Daisy Williams made her first time at Horse of the Year Show one to remember, taking both first and second place with her two ponies, Bermudez BDA and King III respectively. The Lincolnshire-based teenager, who celebrates her 14th birthday next week, got an early birthday surprise when she took to the Andrews Bowen International Arena on day two at Horse of the Year Show. As first to jump in the seven pony jump off, she cleared a textbook round aboard Bermudez BDA. The pair set an unbeatable time of 31.60 seconds, fighting off close competition from the other riders to maintain her lead throughout. With two ponies in the jump off, Daisy was last to go with her second ride, King III, and only had herself to beat. Showing experience beyond her years, Daisy rode another expertly ridden course and flew down to the last fence to finish in 31.67 seconds allowing her to take that second-place position.
With the biggest smile on her face, Daisy commented afterwards: “I can’t quite believe that just happened. I was so nervous going in and I just hoped for the best. Billy [Bermudez BDA] is only six years old and hasn’t done many jump offs and I was surprised how fast we went. When I went in again with King, I didn’t even realise that I was in the lead until I heard the commentator on my approach to the first fence and I just couldn’t stop smiling. It is my first time at HOYS and it is such a dream come true to even be here, let alone to win. I came here a few years ago as a visitor and it just gave me the bug and motivation to get training with the ponies. They have both qualified for the Pony Foxhunter Championship on Saturday so I can only hope that they jump just as well in that.”
Both ponies are owned by Daisy’s mother Jill Williams and are apparently like chalk and cheese: “Billy gets into the arena excitable and raring to go, whereas King is a bit more reserved and waits for you to tell him what to do. They are both incredible ponies and I am so thankful to my trainers Kyle Hassle and Kelly Aldous for all of their support.”
Listen to Daisy Williams’ full interview here courtesy of Lloyd Bell Productions:
http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/HOYS19_Daisy_Williams_winner_Thursday.mp3
Blue Chip Feed has been a sponsor of the Championship for over 20 years and was founded in 1996 by Clare Blaskey. Blue Chip Feed Ltd produce the highest quality feed balancers and supplements available in the UK; there is a feed balancer for every stage in a horse’s life to ensure optimum health and well-being. Blue Chip products are exported worldwide. For more information please visit www.bluechipfeed.com
ENDS
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
Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Champion 2019, Daisy Williams riding Bermudez BDA © 1st Class Images
