News | 11 November 2024
Spirit of Thelwell races to new lengths with the Shetland Pony Grand National
The Pony Club are delighted to share this incredible update with you about Thelwell, sponsors of The Pony Club Thelwell Art Competition.
The spirit of world-renowned cartoonist Norman Thelwell (1923-2004) lives on in the current day through its sponsorship and support for well-known and beloved charitable organisation, the Shetland Pony Grand National.
After a very successful 2024 racing season for Cherhill Shetlands, adorned with our Thelwell breeches, pony Oldeworlde Daniel has been selected as one of the nine chosen runners to feature in the prestigious London International Horse Show this December. The tens of junior jockeys who take part are trying to gain one of 10 places at the world famous London International Horse Show at Excel, where the ponies race around the Show’s main International Arena at a fast and furious pace.
Only those ponies who have ridden a certain number of podium finishes during the season are selected to ride in what is widely considered as the highlight of the equestrian year and a celebration of many equine achievements, and Thelwell is honoured to play a part in this fiesta of pony and horse.
2024 has been the second season that Thelwell has supported Cherhill Shetlands in the Shetland Pony Grand National, which it is proud to do on two counts; one in that it is supporting the plucky and talented rider, Fleur Smith (daughter of jockey Bill Smith who rode Spanish Steps and also in the Grand National alongside Bob Champion), has the added honour of wearing the Aldaniti silks which Bob himself wore when he amazingly overcame cancer to then win the 1981 Grand National on the horse of the same name. Shortly after winning the race, Bob formed the Bob Champion Cancer Trust and over the last 43 years, has raised over an incredible £16 million.
Oldeworlde Daniel is fortunate enough to wear the Aldaniti silks thanks to kind permission of Barkfold Manor Stud, after he rode to win the Shetland Pony Race at the Bob Champion Cancer Trust Charity Race Day at Wincanton racecourse in October 2023.
Isabella Bride, Founder of Cherhill Shetlands, commented: “We are delighted that Oldeworlde Daniel & Fleur Smith will be representing Cherhill Shetlands in the Shetland Pony Grand National (SPGN) at the London International Horse Show this December. It is a true honour to own one of the 9 Shetland ponies selected to take part in this prolific event. Not only am I proud of Daniel & Fleur but of our whole team of riders who work tirelessly in all weathers, all year round to keep both themselves and the ponies in top notch condition. Thelwell have been a brilliant supporter of Cherhill Shetlands throughout 2023 & 2024. It is fantastic that they were our sponsor when Daniel had his very first race at the South of England Show last year and we are now looking forward to having them supporting Daniel at London this December.“
David Thelwell, and his sister Penny, stated: “We have really enjoyed meeting some of the wonderful Cherhill Shetland ponies in the flesh this year – including Dan – some of them reminding us fondly of our father’s prolific illustrations. The passion and determination for ponies is apparent within Cherhill in both ponies and riders, and we’re thrilled that this spirit, that is wholly synonymous with Thelwell, lives on and will be represented at this year’s London International Horse Show. Dad would be delighted!”
About Norman Thelwell
Norman Thelwell (1923-2004) was an English landscape artist and illustrator, widely regarded as the unofficial artist of the British countryside.
He covered everything from country pursuits, farming and politics, to gardening and family life, but was most famous for his hilarious illustrations of determined little girls with their naughty, hairy ponies who invariably have the upper hand.
Here he found his true comic niche, and this led to the creation of a cartoon strip about a pony called Kipper and a young rider called Penelope, named after his own daughter.
For more information: https://www.thelwell.org.uk
And more images: https://www.thelwell.org.uk/picture-library/
About The Shetland Pony Grand National
The Shetland Pony Grand National is a team of Shetland ponies and jockeys that race all over the country raising money for charity.
This year’s charity is the Bob Champion Cancer Trust and all the money we raise will be going to cancer research.
Bob Champion, for those who can remember, overcame cancer and went on to win the Grand National in 1981 on the great Aldaniti.
Shortly after winning the race, Bob formed the Bob Champion Cancer Trust and so far he has raised over £16 million.
In 2023 the Shetland Pony Grand National raised a fantastic amount of £38,000 for the Bob Champion Cancer Trust and we are already on our way to beating that total this year.
All the jockeys who take part are trying to gain one of the 9 places at the world famous ‘The London International Horse Show’ at Excel which takes in December, just before Christmas.
All the children taking part must be aged between 8 and 14 years old and must be less than 5 ft in height. All the ponies taking part must be registered with the Shetland Pony Stud Book.
The Shetland Pony Grand National is a great introduction for the children who want to make a career in racing whether it is to become a professional or amateur jockey.