We are currently concentrating on the 5 premier shows, success in which qualifies the pony and rider for the Royal International Horse Show held at Hickstead later in the year. Undoubtedly one of the highlights of the season.

The venue was Keysoe in Bedfordshire last weekend (12/13 Jan) for the first one of these, and the first time Katie has taken part over as big a course. With Thomas now ‘too old’ to ride in the 12.2 pony classes, Katie has Runaway Dolly to herself. Tensions ran high from the moment we were ready to walk the course. Happily the combination, despite completing the course with 4 faults, finished 3 places away from a qualifying position.

An encouraging start but more needed to secure a place in the prestigious final. These premier shows are not for the fate hearted in more ways than one. The nearest is Keysoe, just under 3 hours away. The next one is considerably further and takes place in Fenwick in Scotland! It can make for a very long weekend with 2 days of the first class starting at 8.30am and the last finishing any time around 7.30pm!

Webb’s racing pony Push the Button has just started exercise again after a long holiday. She will have her first race of the season in April hopefully. After being mugged on the line in last year’s pony race final at York, we are aiming her once again at the final, which will this year be run at Cheltenham.

Photos are of Runaway Dolly and Katie jumping the warm up class at Keysoe January 2019