A whistle-stop travel to Italy to shop for a pony paid dividends for Lauren Wilkins, when two years later, the partnership took the Oakley Coachbuilders’ wintry weather JC identify on the Longines Royal World Horse Display, Hickstead.
Lauren’s mom had noticed the mare, Eloclea Ro. Del Colle San Marco, on the market on an ad on Fb and took a bet to fly Lauren out to peer her.
“She didn’t have an image with the ad or anything else,” Lauren stated. “It simply stated ‘doable 1.30m pony’.
“We flew in the market, I attempted her and appreciated her in an instant, after which we did some sight-seeing!”
The bay mare has been leaping 1.20m this yr and has additionally certified for the Foxhunter ultimate at Horse of the Yr Display (HOYS), even if she has doable for larger tracks.
“I feel she’ll be an ideal pony for subsequent yr,” stated Lauren, who’s in her ultimate yr of ponies. “We’ve jumped some 1.30ms along with her. She’s fantastic.”
The nine-year-old mare was once the quickest of 4 bounce off clears within the wintry weather JC ultimate, which they received with a at ease 1sec in hand.
Handiest 5 had made it via to the second one section spherical a difficult monitor, the place seven riders from 25 starters have been eradicated.
“The oxer at fence 8 was once inflicting a couple of issues however she didn’t thoughts it in any respect,” Lauren stated. “I had a possibility to peer what should be blamed for issues and rode somewhat extra ahead to a couple of them.”
Lauren moved the mare on smartly around the flooring to stand up at the clock within the bounce off, easily executing a clumsy flip to the final to say victory.
“Some weren’t getting it easy however I knew my plan and I confirmed her the road so she knew we had been leaping the final oxer,” Lauren added.
2nd position went to Imogen Rome and her attention-grabbing Dutch riding pony Eden Ace, who was once at the beginning bred for a profession in harness via Robert Bowman, brother to four-in-hand legend George.
The nine-year-old, 148cm gelding has proven himself to be a undeniable skill within the display leaping ring since he began his profession in March 2022, additionally qualifying for 2 finals on the Royal Highland and for the freshmen and Foxhunter finals at HOYS.
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Credit score: Peter Nixon
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Credit score: Equipics
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