Darcy Smith (12) has been chosen as June’s The Howden Way Spotlight Award winner for celebrating development of skills and knowledge over outcome, being a good role model and ambassador for the sport, and ensuring welfare of all is the heart of the Regional Academy. As part of her award, Darcy wins a uvex exxential II riding helmet, courtesy of Zebra Products.
Darcy rides her nine-year-old 14.2hh mare Souris De Ness, aka Minnie, who she has owned for a year.
Coach Fran Bird nominated Darcy for the June Spotlight Award on behalf of the Central academy. She said: “Darcy completed her first BE90 three-day event at Bicton in October 2023. She learnt so much about the care needed to ensure the highest welfare for a pony both at a stay away event and at a long format event with roads and tracks and steeplechase. She cared for her pony brilliantly, always asking for help to understand what Minnie needed to be happy, perform at her best and ensure her aftercare and welfare. Darcy also learnt so much about competing in a bigger atmosphere, how to use her stop watch, judge pace and how to do the trot up.”
Laura Collett, who has the pleasure of selecting the winning candidate, said: “Competing at your first three-day event can be daunting, but Darcy has showed that, despite her young age, with hard work and determination, you can achieve anything. She clearly cherishes her pony and puts her needs first which is pivotal to the Howden Way academies. Darcy is very eager to learn and takes everything on board to not only improve her own performance, but also to get the best out of her pony. She is a shining example of everything The Howden Way values.”
Darcy’s mother Suzie commented: “Darcy has been riding since she was six and has had Minnie for a year. Minnie had just turned nine when we got her and has lots of potential. Darcy has done Pony Club and got to the regional champs in 2022 with another pony, and last year started competing BE. She had a great season with Minnie and went to Bicton International where she did the BE90 three day event. She was in a class with over 100 riders and only a few were her age. She came 24th and we were so proud of her.
“Her and Minnie have a wonderful relationship and have gelled pretty quickly considering they have only been together a year. Darcy does as much as she can for Minnie and is super organised. She takes the horsemanship side of it very seriously. Minnie is always beautifully turned out and Darcy’s kit is always immaculate. She never expects anything to be done for her.
“The Howden Way academies are brilliant and Darcy gets so much out of them. It’s a fantastic concept because it is a whole holistic approach to eventing and not just about the going out competing. It’s about the rider and the horse and is a whole package.”
Each month, coaches delivering The Howden Way Regional Academies are invited to nominate a member who has championed the core values of the Academies, whether it be welfare, driving for inclusivity, creating camaraderie and supporting others, celebrating development of skills and knowledge over outcomes and developing true ambassadors for the sport. The winner is then selected by Olympic Gold Medallist, Laura Collett, from a shortlist of contenders who have been nominated as deserving.
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Non-members can attend up to two of any of The Howden Way training academies. For more information on The Howden Way training, visit here. For those wishing to join, there is a 40% discount for new Pony Club and Riding Club members. For information on how to join, visit here
