Britain’s Olivia Eglise and Millcroft Gilgamesh made their final competition together a winning one when they paired up with Italy’s Lorenzo de Luca and Mangoon to triumph in the Green Mile Bedding Pony Club Mini Major.
Olivia, who is a former Shetland Pony racer, has been riding ‘Mole’, a 19-year-old gelding, for six years but this was his last competition before being retired.
“This win is so special. He came to me as a first hand pony to do working hunter and we turned him into a show jumper,” said Olivia, who is a member of the Vale of the White Horse Pony Club.
“He’s cheeky. He does what he wants and if you try and change that, then he doesn’t like you and if you give him treats, he really likes you. He also loves jumping.”
Lorenzo added: “It’s the highlight of my week. Thanks to Olivia, she’s made my day, she’s made my week and she’s made my Christmas.”
It was tight at the top, with Olivia and Lorenzo taking victory by 0.12 of a second from Isla McKinty on Kilorgin Boy and Rachel Proudley with Iggy Pop. Just 0.02 of a second behind them were Felicity Ashcroft aboard Trefriw Eros and Jack Whitaker riding D&H Q Paravatti N.
