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Annabel Widdowson

Photo Credit: The Times

Ridden by Nick Skelton, Big Star (Henry) was a key member of the Gold Medal winning team at the London 2012 Olympics.

Big Star made history in 2016, when he and Nick brought home the first Individual Gold medal for Great Britain that the sport has ever won.

In a British Showjumping article announcing Big Star being awarded the KWPN Stallion of the Year 2017, they said Big Star was;

" An incredibly charismatic horse, it is impossible to not feel immense affection towards his infectious personality and way of going. Big Star, with his exuberance and lion-hearted way neighing at the fences as he enters the arena through to the way he attacks each fence on the course made him a personality in his own right. After his tremendous Team Gold performance at London 2012, this was very quickly recognised and captured by one of the leading national newspapers when they illustrated him as the Usain Bolt of equestrianism."

Big Star was bought in 2007 with the London 2012 Olympics in mind, after a tip-off from Laura Kraut who had spotted his potential while at a show in Holland.

Big Star is now enjoying a life of stud duties, ensuring his immeasurable talent is passed down for generations to come.

You can order semen from Big Star directly from Stallion AI on this link: https://www.stallionai.co.uk/animals/stallion/big-star



Big Star

Photo Credit: Horse&Hound

We couldn't be prouder of Annabel following her performance at HOYS. The ponies were having great rounds but in one of her final rounds with Whinney Lass Annabel knew her equine companion wasn't feeling her best. 

In a heartbreaking decision Annabel decided to retire saving her fantastic pony for another day. It can be tempted to keep pushing, particularly at such a highly anticipated event, but Annabel put her pony first. 

We're sure they'll be back on top form in no time- but for now they'll enjoy a well earned rest following the summer season. 

Read the full article here: https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/showjumping/praise-for-tiny-rider-put-her-pony-before-her-hoys-dream-907510

Annabel puts her pony first at HOYS

Hickstead has always been a competitive environment. Large classes and tough courses make it an event that requires steely determination and a thirst for success. A top finish here would be enough to thrill any keen rider, but to get two top placings is simply extraordinary. 
This weekend Annabel managed to place 2nd and 5th on ponies Whinney Lass and Bunbury Conquest. 
With HOYs fast approaching, the whole team is excited to see what this fantastic young rider achieves. Go Annabel!

Annabel secures two top placings at the Hickstead Al Shira'aa Royal International Horse Show

Annabel and Unsphinx Dhurl Vent have stepped up to the 138cm qualifiers, gaining the sought after golden ticket on their first try! 

This means Annabel will be not only competing in the 128's with Whinney Lass, but also in the 138's! It's sure to be a busy week!

Annabel and Unsphinx Dhurl Vent qualify for the HOY's 138cm Championships

Following up on her HOYs success with Bunbury Conquest in 2024. Annabel has secured this years ticket to the prestigious event, this time on Whinney Lass! The pair have been very consistent all season, showcasing their great partnership by being one of only two first round clears from the 24 pony start list! Go Team!! 

Annabel and Whinney Lass take the win in the 128cm HOYs Qualifier!

Photo Credit: LIHS / Peter Nixon

What a fantastic end to the 2024 season!

Annabel and Bunbury Conquest took the victory in the Agria 128cms Championship today, at The London International Horse Show, ExCeL.

These two were one of only two double clears in the class, finishing an incredible 6 seconds ahead of  second placed Kobi Watt and Hillgarth Baileys Cream.

You can read Horse & Hound's report by Eleanor Jones here:

https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/london-128cm-champions-2024-880946

Questie is absolutely adored by us all, although he pretends not to like it!

He can be quite cheeky in the stable, and when he comes out of the ring. He wears a red ribbon to tell people to keep out of his way! 

He is however as brave as a lion and he is so much fun to ride.

We often refer to him as King Questie!

Bunbury Conquest

Annabel first took to the saddle at the age of just 3 years old and was instantly bitten by the bug. Her ponies are adored and she spends every possible second with them.

Annabel is no stranger to competing in major championships.

In 2022, at just 7 years old, Annabel became the youngest rider to ever win a second round, qualifying them for the Royal International 128 championship on Whinney Lass.

Annabel continued breaking records in 2023, becoming the youngest rider to ever win a championship in the International Arena at Hickstead, as well as becoming the youngest team member on an England gold medal winning pony team, jumping a double clear in the Home Pony at aged just 8 years old.

2024 was another incredible year, with England Team victories in both the Wales and West and English Home Pony Shows, winning both the Enablelink Ltd 128cm Championship at Horse of The Year Show and The Agria 128cm Championship at The London international Horse Show, and also being awarded the Young Achiever of the year Award by the Welsh Pony and cob Society.

Annabel's hopes and dreams are to ride on European teams with Ponies and Children on Horses and one day be on the Olympic team! 

Annabel who attends the Granville School, looks up to Tiffany Foster, Laura Kraut, Rodrigo Pessoa and of course Nick Skelton.

Annabel and Questie win the Agria 128cm Championship at the London International Horse Show!

The Welsh Pony and Cob Society presented Annabel with the Glynoch Trophy at the Society's Awards Celebration yesterday, held at Stoneleigh Park.

Each year the Welsh Pony and Cob Society awards The Glyncoch Trophy to a young person in recognition of their achievements within the Society or with the Welsh Breed.  We are delighted that the Society Council has chosen Annabel to be the Society’s Young Achiever for 2024.  

 

Young Achiever of the Year Award 2024 – The Glyncoch Trophy

We are thrilled that STX-UK have selected Annabel to be part of their Junior Team for 2025.

STX-UK said:

"After a great deal of thought and discussion internally, we are pleased to announce our STX-UK Junior Team for 2025. Team members have been chosen not only for their placings and ability, but also for their attitude to the sport we love, and how they best represent themselves around the country at shows, and the way they interact with their peers and their parents."

Annabel joins the STX Junior team with the following riders:

Mia Breen
Emily Appleby
Ivy Thomas-Cook

We look forward to 2025!


STX-UK Team Announcement

We are incredibly proud to have been part of the Gold medal winning 128cm team at the English Home Pony show this week.

First in for the English team was Anya Dewey Clarke followed by second rider Lucia Caroline, who both jumped clear. Kobi Watt was next to go and after an unlucky pole down, it was down to Annabel to jump clear to put the team in contention for the win. And her and Questie did just that!

The first three riders then all jumped super clear rounds in the second round, meaning that Annabel didn't need to jump again as the team had already won!

Team Wales were the silver medal winners, ahead of Team Ireland who won bronze. 



Team Gold at the English Home Pony

We're very excited that Annabel and Bunbury Conquest (Questie) have been called up for team duty again, to be part of the English 128cm Team at South View English Home Pony Show later this week.

Annabel and Questie will be joined by Anya Dewey Clark riding either Jim (Cobid) or Kilcreen Snapdragon, Lucia Caroline riding Desdemone Du Marquais, Kobi Hunter Watt riding Hill Garth Bailey Cream and Charlie Simcock riding Peppino il Grande.

Annabel and Questie are selected for the English Home Pony Team at South View!

We're delighted for Annabel's Horse of The Year Show victory to have been featured by Just Horse Riders https://www.justhorseriders.co.uk/

You can read the full article here:

https://www.justhorseriders.co.uk/blogs/news-1/annabel-widdowson-and-bunbury-conquests-hoys-victory-a-tale-of-youthful-talent-and-equestrian-bonding?srsltid=AfmBOoqF20-Nt9jQLCQqgBoda8zwyIViVZwv_knuYM9VJ0FtY1xbt1jS

A lovely article from Just Horse Riders

Designer Equestrian

Fabbri Boots

For Horses

"Thank you to Horse First for welcoming me to the family.
Horse First is a globally recognised brand that since 2008 has been providing supplements to top showjumping and event riders across the world.

I'm looking forward to my ponies seeing the benefits of this wonderful range." - Annabel

Horse First Supplements

Annabel is delighted to now be protected by KEP Italia hats. 

KEP Italia is a leading company in the production of riding helmets and was established back in 2007, building on the passion of its founders, Lelia Polini and Bianca Collet-Serret. 
Their aim was to research and produce more comfortable, safer and more innovative helmets than the ones currently available on the market, a goal that led them to explore and combine the best solutions in terms of design, technology, materials and safety.

KEP Italia

With a heritage that spans over 200 years, our founding values of trust, integrity, and quality are now coupled with research and innovation to ensure our range meets the very exacting nutritional requirements of the modern equine. 



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