Young Emily Jumps into the Spotlight 8th June 2009
NINE-year-old Emily Ward recently jumped into the ‘big league’ when becoming the youngest ever rider to qualify for the prestigious 143cm Open WHP Championship at the Royal International Horse Show.

Well known on the working hunter pony scene, Emily qualified on her first attempt, much to the surprise of her family.

With dad Nick a former show jumper turned working hunter specialist and step mum Kelly also a major winner in the working hunter world, Emily, who is sponsored by TopSpec, is never short of good advice.

But jumping the course at the BSPS Area 1B show, Emily looked a ‘tot’ on the schoolmaster Stambrook Pavarotti on loan from family friend Brian Lears.

Now 16-years-old Stan is proving a great addition to Emily’s team of ponies at the family yard in NESS, on the Wirral and looks in excellent shape thanks to his feed regime of TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer and TopSpec CoolCondition Cubes, which keep him in great condition but controllable by a tiny rider.

Said Kelly: “We were all thrilled well Emily did so well.  She looks pretty small on Stan but he is a real star and helped her out.  It was a very good course and up to height.

“Stan gives Emily plenty of confidence and they have become a really good partnership.  We take each competition one at a time but will hopefully try a few HOYS qualifiers later in the season.”

As well as Stan, Emily also rides the Nursery Stakes pony, Ponsbourne Pirate, and Novice 13hh WHP, Noble Torreen Lass.

Emily Ward and Stambrook Pavarotti on their way to qualifying for the 143cm Open WHP Championship at the RIHS.  Photo by Ken Etteridge.