Im Holly Jones 13 years old from West Malling in Kent. My very special pony Pearl (Trevadlock Golden Pearl) and I qualified for the 148 Foxhunter Championship last weekend at The Welsh Home Pony show in Chepstow.
Pearl belonged to friends of ours in North Devon, since the age of 9 I wished to own her there was something very special about her. We were on holiday in Spain 2 years later and had a call from my auntie to advise she was going to be sold. We landed in the UK the following day, got up at 4am to drive 5 hours to view Pearl. I couldnt rider Pearl infact she bolted with me, I was terrified. My mum was adamant we stayed in Devon with my auntie and persisted that we tried again the following day. I hacked Pearl and tried her again over single fences, she was very strong and way more powerful than my kick along new forest, I still wasnt convinced. After some negotiation with the owners we agreed to buy her on the basis that I would learn to rider her!
Pearl and I started at the very bottom with 70cm pony club events, our first trip to WHPI was a disaster she was so strong a friend in her last year on ponies competed her for me. Eventually things were coming together we qualified for newcomers second rounds, once again that didnt go to plan. Finally I hooked up with a lovely trainer who took us cross country schooling, something clicked that day we had the best time jumping some very technical combinations, Pearl was amazing the trust was there and the cross country really helped us believe in each other.
August 2023 we travelled to Aintree and jumped our first competitive foxhunter classes, we had a lovely show gaining experience over bigger tracks. Winter 2023 we secured our fox double clears and decided we would gain experience jumping a few Foxhunter second round with the aim to get to Hoys in 2025!
We are delighted to have gained a ticket this year it was totally unexpected, dreams do come true if you work hard and put the hours in. Thank you to Lauren McLusky you have made this journey possible.
