Showing newcomer wins the Bryony Gribbin of Vale Farms Ltd. Lead Rein Pony of Hunter Type of the Year Championship

A home-produced pony, who only started showing this year at 10 years of age, has become a Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) Champion.

Cheryl Elcock’s Welsh Section A pony, Mardruid Caradog (Mac) won the Bryony Gribbin of Vale Farms Ltd. Lead Rein Pony of Hunter Type of the Year Championship with her son, Oscar, in the saddle. It was the family’s first HOYS win.

Cheryl bought the grey gelding in December last year from a Pony Club home and Oscar has been enjoying show jumping and Cradle Stakes, as well as doing a couple of shows qualifying for the Royal International Horse Show and gaining their HOYS ticket at Kent County Show.

She said: “We never thought we’d win! He’s such a kind, sweet pony and Oscar loves galloping him round the fields and pretending to be a jockey!”

Oscar is looking forward to continuing with Cradle Stakes next year, but in the meantime, he’ll be back on Sunday at HOYS to contest the Ruckleigh School Supreme Pony of the Year Championship.

Cheryl had a ticket for Hospitality at HOYS on Sunday night, which she said she’ll now give to husband, Ben, while she’s in the ring!

Julia Davies’ six-year-old Welsh Section A, Thistledown Lawman, finished second ridden in the ring by Hattie Mustoe.

2019 is the first year Bryony Gribben and Family have sponsored at Horse of the Year Show and they are delighted to be involved in such a prestigious event.  Bryony’s father, Anthony Gribbin, has been involved in both breeding and showing horses for many years. More known within the Shire Horse circuit, Anthony has had some success with light horses, qualifying for the Cuddy Supreme In-Hand Championship and other prestigious events plus breeding some well-known horses with their prefix Leaventhorpe.