It was an emotional second for Portia Taylor-Wilson as she and Ballybur Oh Jessie took the London Horse Present mini stakes.
Not solely was it 10-year-old Portia’s largest win thus far, and in her first yr of competing at this stage having been leaping 80 and 90cm final yr, it was her 24-year-old pony’s swansong earlier than her retirement.
“I’m so joyful,” sobbed Portia, overcome with the mix of the emotional win and the actual fact it was Jess’s final present. “She’s the very best pony on this planet; you couldn’t have a greater pony.”
It was a tricky observe for the 128cm ponies; solely Portia and Isabelle James-Wright on Murphy Spartacus had gone away from the 11 starters.
First within the jump-off, Isabelle set a quick tempo however Portia’s tight turns meant she and Jess completed two seconds forward.
“I by no means, ever thought I’d win; I didn’t assume I’d even get to the jump-off!” Portia stated. “She is going to all the time attempt to leap clear nevertheless it was solely after I was coming to the final line, I assumed I’d do it. I heard everybody cheering nevertheless it was solely after I regarded up on the display and noticed ‘Rank 1’, that I knew. It feels wonderful.”
Portia’s mom Becky Clay stated the purpose had all the time been to retire the horse after the London Horse Present mini stakes.
“She’s outdated now,” she stated. “She loves it a lot and I wished her to exit nonetheless loving it.
“I’ve received no phrases – it hasn’t actually sunk in but however we couldn’t have requested for a greater method for her to bow out.”
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Credit score: Peter Nixon
Credit score: Peter Nixon
Credit score: Future
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