IT took one of the most famous showjumping families in the world to deny Hayley Windsor her deserved moment of glory in the Pony of the Year Show, held at the Towerlands Equestrian Centre, in Braintree, Essex.

Hayley, who is 13 and lives in Bexleyheath, was aboard her 12-year-old mare Minnie Madam in the prestigious event.

After a clear round, the pair then made one tiny mistake to incur four faults in the jump off, which enabled Wlllie Whittaker, son of the world-famous international and Olympic star James, to go clear and win the prize.

Hayley’s mother said: “It’s hard enough competing, with the high costs, travelling, etcetera, but it was tough luck on Harley to come up against someone with the showjumping background of WIllie Whittaker.

“We took one horse in an old box, while they arrived from the Midlands in their huge sponsored trailer with many expensive horses.

“Nonetheless, I am very proud of Hayley’s effort as she came so close to winning.” But what made Hayley’s effort so good was that her mount is still a relative greenhorn at the sport.

Mrs Windsor said: “We only got Minnie Madam her last year for what was really a pittance compared to what the Whiitakers would pay for theirs.

“But she was a complete novice for jumping but has steadily improved when Hayley has schooled her at Slades and Mount Mascal’s stables in Bexley.” Hayley, who has been showjumping since she was seven has, according to her mother, won around 250 trophies of various kinds and also represented the borough with distinction in the last five London Heathrow Games, which she will be doing again at Crystal Palace next month.

Mrs Windsor added: “Hayley has lots of other major objectives this season and we plan to enter her and Minnie Madam at Hickstead and a big show being held in Staffordshire.

“Hopefully, if she achieves a top-two placing in one of the Grand Prix events, she will qualify to take part in one of the pony classes at the Horse of the Year Show, being held at the NEC, in Birmingham, in October.” “Meanwhile, we are trying to attract some sponsorship for her in a sport where costs are very high.” * If you would like to sponsor Hayley and Minnie Madam, call her mother on 01322 404646.