Harriet Eden-Haigh and Midnight Playboy Qualified for: The Underwood 143cm Working Hunter Pony of the Year.

Smokey has qualified for HOYS! It has been two weeks and I still am slightly dazed. We hadn't even met this time last year, he was my 2009 birthday and Christmas present and I have never had a pony before that I could even dream of going to HOYS on.

I got on with Smokey as soon as I tried him. He had never been shown before only jumped so I didn't know how he would do in the worker classes, but I wanted to try. A lot of improvement was needed, particularly with his flat work and, as I found out, he knew nothing about go rounds, that was for a (speedy) lap of honour, individual shows, that's doing bending round the jumps, or being stripped, which is what you do when going out to play in the field. Fortunately he is very willing and learns fast.

We started training, jumping and flat work, and did some winter show jumping and a hunter trials to get our partnership going. Then we went to our first show. We won the novice and were second in the restricted/open and so qualified for everything we could at the BSPS Winter Championships. The Winter Championships was our next and second show, the first class we did being the RI qualifier. So it really was jumping in at the deep end! We completed every course there, but with a pole down. We were in cross country mode.

During the year Smokey has got better and better, consistently jumping clear rounds, with much improved flat work, and (mostly) standing and running up well in hand. I had a mid season blip, but Smokey carried me, literally, through it.

The day we qualified, Smokey and I were second to jump. I told my mum that I couldn't remember the course, (it's traditional that I say this on entering the ring), and we went over to say hello to the judge. We were longer than usual as the first to go had knocked the poles off most of the jumps and the course took a while to reassemble. The judge told me to start and then just as we were moving off said " Oh don't go yet there are a couple more poles to put up". By the time we did start my heart was beating so hard and fast I thought it would jump out of my chest. Smokey had no problems with his nerves and jumped clear. I had a terrible split second over fence nine when I forgot where fence ten was, Mum wouldn't have been impressed, but I remembered it was at ninety degrees which meant a big left turn. After jumping we went straight to the conformation ring. There was a set show that the steward attempted to describe to me and I didn't understand so the judge took over and commanded me through the first part; until I was out of earshot. The in hand section went well. Smokey stood up nicely and did a good walk and trot. Then we had to wait. When we went back in for the results I knew there had been only three clear rounds. Mum wasn't even attending, she was busy chatting and texting, so I think she was as shocked as I was when Midnight Playboy was called into first place. It was an amazing feeling, the judge said, "smile you have just qualified". I hadn't got to the elation stage yet it was still sinking in and I was stunned!

Smokey and I have come a long way, particularly Smokey who I was told was bought as a youngster from some people who had him tethered at the roadside. I didn't dare to think that we would qualify for HOYS. (I maybe hoped). A lot of work has been done to get us there and Ken Charles who trains Smokey and me to jump must be the most patient man ever and Bronia Hill has done wonders with our flat work. Now we continue schooling for October!