Noodle.

Connagh Cassel won the 11-and-under grand prix with Magic Choice and claimed the leading under-11 rider award. Ginger’s Choice and Anna Wilks, 10, headed the small equivalent. Amy Inglis took the 11-and-under style and performance award.

Laura Pritchard, 12, won the 138cm grand prix on Spot On, while Oliver Davies took the small 138cm grand prix on Colour Code.

Jessica Mendoza finished first and third in the 128cm grand prix, which secured her the leading rider title.

Nine-year-old Millie Allen headed the small grand prix on Flinor Songbird, while her big sister, Pippa, finish second in the JA grand prix.

Katie House, nine, triumphed in the 128/138cm restricted final, beating her 138cm counterparts Abbie Griffin and Solcum Donatella into second place on My Little Pumpkin.

Katy Williams took the introductory grand prix and leading rider award with her coloured cob Sedusa. Adelle Nuth, 14, brought Nacona Shafali to the fore in the introductory grand prix.

An overjoyed Chloe Lowther could not stop the tears after capturing the novice small grand prix with Lady Bloomfield.

Read this report in full, including fantastic photographs, in this Thursday’s Horse & Hound (19 April, ’07)

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