A rider whose mom gave up the ghost initially of the yr has landed her first-ever Horse of the 12 months Display (HOYS) price ticket on her home-produced pony. Megan Proportion certified her Welsh segment B pony Thistledown Grand Prix (Hugo) on the Nationwide Welsh championships.
In April, Megan’s mom, Kate Pritchard — who was once an integral a part of Megan’s appearing adventure — gave up the ghost all of sudden.
“It’s been my dream to trip within the TopSpec enviornment at HOYS since I used to be a kid, despite the fact that I by no means believed I’d in truth get there,” says Megan. “And it was once all my mum had ever sought after for me, too.”
Hugo, an eight-year-old roan stallion, was once purchased via Megan as a venture again in 2019. The plan have been for Megan to convey him on and promote him.
“He was once an affordable three-year-old and whilst I had absolutely meant to promote him on, he has stayed with me. He hasn’t been simple and he has at all times stored me on my feet,” Megan continues. “Mum at all times mentioned he was once particular, and he or she was once proper.”
This yr has been Megan and Hugo’s first season within the display ring. Megan credit her spouse, Jordan Latham, for encouraging her to stay going.
“He has driven me on,” Megan says. “Hugo and I received my two Royal World tickets previous this yr. The primary qualifier we received was once very sudden. I take note making the decision to Mum to let her know the inside track and he or she screamed on the most sensible of her lungs prior to crying.
“We misplaced Mum on April 1 2023. It was once very surprising and my international totally fell aside,” continues Megan. “She was once the explanation I’m the place I’m nowadays and I wouldn’t be the rider I’m with out her. She was once the center of the pony international I knew and he or she was once my hero. She was once the individual I regarded as much as and went to for recommendation on anything else and the entirety.”
In spite of the tragedy, Megan stored pursuing her goals with Hugo, as she explains.
“This yr has been the toughest yr I’ve ever had and I discovered it tricky to hold on with the horses. However, I stored pushing and I knew Mum wouldn’t need me to prevent; she would need me to hold on her legacy and succeed in my objectives.”
The Nationwide Welsh championship display was once held in August at 3 Counties Showground. Hugo led the Welsh segment B box, reserving a coveted position on the NEC.
“When our quantity was once known as out into first I shed a couple of tears,” says Megan. “I owe Hugo the entirety; it’s my first-ever price ticket to HOYS, and on a pony I’ve produced all alone. These days was once additionally so unhappy as Mum wasn’t there to peer our triumph or to percentage the instant with us. All she’s ever sought after was once to peer me stroll via the ones crimson curtains at HOYS. However I do know she will likely be looking at over Hugo and I.”
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Credit score: READER IMAGE Credit score: Rob Bayes Pictures 
Credit score: Panorama And Horses 
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