Cardigan Secondary School pupil, 11 year old Soffia Cynwyl has qualified her Section B gelding, Milford Fair Honey Bear for HOYS – Horse of the Year Show – a spectacle in the equestrian calendar and finale to the showing year held at the NEC in Birmingham this October.

Soffia, a Tivyside Pony Club member from Ponthirwaun near Cardigan, qualified her pony in the 133cm Working Hunter class at the BSPS (British Show Pony Society) Wales Show at the David Broome Event Centre at the end of July. Taught by Sharon Owen of Haverfordwest and Judith Allen of Aberporth, Soffia is over the moon.

She said: “I was really emotional and I couldn’t quite believe it. Bear was such a good boy and he jumped so well and managed to get me around a big, testing track with a water complex.

“I couldn’t have done this without the support of my family, instructors and friends. We are like one big happy family and I am so grateful,” said Soffia.

Soffia also qualified for the Royal International having qualified at Summer House, Gloucestershire at the beginning of the year. The pair had one unfortunate pole in very muddy conditions and finished in eighth place against top riders and ponies from across the country.

Soffia and Bear were also selected to represent Wales at the British Show Pony Society Championship Show in Grantham at the end of August.