Tiny Dancer puts best foot forward

Northern Counties Pony Association Derbyshire Festival, Somerford Park, Cheshire

- By BETHAN SIMONS

ROMANNO TINY DANCER waltzed through his card and took the overall Price Family supreme in-hand qualifier. Co-owned by handler Shane Bride and Shane's mother, Teresa Brown of Brideswood Stud, “Dancer” took the riding pony breeding title en route to the overall championship.

The five-year-old is by Romanno Serendipity out of Bradmore Swansong, and was purchased by Shane and Teresa unseen as a foal.

“We were queued for a filly from his mother,” explained Shane. “During the Covid lockdown, Jenny Gilchrist called and said Swansong had had a lovely colt - Dancer.”

Shane was inspired to debut Dancer by the National Pony Society stallion parade last spring. Last season, he took championships at Royal Cheshire, Derbyshire Festival and the National Welsh and Welsh Part-bred Championships.

“He's blown us away - he has a bright future ahead as a stallion, too,” said Shane.

Taking the reserve spot was Cheshire-based Lisa Wigglesworth, with her own Welsh section B colt, Janpete Showman (Manny).

Manny is by in-hand and ridden Royal Welsh champion Cadlanvalley Masterclass out of Janpete Mothers Pride, also a Royal Welsh winner. Lisa purchased him from breeders Steph and Janet Mansfield, having spotted photos of him on Facebook.

“His mother has been a favourite of mine; said Lisa, “So I contacted Steph and she kindly agreed to sell him to me.”

Manny was lightly shown as a foal before being turned away until February this year and has already notched up notable results at breed shows.

A JOLLY GOOD DAY