2018 Polo Pony Show Classes
Caroline Stern reports from The Royal Windsor Horse Show:
The 2018 Polo Pony sponsored by Guards Polo Club and ROR Thoroughbred sponsored by Retraining of Racehorses Show Classes took place yesterday, Thursday 10 May, at The Royal Windsor Horse Show. This Class at the UK’s largest horse show has given the opportunity for polo players to showcase their own and their ponies’ skills to the general equestrian public, for the past 71 years.
Lord Patrick Beresford competed in the class from its inception in 1950 and also won it more times than any other entrant, riding both his own and HM The Queen’s horses, but for the past 12 years, he has judged the class. Co-judge, Guards Polo Manager Anthony Fanshawe, presided for his fourth year, alongside Lord Patrick.
Three entrants took part in the RoR category and nine ponies competed in the Polo Pony category, with the winners of each then judged against one another for Supreme Champion and Reserve Champion. The results were as follows:
Results
RoR Thoroughbred sponsored by Retraining of Racehorses (RoR)
1. Jess Owners: Doug & Sue McGregor Rider: Nina Clarkin
2. Maidana Owner: Alan Kent Rider: Nick Johnson
3. Drastic Art Owner: Sally Turner Rider: George Meyrick
Polo Pony sponsored by Guards Polo Club
1. Noche Owner: HRH Prince Harry Rider: Austin Clarke
2. Open Milinea Owner: Nick Beitner Rider: Daniel Otamendi
3. Chilli Owner: Barney Hughes Rider: Barney Hughes
4. Bazil Owner: Nina Clarkin Rider: Nina Clarkin
5. Elf Owner: Oliver Hipwood Rider: Claire Campbell
6. China Owner: HRH Prince Harry Rider: Austin Clarke
Best Turned Out Polo Pony Prize sponsored by Millwheel Tack Shop & GG Feeds Ltd.
1. Ruben Owner: Pippa Vincent Rider: Pippa Vincent
Supreme Champion
1. Jess Owners: Doug & Sue McGregor Rider: Nina Clarkin
Reserve Champion
1. Maidana Owner: Alan Kent Rider: Nick Johnson
Photograph: Jess, owned by Doug & Sue McGregor and ridden by Nina Clarkin, was awarded the Supreme Champion prize in the 2018 Polo Pony Show Class at The Royal Windsor Horse Show