Danwood Llewellyn is M&M very best on the RIHS

A house-bred Welsh phase C triumphed in The Corroconsult BSPS Heritage mountain and moorland (M&M) very best ridden championship on the 2023 Royal Global Horse Display (RIHS) on his debut on the display.

Hannah and Linda Atkinson’s “pony of a life-time” Danwood Llewellyn, a 12-year-old by means of Wyken Rob Roy out of Rivervalley Lou Lou, maintained a most sensible preliminary pull in all the way through his elegance to ebook himself into the principle area championship held within the afternoon.

The bay gelding, a Horse of the Yr Display (HOYS) winner and phase reserve in 2018, persevered to up his sport all through the day with Hannah in very best sync, and he used to be awarded the name by means of judges Kathryn Lloyd (efficiency) and Anthony Perkins (conformation).

Ponies have been required to show considerable local spirit all the way through the morning’s categories because of the boggy floor led to by means of closing evening’s torrential downpour.

“Our champion coped rather well within the elegance, particularly given the stipulations,” mentioned Anthony. “And in the principle area he stood out with a faultless efficiency. One of the heavier breeds did fight with the stipulations, however the riders who considered what they have been doing made use of the hoop and the simpler floor.”

Kathryn added: “I sought after to peer ponies who have been sitting up and taking their riders ahead whilst going into the bridle. Put merely, they needed to carry out and pass.”

Danwood Llewellyn — who’s referred to as Lewi at domestic — would possibly have an outstanding ridden tally together with many county display victories, however his North Yorkshire-based breeders had by no means aimed him for Hickstead.

“We’ve no longer been to the RIHS for roughly six years, as this display normally clashes with the Royal Welsh, and we’re Welsh pony breeders,” mentioned Hannah. “We made up our minds to attempt Lewi for Hickstead once or more, so this 12 months has been our bucket checklist 12 months!”

Hannah previously rode Lewi’s dam, Rivervalley Lou Lou, within the ring.

“Doing this with a home-bred makes it additional rewarding,” Hannah mentioned. “Mum and I’ve performed the paintings with Lewi ourselves from the start, and he manner absolutely the global to us. Lou Lou used to be an excellent pony who by no means moderately were given the consequences that she deserved, so he’s doing this for her in many ways.”

The win will make the Atkinson’s 8 hour adventure domestic so much sweeter: “I feel I’ll have to head and feature a sit down down ahead of I do the rest,” concluded Hannah.

Any other home-bred, Julie Pennell’s contemporary Nice Yorkshire Display very best winner Nipna Nighttime Rambler, scored reserve for the Dales breed beneath his manufacturer Sarah Parker.

Anthony mentioned: “He used to be a stupendous instance of the breed, and he additionally sat up and confirmed himself off in the principle ring.”

Anthony gave one basic takeaway for competition: “Riders will have to be sure that they provide their horses correctly for the conformation segment. It’s as vital because the efficiency, and plenty of appear to overlook this when competing beneath drive.”

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