Pant-y-ffynon Neigh-Oh Mei

with Maia and Sydney Warren

Early on it was clear Pant-y-ffynon Neigh-Oh Mei was going to be special, and special she is. Having won and placed at some of the biggest shows across the country with her young riders, Naomi as she is known, is building up a sea of fans. Maia Warren, whom currently has the pleasure of campaigning Naomi, tells Horse Deals more about this incredible pony.

SYNOPSIS:
Stable name: Naomi, Meomi, Nomi

Height: 11.3hh

Age: 5

Breeding: Welsh A. Dalgangle Griffin x Imperial Nikea

Owner/Breeder: Luke Dawes

Rider (Leading Rein): Sydney Warren, Alannah Hay, Kendall Hay

Handler: Cameron Wood

Rider (Open): Maison Hunt, Tia McKenzie, Claudia Hughes and Stella Gilmour. 

Top 3 Results: 2023 and 2022 NSW HOTY, First place lead rein Canberra, Sydney and Adelaide Royal 2023.

How did Naomi come into your life? Cameron Wood and I had been trawling Welsh studs around the country since before I was pregnant with Sydney. In those years, we could only find one we loved and had recently sold him to NZ, so the search was on again! I had been friends with Luke Dawes for over ten years, and I asked him what he had, (I specifically asked for no bay and black ponies). He sent a photo of Naomi, and I loved the look of her, even though she was bay. Luke was on his way home from a Welsh show in NSW with Naomi and stopped in to show her to me. Usually, I would have Cameron look in the flesh too, but he was working, so it was left up to me. Straight away, I knew she was perfect! I loved her movement and the way she carried herself. From that day, she never left. Luke has generously leased Naomi to us and we have fallen in love with her. 

What was the first ride like? She was promptly booked in and dropped off to Rhys Stones of Riverton Performance Horses. So, my first ride was fantastic. She has been an angel from day one. A credit to her temperament and the breaking
in job. 

Did you have any training issues? Never any. She has been a dream! We are so lucky. 

What was your first competition with Naomi, and how did it go? We picked her up from Rhys, and three weeks later we were at Macquarie Bank, a Grand National qualifier. Naomi carried a four-year-old Sydney in the pouring rain to Runner-up in the Tiny Tot Rider Class - her very first class at a show! She was then Runner-up Leading Rein Hunter Pony with Alannah in the saddle, qualifying for the Grand National at her first show. 

Within her first year under saddle, Naomi was a Horse of the Year Champion. What was she like as a young horse? She has always been pretty much the same, only improving with education. She’s forward-moving but not hot. 

You have had many different riders take the reins until your daughter Sydney was ready - how has Naomi adapted to each of her riders? Tia McKenzie rode her first and gave her a wonderful start in her open classes. She was the Best Novice Show Hunter Pony at Canberra Royal, her first royal. Alannah rode her in leading rein. Naomi just goes along for everyone. All her riders comment on how lovely she is to ride. 

When did Sydney take over the reins? Sydney rode her in her tiny tots from when they were both four years old. And Sydney started Naomi’s lead rein classes just before her fifth birthday. 

Most treasured moment together? Probably her 2023 HOTY win. Sydney was that excited to ride her pony and win flowers. It was very cute. 

How does Naomi, at a young age, cope with her, no doubt at times, nervous little riders? She never bats an eyelid. She is honestly such a good girl. 

What has she taught Sydney? Hang on! Sometimes, she can be forward. She is never naughty or hot, but she has a well-established go button!

Naomi shows a lot of presence in the ring. Has she always been like this? Yes! As a foal and youngstock, she was shown a lot as a Native Welsh A Pony by Luke. I have even seen photos of her with all four feet off the ground. Ring presence was never lacking.  

Cameron Wood is most commonly at the end of the lead - describe his relationship with Naomi? Cam has put endless hours of work into Naomi, as he does with all of our ponies. But I think he would say she is one of the most genuine he has worked with. She never says no. 

Naomi has been successful at Royal Shows across Australia. How does she handle the travel, being away from home and the atmosphere at these large events? Like she does in every aspect of her life. Just all in her big
bouncy stride. As long as she has food, she’s happy! 

As back-to-back Champion Leading Rein Show Hunter Pony at Canberra Royal, what is the secret to Naomi’s consistent success? I think it’s her consistent training with Cameron; he puts everything into making sure she’s spot on. Naomi happily obliges.  

Weekly training regime? When she’s in work 3-4 times a week. She’ll be ridden by me, have a lunge or lead rein work with Cam and Sydney. We mix it up depending on our work schedules and what show is approaching. 

When was the last time she made you laugh or cry? Only a few nights ago, I accidentally left her stable door open, and she ate an entire bale of Lucerne hay. She was in heaven!

What are your long-term goals with Pant-y-ffynon Neigh-Oh Mei? Ideally, she’ll continue with Sydney, and we will progress to off-the-lead classes. However, I know there are foals planned for her future. I know she’ll have gorgeous babies for Luke and his boutique stud. But we would love her to stay forever. We just adore her. 

Three things we don’t know about Pant-y-ffynon Neigh-Oh-Mei:

Every day she drags me to the paddock on her toes. She’s so strong! 

She barely gets fed! Her feeds are tiny. She’s naturally very voluptuous.

She’s very comfortable to ride and loves her job. 

And a few words from Sydney...

What is Naomi like to ride? She’s smooth and does fast trotting. 

What is your favourite thing about Naomi? That you can brush her mane and plait her whenever you want. 

Do you have any nicknames for Naomi? Meomi. 

When you’re not competing, what do you like to do with Naomi? Ride her off lead with no one holding me.

Maia and Sydney are proudly sponsored by Thames Equestrian and Showponyprep UK.

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