Top title for the new kid
“YOU could have knocked me down with a feather,” said Sonya Fitch-Peyton, after she was called forward to take the RIHS M&M working hunter championship with her own Connemara Ballydaniel Daylight (Dan).
Despite low entries across the classes, a quality championship was witnessed with the exceeding 143cm winner getting the nod over Sam Roberts and her leading 122cm, Sue Kernan’s Welsh section A Lledrith Nemesis.
Nine-year-old Dan, who is by Burning Daylight, is a fresh face in these ultra-competitive classes.
“I bought him as a three-yearold off two photos and a video, after a drunken lunch party,” said Sonya. “I did wonder what I’d bought when he arrived, but he’s rarely been out of the top two. He’s done some dressage and a couple of one-day events, but only a handful of working hunter classes and this was his first qualifier.
“Usually, if I don’t mess up, he’ll come home with a red rosette,” added Sonya. “The course was well-built and asked a lot of questions. I did think I’d let
Dan down at the last fence but he pulled through and was lovely and fired up for his show.”
Sonya was introduced to Connemaras by the late Margaret Pearce: “My friend and fellow Connemara addict Renne Nicholls, who was also helped by Margaret, groomed for me so when I was called out first we both cried and said this one was for her.
“He’s rarely been out of the top two” SONYA FITCH-PEYTON ON DAN
We are middle-aged Connie freaks and we love it.
“I was gunning for last year; a full season of HOYS qualifiers was my 50th birthday present to myself, so hopefully we’ll get there this year.”
Jessica Talbot secured the 143cm ticket on Welsh Peasedown Maddison, while no combinations finished in the 133cm class.