Diminutive superstar, Annabel Widdowson, makes history at Hickstead
Wednesday 26 July 2023
Eight-year-old Kent rider Annabel Widdowson won today’s Pro Ponies UK British Showjumping Winter 128cms Championship at the Longines Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead.
Annabel is one of the youngest riders ever to compete in this prestigious finale, so to take the win against riders several years older than her was an impressive feat.
Riding her pony Bunbury Conquest, Annabel was the very last competitor to enter the famous Longines International Arena, and she blazed her way round clear to cross the finish line only 0.08 seconds faster than runner-up Portia Taylor Wilson (Doylan Honey Glint).
“Questy’s a fabulous pony – he has a connection with me. We’ve bonded because we’re both firecrackers; we both like to dare each other,” said Annabel.
Although Annabel’s been able to learn plenty from building a partnership with the experienced 22-year-old pony, she also brings a wisdom well beyond her years to the relationship. “I feel confident, because that’s the best thing to feel with a pony – they can feel what you feel, so they’ll get nervous, too, if you feel nervous. So you need to feel confident when you go into the ring,” she said.
Showjumping’s something of a family affair for Annabel: her grandparents, Gary and Beverley Widdowson, own Big Star, the now-retired Olympic gold medal-winning mount of British showjumping legend Nick Skelton. Could another gold medal – this time even closer to home – be on the horizon? Watch this space!
Tickets for the Longines Royal International Horse Show (25-30 July) are available at the gate or can be bought online from www.hickstead.co.uk. The action will be livestreamed throughout on ClipMyHorse.TV and Hickstead.TV, with additional coverage on Sky Sports and FEI.TV on Friday and Sunday.
Image: Elli Birch / Boots and Hooves Photography
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