Round-up from South View Equestrian Centre's Large Pony Premier
Monday 03 February 2025
The third Large Pony Premier show took place this past weekend at South View Equestrian centre. In Saturday’s Winter JA Classic, Hollie Gerken, who produce a hat trick of wins at the 2024 Horse of the Year Show, rode Galaxy V to victory and claimed her ticket to the final. Nineteen competitors took on the 1.30m course, with six combinations producing the double clear needed to reach the final jump-off. Holly expertly piloted Jade Gerken’s 13-year-old mare to another foot perfect clear, crossing the finish beams in a time of 45.64 seconds. Sophia Rogers, riding Neil 55, and Maisie Allsop, riding Vaughann De Vuzit, slotted into second and third respectively.
In Sunday’s equivalent Winter JA Classic, Sophia Rogers went one better and took first place with Nicola Rogers’ Neil 55. Six of the initial 16 combinations jumped double clear to return to contend the jump-off. Only two met their aims of a treble clear, Sophia skilfully guiding the 13-year-old gelding to top spot by 5.45 seconds. Second place went the way of Evie Evans and Faith X who provided the only other triple clear. Alfie Diaper and PJV Bella took third spot after seeing two poles hit the ground in the jump-off.
The Blue Chip Pro Sparkle JC/JA Handicap was dominated by Henry Leggott, who took the top two placings with Jessop Panache and Blossom’s Midget, both from the JC section. Twenty-two from a field of 41 starters advanced to the jump-off with Henry laying down the gauntlet, which could not be caught. Third place went to Ruby Payne and her JA ride, Zee Tech, finishing 4.20 seconds in arrears.
Henry also took top spot in Sunday’s Winter JC/JD qualifier with The Blossum Stud’s nine-year-old Jessop Panache. Thirty-six riders tackled the 1.15m course as four jumped double clear to reach the second jump-off. Evie Evans, riding Whigsborough Tom, provided the first treble clear which would be enough for second place. Henry, using his final draw to maximum advantage, rode a decisive round to finish 0.73 seconds ahead of Evie. India Vilarrubi slotted into third with eight faults aboard Elka Maura Flint.
In Saturday’s equivalent of the Winter JC/JD qualifier, Jack Waddington reigned supreme with Halo Joy. Seven of the forty starters advanced to the second jump-off, with Jack and the eight-year-old mare, owned by Kate Waddington, smoothly navigating the course and finishing in a time of 37.16 seconds. Cate Kerr steered Ezee Ysh into second place, 1.43 seconds off the winning pace. Alfie Diaper, slotted into third with Christmas Candy, as well as taking fourth and fifth with Machno Grand Edition and Hyper Ace respectively.
Charlie Barker topped Saturday’s Children on Horses 16 years and under 1.20m qualifier, taking the top two spots. Ten combinations stepped forward to contend the class with four jumping double clear so the results would come down to the clock. With some decisive riding, Charlie steered Strides Maureen and Green Grass into the top two places in a time of 34.68 and 35.97 seconds respectively. Bella Wild picked up third place with Donna Z I, 1.17 seconds off the pace.
It wasn’t to be for Charlie in Sunday’s Children on Horses 16 years and under 1.20m qualifier, as Jack Martin outpaced all his rivals to take victory with Kimba Classic. Eight competitors contended this class with seven advancing to the jump-off. Five jumped double-clear so the results would once again come down to the clock. Jack nimbly steered the 17-year-old gelding around the jump-off in a time off 33.96 and securing victory. Charlie Barker continued his success and secured second and third place with Rinwood Viktor V and Green Grass.
The Bliss of London Pony Coral Winter Championship Qualifier fell the way off Lilly Garrett and Machno Dalonia. Four from a field of 11 starters jumped double clear around the 1.10m course with Lilly using her mid draw to set the challenge for her fellow competitors, stopping the clock in an unbeatable time of 36.72 seconds. Saskia Ilott chased hard but finished 0.75 seconds in arrears with J Harper 001. Genevieve Johnson slotted into third with Fernhill Mix & Match.
Image credit: Horses and Landscape Photography / Phil Hillier
Morris Equestrian Centre Large Pony Premier Round-Up
Henry Leggott got the New Year off to a great start capturing the first of the Winter JA Classic 2025 series with The Blossom Stud’s Blossom’s Big Claim as the only double clear. Lucy Capper slotted into second place with Oscar Van De Beekerheide and Jack Waddington picked up third place with Conella II.
In Sunday’s equivalent class, Jack Waddington and Conella II, went one better, jpintly sharing top spot with Millie Davies and Catness. The pair, who both jumped the only double clears, opted to withdraw from the jump-off and share the top honours. Lucy Capper & Capability brown slotted into third with the fastest four fault round.
In Saturday’s Blue Chip Pro Sparkle JC/JA Handicap, Lottie Mae Bullock proved to be unbeatable, taking first place with Brooklyn IV in a time of 52.45 seconds. Henry Leggott and Blossom’s Big Claim took home second place with Nya Lily Harriman slotting into third aboard Cindy VI.
Darcy Breen topped Saturday’s Winter JC/JD Qualifier, jumping double clear with My Nova Luna in a speedy time of 30.58 seconds. Britney Clarke jumped Borris OB into second place, almost 8 seconds off the pace, wit Cate Kerr taking third with Nelesta.
Jack Waddington was once again a winner in Sunday’s Winter JC/JD Qualifier, this time with Halo Joy. Jumping the only triple clear of the class, the pair finished in an unbeatable time of 50.48 seconds. Alfie Diaper rode PJV Bella into second whilst India Vilarrubi and Elka Maura Flint finished in third place.
Jackson Stewart topped Saturday’s Children on Horses 16 years and under 1.20m qualifier with Merlins Maytrix, jumping double clear in 32.38 seconds. Close behind finished Charlie Barker and Rinwood Viktor V, just 0.27 seconds behind first place. William Hamilton slotted into third with Bonmahon Bluebee.
In Sunday’s Children on Horses 16 years and under 1.20m qualifier Charlie Barker dominated the class and took home a clean sweep of placings, finishing first, second and third with Rinwood Viktor V, Green Grass and Strides Maureen respectively.
Katie-Ellen Mellish and Dulk Du Thym took top spot in the Bliss of London Pony Coral Winter Championship Qualifier with the only first round clear. Lucie Williamson and Loughmor slotted into second place with Katie-Ellen Mellish also picking up third place with Flashpoint.
Aintree International Equestrian Centre Large Pony Premier Round-Up
In the Second Large Pony Premier, Lola Thulborn, riding Tempo 2 Stroke, Alfie Diaper, riding PJV Bella, and Raphaela Dawson, riding Maifield Another Sunrise, opted to share top honours in Saturday’s Winter JA Classic having been the only combinations to jump double clear.
Sunday’s Winter JA Classic saw Eleanor Archibald and LCS Peachy Beachy emerge as the sole victors. Henry Leggott and Blossom’s Big Claim slotted into second place with Ella Kay & Little Flexible picking up third.
India Vilarrubi continued her success in the Blue Chip Pro Sparkle JC/JA Handicap, riding Little Charlie II to victory in a time of 36.18 seconds. Lottie Mae Bullock chased hard to finish second with Brooklyn IV and Nya Lily Harriman took home third place with Cindy VI.
Hollie Gerken dominated in Saturday’s Winter JC/JD Qualifier. Her decisive riding saw her finish in first and second after jumping speedy triple clears with Velini’s Silver Star and Livewire VI. Gabriella Douglas piloted Farravaune Shannen into third, also jumping triple clear.
Hollie, this time riding NFS Doris Day, would have to settle for third place in Sunday’s equivalent Winter JC/JD qualifier as Holly Coward-Talbot and Lacie Williams finished joint first riding Lottea III and Dancing Danny respectively.
Saturday’s Children on Horses 16 years and under 1.20m qualifier went the way of on-form India Vilarrubi who steered Vagalenco GF to a speedy double clear and first place in a time of 35.42 seconds. Emily Gulliver, and her new ride MGH Candy Girl, would take home second place, 5.22 off the pace, with Bella Wild and Donna Z I slotting into third.
Charlotte Adams and her 2024 Children on Horses European ride, Khaleesi OL, topped Sunday’s Children on Horses 16 years and under 1.20m qualifier, producing a flawless double clear. India Vilarrubi couldn’t match the pace, finishing second with Vagalenco GF as Olivia Brightmore and Toronto VGW slotted into third.
Top spot in the Bliss of London Pony Coral Winter Championship Qualifier went to Lola Thulborn who jumped the only double clear of the class with Djarfur. Second place went to Katie-Ellen Mallish and Dulk Du Thym who finished at the fastest with four faults and Millie Elliot slotted into third with Honeysuckle Cruise.
Image credit: Majestic Photography
