Sophie Fountain had one goal for My Tirohanga Delight at their first Land Rover Horse of the Year Show and that was to win the Speed Pony of the Year crown . . . . consider it done. 

The 15-year old from Wanaka blitzed the opposition, finishing more than six seconds faster than runner-up Sally Peffers aboard All That Jazz, with Anna Wilson and Redcliffs Bill third.

There were plenty on the sideline to celebrate the win, with mum and dad Leigh and Dan, grandparents Sue and Charlie Cockrell, grandmother Glenys Fountain, aunty Emma and eight-year-old Deli’s breeder Monique Bennett all there to cheer them on.

This is Sophie’s first full season showjumping aboard Deli who has only been with her just under a year. “We came here just for this class and it is so cool to walk away with the win is just amazing,” said Sophie, who became the inaugural winner of the Bizzy Canoodling Cup. “The plan was to give it my best shot and see how fast I could go.”

Apparently, that is super-fast! “She is very special,” says Sophie. “I love that she is as competitive as me.”

Deli has proved a star for Sophie. They’ve won the South Island mini prix title as well as the Hussey Paint and Panel Mini Prix Series which they had tied up after 14 of the 17 rounds.

Breeder Monique was chuffed to be there to see the win. “This is a very special achievement and what we thought she would always do,” said Monique.

Sophie will also compete with TC Piano Man in the Pony of the Year class.