14 year-old Katie Waldock-Smith from Ware, Hertfordshire on Ross Cottage an 11-year-old bay mare owned by Deborah Waldock took the victory in the Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Second Round which took place at Wales & West, The David Broome Event Centre as part of the Welsh Home Pony 2014 on Friday 25th July.
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 ninety-three starting combinations went with the aim of taking one of these tickets home.
After two rounds of competition, the final jump off was well contested by the nineteen combinations who made it through into it. Only one combination then went on to produce a treble clear to take the win.
The sole treble clear was achieved by Katie and Ross Cottage. They stopped the clock in 37.34 seconds to take the win.
Sophia Fox (15) from Greenfield, Bedfordshire took second place on board Glenarousk Flash Bandit, a 10 year-old grey gelding owned by Deborah Fox. Sophia picked up 4 faults but stopped the clock in 36.83 seconds to secure the final qualifying place.
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.