Wonder Boy III, MM Sweet Pea, My Beauty CTD Win 2024 British Young Pony Championships

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2024 British Young Pony Championships

The 4-year old Wonder Boy III, the 5-year old MM Sweet Pea, and the 6-year old My Beauty CTD became the winners of the 2024 British Young Pony Championships held in Hartpury on 1 - 7 July 2024.

4-YO: Wonder Boy III

The "KBIS Young Pony Final" showcased the incredible talent of the four-year-old dressage ponies, with Palomino gelding, Wonder Boy III (by Leuns Veld Winston Junior out of Old Avenue’s Layla (by Leuns 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 (by Cosmopolitan x Trendsetter), 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 (by Dating AT x Don Carino du Bois) with a score of 77.2.

5-YO: MM Sweet Pea

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

Winner of the 2024 British Young Pony Championships

Shelly and the 14.2 hh mare's 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 show ground, “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 the German riding pony Bonito CL (by Bon Jovi x Nintendo) in second place with a score of 73.6 and the SPSS registered Huntworth First Lady (by Kilour Star x Dolphin Supreme) ridden by Ella Stuttard in third place, scoring 63.2 from the judges.

6-YO: My Beauty CTD

Charlotte Thomas riding her own My Beauty CTD (by FS Numero out of Maleika (by 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 the SPSS registered Godrics Cleopatra (by Godrics Campeggio x Donnerwetter) finished in second place with a score of 76.4 and Daisy Bullman and Godrics Chemin de Vie (by Le Chiffre), rounded out the top three with a score of 76.0.