Welsh ponies win medals at Hippiade B riding style show jumping

While just under a week earlier most of the pony classes were competed at the Hippiade, on Friday, Aug. 30, the class B riding style jumping was on the program. In the AB and C categories, five of the six medals were for Welsh ponies.

The top three in the Class B category AB consisted entirely of Welsh ponies. Sophia de Voogt won the gold with Iris (by Woldberg's Bart) with two clear rounds and 84 for style. Silver was for Sanne Jansen with Lucky me (by Alex) who jumped two clear rounds and received 78 points for style. Maud Leeuwis won bronze with Jumping Jack (by Norest Rhys) with four penalties in the second round and 80 points for style.

Five combinations started in the exciting jump-off and only two combinations managed to stay clear. Sophia kept her pony and nerves best under control and confidently rode the experienced 22-year-old pony Iris to the fastest time. According to her mother, the tough seven-year-old rider is very fanatical and not only loves jumping but also really enjoys riding dressage. It is only the first season they are jumping together and at home the pony is always affectionately called ‘apple. Sophia herself is completely overwhelmed by her victory and all the attention. She says, ’It went very well today and my pony was very well behaved. The best thing about him is that he is always super sweet.“ Following good custom, the new seven-year-old champion was carried into the ditch by friends and family after the homage and lap of honor. 

27-year-old family pony

In the C category, gold went to Lotte Paus with the WPCS-registered Sundance (by Fall Edge Sundance). Silver went to Britt van den Brink with Roosendaal's Delicious. These two combinations were the only ones to be double clear, with Lotte getting 80 and Britt 77.5 points for style.

Lotte Paus rode her pony Sundance a nice clear round and also received the highest style points from the judges. “Everything went really super well today, I'm very happy,” said the brand new champion.

Lotte already won the kring championship and the Overijssel Championships earlier this year and now she can add a Hippiade title to that. She has been riding the reliable learning pony Sundance for two years now. Before that the pony was also very successful at competitions with her sister Sophie and probably soon sister Julia will take over the reins from her. Sophie's mother proudly says: “Sundance is such a nice family pony. He is super reliable and despite his age still top fit. He runs hard up the truck before every competition. It's nice to see how much fun this pony brings our girls.”

View all results here

Source: KNHS / NWPCS