Sinatra’s one smooth operator
A first ridden jockey lands her first ticket riding solo, while a ‘fiery’ Welsh B mare makes up for last week’s behaviour
THE reigning Royal International (RIHS) Pretty Polly Heritage mountain and moorland (M&M) mini champion Wyedean Sinatra (Frank) proved he has effortlessly made the switch from lead-rein to first ridden classes. The 10-yearold Welsh section A and his jockey Amelia Watson, also 10, are in their first year of first ridden, but pulled off a flawless performance to land their Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) ticket en route to the mini M&M championship.
With scorching temperatures, judges Jackie Beatham and Kerry Wainwright insisted all jockeys in their mini sections remove their jackets and unanimously agreed on their champion.
“I was looking for ponies going freely forward in front of the vertical, looking through the bridle and tracking up correctly,” said Jackie. Kerry, judging conformation, wanted “a pony that represented its breed correctly as a lead-rein or first ridden type with a nice rhythm.”
Free-moving Frank, who will be making his fifth appearance at HOYS, but his first off the lead, delighted his connections.
“This is what dreams are made of,” said Amelia’s mother, Paulette. “Amelia’s hard work, determination and resilience to take a pony from the lead-rein to the open ring has paid off earlier than we ever expected.”
The leap from lead-rein to first ridden classes can be nerveracking for pony and jockey, but it is the parents who nervously watch from the ringside.
“I appreciate the first ridden classes are the foundation to help young riders compete on their own and for parents to have belief in their child’s capabilities;
I truly believe Frank is fully aware of his precious cargo,” admitted Paulette.
Reserve came from the winner of the lead-rein, Sadie Osborne’s delightful Welsh section A palomino mare Woodend Marigold and her five-year-old jockey Lola Carabine, who will be making her third appearance at HOYS with Marigold.
‘TICKETS ARE LIKE BUSES’
THE M&M junior finals were introduced in 2016 as a stepping stone for young riders moving into open classes and have proved extremely popular, with a large breeds section added last year.
The championship here went to 16-year-old Megan White and the dun Connemara Thunderbolt Fairy Robin Bambi, who already
secured the same championship at the Royal Highland. Megan, who plans to work in agriculture and was milking goats at 5.30am on the morning of the show, purchased the seven-year-old gelding as a just-broken four-year-old and has brought him on herself.
“Robin is my pride and joy. He has taken a long time to mature and only this year has he really come into his own,” said Megan, who also headed a strong open Connemara qualifier here, securing a second HOYS ticket.
“Tickets have been like buses, you wait forever for one and then two come along at once. This will be both mine and Robin’s first time at HOYS — it definitely feels like good things come to those who wait,” added Megan.
LILY MAKES AMENDS
BECKI PENNY piloted Gill Simpson’s home-bred Welsh section B Wortley Golcar Lily to stand overall open M&M ridden. The pair were called forward as winners at Royal Highland, but were demoted to second after misbehaving in the final line-up.
“She definitely keeps you on your toes, but she is just awesome to ride. We are both fiery redheads so have a lot in common and just seem to click,” said Becki. Lily is produced by Aimee Devane and was placed at HOYS and Olympia last season.
Finishing reserve after heading a strong large breeds qualifier was the 11-year-old Fell stallion Murthwaite Alfie, ridden by producer Steph Peto. Owner
Jenny Crane, who has been sidelined with pneumonia, had her spirits lifted upon receiving the call of his qualification. Steph also secured the Welsh section D ticket with Lauren Baker’s Tireinon Defender.
Making a solo trip to Monmouth was no issue for
Sally Anne Pierson and the New Forest gelding Furzley Accolaide, who earned their ticket in the 143cm class before heading the championship under judges Janet Bushell and Philip Hilton.
“Our champion jumped a lovely round over a deceptively challenging course built by Wayne Isaac that was technical and implemented clever placement of the jumps,” said Philip.
“He was an extremely typey New Forest who I awarded the highest conformation across all sections,” added Janet.
Sally, who is in her last season with the highly successful son of Luckington Sportaide, reflected on her win: “He is so reliable and always tries his heart out; he is like an armchair. I will really miss riding him.”
A HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION
MANCHESTER-based Peter Hodgkinson triumphed with Chloe Ribbon’s heavyweight Kellythorpe Don Diamonte at his first outing of the year. The seven-year-old is now in his third season with Peter and has only been lightly campaigned, booking his RIHS ticket last season and finishing sixth at HOYS.
“He’s a big horse and we like to keep him sweet, so he enjoys farm and pleasure rides at home,” said Peter.
The lightweight winner Barnacurra Maximus Meridias scored one of two wins for Team Smeeth. Ian rode the seven-yearold Royal Dublin champion for his owner Amanda Gallagher to finish reserve in the hunter championship at only his second show this season.
Amelia Bevan rode her own small hunter Sydney III to head the ladies’ side-saddle qualifier. The nine-year-old bay gelding has won at Devon County and Royal Cornwall in the ladies’ hunter classes and is also HOYS-bound in the small hunter class.
‘It definitely feels like good things come to those who wait’ MEGAN WHITE ON HER DUAL HOYS QUALIFICATION