Southend schoolgirl Hallie Lunn went top of the class at the Horse of the Year Show in Birmingham on Wednesday 7th October.
The 14 year-old whose pony Little Boy De Carman, a bay gelding owned by Richard Lunn, is two years older than her – won the Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Championship on a busy opening day’s action at the Genting Arena.
The combination won a highly-competitive class and their jump-off time of 36.62 seconds proved just enough to prevail over runner-up Jessica Hewitt, riding Wildwood Silver, while Millie Dickinson, with Ron Burgundy, finished third and Harry Charles fourth on Phoenix VI.
“I am kind of speechless,” said Hallie, who attends Southend High School for Girls. “It is the first big thing that I have ever won, so I am a little overwhelmed. It means so much to me.
“It is such a great experience riding at Horse of the Year Show. It is not every day that you get to ride in such a big arena and watched by such a big crowd.
“I came here to watch when I was younger, and I never thought that I would win a championship here.”
Photo: LewisHarding Photography
