Ms Nugent put Collandie Park Wattacatch through his paces to claim second place in the Miniature Pony Gelding class for three-year-olds and under.

Until his recent sale to Paula Durant, of Wandandian, Wattacatch lived with Ms Nugent near Mogo and she did not want to miss his Royal appearance.

“Any ribbon at the Royal is a good ribbon,” she said.

“He is a beautiful black and white pinto and is a character.

“He is very talkative and always nickering and whispering sweet nothings to you.”

Ms Nugent fell in love with the breed when her stock horses were agisted at Termeil, where Yvonne O’Brien breeds miniature ponies.

“One look and I was gone,” Ms Nugent said.

“We moved to our property down here and I needed a friend for my stock horse so I bought a miniature from Yvonne and that was it. 

“I have four.”

An O’Brien filly, Edendale Hope, won her three-year-old section for Ms Nugent at the Royal last year and was awarded reserve champion filly or mare.

Now, Ms Nugent has another Edendale mare in foal.

She said showing should not be underestimated.

“It is not hard per se, but you have to be dedicated to correct training,” she said. 

“It is not a matter of pulling them out of the paddock and giving them a bath. There is a lot of preparation at home with regard to feeding, exercising and training.”