Arena UK Large Pony Premier Round-Up
Monday 03 March 2025
.jpg "Arena UK Large Pony Premier Round-Up")
In the final Large Pony Premier, held at Arena UK, Henry Leggott once again took top spot on Day 1’s Winter JA Classic qualifier. Fourteen competitors took on Neil Foster and Declan Perry’s 1.15m track and with three combinations jumping clear in the first round meaning all the qualifying places were allocated. Henry and the 10-year-old mare jumped clear in the second round and advanced to the final jump-off to take top spot. Hollie Gerken riding Galaxy V, jumped another clear in round two before withdrawing for another day, finishing in second place. Ella Kay, riding Lucky Clover Boy slotted into third having withdrawn after round one.
Henry Leggott was also victorious once again in the Blue Chip Pro Sparkle JC/JA Handicap, this time with Jessop Panache. Seventeen from a field of 44 starters advanced and contended the jump-off with seven combinations jumping double clear. Drawn early, Henry and the JC mare sped through the shortened course in a time of 30.46 seconds which could not be caught. Maisie Allsop slotted into second place with her JA ride Vaughann de Vuzit whilst Cora Dowey picked up third place with her new JA partnership Las Vegas VI.
Ella Spencer, riding Gilton des Islots, and Hollie Gerken, aboard Galaxy V, shared the spoils in Sunday’s equivalent Winter JA Classic qualifier. From 14 starters, Ella and Hollie jumped the double clear needed to advance to the final round but opted not the jump-off and save their ponies for another day, sharing top honours. Henry Leggott and Blossom’s Big Claim picked up another placing, slotting into third with the fastest four fault round in round two.
Arabella Henderson topped Saturday’s Winter JC/JD qualifier with Our Billy Eile. Forty-nine combinations stepped up to vie for a ticket to the Agria Royal International Horse Show final with seven unlocking the key to the final jump-off. Using her penultimate draw to maximum use, Arabella swiftly cleared all the fences in competitive time of 36.42 seconds which could not be caught. Lola Price and Cashelbay Liam were last to go but, despite chasing the time hard, could not match the pace, slotting into second, 1.94 seconds in arrears. Tara Sweetnam and Klassic picked up third a further 1.19 seconds off the pace.
In Sunday’s equivalent qualifier, it was Darcy Breen and My Nova Luna who emerged victorious. Ten of the 44 starters advanced to the second jump-off with Darcy and the eight-year-old mare smoothly navigating the shortened course and crossing the finish in a time of 36.30 seconds. Hollie Gerken steered Livewire VI in second place, less than half a second behind the winners. Ella Spencer and Rouet Rouge slotting into third place, 1.14 seconds in arrears.
Saturday’s Children on Horses 16 years and under 1.20m qualifier once again went the way of Inia Vilarrubi who piloted Vagalenco GF to another swift double clear and first place in a time of 34.52 seconds. Charlie Barker and Green Grass would take home second place just over a second off the pace with Bella Wild and Donna Z I just 0.24 seconds in arrears.
Charlie Barker went one better in Sunday’s equivalent Children on Horses 16 years and under 1.20m qualifier. Eight competitors stepped forward with Charlie and Green Grass producing a flawless double clear in 37.69 seconds. Honey Bowes filled second and third place with Javas El Cid and NFS Tiloubet, finishing just 0.05 seconds and 2.11 seconds off the pace respectively.
Top spot in the Bliss of London Pony Coral Winter Championship Qualifier went the way of Lola who jumped the only clear of the class with Johnny Jinx. Second place went to Scarlett Tweedie and Flore des Islots who finished with the fastest four faults with Ryder Clarke slotting into third with Machno High Flyer, also on four faults.
Image credit: ATG Photography
.jpg "The Brits are in five-star form in this week’s international round-up as Millie Allen takes another win")
