Holly Gerken and Live Wire Electrify Arena UK with Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Second Round Victory
Tuesday 20 May 2025
.jpg "Holly Gerken and Live Wire Electrify Arena UK with Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Second Round Victory")
This weekend, Arena UK hosted the first Summer Pony Premier of the season, which included the inaugural Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Second Round of 2025.
With almost 100 starters competing for qualification to the Horse of the Year Show, the track proved challenging, as 37 combinations jumped clear in the first round, advancing to the second round, of which 18 progressed to the jump off, Hollie Gerken claiming three of the rides.
With five combinations achieving the sought after triple clear, results would be decided by the clock, and it was Hollie Gerken with her final ride of the class - Jade Gerken’s Livewire VI – who took top spot as the only pair to ride a sub 40 second round.
“She was amazing,” said a delighted Hollie. “I thought it was very tough with how many were in the class, so we were just hoping for the best. The course was not as big as I thought but it was very technical. She qualified for HOYS last year in the Newcomers and Foxhunter, where she went double clear, so I’m really excited to be taking her back again this year.”
Talking fondly of the mare, known as lily at home, Hollie commented: “She’s quite sassy and can have a bit of an attitude but she’s so lovely in the stable and is one of the nicest on the yard.
“She will have a short break now and then we will probably go to a couple of Pony premier shows at the end of the summer. It is my last year on ponies, so I want to make the most of the time I have. But none of this would be possible without Paul Kelly, my trainer. He definitely helps pull it all together, and we’re so please with how she did,” added Holly.
Second place went the way of Cate Kerr who steered Douglas Duffin’s Nelesta across the finish line 2.82 seconds off the winning time. Last to jump, Jack Waddington chased hard and was rewarded with a third place finish with Kate Waddington’s Halo Joy whilst India Vilarrubi skilfully rode Joe Whitaker’s Elka Maura Flint into fourth place.
Arena UK – Sunday, 18 May 2025
Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Second Round
1st – Hollie Gerken & Livewire VI – 0/0/0 37.40 seconds
2nd – Cate Kerr & Nelesta – 0/0/0 40.22 seconds
3rd – Jack Waddington & Halo Joy – 0/0/0 41.18 seconds
4th – India Vilarrubi & Elka Maura Flint – 0/0/0 46.19 seconds
NB: Results pending official grading.
Image: ATG Photography
.jpg "Ponies and Riders Shine in HOYS Qualifiers at the First Summer Pony Prem of 2025")
