Townend Schubert was crowned the Blue Chip Native British Show Pony Society (BSPS) Heritage Supreme champion at Olympia this afternoon (Monday 21 December).
The six-year-old Fell stallion, by Heltondale Bonzo Boy out of Townend Shandy, was ridden by his owner Rebecca Penny.
Watch Rebecca talk about the victory in the following video:
“It’s been 10 years since I’ve ridden a pony I own myself at Olympia so this is extra special,” said Rebecca, a web designer who bought Townend Schubert as an unbroken three-year-old.
“He’s probably only done five shows all year. He qualified for Olympia in his first open class [at Suffolk County].”
Townend Schubert, who also won his section at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), caught the judge’s eye with his flawless individual show and good manners.
“He’s a particularly good example of the breed — his rider knew how to show him off,” said conformation judge Henrietta Knight.
“Schubert is produced by Aimee Devane at Follywood Stud. It’s hard in the winter when everywhere is knee-deep in mud, but all credit to them — he looked fantastic today,” added Rebecca.
“His mane and tail stays straight by itself, unlike some which need a lot of preparation. He’s a like a L’Oréal model.”
Reserve was the seven-year-old Welsh section D Ringside Gameover, ridden by Alexandra Williams for Katie Williams.
“Due to work commitments he’s only been shown seven times this year and he qualified for Olympia at the BSPS Heritage champs — his first attempt,” said Katie of the bay stallion who was Welsh section D of the year at HOYS.
“Six weeks before HOYS we lost [his dam] Sydenham Gooseberry. Words can’t describe how much she meant to us and how very special Ringside Gameover is.”
A total of 39 ponies came forward to contest the championship. The top three are all stallions, with the cream dun Benbreac Of Croila finishing third.
The eight-year-old Highland, who stood Heritage supreme at the BSPS summer championships in August, was ridden by Matthew Cooper for Mrs M Stanford.
Continued below…
If you love Olympia, then you shouldn’t miss this…
British Show Pony Society Heritage final results
1, R Penny’s Townend Schubert (and best Fell), 168
2, K Williams’ Ringside Game Over (and best Welsh section D), 166
3, M Stanford’s Benbreac Of Croila (and best Highland), 163
4, I Gawith’s Menai Celtic Hero (and best Welsh section C), 161
5, S Field’s Tarbarl Matthew (and best Dales), 158
6, V Wharton’s Greenholme Hairy Harry, 156
7, S Hird’s Saith Magical Ginger, 155
8, S Burton’s Banks Timber (and best Connemara), 154
9, G Stanford’s Tower Clyde, 154
10, M Wood’s Swchyrhafod Brenin, 153
Best of breeds
Welsh section A — I Latter’s Powys Sprite, 152
Welsh section B — K Scott’s Cadlanvalley Sandpiper, 148
Dartmoor — D Barr’s Okeleat Navigator, 149
Exmoor — M Bryant’s Moonpenny Aquarius, 138
Shetland — A Stevens’ Brinleyview Camanchee, 149
New Forest — G Jeffries’ Applewitch Magister, 128
Don’t miss the full Olympia report, including a column by conformation judge Henrietta Knight, in Thursday’s issue of Horse & Hound, on sale 24 December.
