Royal International Horse Show
My 6 year old Dales gelding, Manorian Montague (Monty) is in his first full season under saddle. I
bought him a year ago, hoping that we would be able to compete at affiliated shows and that one
day I might fulfil my ambition to ride at the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead. Monty has
totally exceeded my expectations this year and at South Suffolk Show in May he won two Royal
International qualifiers, the Amateur Riders and Young Riders.
We arrived at the Royal International Horse Show the day before our class and watched Ella Souster,
Monty’s producer, competing in the coloured pony classes. We also took Monty for a walk around
the showground to get him used to the surroundings. He was very calm and settled, although the
main show hadn’t started so the showground was quiet. It was a very different story when I rode
him early in the morning of our class! By then the showjumping was underway and the sights and
sounds of such a busy show were rather overwhelming for him - he wanted to look at everything
that was going on around him! He quickly settled down and was soon back to his normal self. By the
time we got to the ring to wait for my class he was fine but I was feeling very nervous!
When our class was called, we went into the ring with the other competitors. The River Lawn ring at
Hickstead is surprisingly small and undulating for such a prestigious showground and it was difficult
to find a space in the go-round with so many other ponies in there. After the go-round we all lined
up in the middle of the ring. Monty and I did our in-hand section first, which is the part I always
enjoy. By the time I went out to do my ridden show I was feeling very nervous, but everything went
well and we did a good show with no mistakes – phew! Afterwards we stood in line whilst the
judges deliberated over the results and I was able to take a moment to look across at the main arena
and the famous derby bank and think “I really am riding at Hickstead”. We weren’t placed in our
class, but as a novice pony/rider combination and with so many previous HOYS finalists competing,
we didn’t expect to be. I was given my RIHS finalist rosette which has pride of place in my rosette
collection.
Monty and I making our debut at RIHS (Equinational Photography)
Later that morning, Monty was back in action in the Young Riders’ final, ridden by 15 year old
William Nugent. Having done one class already, Monty was quite relaxed and they were pulled in
10th place after the go-round. William rode beautifully and they did a lovely show. When the results
were announced, they were called forward in 5th place, a fantastic achievement for a young pony
with one of the youngest riders in the class. We returned Monty to his stable and celebrated a very
successful day with a glass of Pimms back at the lorry and some well-earned shopping and spectating
for the rest of the day.
Equifest
A couple of weeks later we took Monty and Flint (my exmoor) to Equifest. I love the relaxed
atmosphere at Equifest and the evening performances are spectacular. We were there for 5 days
and with two ponies competing every day it was fairly hectic!
At age 16 Flint seems to have finally learned to behave in ridden classes (some of you have seen how
naughty he can be!). He was placed in every class, his best result being a 2nd in the novice small
breeds. The large breed m&m classes always have a lot of entrants and there were 27 ponies in my
amateur riders dales/fell class. Monty was on good form and we came 6th, so I was really pleased. I
was invited by Monty’s breeder to show him in the in-hand progeny class along with his brother and
sister. Groups of three related ponies are judged together as a family group and our Dales ponies
won the class. It was lovely to meet Monty’s relatives and a lot of fun competing together as a team.
Flint in the ring
My two boys together
On the last day, William took over Monty’s reins for the junior ridden final. They won their final,
qualifying for the championship in the evening performance. The evening performances at Equifest
can be quite challenging for horses and ponies, with bright lights, loud music and crowds of
spectators next to the ring. Monty hadn’t experienced anything like that before but he was footperfect and we were thrilled when he and William were announced as junior ridden champions.
They won a lovely sash and enjoyed their lap of honour in the spotlight. They had qualified for the
supreme championship later that evening so we took Monty back to his stable to relax and I made a
phone call to my husband at home to say I would be staying for an extra night as it would be too late
to drive home afterwards (and I didn’t want to miss out on the celebratory champagne!). The
standard of ponies in the supreme championship was very high, with the champions from each of
the inhand and ridden finals represented. A lovely in-hand section A stallion was called forwards as
supreme champion and then Monty was announced as reserve supreme champion! Another sash
and lap of honour was followed by another champagne celebration back at the lorry - a lovely way to
end a fantastic few weeks.
Monty and William enjoying their lap of honour (Equinational Photography)
Helen Evans