Thistledown Van-Der-Vaart makes HOYS history in the Colne and The Feed Shed Mountain & Moorland Mini Pony of the Year

Lucy Richardson’s Welsh Section A pony Thistledown Van-Der-Vaart, ridden by daughter Lilly, has made Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) history by winning the Colne and The Feed Shed Mountain & Moorland Mini Pony of the Year five years on the trot.

For many years this pony has lit up HOYS with style, elegance and an overall breath-taking performance with three different young riders. On all occasions he has scooped the Lead Rein class and then gone on to stand overall Mountain & Moorland Mini Pony Champion.

The first two wins were with Hannah Wilson in the saddle, when the pony was owned by Sharon Wilson. Then ‘Charles’, as he is known at home, was bought by Lucy for the 2017 season.  He was ridden by Olivia Brightmore in 2017, as Lilly was too young, and Lilly has ridden him to victory for the past two seasons.

Charles is produced by Sharn Linney who says: “I can’t believe it; I know him inside out and back to front. He’s just amazing.”

Lucy says: “He’s in a league of his own and is one in a million.”

Charles is an 11-year-old gelding by Maestir Valient, out of Waxwing Valencia, and was bred by Sandy Anderson. He comes home to Lucy and Lilly from Sharn’s yard from October to February each year and Lilly hacks him out. The team may consider moving on to Mountain & Moorland First Ridden classes with Charles in the future.

He was the Ruckleigh School Supreme Pony of the Year in 2017 and now the stage is set for Charles to contest the title once more this Sunday night.

Reserve Champion went to the second placed Mountain & Moorland Lead Rein, Springwater Tamara, ridden by Elizabeth Mickle and produced by Sarah Newbold of the Emmerson show team. Tamara was bred by Elizabeth’s grandmother Nicola Tyler and her full sister has qualified for the famous Cuddy Supreme In-Hand Championship on Friday at HOYS; Springwater Anna.

Katie Smith’s Idyllic Spartacus won The Feed Shed Mountain & Moorland First Ridden Pony of the Year and Lisa Kerr’s Blisland Echo finished second.

The Colne Stud

The Colne Stud has been going for 45 years under the care of wife and husband team, Ann and Alan Overton-Ablitt. The stud originally started with Ann and her late mother Mrs Elizabeth Devenish breeding Welsh ponies for the show ring, both in-hand and under saddle.

The Feed Shed

A family owned business with over 53 years’ experience in supplying a wide range of livestock feed, healthcare products and equipment, The Feed Shed offer over 621 product lines to both their online and local customers.

For more information about The Feed Shed visit https://www.thefeedshed.co.uk/

For more information on Horse of the Year Show 2019, please contact Horse of the Year Show Press Office, Grandstand Media Ltd. Tel: 02476 858205. Email: press@hoys.co.uk

Colne and The Feed Shed Mountain & Moorland Mini Pony of the Year 2019, Van-Der-Vaart ridden by Lilly Richardson © 1^st Class Images.