Okewood Delightful
By Cleantha Kapadia
Blundell Blue Riband Mini Show Champion 2006
Blue Riband Supreme Champion 2006
RIHS 1st & Reserve Mini Champion 2006
HOYS Lead Rein Show Pony of the Year and Mini Champion 2006
Owned by Mrs G Kapadia.  Produced and led by Gill Thompson.
Ridden by Cleantha Kapadia.

When I took over the reins from my sister, Freya, I knew I had a lot to live up to. I had spent the winter practising my ‘up-downs’.  I couldn’t believe that Twinkle was now mine. Our first show was Royal Windsor where I couldn’t stop smiling after we won our class and went Champion.

We were also Champions at Staffordshire County and Bakewell.  At the Royal International, after we won and went Reserve Champion, we finished third in the Supreme Pony of the Show in the main arena.

The BSPS Championships arrived and I was thrilled when we got through to the Blundell Mini Show Pony Championship.  It was my dream just to go into the evening performance.  But I was amazed when I heard the name Okewood Delightful as Champion. After that we went into the Blue Riband Supreme judged by Mr Robert Oliver. We only did a short show, but I couldn’t believe it when he chose us as Champions.

I thought things couldn’t get any better … until the Horse of the Year Show. I watched both my sisters, Freya on Gwaurniall Katie and Tally on Rotherwood Maybe, win their classes and become Reserve Champion of their sections. Then on the Sunday, we won OUR class and went Mini Show Pony Champions! We think it’s the first time three sisters have won three classes at HOYS.

Special thanks to everyone at the BSPS for putting on some of the best horse shows in the world, and to everyone on the Gill Thompson Show Team, who work so hard to make this all possible.  Thanks also to Nick and Charlotte Thompson for all their help and support.  Lastly to Gill herself. She is one of the hardest working and most dedicated people I know.  What an amazing producer, and what great fun I have in the ring with her.

Finally, a special thank you to Twinkle. I was born on 29th December so it’s my first and last year riding her. She always looks after me in the ring and we cuddle lots in the stable.  Twinkle – I really love you and I will really miss you.