SUCCESS FOR LIBBY AND SOFFIA

Two Ceredigion riders have qualified for the Longines Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead this summer following the BSPS Area 9B show at Gloucestershire over the weekend. Writes Andrew Clarke.

The show is hailed as one of the biggest outdoor shows in the country and sees the elite of many equestrian disciplines compete side by side.

Libby Grota, age 12 from Cilgerran was SHP RI Champion riding Gryngallt Page Too, and she was also the winner of the Mountain and Moorland First Ridden class riding her four year old Section A pony Nantfforchog Bluemoon Dust at its second ever show under saddle.

It was a successful day for Libby and her family of the Cadlanvalley Stud, as their homebred Cadlanvalley Mikado ridden by Pembrokeshire’s Gemma Rees, was also overall Mountain and Moorland Champion.

Riding her 133 Section B gelding Milford Fair Honey Bear, 11 year old Soffia Cynwyl from Ponthirwaun near Cardigan was awarded first prize in the RI Nursery Stakes Working Hunter competition, and this at her first attempt. A Tivyside Pony Club member, Soffia is looking forward to riding on the royal turf.

Main picture top left: Tivyside Pony Club member Soffia Cynwyl delighted to have been awarded her RI ticket on Milford Fair Honey Bear.

Main picture top right: Libby Grota wins two RI tickets at the first RI qualifier of the season at Summerhouse, Gloucestershire.