British Dressage Young Pony Championships 2020

This year’s British Dressage Young Pony Championships 2020 saw some incredibly talented ponies take to the arena at Keysoe over the weekend. Four-year-old, five-year-old, and six-year-old ponies took part in a competitive yet safe competition environment under the relevant protocols provided.

The first class of the weekend saw the competition begin with the British Dressage four-year-old Young Pony Championship. Eleanor Darling with Patricia Pomp's beautiful stallion Godrics Dionysus (Danger 36 x Donnerwetter) - pictured top - claimed victory after the fabulous duo was awarded 70% after impressing judges Jenny Ward and Jane McGarel-Groves.

The second class of the British Dressage Young Pony championships saw riders and their six-year-old ponies take to the floor, ready to showcase their talents in front of judges Maria Eillberg and Helen Bradley.

Gloucestershire-based rider, Bryony Goodwin claimed the top spot with the special, Welsh part-bred stallion RSC The Ogopogo (Ceulan Calon Lan x Feiner Stern) - pictured below - scoring a strong 76.20%.

Bryony explained, 'I was very pleased with Pogo on the day, he hasn't competed indoors very much and it was an intimidating arena and a tough test for a six-year-old pony. He tried very hard for me as always and although a bit tense to start with, he relaxed and became more confident throughout the test and was able to show off his super walk, his canter work was a real highlight too!'

She continued, 'Pogo has the most gorgeous character, he is the ultimate dream pony and he knows it! He loves to jump and has been to lots of fun rides this summer as well as dressage training.'

Bryony's future aspirations are exciting for the pony, 'Pogo is having a nice chilled out autumn hacking at home with his owner and breeder Roisin Close, he’ll come back to me in the new year to prepare for Elementary regionals, and then we’ll be looking to sell him in the Spring!'

The final class of the British Dressage Young Pony championships saw the five-year-old ponies show their talents in front of judges Sandy Phillips and Andrea Smith.

The well-deserved first place went to Lucy Pye and with the talented palomino stallion Sugar House Targaryen (Llangwedh Sunny Jim x Nagano) - pictured below - together scoring an outstanding 80.80%.

Lucy, thrilled, told us, 'I was very pleased with him on the day, he felt green in some of the trot work, and still needs to develop a bit of strength to really show his best trot, but he has a super walk and really felt like he relaxed before the canter work.'

Lucy explained, 'He’s bold so I didn’t think he would look at the flowers, etc. but he can be a little distracted by other horses so we were really pleased with his attitude given the atmosphere and it being his first Championships!'

William [Sugar House Targaryen] has been based with Lucy at JLP Dressage since March when he was brought by his owner Kathryn Pickles from Ruth Mealey of Sugar House Stud.

Lucy explained, ‘Luckily he arrived just before lockdown so we’ve been able to spend that time getting to know him!’

Lucy looks forward to the future with the very special five-year-old pony, ‘The long-term plan for him is for me to continue to train him up the levels to continue his education and allow him to gain more competition experience and Kathryn will compete him herself as well!’

Full results

Photo © Kevin Sparrow