Showing the versatility of the New Forest Pony it was lovely to see both adults and children competing throughout the day with ponies ranging in height from 11 hands to 14.2. High in the various disciplines. The  Country Life Cup awarded to the Junior WHP Championship was won by Elanor Grimshaw riding her mother’s Sedgemoor Braken an 8yo pony by Long Copse Elton.

The Junior ridden for children under 12 was won for the second year running by Jade Palmer and Purkiss Summer Breeze ahead of Ravens Wizzard and Polly Pickford. In the  riders of 13 – 16 years age group Mrs Janet & Miss S William’s Peveril Peter Pan collected first place.

Mrs N Dibden came over from France to judge the Novice ridden classes and she commented that she was very pleased with her overall champion, a lovely Dun Mare Merrie Miss Tidy by Merrie Marmalade out of Merrie Mistella owned by Margaret Fogg who had been used as an endurance pony before turning her hand to  ridden showing.

Merrie Miss Tidy Novice Ridden Champion.

The large section of the Forest Bred ridden was won by Moorcorner Minstrel II for the 6th consecutive year. Owned by Mesdames J & J Pound & Mrs Parker they have another 4 years to match Mrs Shirley Young’s record with Farriers Drummer Boy who won the small ridden class for 10 years. Moorcorner Minstrell was second in the open ridden class to Sabinas’ Monte Carlo owned by Sally Wiggins who later pipped the consistent chestnut mare Willoway Patience to victory in the open ridden championship.

The owner rider championship was awarded to Farriers Finger print with Applewitch Roan Fantasia in reserve who hot footed it from the championship into the adjoining ring to compete with Applewitch Clairvoyant securing the ridden pairs title. Both ponies are owned, bred and produced by Mr & Mrs Bailey.

The Overall Ridden Championship was secured by Shirley Young and Farriers Fingerprint with Sabina’s Gold Sovereign in reserve spot, however Judge Fiona Cameron swapped the placings in the Olympia Championship awarding the coveted ticket to the Baileys Horse Feed Championship to Gold Sovereign with Fingerprint in reserve. Gold Sovereign’s appointed jockey for the day Laura Wildon couldn’t hold back the tears of joys at qualifying and Mrs Cameron had to pass her a hanky to mop up the tears.

Sabinas Gold Sovereign Reserve Ridden Champion and Olympia Qualifier.

Kerry Humble