The Walwyn Novice Championship at Royal Windsor is the place to spot future showjumping stars and this year’s winning mare boasts some blue-blooded breeding...
Showjumper Ronnie Jones stands out as one of the country’s leading young horse producers and he looks to have another really exciting prospect coming through the ranks in Ruth Dowie’s beautiful six-year-old mare Kaleche, with whom he won the Walwyn Novice Championship at Royal Windsor Horse Show on Thursday, 1 July.
The pair triumphed in the blue riband event for young horses, where they faced some high-calibre opposition in a four-way jump-off.
Ronnie coaxed an exquisite second clear round from the daughter of the Poden Farms-owned stallion F One USA, currently seen competing at five-star level with Emily Moffitt in the saddle, but previously with Ben Maher and Nick Skelton. They soared home in 37.66sec.
A super late challenge came from Adrian Whiteway with another six-year-old mare, the Dutch-bred Kendyvanta, with Katie Speller taking third place with the only other double clear on Breen Equestrian’s home-bred Be Constanta, by Colman.
Taking fourth with four faults against the clock was Laura Renwick on Kiara (Otangelo x Orlando BWP).
“We’ve had her since a three-year-old and she was four-year-old champion, five-year-old champion and hopefully she carries on her six-year-old year how she’s started it,” said Ronnie, who also finished fifth with another of Ruth Dowie’s six-year-olds, Key West. “Kaleche has been a favourite of ours for a long time. Hopefully she follows in the footsteps of her father [F One USA] one day.
“I know her inside out and I’m really lucky to have her, and other horses. I think a lot of her and I hope that she likes me as well!”
Ronnie credited the mare’s ring experience for giving them an advantage on this somewhat daunting grand stage at Royal Windsor.
“She’s used to the jump-offs so I trust her and she always gives 100%,” he said. “It’s a brilliant crowd and a nice atmosphere and this is one of my favourite shows. The young horses need to live up to the atmosphere and the occasion so it’s a really good practice for that.
“We’re thrilled and we think she has a big future ahead of her.”
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