‘She has enriched our lives’ – Farewell the winning HOYS and RIHS show pony with a prolific legacy

Rotherwood Flight Of Fancy show pony mare Liz Mansfield-Parnell has died aged 25.

Fancy, who was from Strinesdale Matador and Chirk Windflower, took many jockeys to the top as a 148cm open show pony, a small intermediate race type and a partially high Arab. In 148cm she won the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) in 2003 and the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) 2009. In 2008 she won the Sporting Sam Supreme Intermediate.

Fancy is the full sister of HOYS Reserve Former Hunting Pony of the Year, Rotherwood Maybe and Rotherwood Spring Flower, dam of the HOYS multi-show pony and of the Rotherwood Rainmaker breed.

“What’s interesting is that the three sisters have different heights; The fantasy lasts 14.2h, the spring blossom is 12.2h and maybe 2h, ”said Liz.

Liz sold Fancy as a foal to the Sanderson family and she was produced by the Jago family, John Harvey and Karen Burkin during her long career in the saddle.

“She bred a colt for the Burkins before I bought her full back from Landemann Nighthawk,” Liz added. “She was carrying Rotherwood Fantasia at the time, and since then she has raised two more foals for me, Rotherwood Touch Of Distinction and Rotherwood Fancy That.

Fancy’s accomplishments include the standing supreme champion of the National Pony Society Summer Championships with a foal on foot.

“After talking to those who have worked with her over the years, I realized that Fancy must love that you do anything for yourself,” Liz added. “She was not at all a problem or an absolute monkey. You had to make her happy and there were some things you had to work around for her to oblige you.

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As we remember the ‘ultimate showman’ here’s a look back at five of his special horses he rode.

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“I remember the day she was born and thought she might be one of the best foals I have ever raised. Typically, she arrived in the field unexpectedly. We had cameras installed in the stable weeks before, but she did it her own way, as usual.

“Fantasy has enriched our lives and it has taught us a lot. She has always been the boss. It’s nice to see his legacy carry on through his successful offspring.

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