Cosford Vanguard – 2024 HOYS finalist

A form and real present pony has helped a younger rider regain her confidence within the saddle whereas additionally offering her with a first-ever Horse of the 12 months Present (HOYS) ticket. Sophie Turner, 9, certified her mom Raeane Turner’s Cosford Vanguard at Stoneleigh Horse Present in July.

Final November, Sophie had a nasty fall from a pony she had on mortgage.

“The horse went a method, she went the opposite. She hadn’t fallen off a lot earlier than this as she has seat, however resulting from her inexperience she additionally saved maintain of the reins so was dragged across the faculty,” Raeane explains. “It was horrible for her and for us to look at. It actually knocked her confidence and she or he was petrified. Understanding she was in her final yr within the first-ridden class, I used to be rapidly on the hunt for a pony who might get her again driving and hopefully fulfil her desires of going exhibiting.”

Then Cosford Vanguard, recognized at residence as Vinnie, got here alongside. He was a seven-hour drive away from the Turner’s base, however Raeane had heard from his then present and former house owners that he was a super-genuine pony who had additionally taken their youngsters to HOYS.

“I used to be instructed he was a diamond of a pony, and the way proper they had been,” Raeane says. “After we went to strive him, a fighter jet flew over him within the faculty and he didn’t bat an eyelid.

“When he arrived residence, we spent the primary month on the lunge resulting from Sophie’s [lack of] confidence. This season they’ve had essentially the most unimaginable time.”

Their 2024 tally features a third at Windsor, a sixth on the Royal Worldwide and several other different county present championships.

Raeane provides: “Sophie was so nervous at Windsor because it was the most important setting she’d ever ridden in. Vinnie taken care of each step of the way in which and he’s taught her a lot about ring-craft as he’s so fantastically schooled. He’s a real gentleman and Sophie’s driving has come on exponentially.”

Sophie, who had by no means executed affiliated exhibiting previous to this yr, and Vinnie are solely home-produced, with Sophie taking up all the work herself.

Their HOYS qualifying second got here in July in a 17-strong class. They weren’t pulled after the go-round and had been sixteenth to carry out their present.

“They got here up from nearly the underside of the road to put second and get their ticket,” Raeane says. “It was unbelievably particular. To qualify for HOYS on this gem of a pony is an absolute dream. We have now the added bonus that the first-ridden class falling on her tenth birthday!

“Vinnie may not be the flashiest pony on the circuit, however he’s a real first-ridden pony who’s constant, real and takes care of his little individual each step of the way in which. We couldn’t be extra grateful for locating him.

“Sophie didn’t do lead-rein lessons, so she’s needed to be taught all of her ring-craft in a very quick area of time, so to have achieved what they’ve executed is a credit score to the horse and to Sophie’s onerous work and dedication. We couldn’t be prouder!”

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H&H exhibiting editor

Born and raised within the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the exhibiting scene. She has certified and competed ponies on the Royal Worldwide, Horse of the 12 months Present and Olympia and has first-hand data of the present points within the exhibiting world in addition to the horses, ponies and riders who compete within the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 since when she has cemented its place because the main equestrian publication for each exhibiting reviews and present exhibiting information within the UK.