Description
So Oliver aka ‘Shankly Oliver Twist’ is a 12.2 6yo Welsh section c gelding, full green Welsh passport. We’ve had him about a year and a half, and prior to us owning him I knew Oliver as I broke him in. He has good breeding, with his sire being ‘Moorcroft the Master’ He did lots of in hand showing as a youngster, doing well.
It’s a sad sale for us as he’s a very loved pony and has given his rider lots of joy and fun in the time we’ve had him, however reason for sale being his rider is now ready and wanting to progress onto more competing in the jumping side of things, which Oliver isn’t really happy to do. I will explain this more.
We have done everything with him, hacking, hunting, fun rides, beach rides, forest rides, arena hires and lessons etc. He has been brilliant in every sphere of this, especially hunting he is a brilliant hunting pony, very well behaved with brilliant brakes and really looks after his rider, taking his nervous rider hunting for her very first time. Everyone on the field complemented how good he was, can get references to back this up. Beach rides again behaves perfectly.
Oliver is also brilliant on lead rein, looks after complete beginners and 2-3 year old children who have never sat on a pony before.
Oliver’s only fault which is leading to us sadly having to sell him, is that he just won’t do showjumping competitions off lead rein. He will jump brilliantly at home, at lessons, at arena hires etc however as soon as it’s a show environment he gets in the ring and it just sort of fries his brain, he freezes and won’t go. We have never had this problem in a training environment, even hiring the exact same arena days before the show. He warms up fine, just when he gets in the ring is the issue. If lead round he will go. For this reason he would be best suited to someone who either isn’t looking to compete in showjumping or is on lead rein.
In every other way he’s a hassle free pony, brilliant to catch, load, groom etc, isn’t worried about being on his own, isn’t stressy etc.
Any further questions don’t hesitate to ask, we are very willing to find a loving home for him especially as he has been a personal family pony, not just one bought to sell.
He would be brilliant for someone coming off lead rein in every way just apart from competitions, it seems to mainly be the showjumping ring as he has been to an unaffiliated dressage test and did absolutely fine. It’s a shame as if he enjoyed the shows he would be a cracking showjumper, he’s loose schooled over 1.10 with ease. I particularly think he would excel in a hunting home, he really enjoys this and is brilliant at it.