Katie Waldock-Smith (14) from Ware, Hertfordshire on her mother Deborah’s 11 year-old bay mare Ross Cottage took victory in the Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Second Round that was part of the Pony Premier Show held at Hand Equestrian Centre in Cleveland, Somerset on Saturday 7th June. As ever, this second round proved to be popular with competitors, with a total of sixty-six eligible starting combinations coming forward.
Up for grabs at this second round were two direct qualifying tickets for the Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Championship Final at the Horse of the Year Show and all of the starting combinations went with the aim of taking one of these tickets home.
From all the starters, nineteen combinations went on to produce two clear rounds to make it through into the final jump off and six combinations then went on to produce a treble clear.
After Katie and Ross Cotttage produced their third clear in 35.62 seconds, it ensured that the top spot belonged to them.
Second place was taken by 13 year-old Lottie Tutt from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire who was competing on Craig Callaghan’s 7 year-old bay gelding Jim Bob II. The pair secured their treble clear in a time of 36.87 seconds to take their place in the top two.
The first two pony and rider combinations, disregarding those already qualified, will qualify for the Horse of the Year Show. The first five, disregarding those already qualified, will qualify for the Alexanders Horseboxes British Showjumping Scope Festival. Ponies and riders that jump a treble clear also qualify for the Alexanders Horseboxes British Showjumping Scope Festival.