Lola Thulborn is HOYS Bound as she Flies to Victory in the Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Second Round
Tuesday 17 June 2025
At the third Pony Premier of the Summer, held at Coombelands Equestrian, riders came forward to contend the next Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Second Round class in a bid to secure their ticket to the Horse of the Year Show.
A total of 69 combinations stepped up to tackle course designer’s Ben Townley’s testing track in the hope of taking one of the four coveted qualifying places. Twenty-five provided initial clears, these further reduced to 12 for the final decider against the clock.
Lola Thulborn, riding Fabreeker V, kept her cool from a mid-draw to ride a smooth, unflappable round on the seven-year-old gelding, owned by Remmi Bell, setting a standard that could not be beaten.
Gabriella Douglas, riding Jane Douglas and Dawn Richards’ Farravaune Shannen, chased the time and slotted into second place, 1.82 seconds behind the winning pair. Portia Taylor-Wilson picked up third with Rebecca Clay’s Mirehill Mist, 1.05 seconds further off the pace whilst Ryder Clarke used his penultimate draw to maximum advantage to take home the final qualifying spot with Kelly Clakre’s Clounanna Benji Boy.
“Victor is only seven, he’s homebred by Remmi [Bell] and they just adore him,” said Lola. “This is his first attempt at HOYS qualifiers, so we didn’t have too many expectations and just wanted to build his confidence and to give him experience but he has exceeded all out expectations. It’s so great for his owners to see him doing so well and loving what he does.
“The track was well built with some tricky lines that got us thinking and there were a couple of distances where you had to make the decision to go shorter or longer. He was just so responsive and listened to everything I asked and jumped incredible, it really felt like we were flying,” added Lola.
Coombelands Equestrian – Saturday, 14 June 2025
Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Second Round
1st - Lola Thulborn & Fabreeker V – 0/0/0 33.43
2nd - Gabriella Douglas & Farravaune Shannen – 0/0/0 35.25
3rd - Portia Taylor-Wilson & Mirehill Mist – 0/0/0 36.30
4th - Ryder Clarke & Clounanna Benji Boy – 0/0/0 37.30
NB: Results pending official grading.
Image: LRG Photography
