Sweet success for Sponer

Olivia Sponer takes the top spot in the final round, Tabitha Kyle continues on winning form and Izzy Harris proves successful on her mission to qualify

- SUZANNE JONES

PONY riders chased hard to claim the final qualifying places for the 2020 Royal International (RIHS), but already-qualified competitors took the top spots at the fifth and final 2020 winter small pony series.

Olivia Sponer left the best until last as she cut every conceivable corner to take Saturday’s winter 138cm second round, on Top Silvio Hastak, in a competitive third and final decider.

“There were lots of options with some really tight turns; I was as tight as possible everywhere,” said Olivia of course-designer Jason Abbs’ clever jump-offtrack.

Olivia followed trainer Paul Kelly’s instructions to the letter.

“We galloped down the long run to the [penultimate] vertical as Paul told me to open him up because Silvio has such a big stride,” she said.

Six from a start list of 28 jumped against the clock, with Noora von Bulow dominating the early stages of the jump-off on Tullineaskey Fear Deas and Sonas Barney. But Tabitha Kyle swiftly reduced Noora’s time by 2.5sec with her 2019 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and RIHS champion, Playboy Van De Zoetewei.

Undaunted, Olivia was tighter and faster to wipe a further 1.8sec from Tabitha’s time, and pushed her into second spot.

“I watched Tabitha’s round and knew where I could be quicker, but it was still a nice surprise to win,” said Olivia, who attends school in London but manages to ride at weekends and on Wednesday evenings.

“In the holidays I’m at the yard every day,” she added.

The handsome 11-year-old Silvio was found in Ireland by Paul specifically for Olivia.