Nantcol Sylphide
Blundell Blue Riband Mini Show Pony Of The Year 2005
Ridden By Alexa-Lara Choynowski
By Kati Choynowski
Photograph by Real Time Imaging

Having spent my entire horsy past in show jumping and knowing Julie Templeton & Suzy Rowland from year’s ago, my husband and I are new to the showing world and rely entirely on their advice. The exquisite Cilla, as she is known at home, became available to purchase after winning so much for other children and we hoped that Cilla’s experience would compensate for Alexa’s lack of it at the age of 4.

Alexa had been lucky enough at 3 to have Colne Heiress as her first pony, whom somebody once described as the perfect pony pram. How true that was and the experience she gained with Pinkie was a firm stepping stone to the more ‘blood’ pony Cilla. 2005 wasn’t all plain sailing though. Alexa has had a few lessons to learn along the way but their first show together was a good omen when they won and went on to be Mini Champion.

The B.S.P.S  Summer Championships week started off well when they went forward to win the Champion of Champions Lead Rein and then became Reserve Mini Champion in Alexa’s first ever evening performance.
Having got through into the top ten of the Blundell Family Sponsored Blue Riband, my husband Richard and I reluctantly had to attend a wedding some 3 hours away and we would have to miss the final. We had just left the church service when Julie phoned to give us the fantastic news that they had won and were to go forward to the Evening Championship. We hastily made our excuses and arrived back just in time to see Alexa, Julie and Cilla perform a delightful faultless show which earned them the Blue Riband Mini Show Pony title of 2005!

We would like to extend our many thanks to the B.S.P.S. and their generous sponsors who make these memorable occasions possible, Julie Templeton, Suzy Rowland and their whole team who have made this all a reality and I would last but not least would like to recognise my enduring husband Richard. Without his endless support and encouragement, we simply couldn’t do it.

Thank you Nantcol Sylphide for bringing pleasure to yet another little child and her family. You have certainly proved yourself a real consistent Lead Rein Champion!