KATIE BRADBURNE was an undisputed star of the show, winning both the Blue Chip Pro Sparkle JC/JA championship and the Bliss Of London pony coral championship in exemplary style.
The Pro Sparkle was the opening class of the pony championships and 15-year-old Katie underscored her form when she piloted her three rides through to the jump-off.
She took an early lead on Claire Crossman’s elegant black 10-year-old Shovern Inca – who would later go on to claim the coral – but was knocked off the top spot by Lola Thulborn and Edenside Rosie Blue.
But Katie slashed a dramatic 3.4sec from the target with the classy 10-year-old Connemara Derryinver Rocky (Winnie) – who was Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) newcomers champion for her brother Thomas two years ago.
Gabriel Mattle and Miskaun Harvey came within 0.28sec of Katie’s time but couldn’t depose this promising combination.
“‘Winnie sometimes doesn’t really show his scope until you push him and then you really see what he’s capable of,” said Katie. “He was so good to me in that jump-off.
“I’m a brand ambassador for Blue Chip, so it’s really nice to win their final,” she added.
Katie, the daughter of former jockeys Mark and Gee Bradburne, took over the ride from her brother in January and plans to tackle pony showjumper qualifiers this summer.
“He did a couple of pony show jumpers in Thomas’s last year. We’d like to jump some viewing trials in the summer as well. I’m going to take it slowly with him,” she added.
Denne historien er fra April 20, 2023-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra April 20, 2023-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Gemirande provides 24-carat magic
Venetia Williams sparkles again in the December Gold Cup and jockey brothers dead-heat
‘Happy hunting, everyone'
“The season for talks, dinners and parties has finally arrived for Tessa Waugh, whose distress about the snags of middle age fades away with some rousing festive spirits
'Monaco deserved this victory
Seemingly destined always to play the bridesmaid’s role, Harrie Smolders’ great partner Monaco finally tops an incidentpacked Rolex grand prix
'It had to end sometime'
The closure of beloved Hampshire saddlery Calcutt Sons is a loss to the hunting and wider equestrian worlds, as Octavia Pollock reports
'You couldn't want for more
The Ludlow's peaceful country makes for a day in \"hunting paradise\"
The greatest gift of all
Christmas is fast approaching and while we all like a bit of tinsel, the festive season is also a perfect time for giving to a horse charity. Niki Hinman finds out some of the options
Winter him well
A horse's winter routine can differ dramatically from his summer structure but what’s the knock-on effect? Ellie Hughes asks vets how to optimise routine management for the season
Neat feet
Excellent hoof care is a year-round concern but the winter months present their own problems. Richard Stephenson MRCVS explains the seasonal challenges afoot and how to stay one step ahead
In bygone days
Modern vets have much scientific knowledge behind them, but what about their forebears? Kieran O’Brien MRCVS opens up the world of Victorian vets in London
'When I joined the Pony Club it was just two boys and 48 girls'
Pepsi Kohler on being delightfully outnumbered by girls in the Pony Club, a leg-up from a royal and the H&H advert that changed his life
