Six-year-old Welsh Section A pony, Nantfforchog Blue Moondust (Dusty), won the National Pony Society/Baileys Horse Feeds Mountain & Moorland Ridden Pony of the Year Championship on Thursday evening at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).
This prestigious Championship is a culmination of 10 class sections which took place across the first two days of HOYS, showcasing all the native British breeds.
‘Dusty’ is owned by Muriel Jackson and produced by Debbie Thomas. The mare first competed at HOYS as a four-year-old in 2017 and was sold at the end of last season. However, a change in circumstances saw the team buy her back earlier this year and subsequently end this season with her first open win at HOYS.
Usually ridden by Liberty Rebecca Grota, it was Frankie Currell who took the ride on Dusty today. Liberty had her own pony, Cadlanvalley Buzby, to ride in the Welsh Section B class and they finished second.
Today was only the third time Frankie had sat on the pony and it was her first-time riding in the Andrews Bowen International Arena.
Reflecting on the ride, Frankie said: “She went really sweetly with an amazing gallop this afternoon and went even better tonight. She gave me everything.”
Dusty now has her place in the Ruckleigh School Supreme Pony of the Year line-up on Sunday night.
The Reserve title was claimed by another Welsh pony, this time a Section D; Emma Boardman’s own nine-year-old gelding, Dyffryngwy Sir Picasso.
Emma has owned Picasso since he was just six months old and they’ve qualified and been placed in the top five of this class at HOYS every year since he turned five. They won the Welsh Section D section last year, but this year went one better as Reserve Champions.
Emma is delighted with how Picasso has matured over the years, culminating in a very successful 2019 season with wins at Great Yorkshire Show and the Royal Welsh Show. When he’s not busy in the show ring, Picasso loves to jump and go on farm rides.
Baileys Horse Feeds
Based in North Essex, Baileys Horse Feeds have been manufacturing top quality feeds since 1982 and have a long association with showing. They’ve supported top producer, Lynn Russell, for over 30 years and been involved with this NPS Mountain & Moorland Ridden Championships for 26 years. Their range now includes; Ease & Excel and Performance Balancer, two of the leading feeds suitable for horses prone to Gastric Ulcers, which help horse owners provide a balanced yet appropriate diet to help in the management of susceptible horses.
To learn more about Baileys Horse Feeds visit their website here https://www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk/
The National Pony Society
The National Pony Society (NPS) is a charitable body that was established in 1893, ‘to encourage the Breeding, Registration and Improvement of Riding Ponies and Mountain & Moorland ponies and to foster the Welfare of Ponies in general’. In conjunction with the British Horse Society, it is the officially appointed liaison between the Government and all those concerned with ponies and is represented on all major horse and pony organisations.
For more information you can visit their website here http://www.nationalponysociety.com
National Pony Society/Baileys Horse Feeds Mountain & Moorland Ridden Pony of the Year, Frankie Currell riding Nantfforchog Blue Moondust (Dusty) © 1st Class Images
