Hopes high for Myrddin

Oct 2 2007 by Anwen Francis, Western Mail

THIS week the creme de la creme of the equine showing and showjumping world will converge on the Horse of the Year Show in Birmingham, and many from Wales will be travelling to compete there, hoping to return to Wales triumphant.

One of those competitors is Eleri Marshalsay from Llanddeiniol in Ceredigion who will ride a Welsh Section B stallion, Moelgarnedd Myrddin. The pair will be making their second successive appearance at HOYS.

They have had a remarkable run of success since Myrddin began his ridden career in 2005. At the end of the 2004 showing season his owners, David and Eirian Williams of the Moelgarnedd Stud, Bala, decided that they wanted Myrddin to be shown under saddle after having achieved great success in hand. Myrddin was broken by Eleri and was very lightly shown, picking up success at local and county shows as a novice.

The first big result for the pair came at the Welsh Pony and Cob Society’s 2005 International Show at Waregem in Belgium, where they were ridden champions. This was quickly followed by success at the WPCS National Championship Show as ridden open champions. And at the British Show Pony Society’s Summer Championship Show the pair scooped the £1,000 prize for being Disneyworld Supreme Champions.

Eleri recalls, “Although I had been in the final rounds at previous BSPS championships I had never managed to win a championship. Winning the Disneyland Championship was the first major championship we had won and riding down the middle of the ring, with the spotlight on us, is an experience I will never forget.”

Last year the pairing went on to further success.Tthey won the Supreme Heritage Championship at the BSPS Winter Championship Show, and although Myrddin was still a novice pony, Eleri qualified him for the Horse of the Year Show at the City of Swansea Show – only their second attempt at a HOYS qualifying show.

They went on to three championships at the National Pony Society Championship Show and were reserve champions in the Olympia qualifying championship.

This year the season got off to a rather late start as Eleri was in her final year of studies at the University of Glamorgan. Myrddin had over-wintered with his owners and returned to the Marshalsay family in April. Eleri had ridden Myrddin only a couple times before the City of Swansea Show but he behaved impeccably, again qualifying for the Horse of the Year Show. The following week he stood supreme horse of the field at Aberystwyth and Ceredigion County Show.

The next important outing saw the pair off to Northleach Welsh Breeds Show – the only Olympia qualifier they were to contend all season. Again Myrddin worked his magic and duly claimed the coveted Olympia ticket. August saw him win the Bryntirion Ridden Welsh Section B crown at the Welsh National Championship at Shrewsbury.

The family are looking forward to both HOYS and Olympia but also know that there will be sadness at the end of the year when Myrddin returns home to Bala to commence stud duties. The yard seems empty without him.

“He is such a joy to have around” said Eleri. “He has never been any trouble, is always a perfect gentleman and keen to please. He is a very special pony”.

Pob lwc i ti Eleri a gobeithio wnei di ddychwelyd i Gymru gyda rhosglwm am dy ymdrech.