Welsh ponies reign victorious at Olympia, taking four of the top six places including champion and reserve
A Welsh section C has claimed the NPS/Baileys Horse Feeds M&M of the Year title at Olympia for the first time since 1990.
Mr & Mrs G P Baker’s superb Welsh section C Starcrest Discovery took the supreme title after winning best of breed, ahead of the Welsh section A, Whitsand Warrior.
Starcrest Discovery,a compact six-year-old dark bay gelding, has had a fantastic season winning all of his first four Olympia qualifiers. Ridden by Debbie Baker at the final, he is by the top stallion, Pantyfid Toy Soldier out of a Tywood mare.
Whitsand Warrior also claimed the best of breed award on the way to standing reserve in this prestigious championship. Owned by Mrs G Simpson and ridden by Jack Simpson, this nine-year-old grey gelding is by Sunwillow Niklaus.
Fourth and fifth were also claimed by Welsh ponies. The Haynes’ successful Welsh section A Oldmere Holly, ridden by Lucinda (Tuffy) Stockley, stood fourth, with Rotherwood Wild Snowdrop (section B) in fifth.
Connemaras claimed the remaining places with Robin Avery’s Tulira Roebuck taking third and Elaine Kelly’s Walstead Hunny Bear in sixth.
Best of Breed awards
- Connemara: Tulira Roebuck
- Dales: Carrock Sparkle
- Dartmoor: Shilstone Rocks Snowfox
- Exmoor: Subhainn
- Fell: Sunnybrowe Jack
- Highland: Trowan Cultoon Moss
- New Forest: Willoway Bright and Beautiful
- Shetland: Valley Whiskers
- Welsh A: Whitsand Warrior
- Welsh B: Rotherwood Wild Snowdrop
- Welsh C: Starcrest Discovery
- Welsh D: Murrayhill Faiths Reward
