Dengie’s 20th anniversary of Pony Club Winter League support is a winner!
The 20th anniversary of the Pony Club Dengie Winter League Championships was an extra-special occasion for all the young riders who had earned a place in the finals of this prestigious competition held on 3 and 4 April at Moreton Morrell College, Warwickshire.
“Dengie has backed the Winter League for two decades, which must make it one of the equestrian world’s longest-standing sponsorships,” said the brand’s marketing manager, Lisa Wilson. “The championships are a fantastic experience for young showjumpers and dressage riders, and a wonderful way for Dengie to promote the importance of good nutrition and the benefits of a fibre diet.”
The Easter weekend saw a strong field of about 80 jumpers aged between 11 and 24 fight their way through the warm-up classes for a place in the Winter League and Open Grand Prix Championships – and an equal number of dressage riders aiming for the Novice and Open ride-offs.
Prizes were donated by Dengie Horse Feeds and presented by marketing manager Lisa Wilson, Laura Hedley Gray – winner of the first Dengie Winter League – and international dressage rider Gareth Hughes, who took part in a Q&A session earlier in the day. Winning riders received salvers, trophies, championship rugs, Dengie jackets, saddle cloths, feed vouchers and special commemorative rosettes. Riders and their families also tucked into a slice of Dengie anniversary cake, which was served at the winners’ presentation.
The Winter League Show Jumping Championship was won by 14-year-old Lucy Hassall (pictured below), of Cheshire Hunt South, riding Starlight Clara, with the Open title going to Hollie Pearce, 16, of the Garth Hunt, on Hilarius.
Jessica Miller, 15, of West Kent Hunt (Meopham), won the Novice Dressage Championship on Merlin, while Beth O’Driscoll (pictured below), 19, of the Meynell Hunt, took the Open Dressage Championship on Freelance.
