The same day Scott Brash soared to a home victory in The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup, the ponies were out in force, with 10-year-old Portia Taylor-Wilson taking The 128cm Mini Stakes and Tabitha Kyle winning The Voltaire Design 148cm Mini Stakes at The London International Horse Show.
The hotly-contested 128cm class had just two combinations qualifying for the jump-off. Isabelle James-Wright and her pony Murphy Spartacus came home in a time of 38.03 seconds, but it was last to go Portia Taylor-Wilson, with the 24-year-old Ballybur Oh Jessie who sped around over a second faster.
“It is so emotional to win here today – I am so happy, but also very sad because it is Jessie’s [Ballybur Oh Jessie] last show,” said 10-year-old Portia. “She is 24-years-old and we have had her for two and a half years – she is the best pony in the world. I was really nervous going into the jump-off but she always tries her best so I believed that we could win. At the double in the jump-off, I took a tighter line than Isabelle [James-Wright] and I think that made the difference.”
Eleven ponies were in the first round of The Voltaire Design Mini Stakes, but only six made it through to the jump-off. Tabitha Kyle, continued her fantastic form to claim the win with the gelding Atomic Du Bary. Her closest competition came from Aimee Paxton, who despite being the only other clear could not match Kyle’s speed.
“Winning here was absolutely amazing; the atmosphere and the crowd were great,” she said. “I have come second here before in the 128cm class, but to come here and win this class is incredible – I have to thank my mum, Michael Whitaker who warmed me up, his owners Sue and Gordon Hall and the whole team. My pony actually won this class as a seven-year-old with Allana Clutterbuck in 2017 – he is so enthusiastic and loves to jump.”
Lead image by The London International Horse Show
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