Harlow Wiek enjoys the best week at the Winter Pony Finals
Tuesday 05 May 2026
Harlow Wiek claimed a victory double at the Winter Pony Finals held at South View Equestrian Centre, Cheshire, in the British Showjumping 11-year-old and Under and Springboard 128cm Finals with My Blue Eyed Boy.
Both classes were targeted with this consistent pony, and Kent-based Harlow, 10, scored a 100% record.
“He turns and burns, he knows exactly what he’s doing,” said Harlow, on the diminutive 120cm coloured gelding.
Thirteen of the original 23 forward in the 11-year-old and Under Final gained jump-off access over course-designer Gillian Milner’s 10-fence track, but Harlow sliced and scythed every conceivable tight turn option to win from third draw by 0.95 seconds.
Conor Barnes chased hard to take second on The Silver Horse and Clara Clarke netted third with Stardust 11.
The 20-year-old ‘Merlin’ joined Harlow in January 2023 on lease after Olivia Lewington had outgrown him.
“He’s taught me so much; we started at 70/80cm, and he’s won such a lot for me,” said Harlow. “He’s cheeky and likes to scoot off, but he’s friendly and loves treats – mainly polos, and he gets a lot of those!”
The pair also proved unbeatable in the Springboard 128cm Final. The 20 starters were reduced to nine, but again Harlow set an early, invincible lead to claim a second title, rug and sash in the space of a couple of hours. Alexander Thomas-Cheffings’ opening round on Treflan Nero claimed second place and Arabella Nielson aboard Thistledown Joyride.
Cheltenham-based Betsy Snell made a winning return to the Winter Pony Finals with her 2025 British Showjumping 138cm Handicap Special champion Hazelrock Nova, this year commandingly winning the Springboard 138cm Final.
Only two of the initial entry of nine returned for the final decider, Betsy going head-to-head with Tilly Rose Simpson and Et Hop De Nelle. It didn’t go according to plan for Tilly, Betsy changed tactics.
“I thought it was a good course with lots of turn options, but when I didn’t have to go against the clock, I was told to go round [the fences, instead of the tight turn options],” said the on-form Betsy, who had arrived at this venue with a win already under her belt at Rectory Farm the previous day.
Betsy likes to focus on keeping her 13-year-old 131.5cm mare happy.
“I like winning and as long as she’s jumping or hacking, she’s happy. She loves jumping the Shetland racing hurdles at home and her best friend is a Shetland – they’re in the field together and stabled together and always reaching to each other through the gap,” said Betsy, who has long-term aims in HOYS qualifiers as she progresses with other ponies.
Millie-May Prater celebrated the return of her pony Derrymore Rambler with victory in the British Showjumping 128/138cm Handicap Special Final.
“’Minty’ was sold but he came back two months ago, and I’m very happy he’s returned, he’s one of my favourites,” said High Wycombe-based Millie-May, 11, who had ridden the Irish-bred nine-year-old for 12 months before the sale.
Fourteen of the original entry of 35 – four 138cm ponies pitted against 10 128cms – returned for the final decider, Millie-May’s early efforts holding off all challenges and taking the win by 0.32 seconds. Rosie Beech’s final round flyer on Kilcranathan Princess finished in second and Hector Condon claimed third with Darth Moll – all three from the 128cm section.
“I started in Stepping Stones classes with him, but I’ve had to learn to ride him, although he does like to go fast,” said Millie-May. “He’s very cheeky and loves all his toys hanging up in the stable, and he loves kisses and cuddles.”
Holly West was crowned the new Winter JA Classic champion with the only clear round on Runard Lass.
Unfortunate timing meant that several qualified riders were on Nations Cup duty in Busto Arsizio, Italy, and entries here were sadly depleted, with only riders touting for the Winter JA Classic Final.
Lexi Corcoran was first out but Rhencullen Tommy Tucker clipped a rail in the toward the end of the course to finish on four faults. The pressure was on Holly to produce a clear, and she delivered in style with a flawless round on Runard Lass to claim the title with the need of a jump-off.
Holly got the ride on the 17-year-old Appaloosa mare in November from Alison Irvine as her daughter Emily is now out of ponies.
“She’s not the easiest but she’s perfect. We were looking for a 148cm and went to see her, and Alison liked the way I rode her,” said Holly, who trains with Andrew Wilson. “He has a lot of faith in me and tells me to trust myself and her [Runard Lass]. I have to keep her soft; you can’t change the way she goes, she does it in her own way, but my thanks go to Andrew and my Mum Marion for this opportunity.”
The pair had already given an insight on their intentions with a win in the previous day’s 1.25m, and the Winter JA Classic win made their five-hour journey from South Lanarkshire worthwhile.
“This championship was my aim from the start of the year, now I want to aim for HOYS, London International, Nations Cup and the Europeans, too,” added, Holly, whose birthday falls in December, so she has 2026 and 2027 to achieve her aims.
Billy Sims rode Little Miss Millie so well, impressed judges Pat Crann and Andrew Walker awarded him the British Showjumping 10-year-old & Under Style and Performance title by 10 points.
“They jumped a very well planned, fluent round, especially in round two,” said Pat.
Fellow Judge Andrew agreed: “It was a good class and a very good standard in the top six.”
Fifteen competitors came forward over the two rounds to earn accumulated points judged on Style and Performance only. Maisie Conway claimed second on Drombane Liath one point ahead of third-placed Arabella Nielson on Thistledown Joyride.
“She’s very bouncy and forward, but I get a big canter, use my corners and just jump the jumps. I try to ride every round the same with smooth, good lines,” said Billy, 10, who joined forces with 20-year-old Millie 18 months ago.
The pair have form here, winning the Style and Performance class at the Home Pony last year.
“The pony is forward-going and it took six weeks for Billy to be able to jump a fence on her, but we took our time and they’ve come on in leaps and bounds,” said Dad Paul.
Lilly Garrett claimed the British Showjumping Children on Horses 16-year-old & Under 1.20m Final on Mon Beau Blue in a head-to-head decider with Phoebe Crossman.
Phoebe was first out and tried to set a quick target, but Cooley Princess tapped out the top rail on the vertical out of the double, leaving the door ajar. Lilly, who worked hard to attain a first round clear, tactically went for a clear second time out and, with smooth lines and a determined demeanour, crossed the finish line leaving every fence intact to take the title.
“She went really green in the first round; she’s very careful but hasn’t done a lot; this was my first Final on her,” said Ellesmere, Shropshire-based Lilly, 16, who leases the seven-year-old mare from Ian and Maddie Kellett six months ago and trains with Carmen Edwards. “I was riding 148cm ponies for Maddie and always liked her at Carmen’s yard and was offered the lease.”
Amelie Bigmore captured the Winter 1.10m Pony Championship with an early round flyer on Derryinver Rocky and remaining steadfastly ahead despite the challenges. Five of the 15 riders forward accessed the jump-off with Amelie, who took over the reins on the Irish-bred 13-year-old Rocky – a prolific winner for Thomas and Katie Bradburne – seven months ago, setting the target from second draw. No-one could match it, and she won with more than two seconds in hand. Olivia Brightmore slipped Jonkers Keyano into second and third was awarded to Enoki Calvert Ansari on Wheres My Colour.
Georgia Hogan executed every tight turn option at a seemingly deceptive pace to secure the Winter 1m Pony Championship with Summerdale Sammy. Fourteen of the original 24 competitors posted initial clears to qualify for the jump-off. Eleanor Bastian-Mason, the only rider with two in the jump-off, set an early target on Jimdone, but Georgia’s midway efforts second time out on the Irish-bred 10-year-old Summerdale Sammy made short work of the raised track to win by 0.22 seconds. Jack Rimell gave it his best shot on Giorgio Armani for third.
Image: Suzanne Jones
