Rider India Till

“I FIRST rode Alfie while I was still on my 128cm pony [Rotherwood Rainmaker] and I could definitely feel the difference. I was so young, and initially I struggled to sit to Alfie’s paces. He’s always had such a massive stride and a big chest space, so I was bouncing all over the place in trot during that first ride.

“He’s a funny pony; he has his little quirks but he’s generally easy-going. Sometimes, he’ll just need a quick 10 minutes working in before the class but other days he’ll be a bit more on his toes. Generally, when he steps into the ring he knows what job he’s there to do.

“To ride in and then win the supreme at the RIHS – in front of all the top showjumpers – was a moment I’ll never forget. My main plan was to ride a show in front of the judges the whole time and keep a good distance from them.

“For me, it’s Alfie’s stride that sets him apart; when you’re in the ring he always gets into a good rhythm and once he starts he doesn’t stop. He’s a mini horse; the way he stands, the way he moves and the way he presents himself. He’s so elegant, too, and you can definitely tell he’s got Arab in him. He always has his ears pricked and he’s just a happy pony.”