Novice pony wins British Show Pony Society Children’s Riding Pony of the Year Championship

This time last year, Charlotte Caulfield’s pony, Stretcholt New Dimension, was just being backed. Fast forward 12 months and he is now a Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) Champion, having won the British Show Pony Society 138cm Children’s Riding Pony of the Year and standing overall Champion.

The five-year-old British Riding Pony, known as Ed at home and owned by Louise Caulfield, was backed over the winter and worked away quietly before being brought out as a novice at the start of this season. He qualified for HOYS on his first attempt.

This was also Charlotte’s first HOYS win. She said: “We never thought he’d get this far in his novice year… to get here is such a privilege.”

“He’s so comfortable to ride, he just floats.”

Ed is produced by Adam Forster and David Jinks. Adam said: “His movement is something else, and his temperament… You teach him something, he picks it up and wants to learn the next thing. He’s just a joy to deal with.”

Winner of the 148cm section, Serena Parkhouse’s Jackets Destiny, stood Reserve Champion ridden by Emmy Parkhouse. Jackets Destiny is a seven-year-old partbred Arab bred by Julie Rucklidge.

The winner of the smallest section, the 128cm, was Rotherwood Rainmaker owned by Rupert Till and ridden by India Till.

Second placed in each section were: Dianne Brereton’s Laybalands Fly By Night in the 148cm, Henrietta Till’s Drakemyre Puttin on the Ritz in the 138cm and Katie Smith’s Kouros Mayfia in the 128cm.

The British Show Pony Society is the Premier Showing Society in the United Kingdom. The membership is divided into 24 franchised Areas around the country which organise regional shows, training days, points parties and social events. The Society offers three quality, well run Championship Shows each year; the Winter Championships, Summer Championships and Heritage Championships.