Pony Power - CDIP at the Sydney CDI

By  SUZY JARRATT

Sophia Coombes and ‘Bamborough Jonas’ – Cowra

‘Bamborough Jonas’ was bought as a two-year-old by Megan Bryant and her grandfather.  “He’s a grey Welsh pony by ‘Thistledown Wicked’ and  came from Bamborough Pony Stud, Cowra.  He was a project for my 89-year-old pop,” recalled the FEI dressage rider. “He  wanted to watch me handle and work him; and then some time later announced he was going to ride him on his birthday!”  

All went well on the day. Megan sighed with relief as Jonas, led from either side, safely walked off with the 91-year-old gentleman as all his grandchildren watched.

She showed the grey a few times, did several preliminary tests and then the pony did nothing for two years. Then along came Sophia for riding lessons. “That was three-and-a-half years ago and she was very green.” 

Sophia rode Jonas and she learned quickly; it was a perfect match. Megan admired the girl’s enthusiasm and loved teaching the 15-year-old who recently competed at Willinga.

“I got third in the individual pony and third in the freestyle where I used singer Meghan Trainor’s music because of my horse trainer’s name,” explained Sophia, who rides each afternoon at Bryant Equestrian where 9-year-old Jonas lives.  

“He has a good sense of humour, tries really hard and always puts his best hoof forward.  He has all the imperfections that make him perfect. 

“I can get a little nervous before an event but before I go in I always say to myself: if I’m riding a horse that I love then I’ve already won.

“I’m really looking forward to the CDI.”

Abby Weel and ‘Reitlands Obama’ -   Southern Highlands, NSW

As a little girl Abbby Weel knew what attracted her the most. “I tried everything like swimming, then dancing but it was horses which I really loved.” 

Now, having just turned fourteen, she has successfully competed here and overseas; and in the international category of Pony Rider 16 and under she is presently ranked 57^th in the world.

Her parents, horse enthusiasts Emma and Paul, are a successful business couple formerly based on the Gold Coast who have a long-term plan of bringing correctly-trained dressage horses to Australia for the future of the sport.

Several years ago they imported ‘Reitlands Obama’ (High Flows Oxford/Diamond), a German Riding Pony foaled in 2011. 

“He was a stallion until five years ago,” explained Abby.  “As a young pony he competed at the Bundeschampionate coming second to Rose Oatley’s ‘Daddy Moon’. 

“We’ve had him for four years but I had six months off from riding him because I’d broken my ankle in a roller skating accident! We’ve been seriously competing full time for two years.”

Recently at Willinga she achieved two PBs scoring over 70% in all tests and winning two of them by ten percent. 

Abby describes ‘Obama’ as being good in the stable and independent ‘which makes it easier when he’s travelling by himself’. He has a big heart and smiles when given treats.

“When I’m older I’d like to move to Europe and learn over there”.

In the meantime she is under the watchful eye of her coach, leading GP rider Matthew Dowsley, who has been regularly teaching her since she was nine.

What impressed him, even in the early days, was her interest and commitment. 

“Abby wouldn’t leave straight after her time was up,” he said from his Bowral property, “she’d sit, listen and watch all the other riders’ lessons.

“And I admire her ambition,” added Matthew, who applauds the pony classes being held at the forthcoming CDI. “They’re such a good base for the young people.”

He will also be at this FEI event competing on Cheryl Smith’s ‘TF Firestorm’ in the Prix St Georges/Inter1.