Last ride for 2025 for the cool Cassionora GF

Cassionora GF completes his ridden education with a win at his first outing

Cassionora GF, the resident goofball, and Daisy Williams successfully completed Cass's ridden education for 2025 with their first competitive outing together, and what an introduction it proved to be.

Cass has been an exceptionally intelligent and willing young horse throughout his backing and training, and a genuine pleasure to introduce to the saddle. We had hoped to start him quietly at an unaffiliated show; however, with Christmas shows being the only option available, he was rather thrown in at the deep end.

Team Koning headed to Sykehouse Arena, and events began with a surprise almost immediately. Less than a minute after Daisy was in the saddle, a loose pony in the car park made a beeline for Cass, much to his excitement. He was never rude, simply excited by the unexpected drama.

Inside the arena, the atmosphere was equally busy and festive. Horses and ponies were everywhere, adorned with tinsel, bells, red quarter sheets, and Christmas decorations woven through manes and tails. Despite never having experienced a shared warm-up or horses whizzing past him, Cass took it all in his stride and behaved impeccably.

He went on to jump a confident clear round in the first class, calling out enthusiastically to anyone who would listen. As the venue became increasingly busy, we decided to enter him in the following class to consolidate the experience and then head home, mindful that he would be mentally tired.

Remarkably, Cass went on to produce another calm, assured round and only went and won the class, securing his first-ever first place rosette.

He was an absolute star throughout the morning and could not have conducted himself any better. With his initial ridden education now complete, Cass will enjoy a well-earned holiday before heading off to Stallion AI in the New Year to begin the next chapter of his career.

Our sincere thanks go to all our supporters, and in particular to Daisy, whose professional, sympathetic riding ensured that Cass's first show was such a positive and confidence-building experience.

Thank you Victoria Adams Photography for the wonderful pictures