A DEDICATED young Saddleworth rider hopes her pony lives up to its high-flying name when she takes part in a prestigious event.
Katy Rothwell, 14, a pupil at Hulme Grammar School, has qualified for the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead in July and will be riding Orielton Aquilla, Soaring Eagle, her 13 year old, 14hh, Welsh part-bred pony.
Katy, whose father Alan is boss of Oldham-based Patterson and Rothwell, qualified after competing in the British Show Pony Society Cheshire Premier Show earlier this month.
She astounded judges when she was the only rider to complete a clear jumping round in the 143cm Working Hunter Pony Open Class at Somerford Park Equestrian Centre, Cheshire.
Her proud mother Diane said: “She rode last and we were just so pleased. It’s great when a real underdog on the day comes out on top.
“Even the audience said they were pleased Katy came first as she was the only one who was capable of riding that course clear.”
Diane, who attended the event with her husband, added: “I told Katy to ride it like a cross-country course and she did.
“It was a very long, technical course and the jumps were big so that riders and ponies were tested fully. Katy shot around and Aquilla loved it too.
“It was only when Katy was pulled out in first place we realised she’d won,” she declared.
“Alan did not know what all the fuss was about until a judge kindly explained we had achieved a ticket to compete at Hickstead, which is the most prestigious horse show of the summer.
“Only first place qualifies so it was never even discussed what would happen if we won as we thought it was not possible, as we’ve not done any working hunter classes for two years.”
Katy will be at the RIHS for three days from Wednesday, July 30 and hopes to continue competing until the end of the season.
Meantime she is continuing with a rigorous practising regime and entering other events.
Diane added: “Katy would like to thank the instructors and staff at Croft End Stables, Bardsley, where she keeps and rides Aquilla.
“It would be great if a northern girl could do well at Hickstead as most competitors are from the south.”
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