A Dales pony dream

A home-bred stallion wins this season's ultimate native sash on the third time of asking, providing his hard-working producer with a second M&M supreme crown of her career

- ALEX ROBINSON

London International, London ExCeL

THE circuit’s most consistent Dales ponies battled it out for the top two spots in the British Show Pony Society mountain and moorland (M&M) ridden supreme championship sponsored by New Horizon Plastics.

Julie Pennell’s home-bred golden boy Nipna Midnight Rambler and Sarah Parker, and Joe Watson and his own Griseburn Major were on equal marks of 87/100 after performing for ride judges Ian Dickinson and Phillipa MacInnes. The young stallions are familiar rivals, having stood side by side at the 2022 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), where Major won and was later crowned overall M&M champion.

On this occasion it was seasoned London performer Rambler, an eight-year-old by Nipna Invictus out of Nipna Damask Rose, who had the edge for second-phase judges Debbie Spears and Mathew Lawrence.

Rambler finished with a total conformation score of 87/100, and with a 14- mark (174/200) edge on his fellow breed representative Griseburn Major (160/200).

“He was so pleasing to watch; workman-like in his outlook, but fluent, relaxed and supple with added sparkle,” said Phillipa. “While the best ponies were at the top of the line, it was disappointing that there was only one Highland, Exmoor and Welsh section B breed each represented. It might just be the fashion of the time but I would have liked to have seen more representation.”