Leicestershire teenager Connie Mensley coaxed a wonderful performance out of 21-year-old Dycott Masterman to win the Equine Rescue Services 138cm Championship at the Horse of the Year Show.
Last to go among five combinations in the jump-off, Connie had it all to do in terms of knocking North Wales challenger Bella Wild out of the top spot aboard Fancy A Baileys.
But she managed to clip 20 hundredths of a second off Bella’s time, clocking 26.69 seconds, while Maisie Allsop finished third on Misty Bay.
“He gave me everything,” Connie said. “He was incredible.
“I was going into it thinking I was going to have a steady clear just to get placed, but he felt amazing and I thought ‘why not have a go’?
“He likes the arena here. I didn’t think I would win it, so it is amazing to have achieved that. It is an incredible feeling for any pony or horse rider to win here. I couldn’t be happier right now.”
The 128cm Championship on a busy Saturday morning’s action went to 11-year-old Raphaela Dawson, from Reading in Berkshire, and 14-year-old grey gelding Jim (Cobid).
Just two combinations from 20 starters went clear, with Raphaela being joined in the jump-off by Emily Gulliver and Peppino Il Grande.
Raphaela set the pace, going clear in 31.15 seconds, with Emily finishing 62 hundredths of a second adrift and having one fence down.
Previous winners of a class first staged 21 years ago include the Allen sisters Pippa and Millie, Jessica Mendoza and Sienna Charles, who took top honours two years in succession.
“I am very proud to win a class like this one – it’s the best thing ever!” Raphaela said. “I was nervous before I went in, but once I was in there it was all fine.
“It was great fun with the crowd, and to receive my prize from John Whitaker was so good.”
* Audio interview with Connie Mensley, winner of the Equine Rescue Services 138cm Championship at the Horse of the Year Show
* Audio interview with Raphaela Dawson, winner of the 128cm Championship at the Horse of the Year Show
ENDS
For more information on Horse of the Year Show 2022, please contact Horse of the Year Show Press Office, Grandstand Media Ltd. Tel: 02476 858205. Email: press@hoys.co.uk
