The future equine stars shone in the KBIS Young Pony Final and Young Horse Semi-Final

Hartpury’s Festival of Dressage (1 – 7 July) showcased the talent of the young equine stars, hosting both the KBIS Young Pony final and the first of the Young Horse Semi-Finals.  

Young Pony four-Year-Old Final  

The KBIS Young Pony Final showcased the incredible talent of the four-year-old dressage ponies, with Palomino gelding, Wonder Boy III (Lenus Veld Winston JR x Old Avenue’s Layla x Lenus Veld Winston), ridden by Sofia Jankiewicz taking the title, with a great score of 80.2 at Hartpury.  

Sofia spoke to us on her experience of the day, “I was so pleased with how well Ken performed in our test, he’s never competed indoors before this show and he handled it like a pro.” Some of his highlights include, “he is so balanced for a four-year-old and has three really good paces, trot and canter being the highlight.”  

Sophia explains how the 14hh pony felt in a competition atmosphere, “he came into the arena like he had competing there before, so brave for his age and took it all in his stride.” Impressing his rider and showing he is a star for the future, “I couldn’t have asked for him to behave any better than he did.”  

Otherwise known as a “pocket rocket” Sofia tells us she “absolutely loves riding him!” He was purchased as a project for Sofia to produce, but she already knew she wanted to compete in the four-year-old classes and win, and that’s exactly what they did, “I knew from the moment I sat on him for the first time, that he stood a really good chance to qualify and to get to the championships. He’s such a classy pony and has a really bright future ahead of him.” While training at home the gelding is described as, “fun to train and absolutely loves his work, and is a very quick learner.” 

Securing an exciting future for this talented pony is right at the top of the list for Sofia, “unfortunately he is now for sale as he was purchased as a project for me to produce and sell on. I wish he was that little bit bigger as I would be keeping him for sure, as he has all the qualities I look for when buying a horse.” Sofia is hoping to find him a loving home where he will excel up the levels, “he is definitely a future FEI pony who would be incredibly successful on teams.”  

Daria LGD, ridden by Lucy Goodman finished in second place with a score of 78.2 and in third place was Melissa Richardson riding Dinky Daredevil NF with a score of 77.2.  

Young Pony five-year-old Final  

At only her second competition, MM Sweet Pea (Woodlander Sir Gorgeous x MM Sweet De Luxe x FS Champions De Luxe), ridden by Shelley Reeve Smith won the KBIS five-year-old final with a great score of 81.8.  

Shelly and the 14.2hh mares owner Ursula Russek have worked together to produce and train the young pony leading up to championship. Her first time in a competition atmosphere was the qualifying show, making this only her second ever competition. Shelley spoke to us about how they made the experience as relaxed as possible, “the preparation went really well, we got there the day before, travelling with her full sister, who finished fourth in the four-year-old class. I rode her the day before and let her settle and did the arena walk in the morning, as it was important for her to see the arena dressed like that, as she has not seen it before.”  

Impressed with the attitude from the bay sports pony Shelley explains, “I didn’t really know what to expect from her, it is a bit of an unknown with at atmosphere like that.” Keeping everything as relaxed as possible gave both ponies the time they needed to take everything in on the showground, “I was so thrilled with her, all the stars aligned and it all went well.”  

A competition experience for young horses and ponies isn’t just about riding the test, they also have to cope with warming up with other horses, Shelley speaks on her experience, “it was a lot for her to take in because she has done very little, I was chuffed to bits with her.” 

There were a few elements of her test that really shone Shelley explains, “sometimes in those situations they can get a bit hot, but in her canter, she really kept her composure and balance. She didn’t get to rushed and showed her power without going over the top.” But away from the movements, Sweet Pea’s attitude between the white boards was as stand out moment, “her confidence in the arena was also a highlight, she was just listening, in a big environment she was just tuned in and let me ride her round the arena. I think that is a strength of hers in the future, she is a pony that strives on having a job to do and that is going to make her a great competition pony.”  

It is so rewarding to produce young horses and ponies and for them to arrive at the big shows and have a great experience, as well as doing a good job. Shelley spoke to us about how she feels looking back on the day, “I am feeling super proud. In the beginning they can be a bit tricky, they wouldn’t be great if they were boring but I think she always had bags of talent.” Like many horses the mare is known for having her sassy days, but this only helps make her “very special.”  

The journey so far, “since she has been broken in, between Ursula and I we have been working with her, I have helped her all the way through and only took over the ride two weeks leading up to the championships.” Ursula who has also been having zoom lessons with Anna Ross. Looking towards the near future, Shelley and Ursula want to keep producing her up the levels to Medium and aim to qualify for the six-year-old championships next year.  

The class finished with Imogen Smith riding Bonito CL in second place with a score of 73.6 and Huntworth First Lady ridden by Ella Stuttard in third place, scoring 63.2 from the judges. 

Young Pony six-year-old Final 

Charlotte Thomas riding her own My Beauty CTD (FS Numero x Maleika x FS Mr Right) won the Young Pony six-year-old final with a score of 80.0. Charlotte spoke to us about her test on the day and how she was “so pleased” with the 14.1hh mare. “That six-year-old test is challenging and she tried her heart out!” Charlotte described some of the highlights of their test, “her medium canters felt magical and her trot is always super fun to ride.” 

Betty, as the chestnut is otherwise known as at home, love the atmosphere of the competition at Hartpury, “I think she felt really special with everyone watching and she enjoyed the music too.” Talking on what the young pony’s charming personality is like at home Charlotte tells us, “Betty melts my heart, she always wants cuddles resting her chin on your shoulder while you much out, she is impossible to walk past on the yard, everyone has to stop and kiss that little pink nose!”  

While in training she “always tries her best” Charlotte has so much love for the stunning little mare, “we always joke that she is perfect.” The Young Pony championships itself has been so important to Betty’s development, Charlotte explains, “I have been able to expose her to an atmosphere. Turns out she got to learn about sashes, rugs and prize givings too!”  

Looking towards the future of this incredibly talented pony, Charlotte is currently competing her at the Summer Regionals, and then will be going out to qualify for the Winter Regionals with an aim of competing at some of the High Profile shows throughout the Winter. “One day I would like her to be on the Pony European team, but I’m too old and I’m having a lot of fun with her, so for now we will keep enjoying the journey and see where it takes us!”  

Anna Maria Burns and Godrics Cleopatra finished in second place with a score of 76.4 and Daisy Bullman and Godrics Chemin de Vie, rounded out the top three with a score of 76.0.  

Young Horse four-year-old Semi-Final 

Jezz Palmer rode Platinum SNW (Le Formidable x Havidella x Vivaldi) to an impressive score of 82.4. The 16.1hh gelding shone in an incredible close contest with his fellow four-year-olds and secured their ticket to the KBIS Young Horse Final at the LeMieux National Championships.  

The bay KWPN, owned by Julie Faulds, at only his fifth competition, displayed his skill Infront of judges, Ellke Ebert and Maria Eilberg. Achieving their highest mark for the canter work.  

Beth Bainbridge finished in third place riding Glaxico, owned by Elite Stallions. Beth spoke to us on the importance of the Young Horse classes during this informative time of a horse’s career commenting, “I think it is incredibly important to start his career off the right way, it gives them confidence for their career ahead and teaches them to enjoy their competing life and developing them into happy athletes.” 

Speaking on how rewarding the process is producing the young horses, Beth tells us, “It’s so rewarding to take them out and to give them a good experience because I am really passionate about giving them a good start in life and making them into the horses that they are going to be for the rest of their competing life.” 

The striking palomino gelding, TLH First of May, owned by Sadie Smith and Suzi Mainprice, was ridden by Sadie to finish in a very close second place, with a great score of 82.2.  

Young Horse five-year-old Semi-Final 

Last year’s KBIS Young Horse four-year-old champion is on his way to take another title a year later. Ashley Jenkins and Game On I (Governer x Stella x Sir Donnerhall), won the five-year-old Semi-Final at Hartpury Festival of Dressage with a great score of 82.0, giving them the opportunity to compete for the top spot once again at the LeMieux National Championships!   

Ashley spoke to us on how the test felt on the day, “I felt the test went well, it was accurate and G was nicely relaxed.” Some of the 16hh Liver Chestnut’s highlights being, “he felt nice in the medium trots and gave a good overall impression. He is not a big horse but really fills the arena with his large presence.”  

Having already attended a National Championships early on his career the striking Hanoverian is “such a professional” and is able to handle the atmosphere “perfectly.” The Young Horse Championships has allowed “G” to gain this confidence in a competition environment Ashley tells us, “it is always difficult with the young horses in a championship environment as you really want to give them the best experience for the future. Last year the atmosphere affected our test, but this year the felling was he’s becoming a real showman.”  

Speaking more on the benefits of competing in the KBIS Young Horse classes, Ashley explains, “I think the young horse classes are a fantastic way to expose your young horses to a competition environment and the fact that the first rounds are in the arena with another horse makes the experience so positive for the horses that aren’t confident. I’ve been first and last and everywhere in between, but it’s all about building and good experiences and it’s a great way to start.”  

It was always the plan for “G” after the National Championships, to either return to his owner or be sold Ashley tells us, “the closer we get the thought of not having him is very hard but that is unfortunately the nature of the business that I am in.” Thinking about the talented young horses future, “my absolute dream would be to find an owner that would like to keep him for me to ride and compete through the levels.” But whatever happens Ashley is sure that “this little horse has a very big future ahead of him and I am just so pleased that I have managed to play a part in.”  

Annabella Pidgley rode five-year-old Fifty-Fifty to second place with a great score of 81.6, closely followed by Dannie Morgan with Hillgrounds Wolkenstar, who received a score of 79.0 from the judges. 

Young Horse six-year-old Semi-Final 

The incredible Fever Tree (Foundation x Dominica x Dayano) ridden by Dannie Morgan, top the score sheets in the Young Horse six-year-old Semi-Final with an outstanding score of 91.0. The 17hh Gelding achieving the highest score across all four Semi-Final classes.  

The bay was bred by David Stone at Bow Lake Equestrian, following amazing success at the NAF Five Star Winter Championships Dannie spoke to us about Fever Tree’s wonderful temperament, “he has got a fabulous temperament, which enables me to really show him off to his best.” 

Gordon, as he is known at home, has really progressed since becoming a six-year-old, Dannie explains, “he has defiantly built in strength, he has always been a fantastic horse, but he is a lot stronger as a six-year-old this year. He has developed more cadence in the trot and more strength behind.”  

Second place was occupied by Michael Eilberg with KWPN stallion, New Secret, with an amazing score of 84.2. With Alicia Lee and Della Ballerina in thrid spot with another impressive score of 80.2.  

Young Horse seven-year-old Semi-Final 

After finishing second in the six-year-old final at the LeMieux National Championships in 2023, Becky Moody and Magic Dream (Governer x Electa JB x Swarovski) will be dreaming of claiming the title in the seven-year-old class this year.  

An impressive win in the Young Horse seven-year-old class at Hartpury has set them on their way. The 16.2hh mare produced a score of 77.56, impressing the judges and leaving them top of the leader board in another competitive Young Horse class.  

Becky took to social media to reflect on her time at Hartpury, “Shroomaloom aka Magic Dream was a total babe to win both the seven-year-old Semi-Final and her first Prix St Georges.” She goes on to explain why it is so important to take the horses at a new level, “it helps you learn so much more about where you are at and what as a ride you need to do to help them improve.” 

This incredibly talented chestnut KWPN is excelling at every level through her early career, and will be one to watch out for in the future, Becky aiming for one day competing at Grand Prix level with Magic Dream.  

Frankie PS ridden by Tom Goode finished in second place with a score of 76.45 and Kate Cowell and Samarkand were on the third step of the podium with a score of 73.36.  
 

Results

Young Pony 4-Year-Old Final  

1. Sofia Jankiewicz & Wonder Boy III 80.2 
2. Lucy Goodman & Daria LGD 78.2 
3. Melissa Richardson & Dinky Daredevil NF 77.2 
4. Michelle Wakefield & MM Sweet Sensation, 76.6 
5. Lizzie Bryer & Harroway Faerie Dust, 75.4 

Young Pony 5-year-old Final  

1. Shelley Reeve Smith & MM Sweet Pea, 81.8 
2.Imogen Smith & Bonito CL, 73.6 
3. Ella Stuttard & Huntworth First Lady, 63.2 

Young Pony 6-year-old Final 

1. Charlotte Thomas & My Beauty CTD, 80.0 
2. Anna Maria Burns & Godrics Cleopatra, 76.4 
3. Daisy Bullman & Godrics Chemin de Vie, 76.0 
4. Alice Elliott & WfD Champagne Supernova, 75.4 
5. Avery Maude & The Longhouse Chinoiserie, 69.2 

Young Horse 4-year-old Semi Final 

1. Jezz Palmer & Platinum SNW, 82.4 
2. Sadie Smith & TLH First of May, 82.2 
3. Beth Bainbridge & Galaxico, 80.2  
4. Jessica McConkey & St Giles Gatsby, 79.8 
5. Sadie Smith & River Rise Pizzaz, 79.8 

Young Horse 5-year-old Semi Final 

1. Ashley Jenkins & Game On I, 82.0 
2. Annabella Pidgley & Fifty-Fifty, 81.6 
3. Dannie Morgan & Hillgrounds Wolkenstar, 79.0 
4. Gregory Sims & Call me Da Sergio, 76.8 
5. Fiona Bigwood & Newton Sylvanite, 76.6 

Young Horse 6-year-old Semi Final 

1. Dannie Morgan & Fever Tree, 91.0 
2. Michael Eilberg & New Secret, 84.2 
3. Alicia Lee & Della Ballerina, 80.2  
4. Beth Bainbridge & WHD Elton, 78.4 
5. Rob Barker & Hawtins Brindisi, 77.6  

Young Horse 7-year-old Semi Final 

1. Becky Moody & Magic Dream, 77.56 
2. Tom Goode & Frankie PS, 76.45 
3. Kate Cowell & Samarkand, 73.36 
4. Rob Barker & Rioverdi, 72.784 
5. Dannie Morgan & Vive La Reinne VH, 72.71 

FULL RESULTS 

Kevin Sparrow Photography