New Milton Equestrian Supplement Spring-Summer 2018

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EQUESTRIAN ∙ Spring/Summer 2018

My 10-year-old daughter Gemma loves her New Forest pony Haywards Loyal William. William was bred by my parents Mandy and Peter Pidgley at the Haywards Stud in Boldre, and Gem was only three when they first met. My parents gave him to her for her eighth birthday and since then they HAYWARDS LOYAL WILLIAM

have done everything, from in-hand and ridden showing, to cross country, dressage and showjumping, plus some fun rides and fancy dress along the way! They have an incredible bond and are totally fearless together, much to

our horror! Gemma plans to do the point-to- point in the future, as well as more jumping and other things to keep my nerves in shreds! Sally Marsh, Boldre

HILLTOP BEAUTY

I have owned our 13hh pony Hilltop

For a few years she turned her hoof to New Forest Driving for the Disabled, which both her passengers and I thoroughly enjoyed. Whatever you ask of Beauty, she will give you 100% in the cheeky manner that she has - it has been and honour and privilege to own such a versatile breed. Tracy Rooke, Hordle

Burley Eclipse

Beauty for 16 years – she is now a young 26 years old. During our time together, she has given me the ability to experience numerous equestrian activities including show jumping, cross-country, driving, showjumping and general hacking. Even after all this time she still continues to put a smile on my face!

Where do I start? My New Forest pony Burley Eclipse is one in a million. We’ve had our ups and downs, including a few bruises here and there, but Mary has taught me everything I know. With our first drifting season I spent more time on the ground than I did on horseback, but through sheer determination Mary and I stuck with it and eventually we were awarded ‘The Most Promising Colt Hunter’ cup. Mary has never let me down - from drifting, hunting, racing in the New Forest point-to-point, to just happy hacking, I always end up with a smile on my face! There have been many what I call, ‘shut your eyes and hold your breath’ moments while galloping flat out chasing a colt on extremely rough terrain, but Mary makes sure I get back to the pound in one piece! Mary has always been the leader and nothing stops her leading the way through a bog or over fallen trees, she just goes for it! At the age of 18, she is taking life a little easier now, but there’s no pony like her. Daisy Slocombe, Lymington

TANDY

I have dyslexia and previously I was very shy and unconfident, but my New Forest pony has changed that. He is the best because even at the amazing age of 24, he still acts like a youngster and he will always give you 100% of what you are asking of him. When I first got Tandy, I had ridden just a few times and I had never even jumped before! Within a month of loaning him, I did my first ever show and came 6th in the 50cm class. From there on he taught me how to ride and now we are flying round and winning 70cm. He has taken nine people out hunting for the first time and he absolutely loves it. At least once in every course of show jumps that we do, we have to have a motorbike turn (he is well- known for them!). One year on and I cannot thank this one-in-a-million boy enough. He has taught me absolutely loads, not just about riding, but he has also changed me in the classroom! He has turned our world upside down and I don’t know what I would do without him. Isabel Weidmann (13), Chandler’s Ford

Endymion Storm is a pony of a lifetime who turns his hoof to anything! Owned and bred by Steve Lee he’s given me my first taste of the New Forest point-to-point in 2017, which was the experience of a lifetime We are aiming at a second run in 2018 – for me it’s a unique race, even after riding racehorses for much of my life, because you know the vicinity of the race but you have no idea of your route and you only find out the start location on Christmas Day. The finish is for you to find, which means you really work on your knowledge of the Forest. Storm has hunted with a young child on his back and jumped some huge hedges, always making sure his little passenger is ok. A New Forest pony is a pony in a million - there’s different shapes, sizes and colours for all and no matter how young or old you are, there’s one out there for you. They will never cease to make you smile! Charlotte Springall, Landford

ENDYMION STORM