Posted: 10th August 2019 | Back to news feed

Maverick win for Poppy in the Pony Discovery Championship Final

Bringing the junior classes at the British Showjumping National Championships to a close was the Pony Discovery Championship Final. The final saw 86 starters come forward and despite exceptional talent on display, there were just 18 through to the jump off, of which only 8 riders achieved a double clear.  In the fastest time, and taking the Pony Discovery title, was 14-year-old Poppy Dargan riding 10-year-old Brynithon the Maverick.

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When asked about how she tackled the course, Poppy explained how she “worked hard to keep him [Brynithon the Maverick] focused, taking the turns carefully to come home clear”. Poppy, having already won the Kierson Restoration Pony Bright Star Championship Qualifier 1.0m with Brynithon the Maverick earlier this year, was over the moon to have won such a big title, exclaiming “I can’t believe it, it’s just amazing”. The combination’s future plans are to make the most of their last couple of years competing together by getting their Foxhunters double clears.

In an exceptionally close jump off, and just 0.11 seconds behind the winning pair’s time of 35.47s, was second place combination Megan Trott, and her pony Quay. 

Nellie Lock and Ellie’s Miss Chief take the title in the Pony Bronze League 138cm & Under Final

With 31 starters, the Pony Bronze League 138cm & Under Final was a thriller of a class at the British Showjumping National Championships 2019. The jump off course proved a challenge, comprising of a double of verticals and oxer which dashed many Championship dreams, only a few combinations managed to go double clear. Nine year old Nellie Lock and Ellie’s Miss Chief took the title with an extremely quick time of 34.91 seconds.

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The partnership have only been together for four months and within that time have gone from strength to strength. Their career together kick started by winning the 10 Year & Under Team Qualifier at Wales & West last month, and have excelled from then on to become a National Champion.

“Chief has a lovely temperament and isn’t hard to control, so I told myself to just go for it,” beamed Nellie. “I’ve been training really hard with my instructor Sandra Dean, aiming for this class so all our hard work has paid off!”

Being a member of the Pony Club, Nellie was also awarded the sash for best placed Pony Club member, making it a brilliant finish for the young rider who is based in Brentwood. “She’s a lot of fun and I have five years left in 138’s so would love to aim for the 138cm HOYS Final one day,” grinned Daisy.  With such early success for the new partnership, there is no doubt they will have an extremely successful five years.

Sienna Palin and Calusa take second place, with Cameron Cobb and Williams Dream Boy taking third.  

The Bronze and Silver Pony/Rider Combination League was introduced by British Showjumping in 2014 and allows all pony riders to be able to track their progress on a regional and national league table. There are three leagues; Bronze, Silver and Gold and they are split into three height categories of 128cm, 138cm and 148cm.

Elsi Jacques takes the Pony Silver League 148cm & Under Final title

There were 19 riders out of 34 starters who found the key to the first round of the Pony Silver League 148cm & Under Final at the NAEC Stoneleigh for the British Showjumping National Championships 2019. The best was saved until last in the jump off, where Elsi Jacques and Westward Sunshine finished the class off with a fast time of 33.84 seconds. A chuffed Elsi exclaimed: “Westward Sunshine is a super honest pony and will look after me either way, so I thought I would be in with a chance of winning because she’s super quick!”

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The combination are based in Leicestershire, and have been a partnership for three years. Over the last three years they have had many wins such as winning the pony 1.20 open at Bicton Arena this season, but claims taking a title at the National Championships is the biggest win of her career to date.   

Elsi came to the National Championships purely to jump this class, so will be going home with a 100% success rate. The combination will also be heading to the Scope Festival next week, where they hope to take home another title.  

Francesca Young and Quantico took second place, with Olivia Mae Davison and Gortahork Maeve taking third.  

The Bronze and Silver Pony/Rider Combination League was introduced by British Showjumping in 2014 and allows all pony riders to be able to track their progress on a regional and national league table. There are three leagues; Bronze, Silver and Gold and they are split into three height categories of 128cm, 138cm and 148cm.

Lyla Davis and Martha’s Darling take the Pony Bronze League 128cm Title

Lyla Davis and Martha’s Darling put in a stylish performance to take the Pony Bronze League 128cm Championship against 22 other competitors that made it through to the jump off. The best was saved until last where the combination flew past the finish line in a fast 31.69 seconds. Lyla explained her thought process behind her win: “My sister was winding me up before I went in the ring, so all I wanted to do was beat her.”  

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Lyla has enjoyed great success in this class; which is made even more special by the fact that Martha’s Darling was Lyla’s first pony, after only learning to ride two years ago.  

Norfolk based Lyla was also the highest placed Pony Club member in the class, and was also awarded the Pony Club sash on top of the Championship title.  

After taking the title in the only class the combination came to the National Championships for, Martha’s Darling will enjoy some time away from the area, and exchange it for the beach, before handing over the champion pony to Lyla’s younger sister May.

Liala Ramaci and Arrogan Emily TR took second place, with Hollie Gerken and Dimples Dilema taking third place. 

The Bronze and Silver Pony/Rider Combination League was introduced by British Showjumping in 2014 and allows all pony riders to be able to track their progress on a regional and national league table. There are three leagues; Bronze, Silver and Gold and they are split into three height categories of 128cm, 138cm and 148cm.

 

All photos © 1st Class Images

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