INTERVIEW
YOUNG SOFIA IS GAME By Maria Wynne
S
ofia Gamesisthe Under 16’s Reserve National Dressage Champion at the outrageously young age of 12. Aboardher
‘chunky’ partner MisterSnowmanthis young lady is determined to makeher mark in the world of
Dressage.However, it has not been astraightforward path. Sofia didnot even ownher ownponyuntil threeyears ago. Sofia is admittedly from an equestrian
background. But the equestrian gene appeared to have ignored her.Upuntilthe age of four and ahalfshe wasdistinctly terrified of everything equine and canine. An unfortunate early incident with an overtly enthusiastic Corgiprompted the paranoia, and nothing but asmall pink fluffy bunnycomforter would persuade her to even look at ahorse or pony. All effortsatde-sensitising the young Sofia came to naught, and the situation wascertainly not helped when the vital pink fluffy bunny wassnatched away between the jaws of an errant Jack Russell at some Horse Trials. The turning point came at Breda CCI*** Horse
Trials. At the age of fiveafter watching aRiding Club displaySofia inexplicably took ashine to a 14.2hh ponyinthe demonstration. She asked to ride,hopped on-board, gave aroyalwave and proceeded to makeher wayaround the arena. It wasarevelation, and aturning point. Fast forwardeighteen months and Sofia was participating in the ‘Loan APony’ scheme at Prestige Equestrian and progressing
swiftly.The
search foraschoolmasterbegan, andameeting between Sofia’smother Katie,and Brian Hutton of Talland led to ‘Rita’ aka‘RidgewaySenorita’ becoming Sofia’sponypartner in her regular lessons. And it wasRita’stwo-time flying changesthatlit her bonfire. The futurewas set. The 2018 Pony European Championships
at Bishop Burton wastoset the scene for the future. Sofiawas takenalong to observe and learn and to absorb the atmosphere. She watched avidly as aspectatorand made notes throughout the fivedaysand twenty-fivehoursofcompetition. In an unusual incident one of the Irish Team
ponieshad their test ruined because of outside
disturbances.Inthe interestsoffair-playand good sportsmanship Sofia’s‘JoJo’ (“Wedon’t liketouse the word Granny”) spoketoanIrish gentleman supporter,who wasdramatically swathed in the Irish flag. Alwaysagiveaway. He in turn spoketothe Team Chef D’Equipe who convened with the other Teams and the combination wasawarded are-run as a result of her intervention. Good deeds have positiveoutcomes, and this actgenerated the opportunitythat wastotakeSofia to the nextlevel and anew
partnership.The dream of her very ownponywas to be fulfilled. RobynO’Neill had ridden on the Irish Pony
Dressage Squad forfour yearsaboardthe charming campaigner
Belsasser.Inhis twilight yearsBelsasser wasinneed of abespokehome wherehecould teach an up and coming rider without the top-levelpressure. As fate would
have it, Robyn’sfather justhappened to be ‘The Man in The Flag’ with whom ‘JoJo’ had spoken. Sofia perfectly fitted the bill forBelsasser’s future. Her quiet dedication in the stands had been noted, and upon realising that she and ‘JoJo’ were related the connection wasmade. An invitation wasissued to try Belsasser at home in Ireland, and tendayslater the trio of Sofia, Katie (Mum) and JoJo made the trip. Three days later the ponyarrived at Talland
aboardatrailer.That wasOctober 15th 2018.
Sofia contemplating some acorns the same day. From whichshe hopes hergreat Oakwill grow! 20 WINTERSPECIAL2020
Sofia taking her notes at Bishop Burton Forthe
latestnewsvisitwww.centralhorsenews.co.uk
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