Ella Kay and Luna’s Star Shine in STX UK Pony Foxhunter Second Round at Arena UK

The STX-UK Pony Foxhunter Second Round at Arena UK delivered an exciting day of competition at the weekend, with 25 rider combinations stepping forward to take on Neil Foster’s challenging course. 

The technical track proved influential across the opening rounds, with riders needing accuracy, consistency and speed to secure qualification. After two demanding rounds of jumping, only six combinations managed to keep all the fences intact and progress to the jump-off. 

With the pressure mounting and qualification on the line, the jump-off produced some competitive performances, but it was Ella Kay riding Alison McDonald’s Luna’s Star who emerged victorious. The pair delivered a superb clear round in a winning time of 41.07 seconds to take the top honours. 

Second place went to Raphaela Dawson aboard Woody Van Duyversputten, who also produced an impressive clear round to finish in 42.32 seconds. Third place was claimed by Portia Taylor-Wilson riding Olivia W, who secured the final clear round of the jump-off in a time of 47.96 seconds. 

The class showcased the exciting talent coming through the Pony ranks, with riders now turning their attention towards the STX-UK Pony Foxhunter Masters at the British Showjumping National Championships, ahead of the prestigious final at Horse of the Year Show in October. 

“I got Star in December last year, from Connie Mensley and we just clicked! At our second show we won the JC qualifier, and we have recently stepped up to the bigger tracks and viewing trials. Star has stepped up with me really well, she was clear in the Grand Prix at POYS so I went in quite confident in the qualifier and she just delivered! I shouldn’t say this, but she is one of my favourite ponies, she’s such a nice pony, she’s eager to please and always happy. 

“Star has been doing the bigger tracks [with her previous rider] where the distances are longer when the fences are bigger so in the two rounds not against the clock, I had to work harder to get the correct number of strides. In the jump off we got a good draw second to last, there had only been one steady clear. I didn’t need to take any risks having a pole by turning tight but because Star has such a big stride, I decided to not do the turn I had planned to the last. The risk was too big, I just needed to go clear. We moved along down the last distance and got the moving five strides easily which helped us to win. 

“I would like to qualify Star for the Pony Newcomer final and Pony Showjumper, she definitely capable as she qualified with her last rider. She is also going to do JC qualifier and the Royal International, I am looking forward that, she was third last year.” Ella said. 

Ella’s mum, Charlotte commented. 

“Star is still part owned by Lance and Alison MacDonald [Connie Mensley’s grandfather] and Lance phoned to say they are still really enjoying following the pony with Ella, they have owned the pony since a two-year-old. He said that it still brings a smile and a tear to their eye to see the pony doing so well with her next jockey after Connie produced her.”   

STX-UK Pony Foxhunter Second Round  

Arena UK, Saturday 16 May 2026 

1st – Ella Kay & Luna’s Star – 0/0/0 41.07 

2nd – Raphaela Dawson & Woody Van Duyversputten – 0/0/0 42.32 

3rd – Portia Taylor-Wilson & Olivia W – 0/0/0 47.96 

NB Results pending official grading 

Image: ATG Photography