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A Welsh mare’s high quality and attraction shone via as she captured the highest spot within the 2023 SSADL ridden supreme championship on the London Worldwide Horse Present.
The stainless chestnut Annandale Maria, 16, was making her debut within the ever-popular SSADL (Senior Exhibiting and Dressage Ltd) finals, beneath the instruction of her 11-year-old rider Naomi Archibald.
The pair placed on a elegant efficiency, however nonetheless their connections outdoors of the ring have been shocked at their consequence.
“I can’t imagine it,” stated Naomi’s mom, Jane Weir. “Watching them trot out with the sash was surreal. They did a superb present, however when the outcomes have been introduced we didn’t dare to count on something. All of us gasped after they received referred to as in. Naomi and Maria have two BSPS courses tomorrow (Monday) and the seniors was our ‘have a go class’. Qualifying for this remaining was only a bonus for us.”
Throughout her youthful years, Maria, who was bred by Vicky Stephens, was a prolific 133cm present hunter pony contender. She was proven initially by main present horse rider Alice Homer throughout her pony years, who gained the Royal Worldwide (RIHS) along with her and rode her to be champion at Royal Windsor. Maria has additionally contested and been positioned at Horse of the Yr Present a number of occasions with numerous jockeys, attaining her finest consequence — third — in 2015 with Alice.
“We truly purchased her as an all-rounder two and a half years in the past,” Jane defined. “And she or he has carried out completely all the pieces for us, from working hunter, to one-day occasions, to polo, to Pony Membership. She additionally certified for the RIHS in nursery stakes in July. She hadn’t carried out a lot leaping earlier than we received her, however she actually hit it off with Naomi, and she or he’s so good natured that she’ll flip her hoof to something. She at all times tries her finest for you.”
Maria is a pure-bred Welsh part B and she or he is the reigning NPS Scotland factors champion.
“She is sassy and cheeky, however she’s received extra manners than most people,” Jane added.
The household are based mostly simply outdoors of Perth and displaying is a crew effort, as Jane stated: “We put numerous effort into the ponies and we do all the pieces from house.”
Reserve for the 2023 SSADL ridden supreme championship was the tremendous lead rein contender Overley Gamebird, ridden by Millie Rackham-Cobb, 9, and led out by Millie’s godfather Justin Thomas. Millie and her 19-year-old mare “Mildred” scored the general supreme on the SSADL nationwide championships in September, and the pair have been third right here final yr when dealt with by Millie’s mom Heidi Rackham.
Loren Gaskin’s 15-year-old conventional stallion The Boss netted third prize. The massive-moving pony was SSADL supreme ridden on the RIHS again in July, on what was his first try at a senior championship.
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Credit score: Future Credit score: London Worldwide Horse Present/Equipment Houghton 
Credit score: Peter Nixon 
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