BISHOPTON youngster Harry Wood produced a spectacular display of horsemanship to win the H&M Mini Stakes on the penultimate day of Olympia, The London International Horse Show last weekend

Riding his pony, Birchall Harmony, the Haleworth Secondary student, who is 12, set an early unassailable target courtesy of a well-calculated turn.

“I got a nice clean shot across after turning back to the third fence,” said Harry, whose friend and local rival Rachel Proudly (riding Painted Lady) had been pathfinder, and finished runner-up. “I needed to be quick and smooth, without doing anything stupid!”

Harry was quick to give Birchall Harmony a hug. The 15-year-old roan mare, who was previously ridden by Michael Whitaker’s son, Jack, and nephew, James, came to Harry as a pony with “a bit of character”.

“She was a bit cheeky,” said Harry, who plans to make a career out of show jumping as soon as he can. “But when we started to jump her at home my Mum said we should hang on to her as she was a bit special.”

Six riders went through to the jump-off in a highly competitive competition which is confined to ponies of 128cm in height and riders aged 12 and under. Madison Heath finished third on Red Alert and Iwan Carpenter was fourth on Brookhall Glimpse, both jumping double clears.

“That was the best fun,” said Harry, who was bent on keeping his father to his promise of a new hat. “In fact, it was the best day of the year. I think it might even beat Christmas.”