Misty eyes top prizes

Carolyn Goldstraw and her steed Misty rode to victory after the pony underwent a remarkable transformation.

A year ago Misty was living a lonely life in a field after being shunned for the previous three years for being difficult to ride.

Freelance riding instructor Carolyn first came across Misty while teaching riding at a livery yard near Swinton, Rotherham.

She quickly realised Misty was simply unusually nervous of riders' legs against her flanks and, after two months' quiet schooling, she made huge progress.

Misty soon showed her talent by winning her first dressage competition, and then qualified for the Ponies UK Championships in which she came second.

The nine-year-old then shocked everyone by winning the JLS Home Produced Ridden Welsh Cob finals and being crowned Home Produced Mountain and Moorlands Ridden Reserve Champion.

Carolyn, of Millhouse Green, Penistone, said Misty was initially so frightened of people it took two weeks just to get her used to being mounted.

She added: "Misty lived in a field by herself, nobody paid any attention to her. So it's even nicer that something came from nothing.

"It was the riders' legs and saddling up - she would literally run off, especially when I turned and she felt my legs.

"We don't what had happened but something had obviously made her uptight."

Misty will now enjoy a rest, after which Carolyn's aim will be to develop her jumping ability ready for Working Hunter qualifiers next year.