Jodie Creighton and Stambrook Miss Bellini winning the Underwood Working Hunter Pony of the Year at the Horse of the Year Show

12 yr old Jodie Creighton is believed to be the first Irish rider to take the coveted “Underwood Working Hunter Pony of the Year” at the “Horse of the Year Show” with her home produced ‘Stambrook Miss Bellini’, a pure bred Welsh Section B, by ‘Laithehill Gondolier’ out of ‘Stambrook Mi Lady’, bred by Sarah Rook of the Stambrook Stud in Essex. The combination who qualified at the Royal Highland Show this year and also stood champion at Balmoral and the Northern Ireland Festival jumped one of only four clears in a technically challenging up to height course. Jodie’s mum Gillian who owns Connell Hill Equestrian Centre in Co. Antrim said it was fantastic to see her daughters dreams come true with her 1^st HOYS win.

At the tender age of 3 Jodie was riding alongside her mother, watching and learning as her mum schooled young horses.  Jodie’s passion and determination meant she quickly was at the forefront of most competitions she took part in and her bedroom walls are covered in rosettes and sashes.  In 2009 she qualified her Welsh Section A.

‘Kenilwood Monarch’ in the 1^st ridden class at ‘Pony’s UK’ and was placed 3^rd in ‘HOYS’ that year.  In 2010 ‘Kenilwood Monarch’ and Jodie made it back to ‘HOYS’ for a second time this time in the ‘M&M Open Ridden’ where she stood 4^th.  In 2012 she again qualified for ‘HOYS’ time with Joanne Harper’s home bred 12.2 hh show pony ‘Ravara Benjamin Bunny’, finishing 5^th in her class.

Jodie Creighton and Stambrook Miss Bellini enjoying their lap of honour winning the Underwood Working Hunter Pony of the Year at the Horse of the Year Show

Jodie said ‘I just love ponies they are my life and I hope my success shows other young people that dreams can come true no matter what.  All you need is dedication, hard work and commitment, however, I would’nt have been able to do it without the help of my Mum and Dad, my Granny and Grandad McLean who have always been my biggest supporters and my trainer Heather Coyle’.

Gillian added that, as well as all the Connell Hill team who were at home anxiously waiting by the phone for the results, she would like to thank Judy Maxwell from ‘Baileys Horse Feeds’ and Sean from ‘Botanic Products’ for their continuing support.