A MARTLEY pony has qualified for the prestigious final of a national veteran competition.

Helen Smith was over the moon when she qualified My Little Promise for the Super Solvitax R-A Formula Veteran Pony of the Year Award.

She qualified at the Puddleston show held near Leominster against stiff competition in the ridden class.

Said Helen: 'I was very pleased to win the qualifier. Promise is 16 years old and he went extremely well.

She lost a beloved pony (Court Favour) 18 months ago through a stomach tumour.

Helen says: "She will never be forgotten and it took the whole family a long time to get over the loss before we could start to look for another pony.'

Mum Diane and Helen looked at 32 ponies and were beginning to lose hope when they settled on My Little Promise who was for sale in Crewe.

On looking through his papers they found that two years before he was owned by people in Woolhope, Hereford, and before that he was back in Cheshire and he has had owners as far away as Sheffield and Kent.

He has spent much of his life show jumping and has won a lot of money, but Helen now finds that he excels in Working Hunter and Show classes.

Helen says: "Promise is quite a character and not everyone would understand him - but once I gained his trust and he's mine.

"We have had a lot of fun together. I don't think we will ever sell him now - he is far too special and I hope he will live out his days with us.'

Fifteen-year-old Helen is a member of the Wyre Forest Pony Club and attends the Chantry High School at Martley.

Qualifiers for the Super Solvitax R-A Formula Veteran are held at shows all over the country and are always very popular.

The champion for 2000 will receive rugs, bandages and a host of other equipment as wll as a year's supply of Super Solvitax R-A Formula.

Super Solvitax R-A Formula has been scientifically formulated for the ageing, less active horse or pony.

It contains important nutrients, which have traditionally been used to help keep stiff joints supple and flexible.