Hannah Naylor, from Tenterden, Kent and her lovely mare, Derry Mist, had a successful weekend, standing top in the In Hand Large Breed class and going on to take the 2015 Trailblazers Supreme In hand Championship title. Hannah then added the Working Hunter Diamond Championship title to her tally. Hannah has owned Derry for five years and he is completely home produced by Hannah.
“I had shown a few of my own horses before Derry, but she is the one which has definitely got me hooked on it”, she said. Hannah fought off stiff competition from other riders to take the top spot, she said “I had never won a Supreme Champion, ever, in all my years of showing and it was extra special to win with a pony I have worked hard to produce from a youngster until now. I feel very proud of what we have achieved together and I will never forget this year’s show!” Hannah continued “I will definitely be attempting the qualifiers next year as it is my favourite show!”
Reserve Supreme went to Sophie Rogers and Erw-Wasted British Lion, who took the In Hand Best Condition Championship title. She was also successful in the ridden classes with O’Malley, taking the Reserve Supreme Ridden title. Sophie’s success continued with 2 year old Erw-Wastad British Lion. This was the colt’s first year at Trailblazers and he won the In Hand Best Condition Championship and was also In Hand Reserve Supreme. Sophie was ecstatic at the weekends results, “The highlight for me was wining with both ponies but for each to achieve reserve supreme was beyond my wildest dreams,
I felt so proud to own such super ponies”, said Sophie, who hopes to qualify again for the 2016 Trailblazers Championships.
Two sisters, Jacquelin (15) and Lindsey Mundell (12), who attend Dumfries Academy, both had great success at the championships. Jacqulin took the top spot in the In Hand Traditional Coloured Pony Championship with her 6 year old pony, Tyson Town. This was Jacquelin’s first year competing at the Trailblazers Championship and was thrilled to head to the championships where she fought off stiff competition from other riders to take Champion, “I was delighted when we won, he is just starting out in his showing so it gives me great encouragement for the future.”
Lindsey and her 9 year old Dartmoor pony, Stourton Red Robin, took the Trailblazers Young Handlers 12 Years & under Championship title. This was their second year competing at the Trailblazers Championships and Linsey told us “They are really good fun. I had great success last year I wanted to compete again. We are selling Robin at the end of the year as I have nearly out grown him, which is very sad – he is my best friend.” Both sisters hope to qualify for the championships again in 2016. Linsey said “Next year I will be ridding my other pony, Rushfield Little Gem, so we will be hopefully qualifying her.”
Rebecca Mellard from Ilkeston took the 2015 In Hand Open Showing Champion title with her 6 year old stallion, Buccarus Golden Buckaneer, or Alfie as he is known at home. Alfie is known to be a very cheeky pony and can be very naughty, Rebecca tell us, “He likes to bite people. He put two people in hospital from biting them just before the championships.” Luckily this cheeky chap is only 34 inches tall, “Children love him because he is so small and very cute. I have to put a lock on his door and sign so people don’t try to pet him”, continues Rebecca. Rebecca was thrilled with Alfie’s results on the Sunday, “The highlight has to be was winning the championship, I was very proud of him”, said Rebecca who plans to qualify for the 2016 Championships.
Rachael Wheeldon from Danesmoor took the In Hand Young Stock 3 Years & Under Champion title with her 2 year old mare, Frairley Genaveave (Evie). Her success continued when 6 year old Rolosley Bar Cool Dude (Doodles) won the In Hand Small Breeds Mountain & Moreland class. Rachael has been to the Trailblazers Championship every year since 2008, “I’ve done all the disciplines and really enjoy it. My highlight was the whole event, I enjoy the social side as well. I can’t imagine not going!” Explained Rachael, who hopes to qualify Evie and Doodle for the 2016 championships as soon as possible.
Colin Cousins, from Kings Lynn, has become the 2015 In Hand Sports Horse Champion with his own 10 year old gelding Darius. “Trailblazers is like Horse of the Year Show for me. There are no other classes like this for us to compete in, so it’s a fantastic opportunity,” says Colin, “The Championships is one of the best shows put on.” The pair’s long journey and efforts paid off when they took the Champion title.
Andrew Kingsley, from Tonbridge, took the 2015 In Hand Non-traditional Coloured Pony Champion title with his own 3 year old pony, The Longhouse Little Star. Andrew and his wife Teresa bought the little coloured mare when she was just three months old, “When we went to see her she was just a hairy little thing in a stable, but she turned out to be an absolute dream”, explained Andrew. Shortly after getting Star, Andrew was diagnosed with cancer, “I never thought I’d be able to show her as a yearling, let alone as a 3 year old”, said Andrew. The pair entered the Young Stock Class where they were placed third but they took the top spot in the Non-Traditional Coloured Class, “Star has come on leaps and bounds recently, she’s gone from strength or strength, we are so proud”, said Andrew, “I can’t believe it, we are over the moon”.
Charlotte Bagshaw, 17, from Whitkirk, won the 2015 In Hand Cob Showing Championship title with her own 10 year old gelding, Bunny Boy. Charlotte, who is a student at Temple Moore High School, bought Bunny three years ago to do a bit of everything and this was her third time at the Trailblazers Championship. “We qualified by accident, we compete regularly at our local venue, Moorhouse Equestrian Centre and didn’t realise the class was a Trailblazers qualifier. We went home to look it up and decided to give it ago”. The pair competed in the Novice Senior Dressage class the same weekend and finished fifth, “This was my first time doing the senior class so I was quite nervous, but Bunny loves it and did really well”, said Charlotte. The pair then had their In Hand Cob class on the Sunday and took the top spot, “Winning was great, but the dressage was my highlight”, explains Charlotte, “When we first got Bunny he used to be terrified of the white boards. Last year he was so tense and riding him in the arena this year when he was a lot more relaxed was a great achievement.” Charlotte plans to try and qualify for the 2016 championships, “Trailblazers is a great aim, every year we go, I want to come back the next year and do one better.”
Images Copyright Real Time Imaging
Reserve Supreme went to Sophie Rogers and Erw-Wasted British Lion, who took the In Hand Best Condition Championship title. She was also successful in the ridden classes with O’Malley, taking the Reserve Supreme Ridden title. Sophie’s success continued with 2 year old Erw-Wastad British Lion. This was the colt’s first year at Trailblazers and he won the In Hand Best Condition Championship and was also In Hand Reserve Supreme. Sophie was ecstatic at the weekends results, “The highlight for me was wining with both ponies but for each to achieve reserve supreme was beyond my wildest dreams, 
Rachael Wheeldon from Danesmoor took the In Hand Young Stock 3 Years & Under Champion title with her 2 year old mare, Frairley Genaveave (Evie). Her success continued when 6 year old Rolosley Bar Cool Dude (Doodles) won the In Hand Small Breeds Mountain & Moreland class. Rachael has been to the Trailblazers Championship every year since 2008, “I’ve done all the disciplines and really enjoy it. My highlight was the whole event, I enjoy the social side as well. I can’t imagine not going!” Explained Rachael, who hopes to qualify Evie and Doodle for the 2016 championships as soon as possible.
