Tabitha wins Pony Showjumper of the Year title
TEENAGER Tabitha Kyle won the Leading Pony Showjumper of the Year title after an exciting six-strong jump-off.
Tabitha, 13, from Loughborough, came top on her 11-year-old bay gelding Gangnam Style at the British Showjumping Indoor Championships at Aintree Equestrian Centre.
The six riders involved in the jump-off all put in extremely competitive rounds but Tabitha’s time of 35.07 seconds proved impossible to beat, having turned extremely tight back to a double before taking a stride out to the final fence.
Final rider Alfie Miles, on Quantum Light, was the closest to catching her when he broke the finish line in 36.82 seconds to nudge Elsi Jacques and Trevoulter Ladies Man into third place after completing the only other clear round in a 37.52 seconds.
For Tabitha it was the third win of the championships after earlier claiming the Pony Foxhunter and the 138cm Championships titles.
Talking about her win with
Gangnam Style, she said: “I took the ride on from Nicole LockheadAnderson who is a lot older and taller than me so we had to try lots of different techniques with him but we have got there now.
“We have done lots of pole work at home, which was Dad’s idea, and it has really helped as we have a great rapport together now.
“I’ve been really lucky as I initially rode him whilst he was available for sale and I can’t thank Gordon and Su Hall enough as they bought him just before lockdown for me to ride; I’m so grateful to them.
“He is such a good pony as the scariest jump for me was the big vertical with a turn just after it but he did it perfectly and then I knew I was taking a risk to the last when we took a stride out but he was so positive coming into it.
“We will continue doing JA classes and then hopefully also do the viewing trial shows as well.”