Ruby Fentiman and her pony, Withymead Honey Bear, were the first recipients of an Animalweb Good Horsemanship Award at this year’s Royal Highland Show. Ruby and her pony have been recognised for the outstanding partnership they demonstrated together.
The trust, harmony and mutual respect between pony and rider were evident for all to see, making them worthy winners of this special award. Their calm and confident partnership reflected the very values that the Animalweb Good Horsemanship Award seeks to celebrate.
Ruby has owned Withymead Honey Bear since he was a three-year-old and the pair have progressed through every stage of their showing career together. Starting out in lead rein classes, they have steadily worked their way up the ranks, coming off the lead last year before enjoying an exceptional run of success.
Together they have won the Pretty Polly Championship, qualified for the Royal International Horse Show on three occasions and secured a HOYS Wild Card qualification. This year marked a particularly special milestone as Ruby won her first Horse of the Year Show Mountain & Moorland First Ridden qualifier outright, rather than through a Wild Card, before going on to be crowned champion at the Royal Highland Show. For Ruby, winning at one of the country’s biggest shows, and then being presented with the Welfare Stewarding Group Award, made the day even more memorable. She said her whole family were incredibly proud of everything she and Honey Bear had achieved together.
Ruby describes Honey Bear as her best friend. While he likes to keep her on her toes, he knows exactly what his job is once they enter the ring. Their success has been built on a genuine partnership, with mutual trust and understanding allowing them to perform in harmony together. Their relationship is a wonderful example of the connection that can develop between a child and their pony through years of working together.
Looking ahead, Ruby hopes to continue producing and competing ponies and has ambitions of one day becoming a jockey. With Honey Bear by her side, she is already building the horsemanship, dedication and partnership that will serve her well in the future.
