Pony Power
Knowledge
Champagne for everybody
Spangles’ 32nd birthday celebrations. L-R Camilla Tice, Fiona and Chloe Spencer, Wilfred Spicer (sitting on Spangles), Mollie Tice, Freddie Spicer (holding Spangles), Victoria Kilminster, Max Graham, Harry Barwood, Jack and Max Wilson, Sophie Barwood, Edward Smyth-Osborne and Robin Spicer.
Spangles Spicer’s birthday party Height: 11 hh Age: 32 Colour: Chestnut Sex: Mare Breeding: Welsh Section A With glossy high-goal ponies often gracing the pages of Polo Times we thought it was time for a real veteran of children’s ponies to have her moment of glory. Let us introduce Spangles, owned by Ann Spicer, who has reached the grand old age of 32 and enjoyed her birthday party on 5 October with cupcakes and a reunion of her past owners and riders. Over the years, Spangles has taught a veritable army of children to ride and has now returned to Spicer headquarters to continue the tradition by teaching the grandchildren to play. In her time, Spangles has gone from sidesaddle pairs as a four year-old with the Fortesque family, to Victoria Brown, Master of Grafton’s daughter for hunting and Pony Club, then on to be the trusty steed of Harry, Rupert and Sophie
Barwood, grandchildren of the Master of Grafton, and then Edward Smyth-Osborne. Spangles’ career then continued at Ann Spicer’s yard for her son, Robin, where she hunted and played polo. Robin was heartbroken when he outgrew Spangles and made Ann promise that she would never sell his loyal companion! So, at Robin’s behest it was on loan that Spangles was passed on to Frankie Dent (Robin’s cousin) to play polo and then to Max and Oliver Graham to learn to ride on. Next it was Charlotte Main, Mollie Tice and Camilla Tice (granddaughter of Pytchley Master) who benefitted from Spangles’ wisdom, followed by Jack and Max Wilson (grandsons and nephews of Pytchley Master). The latest chapter in Spangles’ story is that she’s finally back to the Spicer family for Ann’s grandchildren Freddie, Wilfie and Otti to learn on. Freddie is already having polo lessons and Robin and Wilfie rode her at an autumn hunt meet this year. Here’s to many more happy birthdays Spangles – keep on doing what you love!
Give Polo Times this Christmas, to subscribe visit www.polotimes.co.uk
PT Nov/Dec14 50-98.indd 71
Another year, another generation of children for Spangles
Max Graham and Sophie Barwood
M Spangles inspired birthday cupcakes made by Karena Spicer, with some help from Freddie Spicer
Polo Times, November / December 2014
71
21/11/2014 17:54