Pony of the Year Show 2015
Tuesday 07 April 2015
Easter eggs, ipads, laptops, games, bridles, tack accessories, were all fabulous prizes on offer. Now in its fourth year at Bury Farm, the show sported an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ theme, and character models including the Cheshire Cat, White Rabbit, playing cards and the Queen, featured in the arena to make it a magical four days.
Jodie Hall-McAteer lifted the top billed JA grand prix on the effusive Tixylix to repeat last year’s victory.
The win was not without an anxious moment, the crowd gasped as Tixylix got deep to a vertical, but the agile mare flicked her heels away to clear it easily.
“She lost a shoe, although I’m beginning to think it’s a lucky omen, the same happened last year,” said Jodie, 14, who also took leading rider and finished third on new ride Lea Du Genier.
Harry Charles and Scoubidou took second.
For the third year running, Emily Ward was declared children-on-horses champion. On this occasion, King Mac was her winning ride, and the pair also claimed the leading rider award after taking first and second in the qualifying rounds.
“This was a nice, easy round for him, well within his comfort zone,” said Emily, who is in the middle of studying for her GCSE year.
Jessica Hewitt marked her tenth and final POYS with a win, taking British Showjumping’s 148cm Special Final on Little Miss Boss.
This mare has an aversion to entering the ring and is always led in and mounted inside the arena. Once inside, the tensions melt away, and under Jess’s guidance, she’s a demon against the clock.
“The first time I sat on her, she qualified at Scope for the HOYS Foxhunter final,” said Jess, who finished fourth in the Hickstead JC final last year, and is targeting the same championship this year.
The pair also claimed the JC leading rider title.
Lily Dean recorded her biggest win with the JC grand prix on her mother Rose’s Mister Seamus.
“It’s our first time against the clock, to win is amazing, my mum’s in tears,” said Malvern Worcestershire based Lily, 14, who bought this 14-year-old last July.
“He was like a tank and I couldn’t stop him in the beginning, now I’ve got to grips with him.”
Atlanta Vailionis, 13, took the 138cm grand prix title on her mother Alison’s Western Woman.
“She’s got a big stride, I kept forward with a good canter from the start to win, but it’s all down to my trainer Eleni Murphy, she said Western Woman would suit me and make me a better rider,” said Atlanta.
Tahnia Jordan Jones earned the 138cm leading rider award.
Madison Heath claimed the 128cm grand prix with Red Alert III, who matched Madison’s enthusiasm for speed to win by 3.25sec.
“She turns so quickly and is easy, although she gets grumpy just before feed time!” said Madison, 2014’s style and performance winner who relies on Mark McCourt and Becky Marsh for training advice.
Rachel Proudley and Painted Lady was handed the 128cm leading rider award.
Riding the only 128cm in the jump-off, Ollie Fletcher lifted British Showjumping’s 128/138cm Handicap Special Final on Gee Bradburne’s Runaway Dolly.
“She’s absolutely fantastic, very quick, but she was a bit tired after doing three rounds in the 128cm grand prix the day before,” said Ollie, who is looking to follow in his famous parents’ footsteps – Graham and Tina Fletcher.
Emelia Mitchell’s flying round on Martlets Masters Madam took the 11-year-old and under grand prix.
“She always wants to win and turns on a sixpence,” said Emelia, also leading rider.
The partnership was formed five years ago, starting in stepping stones, progressing to tiny tots and then 11-year-old and under, but always took second. This time, Emelia ensured victory in her final 128cm year.
A high standard in British Showjumping’s 10-year-old and under style and performance made judges Matt Lanni and Carl Belson study hard, but they eventually chose Aimee Jones as their champion on Michelle and Colin Poole’s Justalk Atlanta.
“She’s amazing, I want to say a special thanks to the Pooles and everyone at POYS,” said Shropshire based Aimee, 10, who relied on trainer Mark McCourt’s advice.
“He told me to sit up.”
Matt Lanni commented: “It was nice to see the riders making the effort to address their style and way of riding at such an early age.”
Fellow judge Carl agreed.
“They improved on their afternoon qualifying rounds, and under extra pressure in the indoor arena,” he said.
A delighted Amelia Drake claimed the Intermediate grand prix with her mother Tabatha’s 138cm Montana Dawn.
“I didn’t think we’d win against bigger ponies, but I kicked on in the jump-off,” said Amelia, 11, “and he always tries his hardest.”
The family pet, bought three years ago, is regarded as the best pony ever and will remain with the Drakes for life.
“He gives the best kisses and cuddles,” said Tabatha.
Alana Collett’s consistency was rewarded with the intermediate leading rider.
At speeds that wouldn’t be out of place at Cheltenham, diminutive Jack Smith, 14, aped AP McCoy to take the novice grand prix on Jane Smith’s Monkey Munchkin.
“He loves life and going fast,” said Gloucestershire based Jack, who acquired this pony a year ago.
Olivia Poole was novice leading rider with Pauldarys Bobby’s Girl.
Hertfordshire based Casey Waisman, 13, recorded her biggest win in the introductory grand prix with almost a second in hand on Leanne Waisman’s Bridge Woodie, an Irish-bred nine-year-old bought two years ago.
“He covers the ground well,” said Casey.
Third in the grand prix, Bunty Pipe took the introductory leading rider with Flash Jack II.
RESULTS
128cm GRAND PRIX
1 Madison Heath & Red Alert III 0/0/0 37.26
2 Jocasta Symons & Euro Magic 0/0/0 40.51
3 Anneliese Aitken & Whinney Lass 0/0/0 40.51
128cm LEADING RIDER & PONY OF THE YEAR
Rachel Proudley & Painted Lady IV
138cm GRAND PRIX
1 Atlanta Vailionis & Western Woman 0/0/0 37.83
2 Amy Barrett & Just Like That II 0/0/0 39.06
3 Allana Clutterbuck & Rochevalley Red Baron 0/0/0 39.29
138cm LEADING RIDER & PONY OF THE YEAR
Tahnia Jordan Jones & Oakhurst In The Spotlight
JA GRAND PRIX
1 Jodie Hall McAteer & Tixylix 0/0/0 38.66
2 Harry Charles & Scoubidou IV 0/0/0 49.88
3 Jodie Hall McAteer & Lea Du Genier 0/0/4 41.89
JA LEADING RIDER & PONY OF THE YEAR
Jodie Hall McAteer & Lea Du Genier
11-YEAR-OLD & UNDER GRAND PRIX
1 Emelia Mitchell & Martlets Masters Madam 0/0 31.33
2 Rachel Proudley & Field Oak Flame 0/0 31.37
3 Charlotte Bevan & Kathbarr Tamara 0/0 32.72
11-YEAR-OLD LEADING AND UNDER RIDER & PONY OF THE YEAR
Emelia Mitchell & Martlets Masters Madam
BRITISH SHOWJUMPING 10-YEAR-OLD & UNDER STYLE AND PERFORMANCE
1 Aimee Jones & Justalk Atlanta 174.5 points
2 Charlotte Bevan and Minkano 170.5
3 Rachel Proudley & Real Cool Dude 169
4 Alena Hughes & Flinor Songbird 165.5
5 Mimi Digby & Bowdenfarm Tiger Lilly 163
6 Kieran Taylor & Bluestone Speedwell 156.5
7 Harry Brown & Treowen Christopher Robin 151
8 Lauren Coulthard & Pielview Conker 137.5
9 Annabell Sanderson & Just So Handy 126
10 Owen Carpenter & Little Twister 98.5
INTERMEDIATE GRAND PRIX
1 Amelia Drake & Montana Dawn 0/0 35.59
2 Ward Ottley & Ronja III 0/0 36.55
3 Jessica Hewitt & Ross Cottage 0/0 36.88
LEADING INTEMEDIATE RIDER & PONY OF THE YEAR
Alana Collett & Interstat
