Lottie Tutt takes Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Championship
Buckinghamshire teenager Lottie Tutt added her name to an impressive roll of honour when she won the Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Championship at the Horse of the Year Show in Birmingham. The 15-year-old followed previous winners like current world eventing star Oliver Townend and show jumpers Matthew Sampson and Jessie Drea in winning a class that was first contested at HOYS in 1985.
Riding six-year-old bay mare Market Angel, Lottie went quickest in a nine horse jump-off, clocking 31.15 seconds to claim top spot from runner-up Ffion Roberts, on Kantjes Bozzy, with Allana Clutterbuck and Atomic du Bary finishing third, just one hundredth of a second behind Ffion.
Market Angel is owned by former British international showjumper Derek Ricketts, who was Great Britain team manager and is currently a GB senior squad selector.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” Lottie said. “I wasn’t expecting it. She is only young, but I knew she had the scope to do that. I watched Holly (Truleove) go, and I saw that India (Bussey) was four seconds quicker, so I knew it was going to be a quick jump-off.
“Derek bred Market Angel, and I broke her in and rode her right from the beginning. He gives me some tips, and I have been to his place a couple of times for help and stuff. He’s really helpful.”
Reflecting on Market Angel’s character, Lottie added: “She is very stroppy, but when she is doing her job that’s when she is at her happiest. She just has the right brain and takes everything in her stride. Winning this class is definitely a box ticked. I have ridden here before, and that really helps when you go into the arena. It is easier when you have been here before.”
Discover more from Everything Horse Magazine
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.
