Qualifying for the prestigious Price Family In hand Championship of the Year at HOYS from Pembrokeshire County show is the Chestnut sixteen year old mare Northlight Coppellia. Owned by Kate Williams of the Ringside stud, Coppellia took the Show Hunter pony breeding Championship under Judge Kevin Walker before trouncing allcomers in the Price Family qualifier under Debbie Thomas who has produced so many HOYS Champions across so many sections over the years.

However; Coppellia is actually a fully registered Welsh section B and a past ridden pony– bred by Jill Waterhouse by the past Olympia ridden Champion Pittybeck Prince Charming and out of Northlight Cameo a daughter of past Lloyds qualifier Twyford Signal.

On the day she qualified a surprised and tearful Kate shared “ I’m not really sure what to say other than I didn’t intend to show her again but six weeks before the show when she foaled I thought she was blooming and at age 16 it was now or never!. She will be accompanied at HOYS by her sixth foal Ringside Rendezvous a filly by this years Royal Welsh reserve Male Champion and past Cuddy qualifier Walseker Colorado, who will be handled by Kate’s sister Alex.

Good luck in the final on Friday and to all the Welsh breed qualifiers

Photo credit Simon Rees