Ford brings home the trophies
ROB KNOWLES
THE South African National Welsh Pony Championships, held in Cradock over the Easter weekend, saw local pony breeder Elizabeth Ford and her Glendower Farm team winning an armful of trophies.
The championships, which boasted 110 ponies together with around 14 or 15 breeders, is the biggest pony event on the South African calendar and attracts competitors from all over South Africa.
Ford, who learned everything she knows about Welsh ponies from her father, Jack Gilfillan, was over the moon that her team, including her father, her daughters Sarah, 11, and Hannah, 7, together with friend Skye McLeod, managed to pull off quite a coup at this year's championships.
| WINNING WAYS: The riders who took part in the recent SA National Welsh Pony Championships, medals and trophies in the foreground, were (from left) Skye McLeod riding Pippin, Hannah Ford on Moonlight, Jack Gilfillan (standing), Sarah Ford on Jester and Elizabeth Ford (also standing) Picture: ROB KNOWLES |
Ford is no stranger to the competitive world of the SA Nationals. Her brother and sister were also competitors back in the 1980s and Ford, together with her father, bred the ponies on which her team competed.
"My eldest daughter Sarah, riding her pony Jester, won seven SA Championships over the weekend,” Ford said proudly.
These included championships in the three-gaited section, u-12 driver, junior rider, part bred farm pony, part bred single harness mare, as well as awards for the most points in riding and driving classes on show. Her pony, Jester, was also the gelding with the most points in the show.
Her daughter Hannah also won her first trophy at the show, being declared reserve champion for young child's pony, and first place for child's first working pony, a second place for child's first pony and a third place for u-12 driver.
Skye McLeod managed to secure a total six SA Championships at the show together with five reserve championships and a number of other awards.
