EcoVet Performance of the Week

Totally cool to have a nine-year-old kid on my “I wish I could ride as well as _____” list, right?

From this zoomed-out perspective from the stands at the Dublin Horse Show, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re watching the jump-off from a grand prix: this combination is just blazing around the ring, leaping each fence with style and class, speedy and fast but not out of control or unbalanced.

Surprise: this is nine-year-old Senan Reape and 18-year-old pony Mickybo, a ten-year veteran of the Dublin Horse Show — and this is the jump-off round for the 128cm national championship. Finishing a full two and a half seconds ahead of the competition, it’s safe to say that Reape and Mickybo turned and burned. Listen to the roar of the crowd!

According to competition rules, riders of the 12.2 and shorter ponies must be no older than 12. These fences are in the 3’6″ – 3’9″ range.

The winning small pony jumper Mickybo! The kids have to be under 12 years of age to show the 12.2 ponies and they are amazing!! #12.2 #ridiculous #ponyjumpers

A post shared by John Roche (@jrshowstables) on Aug 10, 2018 at 4:53pm PDT

We’ll just casually mention that one Bertram Allen, international show jumping superstar, won this class at the age of 11 at the Dublin Horse Show. If his phenomenal rise to the highest levels is any indicator, we should be keeping our eyes on young Senan here.

Go riding!