BURGHLEY REPORT SEPT 2014
On the 7th September, a wonderful day was held at Burghley for the BSPS Gold Cup Sports Pony Final
which was very kindly sponsored by THE WHITE COMPANY. The sun shone which it hadn’t for the
first three days of The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials in Stamford where this prestigious
competition took place. Twelve ponies and riders in each height section (133cms, 143cms and
153cms) had qualified, with competitors travelling to Lincolnshire from the north of Scotland and as
far south as Devon. The competitors were excited to be riding in a beautiful natural grass ring with
the magnificent Burghley House in the background. Carol Brady, dressage judge, for the second year
running was very impressed with the turn out of the ponies and riders as well as the standard of
riding in this competition. Jennie Loriston-Clarke who judged the rustic Working Pony course as well
as the gallop said “This is an excellent competition for these young riders, who learn to ride in a
rhythm, keep their ponies balanced and present them correctly at fences which is all very positive
for the future....there were some really good gallops! There is also a wonderful atmosphere here
with great audience participation....the stands are almost full!”
Chrissie Wheeler, founder of THE WHITE COMPANY and sponsor of this final was also there and
presented the rosettes to the finalists. Chrissie really enjoyed her day as well “I was a competitor in
WHP classes as a child and also rode at the RIHS, I competed in the same era as William Fox Pitt and
Piggy French. The training involved and the hard work it entails is a great lesson in life. You have to
be disciplined and take the rough with the smooth. If you have a hard knock you have to dust
yourself down and pick yourself up and move forward. I am a great believer in the strength of
character which is enhanced by competing in these classes.”
The competition consisted of three phases: Section A, a Pony Club Novice dressage test, Section B: a
rustic course of fences to be judged cross country style with an added 10 marks for the final gallop
and Section C: a show jumping round over coloured fences with an optional joker fence for a bonus
10 marks if jumped successfully.
CENNEN SPECTACULAR RIDDEN BY POLLY MUIRHEAD
The winner of the 133cms section (and reserve Champion) was Cennen Spectacular ridden by twelve
year old Polly Muirhead who qualified for this final by winning the Gold Cup at the Summer
Championships. Polly’s mother, Sarah Muirhead, told me that she drove from Devon to Gretna
Green last year ago to the day, to buy the pony without Polly ever having sat on it! Polly has a strong
equestrian heritage, with Uncle Jamie Osborne, the racehorse trainer and her mother and aunt who
competed themselves in Working Hunter Pony classes. Polly’s grandparents were an excited support
team at the ringside, Angela Osborne (grandmother) told me that her granddaughter attends
Blundell School in Tiverton and is on their show jumping team, where she is looking forward to
competing in school show jumping finals at Addington Equestrian centre in October.
GLENGOOLE BOY RIDDEN BY LUCY ROBINSON
First placed 143cms (and Champion) was the long campaigning 18 yr old pony Glengoole Boy owned
by Sue Nicklin and ridden by Lucy Robinson, who qualified him at the BSPS one day summer show by
winning her qualifying class. This lovely pony was home bred by Sue and sired by her stallion Bladon
Jamboree. Brought over from Ireland as a four year old he started competing in novice classes and
has since become a schoolmaster for four lucky riders. This year, Lucy won the Desert Orchid WHP
class (and became Champion) at the Summer Championships, even though she had hardly ridden
him since the RIHS. He has always been placed at HOYS and the RIHS, but also enjoys his cubbing and
hunting with the Meynell Hunt which is where he was destined the following Saturday after
Burghley! “This will keep him fit for HOYS this year” said Sue who also rides him herself and leads
young children alongside him when hacking out. “He is an absolute star!” were her words. This will
be Glengoole Boy’s last year in the show ring as Sue has decided to retire him...... “Boy will still enjoy
his hunting!” said Sue.
SILE NA GIG RIDDEN BY AMY BECK
Winner of the 153cms class was Scottish based rider Amy Beck riding her 8 yr old Dun mare Sile Na
Gig. Amy travelled from near Elgin in Scotland to compete, only a twelve hour journey home on
Sunday evening! Katy Beck, Amy’s mother, told me that she considered Burghley to be the best
event of the year for them. “It is a brilliant competition and so well organised, everyone is so helpful
and stewards very kind to the competitors with all competitors supporting each other. We travelled
down from Scotland on Friday, stabling our pony 10 minutes away so that we could enjoy the
weekend, walking the 4 star cross country course on Saturday, as well as fitting in a little shopping.”
Amy and Katy were delighted to win and they have enjoyed a good year having qualified for the RIHS
in the plaited and non plaited workers. Burghley is the one they would like to qualify for again next
year if this competition continues. Amy is also a member of the Moray & Nairn Pony Club and enjoys
competing in all disciplines, she attended the BSPS Summer Champs and represented Scotland in the
WHP Team Event. “ Burghley was a really worthwhile trip because I love show jumping and it was so
influential, you never knew until the last minute who was going to win as you had to listen to the
commentary to know whether you needed to jump the joker fence” remarked Amy.
Mrs Sinclair, owner of the second placed pony Wortley Dragoon in the 133cms class was very
enthusiastic about the whole day, “It is such a special family day and we bring a picnic and also do a
little shopping, this is a lovely competition with a fabulous setting and a great pre-HOYS warm up.
The fact that there isn’t a mark for conformation makes it a level playing field if you own a pony
which may not have the best conformation. The children are rubbing shoulders with the top
eventers, William Fox Pitt rode by my daughter this morning and wished her good luck... as you can
imagine this made her day! The commentary is really exciting too and it helps build up to the climax
as they jump the final round in reverse order.” Mrs Sinclair also paid a great compliment to the BSPS
in saying that she felt that the British Show Pony Society is going from strength to strength and that
she had only competed in BSPS classes this year.
Long may it continue!
FOR FULL RESULTS OF THIS COMPETITION visit our website www.bsps.com
Dawn Christie