In the 60th Diamond Jubilee of HOYS  there was a total of 14 New Forest Ponies representing the breed at this prestigious event across the various classes.

On the first day in the New Forest and Connemara ridden class all three New Forest Ponies entered were in the top 9 placings, the highest New Forest placing being  3rd to Willoway Free Spirit, ridden by Samantha Roberts and owned and bred by Mr and Mrs Large, pulling out a really good show. Willoway Lord of the Rings, Ridden by Charlotte Harlow finished in 6th and Willoway Minstrel in 8th a brilliant achievement for the Willoway stud.

The Mountain and Moorland Working Hunter Pony Class was as ever a big up to height course over the three height sections. Burley Showman, owned by Gill Wright and Ridden by Nicky Stephens  unfortunately rolled a pole in the first height section of the class, but otherwise did a nice round. In the middle section  a Forest bred pony, Rushmoor Sunrise ridden by Samantha Bebbington and owned by her mother jumped one of only 2 clears to finish a credible second place. This placing was repeated in the Underwood Hunter Pony ( plaited) class where Sunrise again, jumped clear to be awarded the  blue ribbons yet again. Sunrise is by Faircross Oscar out of Rushmoor Rosebay and was bred by R & J Stride. Another forest bred pony in the plaited workers was Crabswood Nutmeg a dun mare by Monkshorn Minstrel, ridden by Beatrice Meyrick who finished 5th.

In the large Section of the M&M workers we had two representatives, Wayland Loganberry and the versatile Willoway Lord of the Rings. Unfortunately both  ponies were unplaced.

As well as the showing classes we had several New Forest Ponies in the show Jumping Competitions which was nice to see. Rockingham Shadow, a 12.2 gelding  owned by Mrs L Bursham and ridden by Christie Pritchard finished 7th in the HOYS 128cms Show Jumping Championship. 

Rushington Boaz a bay gelding by Dorney Boy out of Rushington Sunset finished 7th in the Squibb & David National Junior Foxhunter Championship ridden by Chloe Aston. Also in the same class a Dutch Bred NF Stallion Fabian (sire Kantjes Ronaldo Dam Kantjes Rezie ) finished in 11th place.

Report by Kerry Humble

Willoway Free Spirit Owned and bred by Mr and Mrs Large, Ridden by Samatha Roberts.