We have three new trophies to be presented this year.

The first one is the Sue Giles Memorial Quaich presented by her husband.  Sue competed in this competition many times with her pony Truim of Croila.  This trophy will be awarded to the highest placed Junior rider between the Scotland and England & Wales competition.  It will be awarded yearly at the Performance Awards for Scotland presentations in January.

The second one is The Quest of Mendick Hunt Salver presented by Mrs. P. Robson for the pony with the most points gained from going Hunting.

The third one is The Blue Gowt Sapphire Driving Trophy presented by the Grover Family. This is in memory of our foal Blue Gowt Sapphire who sadly never lived to be driven.  This trophy will be awarded for the pony who gained the most points from being driven.

Thankfully we have two trophies in the name of an amazingly versatile pony who won this competition with Christopher Grant 3 years in a row.  Sadly Whitehope Morag is no longer with us.

This year 30 cards were sold but only 14 returned.  I really hope that some did not get caught up in the postal dispute but most people who were concerned either contacted me or sent them by recorded delivery which is always a good option.Also this year I have had some cards returned without some of the classes signed by an official.  Unfortunately I cannot count these as they cannot be verified for me so please make sure each class is signed.  There have also been in-hand classes included on the card.  Sadly I cannot include these as the Highland Pony Society Performance Awards are for ridden classes only. Although this year we had two veteran ponies entered in the competition neither card was returned, one of which I know was because the pony had a foal.  I am sure that there are a few ponies over 15 years of age doing some competitions so please contact me if you would like more information.  There is a lovely trophy to compete for!

The top ten ponies in the competition all receive a placed rosette and the others who returned their cards all receive a special rosette.  This year I have tried to be a little more imaginative and I am very pleased with how the rosettes have turned out.  The first group of ponies will therefore receive their special rosettes.

Lyncrests Rhonda Lass - Michelle Cockburn

Iona of Dykes - Kirsty Wylde (Molly Wylde aged 4 has also ridden and is 4^th Junior)Aurora of Dykes - Linne Parkin

Celia of Dykes - Judy Harwood 

10^th     Ialinn na Dialach                        Mrs. Chris Bassett             1,000 points

All of their points have been from driving classes culminating in winning The Osborne Refridgeration  Single Mountain and Moorland (exc. Welsh) Championships. After having a tip up earlier in the year they have done very well. As the only pony that has done any driving this year they have won The Blue Gowt Sapphire Driving Trophy.

9^th        Billeson’s Countryman            Charlie Lloyd-Barlow        1,045 pts

They have competed in many ridden classes and some dressage. As Charlie is only 12 he is the 2^nd placed Junior rider.  (3^rd place will become clear later)

8^th        Phebe of Dinefwr                           Margaret Harfield                1,323 pts

This pony has competed in many types of riding classes including fancy dress, I think, as a dragon!

7^th        Balleroy Minstrel                            Catriona Carnegie              1,425 pts

This stallion has competed in some ridden classes and, as his card was returned, he has won The Claret Challenge Trophy.

6^th        Ailsa of Glenlomond                    Sandy Mairs                         1,644 pts

They have competed in mostly dressage classes with some pleasure rides, and show jumping included as well as competing in the Great Yorkshire Show Open Ridden class for Dales, Fells and Highlands with 44 in the class!

5^th        Megandene                                    Mrs. Lauren Roberts          1,742 pts

Their points were achieved from either Pleasure Rides or Sport Endurance Rides! Some of which were at Limited Speed of 6-10 mph.

4^th        Stocks Ruaraidh                     Michelle Parkin Vaughan        1,848 pts Most of their points were from ridden classes including the Royal Highland Show, coming 6^th in their class, as well as Riding Club Rallies.

3^rd       Langley Gipsy Legend                 Alison Champion               2,313 pts

This pony is ridden by Rebecca Champion, who is 12 years old, as well.  Out of the total points Rebecca gained 805 points so is the 3^rd placed Junior Rider.They have both had a lot of fun on their pony including show jumping, pleasure rides, ridden classes and Pony Club Rallies. As the highest placed mare, they have also won the Brownbread Rebecca Trophy.

2^nd       Stourton Jethro                              Alexy Jackson                   3,294 pts

This pony has also been ridden by Rachel Simpson but Alexy gained 2,649 of the total points by competing in many Pony Club activities as well as ridden and some jumping classes. As Alexy is 14 years of age she is the highest placed Junior winning The Rimond Cup.  Alexy’s name will also be put forward to the Scottish Awards to see if she is the overall highest placed Junior to be presented with the Sue Giles Memorial Quaich. As the highest placed Newcomer (pony not to have been placed in the top 10 of the awards before) they have won The Whitehope Morag Salver.  Alexy is also eligible for a £100.00 bursary which can be put towards lessons of her choice.

1^st        Lambrigg Black Jack                          Christopher Grant        8,548 pts.

The overall winner this year with 372 more points than last year is the above pony and rider. They have won this competition 3 times and been placed 4^th, 6^th and 10^th as well in the last six years. As the overall winner they have won The Glenda Spooner Trophy as well as a bronze medal from the Highland Pony Society (which Christopher keeps).  As Lambrigg Black Jack is the highest placed gelding he wins the Benny Trophy.  Within these points scored, Christopher also gained the most points for Hunting so wins the newly presented Quest of Mendick Hunt Salver.  They also gained 1,960 points for Dressage alone so they poignantly win The Whitehope Morag Rosebowl which was presented in 2008 by Jan Grant. Along with Dressage and Hunting they have competed in Ridden (including 4^th in their class at the Royal Highland Show), Show Jumping, One Day Events, Combined Training and Pony Club Camp. It was a joy, to count the 14 or so pages that Christopher presented me with!  Well done.  

Karen Grover

December 2009