A TEENAGER from Newbridge-on-Wye is celebrating after being crowned Junior champion at the indoor horse driving trials.
Melita Powell won the title by an incredible 22.2 seconds with her loan pony, 21-year-old Blackie whose owner Ashleigh Jones acted as groom/backstep.
The 15-year-old, who is a member of Eppynt Carriage Club and a pupil of Builth Wells High School, has notched up a string of championship titles at club events over the last couple of seasons in both indoor and outdoor events with her ponies.
Day one of the British Championships, which are held at Keysoe, and saw Melita lying in fourth place after the dressage and cones sections in a class of 16 regional winners.
On day two Melita was fourth from last to go in the obstacle section which put the pressure on as she had to make a choice of either driving slower and steady for a clear round, or to go all out for a good time and hope that there would be no penalties.
With Ashleigh’s eager eye on the clock they took the decision to go with what Blackie likes best – speed, which left Melita to draw on all her skills for accuracy to be pulled to the fore resulting in an exciting and incredible 22.2 second lead which when transferred into points for the championship title, put Melita firmly in number one position.
Although she qualified for the National Championships in 2015 her groom and mum Clare Powell suffered a debilitating accident on day one which left Melita to compete with Rowena Moyce and Phillipa Scott acting as substitute grooms in the various disciplines.
However, despite the circumstances, she showed grit and determination coming home with a credible fourth place in a large Junior class driving her little Shetland pony JoJo fondly known as the Pocket Rocket.
Melita said: "I was very nervous last year as mum had been taken to hospital after the horrible crash at the event while competing, not knowing how serious her injuries were and I had to go in the arena with someone new to back step for me.
"This year she was watching from the stands with my family so I really wanted to win it for her. I am so grateful for all the help I have had over the last 12 months while mum has been recovering."
Loving the thrill of combined speed and skill, Melita has scheduled a programme of events in for the summer in the hope that she qualifies for selection to the Welsh Team again for the Scurry and Trials Driving World Championships which will be held in Sandringham in September. In the meantime she also has a number of outdoor events to fill in any gaps on her summer programme.
Melita is currently looking for sponsorship, those interested can get further information by contacting Clare on:-07786 397767.