Pony of the Year Show 2016
Tuesday 29 March 2016
All roads lead to Bury Farm Equestrian Village, Slapton, Buckinghamshire, last weekend where pony riders from the length and breadth of the country gathered for four fun-filled Easter days of the Pony of the Year Show. This year the show carried a Jungle Book theme with monkeys and gorillas amongst the animals that become part of the wings and fences for a great jungle feel – although the weather didn’t feel able to join in, unless you count rain to complete the Rain Forest ambiance!
Drew Walton took the Pony of the Year JA title in fine style on her mother Kerry’s impressive stallion Trevoulter Ladies Man amongst strong opposition in a nine-pony decider. “He has really shown his potential, this is his first grand prix and I wasn't going to push him against the clock, but he kept calm and cool and I got my turns – although I didn’t think we’d be fast enough.”
Trevoulter Ladies Man will possibly stand at stud towards the end of the year, but he will continue to concentrate on his jumping career for the time being. “I have to be more aware with him because he’s a stallion, but he’s so honest he doesn’t do anything out of sorts,” said Drew.
Lily Freeman-Attwood took third on her new ride of three months, Konzales Van Orchids behind Georgie Burchmore-Eames on Ron Burgundy in second.
And the consistent Ron Burgundy also took victory in the British Showjumping 148cm Special Final. “He came out and won despite being tired after jumping the JA, he has a heart of gold and he always tries,” said Georgie, who has HOYS Foxhunter and Pony Showjumper of the Year hopes with this 10-year-old.
With a final flyer to the last, Faye Sutton secured the 138cm grand prix and leading rider award on her mother Jackie’s Shutter Fly, an Irish-bred 18-year-old she’s ridden since October. “He’s incredible, I didn’t think we could go that fast, it’s thanks to my trainer Geoff Billington and my mom, she does everything at home,” said Faye, who will make her Hickstead debut later in the year.
Madison Heath claimed the 128cm grand prix for the second consecutive year with the ultra-consistent Red Alert III after negotiating the tightest of turns into the final vertical. “She is the best, she helps me over every fence, especially the last, I was so deep to it, but she came up and jumped it,” said Madison, who also took the leading rider award.
Second in the POYS 2015 JC grand prix, Lauren Roach went one better to earn the JC title on Paul Kelly’s home-bred Westcoast Express. “She has so much scope and loads of stride,” said Lauren, 14 years-old, who will contend the Hickstead JC final with this nine-year-old mare.
Emma Crawford took the JC leading rider award.
Smooth turns and a forward-going stride earned Kallum Fletcher, 15 years-old, the Children-on-Horses Grand Prix riding Natasha Hawkins’ 10-year-old Disco III. “He’s on form, I thought we were in with a chance,” said Essex-based Kallum.
Oli Fletcher claimed the Children-on-Horses Leading Rider.
An inside turn spotted and successfully negotiated earned Perdi Digby, 13 years-old, the Intermediate title on her mother Sophie’s Kayleigh’s Star. “She is the nicest pony, I clicked with her straightaway,” said Perdi, at her first big show since Christmas.
Jocasta Symons took the Intermediate Leading Rider Award on-board Foxy Lady 55.
Tazmin Pearson made easy work of a competitive jump-off of 24 to head the 11 year-old and under Grand Prix on D Amour D Amerrier, a nine-year-old mare she inherited from Cousin Jodie Randall 18 months ago. “Sometimes she’s very hard to turn, but today was the best we’ve ever done,” said Tazmin.
Megan Trott was declared the 11-year-old and Under Leading Rider.
Diminutive Thalia Nuttall, 9 year-old, made her winning debut at POYS, taking the 10 year-old style and performance with 19-year-old Another Victory. “He’s very sweet, a superstar,” said Thalia, “Its’ my first big win, I only came to watch here last year.”
“It was very close, only half a point in it, but Thalia rode the corner to the last fence correctly and it gave her the edge,” said Judge Lynne Bevan.
Cambridgeshire-based Jessica Howard was crowned Novice Champion and Leading Rider with Rocky Robin, a former riding school pony owned jointly with Claire Darwin. “He was too much for the riding school, he’s quite a tough pony with lots of character,” said Jessica, who also has HOYS ambitions this summer.
Anna Ball won the Introductory Grand Prix on her POYS debut with Tig Matthews’ Oakmeade Nutmeg.
“It’s my first major show,” said Anna, 12 year-old, who only started jumping affiliated in May 2015 and got the ride on Nutmeg in September.
Third-placed Lauren Roache was awarded introductory leading rider with Lady Blakeney.
RESULTS
JA GRAND PRIX
1 Drew Walton & Trevoulter Ladies Man – 0/0 44.15
2 Georgie Burchmore-Eames & Ron Burgundy – 0/0 44.87
3, Lily Freeman-Attwood & Konzales Van Orchids – 0/0 45.33
4 Sophie Bowen-Howard & Quincy V – 0/0 48.36
5 Bobbie Heath & Air Flow – 0/4 39.58
6 Emma Crawford & Stars Surprise – 0/4 45.23
128cm GRAND PRIX
1 Madison Heath & Red Alert III – 0/0/0 29.25
2 Alena Hughes/Mathews Girl – 0/0/0 37.52
3 Henry Squibb & Pussy Cat Doll – 0/0/0 39.06
4 Hannah Barker & Ballybur Oh Jessie – 0/0/4 28.33
5 Claudia Moore & Peppino Il Grande – 0/0/4 28.82
6 Marnie Green & My Little Liesel – 0/0/4 38.84
138cm GRAND PRIX
1 Faye Sutton & Shutter Fly 0/0/0 39.91
2 Tahnia Jordan-Jones & Oakurst In The Spotlight 0/0/0 41.20
3 Atlanta Vallionis & Stoney Burke – 0/0/4 42.49
4 Francesca Young & Jackdaw – 0/0/4 47.94
5 Lily Freeman-Atwood & My Bugsy Malone 0/0/8 42.15
6 Isabel Ryder & The Agent – 0/0/8 53.75
11-YEAR-OLD & UNDER GRAND PRIX
1 Tazmin Pearson & D Amour D Amerrier – 0/0 28.48
2 Megan Trott & Annandale Moonfleet – 0/0 29.62
2 Patrick Thurston & Tynan Earl Grey – 0/0 29.62
4 Regan Weston & Mylestown Molly – 0/0 33.43
5 Izabella Rogers & Pondhead Dexter – 0/0 35.58
6 Evie Tigh & Dan’s Hill – 0/0 36.13
JC GRAND PRIX
1 Lauren Roach & Westcoast Express – 0/0 33.50
2 Daisy McKinlay & Spot the Go Jo – 0/0 34.07
3 Lottie Tutt & Market Angel – 0/0 35.63
4 Emma Crawford & Mullingar - 0/0 37.27
5 Stephanie Brownbill & Ridge End Reberto - 0/0 41.00
6 Leah Bedgood & Glanvyrnnwy Baby Boo - 0/4 34.25
INTERMEDIATE GRAND PRIX
1 Perdita Digby & Kayleighs Star – 0/0 32.13
2 Madison Heath & My Gem Pearle – 0/0 32.56
3 Beau Ottley & Ronja III – 0/4 29.77
4 Casey Waisman & Allihies Fir Baoi – 0/4 30.92
5 Jocasta Symons & Razorlite II – 0/4 31.74
6 Jocasta Symons & Foxy Lady 55 – 0/4 31.92
CHILDREN ON HORSES GRAND PRIX
1 Kallum Fletcher & Disco III – 0/0 42.87
2 Georgie Burchmore-Eames & Contender B – 0/0 45.05
3 Georgia Sims & Clearways Angelina – 0/0 46.80
4 India Bussey & Clementiene – 0/4 42.16
5 Oli Fletcher & Dahar 0/4 42.27
6 India Bussey & Westwinds Ego – 0/4 44.33
NOVICE GRAND PRIX
1 Jessica Howard & Rocky Robin – 0/0 38.23
2 Georgia Sims & Fairfax Hot Tottie – 0/0 39.89
3 Atiya Bussey & Ranchwood Latte – 0/0 40.47
4 Madison Jamison & Sweepstake – 0/0 40.59
5 Madison Jamison & Flavia – 0/0 42.11
6 Lottie Mayvers & Gortahork - 0/0 42.51
INTRODUCTORY GRAND PRIX
1 Anna Ball & Oakmeade Nutmeg – 0/0 37.98
2 Abbie Ellison & Miss Meckenheim Megan – 0/0 38.43
3 Lauren Roach & Lady Blakeney – 0/4 32.39
4 Casey Waisman & Just George II - 0/4 32.93
5 Ella Garlick & Red Roseanna - 0/4 33.50
6 Fraya Russell & Prince of the Dales - 0/4 34.56
BRITISH SHOWJUMPING 128/138cm HANDICAP SPECIAL FINAL
1 Millie Stennett & Stafford – 0/049.97
2 Oscar Hobby & Sweet Delight – 0/0 53.94
3 Emily Notman & Take A Chance II – 0/4 40.30
4 Olivia Sheppard & Arrow Head Quiver – 0/4 44.12
5 Faye Sutton & Fast Fun - 0/4 44.30
6 Emily Notman & Bailey XII – 0/4 49.17
BRITISH SHOWJUMPING 148cm SPECIAL FINAL
1 Georgie Burchmore-Eames & Ron Burgundy – 0/0 32.10
2 Lucy Hahn & Edna – 0/0 34.14
3 Casey Waisman & Allihies Fir Baoi 0/0 34.54
4 Faye Sutton & Robe Ruadh – 0/4 34.35
5 Jodie Burchmore-Eames & Claddagh Prince – 0/8 34.37
6 Jocasta Symons & Razorlite II – 0/12 52.92