EQUINE NEWS

17th November 2005

Yasmin Burrows

Most people don't get to have their cake and eat it!

Twelve year-old Yasmin Burrows from Drakelands, Near Plympton enjoyed her Birthday cake at this years Horse of the Year Show and managed to celebrate whilst eating it in style watching the show jumping in the International Arena during the Friday nights performance. Yasmin was celebrating not only her twelfth birthday but her success in receiving the Best Turned Out award riding her lovely grey pony Devon Aratzi whom she rode in the 128cms Charlotte Morgan Childrens Riding Pony of the Year. The BTO award was judged independently and was sponsored by Shires. The standard of turnout was exceptional and Yasmin and Devon Aratzi received an extra rosette and a lilac Shires embroidered jacket.

Yasmin qualified Devon Aratzi, affectionately called Ratty at Stithians show in July. Where she was rewarded for a great performance by judge Mr A Williams from Pembrokeshire in Wales. Originally pulled in third Yasmin was so pleased to be called forward in first position realising that she had fulfilled the ultimate dream of qualifying for the Horse of the Year Show she couldn't keep back her tears of joy.

What makes a huge difference is that Ratty was totally home produced by Yasmin and her family. With only 24 places on offer at HOYS it is very difficult to rise above the professional producers and take a qualification away from them.

Yasmin and Ratty qualified for all the major showing championships during the 2005 showing season. At the Ponies UK championships Yasmin and Ratty won the 128cms Lee Smith Show Pony class but sadly missed the championship due to her being in another ring at the time. In September at the South West Pony Association Championships held at David Broomes, Cricklands in Wales Yasmin and Ratty won all their classes and championships and went on to take the Reserve Supreme award. They qualified for all the classes available at the BSPS championships but as Ratty had qualified for HOYS they decided to keep him at home.

Yasmin rode Ratty for the last time at the Horse of the Year Show as he has been sold to a family friend in the North West of England where he will be teaching Lochlan (8) and Sienna (5) the ropes. Yasmin often took Ratty for hacks on the open moor above her house and used the common ground for her schooling as well. Totally dedicated Yasmin would spend hours with her pony who was her best friend.

Yasmins story just goes to show that there is still a little bit of magic out there for anyone who has a dream of one day competing at the Horse of the Year Show and shows that sometimes you can ' have your cake and eat it'.

Yasmin was out competing the week after HOYS on her new Black 138cms Show Pony at the South West Equine Protection Show held at Duchy College, getting ready for the 2006 show season. Horseclub wish Yasmin good luck for 2006 and hopes that she has as much success on her new pony as she has done on Devon Aratzi.