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Liberty is BSPS
Mini Rider of
the Year
Liberty Grota made the seven hour
journey from her Pembrokeshire
home to Arena UK in Lincolnshire
worthwhile when she was crowned
the Black Country Saddles BSPS Mini
Rider of the Year Champion at the
Summer Championships.
Partnering the stunning four-yearold, Cadlanvalley Superted, Liberty
(10) won her section before going on
to claim the overall championship.
Cadlanvalley Superted or ‘Ted’ as
he is known at home is a 12hh Show
Hunter Pony of unknown breeding
as he was rescued by the Grota family
18 months ago. Despite his poor
start in life this young pony has had
a remarkable season with Liberty,
standing Reserve Supreme of the Show
at BSPS Wales on his first outing.
He has since been unbeaten as a
First Ridden Show Hunter Pony and
has also qualified for HOYS as a Lead
Rein of Show Hunter Type with a
younger jockey on board.
Liberty’s mother, Hayley, who
breeds Welsh Section B ponies at her
Cadlanvalley Stud in West Wales said:
“This is Liberty’s favourite show and
Ted is such a lovely pony.”
The BSPS Summer Championships
seem to be a lucky venue for Liberty
as she won her age class in the Rider
of the Year divisions last year, but
went one better this year to claim the
Mini Championship. To add to their
glory, Liberty and Ted also landed
the Blue Division 12hh Show Hunter
Pony section. To top it off, the talented
jockey picked up the Wow Factor
M&M First Ridden Championship
with the grey Colne Torpedo.
Liberty has qualified six ponies for
HOYS in five different classes and will
contest winter shows with some up
and coming homebred Welsh Section
B ponies.
12
Image: Liberty
Grota and
Cadlanvalley
Superted.
Busy Year for
Society of Master
Saddlers
THIS year’s Society of Master Saddlers’
AGM took place in Newmarket - a
fitting location with its history and
heritage in the racing world.
As well as society business the day
also provided the opportunity for
members to gain an insight into life
on a racing yard with a visit to the
Diomed Horse Racing Stables and The
National Horse Racing Museum.
A busy year saw membership
standing at 452, with 349 of those
based in the UK and 103 overseas.
Within the membership are 268
Registered Qualified Saddle Fitters and
a new category of Master Bridle Maker
has recently been introduced.
With the aim of reaching new highs
when it comes to awareness of the
work carried out by the SMS, a busy
calendar of events has been organised
to benefit both members and horse
owners over the last year.
During the AGM, Hazel presented
retiring Membership Support Officer,
Neil McCarraher with a bronze
horse’s head to mark his many years of
support and work for the society.
The AGM saw the appointment
of Laura Dempsey as new President
of the SMS with Ken Lyndon-Dykes
stepping into the Vice President’s role.
For more information visit
www.mastersaddlers.co.uk
Everything Horse Magazine • Issue 25• October 2015