IT WAS third time lucky – or just plain talented – for a not-so-standard pony from MooGully Ponies at the Sydney Royal Easter Show this year.
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The Gunnedah stud had the top Shetland pony in harness not exceeding 8.2 hands with the five-year-old Stockard or “Stocky”.
He’s so named because his mother throws stock-standard chestnut and white foals, stud owner Val Dewsbury laughs – but his performance has been a standout.
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“There were 13 in that class, so it was quite a large class – and it’s the third year that pony has won in it,” she said.
“They’re not allowed to start in harness until they’re three years old, and he’s won it as a three-, four-, and five-year-old now.”
It’s just one of the successes Ms Dewsbury and partner Steve Lord are celebrating after their 17th Royal.
The pair, described as “absolute trailblazers in their field” came home with 17 ribbons – a satisfying result considering the effort required to make it there.
Ms Dewsbury said they were also particularly proud of a 4th in the light harness turnout with a team of four in hand; a 2nd with a team in the Shetland pony business turnout; and the “pretty big achievement” of a first-time Royal competitor, a Welsh pony, taking out a 5th in the harness section.
Ms Dewsbury said it had been “a big trip down”.
“We had to take five viceroys and the coach, and 11 ponies, so it took us three drivers with three including the gooseneck,” she said.
“It was a big haul, but the ponies are seasoned travellers.
“We do stop halfway and they all get off and have a pick, a mouthful of feed and water, a check-down to make sure they’re OK, a bit of a trot – and that gives us enough time to have a coffee and chill-out before last 100-odd kilometres of the mental highway.
“We leave about 11.30pm at night and travel in the cool – because it’s been 40-something degrees here – and that gets us down to Sydney at 5.30am.
“It’s a big trip down, but we look after everyone’s safety; that’s our main concern.”
Ms Dewsbury said she wanted to thank the show societies across the state who made it possible for competitors to gain experience and points to compete at such a high level.
She also thanked her family members who were instrumental in getting the ponies show-ready and in the ring.
Funnily enough, the move into miniatures started when Ms Deswbury’s daughter bought her one as a joke.
“But they’re like Maltesers: we couldn’t stop at one – now we’ve got a proud stud of 40,” she said.