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Wow, what can I say. It was only three years ago that Imergen won the Blue Riband Mini Championship on the lead rein with Okewood Delightful. Now open Show Hunters at age 9. What another amazing year with a truly amazing pony. It was Imergen's first year on Brynvane Kestrel (Buddy) after taking over the reins from her sister Karinder who had ridden him for two years.
Imergen and Buddy have gone from strength to strength this year and have had an incredible year in open Show Hunters and First Ridden. With gentle encouragement from Sarah I entered Royal Windsor with Buddy as a First Ridden. Watching the go round with 15 beautiful ponies I was amazed to see our little chap pulled in top. He did a lovely show, stayed top and went on to be Champion. He then went on to qualify for the First Ridden RIHS open and Home Produced. By June Buddy and Imergen had amassed four rides at RIHS now adding the RIHS 122 open and 122/133 Home Produced to the total.
The season went on improving as a fantastic relationship was growing. Imergen and Buddy won the RIHS 122/133 Home Produced section and went on to compete in the Championship in the main arena. What little starts they were and received the Reserve Championship – Champion going to Imergen’s old lead rein pony. Buddy then went on to gain a third in the open RIHS First Ridden.
We remained on a high watching our little pony bring a super smile to Imergen’s face. The rosette board in Imergen’s room is a mass of red and blue as they have barely been out of the top two all season whether in Show Hunter or First Ridden classes.
As we prepared to get ready for the BSPS Summer Championships we fitted in a First Ridden class at Dunster. To our delight Imergen and Buddy won and went Champion, this now added to the win at Chard in the Show Hunters had given Imergen two rides on one pony at HOYS.
The excitement within our family builds from the time the schedule arrives to the time we leave. Imergen and Buddy started the first day well with a win and Championship in the First Pony of Hunter Type. I was delighted when their number was announced to be going through in the Blue Riband. The week went very well with the front of the lorry covered in rosettes. Saturday went from strength to strength. Winning their class in the Blue Riband was fantastic, then on to win the 122 Champion of Champions in the afternoon. Buddy truly thought he had now finished. He was pulled out of his box at 8.30 Saturday night and looked disgusted that he was going to be doing the nightshift. He was prepared for the Championship. Imergen was so nervous, I kept telling her to just go in and enjoy yourself. She replied, “But Mum I want to win.” On 52 marks she did. The emotion of that evening was incredible. A huge thank you to the BSPS for the best show of the year, Sam, Julian and team for not touching Buddy till after RIHS, Mathew for all your teachings and finally to Buddy – You are the best pony a child could every wish for.
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