Championship Win for Matilda and Bella

YOUNG Matilda Lanni was in flying form at a rain-soaked Royal International Horse Show when winning the TopSpec BSPS Working Hunter Pony Championship.Now 13-years-old, Matilda and her ride of six years, Birkinbrook Arabella put in a fantastic clear round over holding ground that saw just four combinations finish on a clean sheet in the jumping phase.Based near Peterborough, Matilda is the daughter of Matthew and Milla Lanni and she has recently also turned her attention to show jumping with a place on the Children on Horses squad in Slavakia with Newbridge Master Brown.Matilda and Bella, now 12, first secured the TopSpec BSPS 133cm Working Hunter Pony section before going on to take the prestigious overall championship."Bella is just a star and is naturally very scopey so coped really well with the ground which had endured a lot of rain throughout the show,” said Matilda. "We have been together a long time now and have a fantastic bond. We are a real team which helps so much when the conditions are difficult."She is also a chestnut and very determined by nature which always comes to the fore in the big classes and when it matters most."The judges also awarded us a 10 for our show which made it all the more special. A win and championship at a show like the Royal International is just very special.”Taking the TopSpec BSPS WHP 143cm section and Reserve Champion award was Annabel James with Pebbly Grey Fox while Philippa Weir and Freckleton Maximus took the honours in the 153cm class.