Kelsall Hill Small Pony Premier Round-Up
Wednesday 26 February 2025
The spotlight was on Cora Dowey this past weekend as she shone in the 138cm Second Rounds on both days at Kelsall Hill’s Small Pony Premier, cementing her spot in the Winter 138cm Championship Final at the Agria Royal International Horse Show.
In Saturday’s 138cm Second Round, 26 combinations started with four posting the double clear needed to advance to the final jump-off. First to go, Cora left nothing to chance and swiftly steered the 11-year-old gelding round the shortened course, setting an unbeatable time of 34.35 seconds. Also jumping clear, Holly West, aboard Coppenagh Celtic Rebel, and Lacie Williams, riding Dancing Danny, chased hard but couldn’t quite match the pace, finishing second and third respectively.
Sixteen combinations stepped up to jump Sunday’s equivalent qualifier, with Cora Dowey once again coming to the fore. Six riders advanced to the final jump-off with Cora this time jumping from mid draw. The experienced partnership cleared all the obstacles to mark the first clear round on their way to take top spot. The penultimate rider in, Anya Dewey Clark, riding Fredaine De Blonde, chased the time hard but couldn’t quite match the pace, finishing in second place, 5.29 seconds in arrears. Amy Capper and Ruby Brown slotted in third place as the fastest four fault round.
Saturday’s Winter 128cm Second Round saw two riders share top honours. Evie Whitaker, riding Barleyfield Button, and Oakley Nash, riding Sonic 1, both jumped clear in the first round of 12 starters and opted to share the victory, choosing not to contend the jump-off. Annabel Widdowson and Bunbury Conquest picked up third as the fastest four fault rounds.
Oakley Nash went one better in Sunday’s equivalent qualifier, taking top spot with Sonic 1. Ten competitors took on this class with three jumping clear advancing to the second round. Having secured their qualifying place to the final, Kiki Arthur, riding Longhey Confetti, and Alfie Bailey, riding Priestwood Special Edition, opted to withdraw from the next round and finished joint second. Oakley and Sonic stepped up to jump round two and took top spot.
Betsy Snell topped day one’s British Showjumping 128cm/138cm Handicap Special with the 12-year-old 138cm mare, Hazelrock Nova. Evie Whitaker picked up another podium placing, finishing second with the 10-year-old 138cm gelding, Fifty Fruit, whilst Mia Bella Long and the formidable 128cm Red Alert III slotting into third.
In Sunday’s equivalent class, Hector Condon outpaced his 17 rivals to take top honours, riding the 23-year-old 128cm mare, Darth Moll. Imogen Gilruth slotted into second place with the nine-year-old 138cm gelding, Ardville Little Fun whilst Morgan York and the seven-year-old 138cm gelding picked up third.
Image: KT Equine Photography
