WITH the 2019 outdoor season underway, the year has started well for Staffordshire-based Poppy Carter and her stunning show pony, Basford Black Prince with two championships to their name already.
Now 17-years-old and in her last season on ponies, Poppy is focusing her attention on the lovely black, 148cm show pony and a young, novice intermediate to move up the ranks.
Combining her riding with college studies, Poppy and mum, Katy have 13 of the team based at the yard near Stoke on Trent, qualified for the Royal International Horse Show in July.
Poppy’s latest win was at BSPS Area 2A at Warren Farm, when they took the Members Supreme Championship.
This followed on from securing the championship at Area 16 near Ipswich and the reserve championship at Area 1B in Cumbria.
Said Katy: “We are having a good season with some lovely ponies. Poppy is busy with college and learning to drive so she just has two to ride this season so far but we have some great clients and a lot to look forward to this year.
“The ponies have all come out of the winter with great coats and we really like to keep them in an natural a state as possible.
“They are all turned out in the fields without rugs and we don’t wrap them in cotton wool.
“It can rain when the ponies are at a show and in the ring so the sooner they get used to getting wet the better. It toughens them up and they also get used to being bathed with a cold hose.
“Basford Black Prince has come out in great form and is fed on TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer with TopSpec High Fibre Mash and TopSpec UlsaKind Cubes which he loves and keeps him chilled and looking in outstanding condition.
“He is such a lovely pony to look after and we have had him since he was an unbroken youngster.
“From riding, to getting him ready, or just giving him some attention in the stable, nothing is too much bother for him – he is just a great pony to have around.”
Picture Caption: Basford Black Prince. Members Supreme Champion at BSPS Srea 2A, produced by Katy Carter, ridden by Poppy Carter and owned by Marg Cartlidge.