Thursday 20 December 2007 saw the prestigious final of the Baileys Mountain and Moorland ridden final at Olympia, London judged by Mrs M C Nimmo (ride) and Mr P Boustead (Conformation). With three Foresters in the final and all first timers to the show the Best of Breed award was fairly open. The three Foresters representing the breed were Crabbswood Forget Me Not II a dun mare, the first Forest-bred pony (Monkshorn Minstrel x Knightsway Little Miss Muffett ) to compete at Olympia.  She was bred by Mrs Rayner and is owned by Richard Holt and was ridden by Anna Rayner (who is no relation to the breeder).  Forget Me Not went sweetly in her show and on her first visit to Olympia coped with the atmosphere, which is always electric.  It was refreshing to hear that this mare regularly hunts and definitely looked fit enough to go for a day’s hunting.  She was awarded 39 for show and 34 Conformation.

The young bay stallion Willoway Free Spirit (Peveril Peter Piper x Mecury Amy) owned and bred by Mr and Mrs Large put on a good show, ridden by the very capable Sam Roberts and was awarded the coveted  best of breed and came 5th overall - an excellent achievement for a 5 year old pony and definitely one for the future.  His final marks were 43 ride/ 44 conformation.

Another Peveril Peter Piper stallion through was the charismatic grey Farriers Fingerprint who had a busy couple of days, having competed on the Wednesday in the Riding Club Quadrille where the team came 2nd.  Having had a chance to ride in the main arena the day before Finger Print, piloted by his owner/breeder Mrs Shirley Young executed a polished and accurate show, unfazed by the crowds. The pair finished a credible 8th and were awarded 40 ride and 45 conformation.

The overall Champion of the final was the grey Connemara Stallion Bunowen Castle Ri, who scored 47/47 and it is the second time he has collected the title for his owner Mrs J Webb.

Even qualifying for Olympia is a wonderful achievement and takes a lot of hard work and dedication to get your pony to that level. All of the foresters were a credit to the breed. I am sure it will not be long before we see a New Forest Pony wining the coveted title, after all, the new showing season is just around the corner and who knows, next year it could be you!

Well done to Willoway Free Spirit Best of Breed  5th Overall, Farriers Finger Print and Crabbswood Forget Me Not II.

Kerry Humble