3 minute read
PONY OF THE MONTH
Text | Georgia Harley
EQUIFOX LUCY LINDEN
Bred by Glenfox Stud, this strawberry-roan, 11-year-old Warmblood x Welsh pony is owned and ridden by the young rider Francesca Logan. Despite their focus being on showjumping, this pair also compete very successfully in open-level equitation and showing. They are true all-rounders.
Personality
Like many mares, Lucy likes things done her way! She is spirited and can be a little feisty at shows, but Francesca has learnt to navigate this mare’s temperament by forming a powerful bond through investing time in their partnership. The combination has grown in confidence over the past year and a half, and the benefits of their close relationship are sure to be even greater in the future.
Achievements
This very competitive duo has built quite a resume in the past year and a half. The accolades started coming in after just three months together. At the 2020 South African Championships, they walked away with a third, and in 2021 their showing hats were shining as Lucy was Pony of the Year at Horse of the Year and the Overall Show Pony at Easter Festival. Then in the discipline Francesca loves most, they started in the 70/80cm classes and are now competing in the 1.10/1.15m. In fact, Francesca and Lucy will shortly be doing their first 1.20m class together! It will be very exciting to see what this team will achieve in the future.
Breeding
Lucy Linden is named after her father, Lindenberg. Lindenberg was the son of one of the most important sons of Landgraf, Landadel. Interestingly, Landadel was rejected by the Holstein Commission, as they failed to anticipate his success as a breeding stallion. Unfortunately for Holstein, Landadel went on to produce not only top showjumpers, as was evident with Lindenberg, but also top-level dressage horses.
Lindenberg was ridden and owned by Gail Foxcroft, and they were a force to be reckoned with in the showjumping ring. Lindenburg either won or placed at every Derby he competed in. He was the SA Outdoor Grand Prix winner in both 2000 and 2001. Lindenberg’s achievements were not down to luck, with his full sister, Lady Weingard, having been part of the winning team at a European Championship under Marcus Beerbaum. Genetics really are powerful when it comes to performance!
Lucy’s dam is none other than Waterside Magic Nile, a spunky strawberry roan pony owned by Gail Foxcroft. The ‘Nile’ line has been incredibly influential in successful South African pony breeding, and Magic was no exception to this rule, jumping CA with Michelle Ross, her previous owner.
Final thoughts
Exceptionally-bred ponies like Lucy are a real gift to our sport. Having talented youngsters like Francesca pilot top-quality ponies around the arena inevitably sets our young riders up for success in the future. We feel confident that there are big things to come from Francesca and Lucy!
