Latest news with #PonyClub
Daily Record
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Five-year-old amateur rider from Dumfries qualifies for prestigious competition
Ada Stephenson and her Welsh pony Nantfforchog Blue Rococo will compete in the SEIB Search for a Star Your Horse Live championships. A five-year-old amateur rider from Dumfries has qualified for a prestigious competition. Ada Stephenson and her Welsh pony Nantfforchog Blue Rococo will compete in the SEIB Search for a Star Your Horse Live championships in November after taking part in a qualifier at Carlisle's Greenlands Arena earlier this month. The pair competed in and won the Pony Club Lead Rein class to earn their Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualification. Nantfforchog Blue Rococo, known as Rocco is owned by Ada's mum, Heather Rothwell Gillows Hall. She said: 'Ada and Rocco are having a great time. They went to Skelton Show and also took first place and the championship. 'We've owned Rocco since January – they love jumping and Ada enjoys attempting to gallop. Ada and Rocco are looking forward to camp with the Dumfriesshire Pony Club - they both get to stay over and Ada is very excited about sleeping in a tent.' SEIB Search for a Star organiser, Nicolina MacKenzie said: 'Search for a Star is all about the journey and learning and improving over time. 'Our team of judges and stewards are all invested in providing support and encouragement to help competitors and their horses and ponies perform to the best level they can.' SEIB Search for a Star first took place back in 1996 and over the years has provided thousands of opportunities for amateur riders to compete at HOYS. Each of the SEIB Search for a Star qualifying shows offers opportunities for a full range of show horses to earn a place at the series championships at Horse of the Year Show and Your Horse Live.
Daily Mirror
22-06-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
What Royal Ascot racegoers had to buy to avoid breaking rules in intense heat
Royal Ascot concluded on Saturday but some racegoers were caught out by the lesser known dress code rules which left them needing to buy socks if they wanted to attend Royal Ascot stuck to its dress code as they enforced some of the lesser known rules by telling racegoers that they had to buy socks if they arrived without them. Few were aware that socks were compulsory with several being caught out. In the Royal Enclosure and men must wear a jacket, collared shirt and tie and also socks. Royal Ascot states that 'socks must be worn at all times' and they should be 'covering the ankle'. Meanwhile ladies have to wear a hat or headpiece with a base of at least four inches. The dress code is more relaxed in the other two enclosures, but still strictly enforces those rules. Images began doing the rounds on social media of men going into a changing room and buying socks for £5 if they were caught out by the dress code. The summer event, which is a highlight in the racing calendar, has stuck rigidly to his traditional dress code for years. Despite soaring temperatures this week there was no changes to the rules as the weather resulted in 30 degree days. It is officially the hottest week of the year and while Ascot provided them with water, their uncompromising dress code stayed intact. Back in 2022 the outfits rules were relaxed slightly due to high temperatures, but this year they instead provided free water at hydration stations whilst bottled water was handed out as people left the venue. Those who attended on Saturday saw the last of five days racing in Berkshire with the meeting always attracting some of the world's greatest horses. Jockey James Doyle claimed victory in the week's second Group 1 sprint, but had to wait in the winner's enclosure for his horse. France got the better of Japan with the front-running Lazzat holding off the late charge of Satono Reve in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. But after crossing the line the winning horse ejected Doyle and went for an extended run of the Ascot racecourse. It led to an unprecedented wait for the winning horse, rider and trainer Jerome Reynier. It was the King and Queen waiting to present the award and Doyle took full responsibility for keeping them waiting. "I did apologise to the King and Queen when I went to collect my prize," he said. "I told them I should have stayed in Pony Club longer than I did, so we had a good laugh about it! I have to say that's a first for me. It's a shame because it would have been nice to come back with the horse in tow." The Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes was claimed by the favourite Rebel's Romance as Charlie Appleby enjoyed more success. One of the longest priced winners of the day came in the Jersey Stakes as Noble Champion won at 25/1.
North Wales Chronicle
14-05-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Katie Walsh salutes ‘absolutely brilliant' Rachael Blackmore
Blessed with supreme talent, Walsh believes every highlight of Blackmore's glittering career has been thoroughly deserved after she brought the curtain down with one final winner for long-time ally Henry de Bromhead at Cork on Saturday. Walsh told the PA news agency: 'Every opportunity she was given, she grabbed with two hands and she had a marvellous career. — Rachael Blackmore (@rachaelblackmor) May 12, 2025 'She would do very little wrong and all she would do is get better and better and better. She always had her homework done and knew exactly what she was doing. 'Her Cheltenham Festival winners were provided by Willie Mullins and Henry de Bromhead and to think she had the support of the champion trainer and another right at the top of the game was testament to her ability – and she also had an association with plenty of the big owners like Gigginstown. 'She had a great way of reading races, she was strong both physically and mentally and would line up there with the best of them every day of the week and she was just an inspiration as a human being, she was just absolutely brilliant.' It was once Walsh herself and contemporary Nina Carberry who were seen as the trailblazers for women in the weighing room, but Blackmore's achievements have rewritten the record books and surpassed the stellar accomplishments of her predecessors. The 35-year-old bows out with 18 Cheltenham Festival victories and as well as her historic Gold Cup triumph aboard A Plus Tard in 2022, is amongst a select number of riders to have held aloft all four trophies of jump racing's blue riband, the Queen Mother Champion Chase, Champion Hurdle and Stayers' Hurdle. Blackmore also eclipsed Walsh's then third-placed record finish by a female in the Grand National when becoming the first woman jockey in the 182-year history of the Aintree marathon to win the race aboard Minella Times in 2021, with Walsh highlighting a supreme dedication to her craft which allowed glass ceilings to be shattered. Walsh continued: 'It's been great to witness some of those great days and she's a star person and a perfect example to any young jockey starting out in the game – if you do what Rachael Blackmore does and you are good enough, success will come. 'She was extremely dedicated and worked very, very hard and you don't get anywhere in this industry without working hard – and that's what she did. 'She is a lovely person and she never changed a bit from the moment she started to the moment she finished and I'm delighted she gets to retire on her own terms.' Blackmore was once the Pony Club protege who became an unintentional superstar of sport, but despite somewhat humble beginnings, her record is backed to stand the test of time, with Walsh – whose brother Ruby is one of the most decorated riders of all time – feeling her name is more than worthy of being mentioned amongst the greats of racing. 'I can't see anyone in my lifetime that might surpass Rachael's achievements,' added Walsh. 'At this moment in time, there is nobody, but that's not to say that someone won't come through – you would not have predicted this would happen 10 or 15 years ago. 'Who knows and that's the beauty of it, but I'm just glad I was there for it and saw it all from the start to the finish – and in years to come, if no one else does come along, I can say I remember Rachael Blackmore and I know how her story started and how it finished.' There have also been tributes paid from the world of Flat racing, where Hollie Doyle – fresh from passing Hayley Turner to become the most successful British female jockey at Ascot on Saturday – assessed the incomparable legacy Blackmore leaves and the impact she has had on the sport as a whole. 'She's obviously been a huge trailblazer and she's just a great jockey,' said Doyle. 'What she's done for everyone in racing really has been great and it's been a great lift really over the last few years to have someone like her do what she's done. 'She's done it all, hasn't she? She's ticked every box and I suppose shut down any questions that were asked. I think it's even harder in National Hunt racing and she has done it all. 'Henry de Bromhead has obviously been a great supporter and gave her the ammunition, but she's been a great jockey and I think she's proved a lot of people wrong.'
Glasgow Times
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Katie Walsh salutes ‘absolutely brilliant' Rachael Blackmore
Blessed with supreme talent, Walsh believes every highlight of Blackmore's glittering career has been thoroughly deserved after she brought the curtain down with one final winner for long-time ally Henry de Bromhead at Cork on Saturday. Walsh told the PA news agency: 'Every opportunity she was given, she grabbed with two hands and she had a marvellous career. 'She would do very little wrong and all she would do is get better and better and better. She always had her homework done and knew exactly what she was doing. 'Her Cheltenham Festival winners were provided by Willie Mullins and Henry de Bromhead and to think she had the support of the champion trainer and another right at the top of the game was testament to her ability – and she also had an association with plenty of the big owners like Gigginstown. 'She had a great way of reading races, she was strong both physically and mentally and would line up there with the best of them every day of the week and she was just an inspiration as a human being, she was just absolutely brilliant.' It was once Walsh herself and contemporary Nina Carberry who were seen as the trailblazers for women in the weighing room, but Blackmore's achievements have rewritten the record books and surpassed the stellar accomplishments of her predecessors. The 35-year-old bows out with 18 Cheltenham Festival victories and as well as her historic Gold Cup triumph aboard A Plus Tard in 2022, is amongst a select number of riders to have held aloft all four trophies of jump racing's blue riband, the Queen Mother Champion Chase, Champion Hurdle and Stayers' Hurdle. Katie Walsh finished third in the Grand National aboard Seabass (David Davies/PA) Blackmore also eclipsed Walsh's then third-placed record finish by a female in the Grand National when becoming the first woman jockey in the 182-year history of the Aintree marathon to win the race aboard Minella Times in 2021, with Walsh highlighting a supreme dedication to her craft which allowed glass ceilings to be shattered. Walsh continued: 'It's been great to witness some of those great days and she's a star person and a perfect example to any young jockey starting out in the game – if you do what Rachael Blackmore does and you are good enough, success will come. 'She was extremely dedicated and worked very, very hard and you don't get anywhere in this industry without working hard – and that's what she did. 'She is a lovely person and she never changed a bit from the moment she started to the moment she finished and I'm delighted she gets to retire on her own terms.' Blackmore was once the Pony Club protege who became an unintentional superstar of sport, but despite somewhat humble beginnings, her record is backed to stand the test of time, with Walsh – whose brother Ruby is one of the most decorated riders of all time – feeling her name is more than worthy of being mentioned amongst the greats of racing. Rachael Blackmore celebrates on A Plus Tard after winning the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (David Davies/PA) 'I can't see anyone in my lifetime that might surpass Rachael's achievements,' added Walsh. 'At this moment in time, there is nobody, but that's not to say that someone won't come through – you would not have predicted this would happen 10 or 15 years ago. 'Who knows and that's the beauty of it, but I'm just glad I was there for it and saw it all from the start to the finish – and in years to come, if no one else does come along, I can say I remember Rachael Blackmore and I know how her story started and how it finished.' There have also been tributes paid from the world of Flat racing, where Hollie Doyle – fresh from passing Hayley Turner to become the most successful British female jockey at Ascot on Saturday – assessed the incomparable legacy Blackmore leaves and the impact she has had on the sport as a whole. Leading Flat jockey Hollie Doyle has praised Rachael Blackmore (Mike Egerton/PA) 'She's obviously been a huge trailblazer and she's just a great jockey,' said Doyle. 'What she's done for everyone in racing really has been great and it's been a great lift really over the last few years to have someone like her do what she's done. 'She's done it all, hasn't she? She's ticked every box and I suppose shut down any questions that were asked. I think it's even harder in National Hunt racing and she has done it all. 'Henry de Bromhead has obviously been a great supporter and gave her the ammunition, but she's been a great jockey and I think she's proved a lot of people wrong.'
Rhyl Journal
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Katie Walsh salutes ‘absolutely brilliant' Rachael Blackmore
Blessed with supreme talent, Walsh believes every highlight of Blackmore's glittering career has been thoroughly deserved after she brought the curtain down with one final winner for long-time ally Henry de Bromhead at Cork on Saturday. Walsh told the PA news agency: 'Every opportunity she was given, she grabbed with two hands and she had a marvellous career. — Rachael Blackmore (@rachaelblackmor) May 12, 2025 'She would do very little wrong and all she would do is get better and better and better. She always had her homework done and knew exactly what she was doing. 'Her Cheltenham Festival winners were provided by Willie Mullins and Henry de Bromhead and to think she had the support of the champion trainer and another right at the top of the game was testament to her ability – and she also had an association with plenty of the big owners like Gigginstown. 'She had a great way of reading races, she was strong both physically and mentally and would line up there with the best of them every day of the week and she was just an inspiration as a human being, she was just absolutely brilliant.' It was once Walsh herself and contemporary Nina Carberry who were seen as the trailblazers for women in the weighing room, but Blackmore's achievements have rewritten the record books and surpassed the stellar accomplishments of her predecessors. The 35-year-old bows out with 18 Cheltenham Festival victories and as well as her historic Gold Cup triumph aboard A Plus Tard in 2022, is amongst a select number of riders to have held aloft all four trophies of jump racing's blue riband, the Queen Mother Champion Chase, Champion Hurdle and Stayers' Hurdle. Blackmore also eclipsed Walsh's then third-placed record finish by a female in the Grand National when becoming the first woman jockey in the 182-year history of the Aintree marathon to win the race aboard Minella Times in 2021, with Walsh highlighting a supreme dedication to her craft which allowed glass ceilings to be shattered. Walsh continued: 'It's been great to witness some of those great days and she's a star person and a perfect example to any young jockey starting out in the game – if you do what Rachael Blackmore does and you are good enough, success will come. 'She was extremely dedicated and worked very, very hard and you don't get anywhere in this industry without working hard – and that's what she did. 'She is a lovely person and she never changed a bit from the moment she started to the moment she finished and I'm delighted she gets to retire on her own terms.' Blackmore was once the Pony Club protege who became an unintentional superstar of sport, but despite somewhat humble beginnings, her record is backed to stand the test of time, with Walsh – whose brother Ruby is one of the most decorated riders of all time – feeling her name is more than worthy of being mentioned amongst the greats of racing. 'I can't see anyone in my lifetime that might surpass Rachael's achievements,' added Walsh. 'At this moment in time, there is nobody, but that's not to say that someone won't come through – you would not have predicted this would happen 10 or 15 years ago. 'Who knows and that's the beauty of it, but I'm just glad I was there for it and saw it all from the start to the finish – and in years to come, if no one else does come along, I can say I remember Rachael Blackmore and I know how her story started and how it finished.' There have also been tributes paid from the world of Flat racing, where Hollie Doyle – fresh from passing Hayley Turner to become the most successful British female jockey at Ascot on Saturday – assessed the incomparable legacy Blackmore leaves and the impact she has had on the sport as a whole. 'She's obviously been a huge trailblazer and she's just a great jockey,' said Doyle. 'What she's done for everyone in racing really has been great and it's been a great lift really over the last few years to have someone like her do what she's done. 'She's done it all, hasn't she? She's ticked every box and I suppose shut down any questions that were asked. I think it's even harder in National Hunt racing and she has done it all. 'Henry de Bromhead has obviously been a great supporter and gave her the ammunition, but she's been a great jockey and I think she's proved a lot of people wrong.'
