Kyle dominates the Summer Pony Premier show

Our Summer Pony Premier show took place last weekend and it was a jam-packed schedule of classes with fierce competition and camaraderie.

The talented Tabitha Kyle clinched a victory double and added two more HOYS tickets to her growing tally.  Ryan Dorise’s 8-year-old grey mare Running In Heels stepped up to the plate for Tabitha in the Pony Foxhunter Second Round and Tanya Kyle’s 9-year-old Irish-bred mare Coppenagh Khaleesi was triumphant in the Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Second Round.  Tabitha, who won the Horse of the Year Show Blue Chip Pony Newcomers title in 2022, will be looking to retain her title again this year.

Tabitha commented on Khaleesi, “She only started jumping last year, she’d done almost nothing, but she gained experience very quickly.  She has a massive stride and a massive jump, you can turn her up to anything, she’s a real speed demon.”

“She jumped three beautiful rounds and I think she will be the best speed pony,” said Tabitha, who has spent time getting to know this pony.  “She was very head-shy and sharp – I’m not sure what sort of life she’s had – but I spent time in the stable just stroking her for 10 minutes at a time and once she knows you, she’s very loving, she just needs to learn how to trust.”

It was also a great weekend for Izabella Rogers who was on top form aboard Belgian-bred 10-year-old Queen Star in the Pony Showjumper of the Year. The pair took a commanding victory with almost three seconds ahead of her competition to bring home the top honours.

Bicton Arena Manager Andrew Fell, added “Thank you to everyone who made the weekend such a great one, we couldn’t do it without our fantastic team at Clinton Devon Estates, the judges, course designers, stewards, arena party and veterinary services, it really does take an army to pull this off! Congratulations to all our prize winners and everyone that qualified for the championships and Horse of the Year Show.”

Thank you to ESP Photography for the images.