Prime riders on their first ponies who set them on their path to greatness

“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” has by no means rung so true in relation to some high riders’ early equestrian recollections on ponies…

Zara Tindall, eventer

My earliest equestrian reminiscence was using ponies with my brother Peter and doing gymkhanas. My first pony was a Shetland referred to as Smokey.

Trevor Breen, showjumper

My first pony was a 12.2hh gray mare referred to as Skellig Woman — the one pony I ever inherited from my brother, Shane. She beloved leaping and would come spherical each nook, shake her head and take off. I feel it gave my mum coronary heart failure each time I went to a present.

Damian Hallam, grand prix dressage rider

My earliest equestrian reminiscence is the period of time it took to catch my first pony, Magic. We had her on every week’s trial and I bought bucked off on day one. I spent the remainder of the trial week attempting to catch her as she galloped round tacked up — we lastly caught her on choice day. I persuaded my non-horsey mother and father to purchase her and she or he continued to be a little bit monster. I suppose what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!

James Harper, polo participant

I keep in mind going cross-country on my New Forest pony, Donut (who I first performed polo on). I used to be flat out, utterly uncontrolled, shouting, “Donut, I can’t cease!” He jumped most issues, however appreciated to do it very quick.

Oliver Hood, exhibiting producer

I keep in mind searching a pony referred to as Cocky with the Suffolk Foxhounds. I didn’t actually journey him, I simply held on. Can’t keep in mind how previous I used to be, however I used to be fairly small — my ft didn’t come previous the saddle, anyway.

Sam Roberts, exhibiting producer

Spindle did every little thing from Pony Membership to searching. I feel that first pony is invaluable for youths. It’s a must to get pleasure from it and in case your first expertise isn’t an excellent one you then most likely aren’t going to proceed.

Harry Dzenis, eventer

My earliest equestrian reminiscence is doing fancy gown on my Shetland pony Treacle and dressing up because the chimney sweep from Mary Poppins.

William Whitaker, showjumper

Peter Pan was a particularly lazy 12.2hh pony. After I was about 9, I went to an RSPCA charity present carrying three-inch dressage spurs and holding an enormous whip. After we bought to the ring, there was an indication saying “no spurs or sticks allowed” and I didn’t get out of stroll all the class.

Richard Johnson, former Nationwide Hunt jockey

Tasty, a liver chestnut 13hh mare was my first correct pony. I did every little thing from showjumping to working hunter, Pony Membership to polocrosse on her. She is the rationale I wished to be a jockey — she didn’t do strolling, solely flat out. When she died my dad bought fairly sentimental about it, which is uncommon for a farmer. She was very a lot a household pet.

Tom McEwen, eventer

My first pony was referred to as Sooty, a little bit black pony that was handed onto each little one in our space. It definitely couldn’t be described as an angel.

Mark Kyle, former eventer

My first pony was a naughty 11.2hh gray referred to as Hino, who had a behavior of placing his head down inflicting me to fly straight over his ears.

Harriet Biddick, showjumper

My first pony was referred to as Mischief, the title says all of it. I needed to hack her in a kimblewick as a result of she was so robust, however I did have hundreds enjoyable on her, particularly cross-country. A lot of the photographs taken of us had been fairly blurry as a result of she was so fast.

Harry Skelton, Nationwide Hunt jockey

My first pony was Oxo, who was additionally my brother Dan’s and even my Dad’s [Nick Skelton] first pony — all of us learnt on him. I nonetheless have a few of his tail in my bedside desk.

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