Izabella Rogers showed great form by winning the 128cm Pony Championship at Horse of the Year Show in Birmingham on Sunday. The 10-year-old, from Chelmsford in Essex, triumphed in the corresponding class at Hickstead this summer, and she was again on top form with her 15-year-old grey mare Whinney Lass.
In a tight jump-off, just six hundredths of a second separated Izabella from runner-up Poppy Deakin, riding Munsboro Plunkett, as Izabella’s time of 31.05 seconds proved just enough for victory in a class that has previously been won by the likes of Great Britain international showjumper William Whitaker.
Third place went to Noora von Bulow and Sparkel in the Andrews Bowen International Arena at the NEC’s Genting Arena, while Tabitha Kyle finished fourth aboard Corey’s Princess.
“It was amazing, really exciting,” said Izabella, as she celebrated her victory. “It was very nerve-wracking at the end. It was a testing jump-off course and I was just focusing on the last fence and hoping for the best. It’s a huge arena. I rode here last year and I came sixth, and to win it is such a different feeling. It’s the best day of my career.”
* Link to audio interview with Izabella Rogers *
http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access2/index.php?a=YSBiYWxkb2NrIHBh&b=29363
ENDS
Image credit: 1st Class Images
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