An Otley-raised pony made a name for himself at last week's Horse of the Year Show at Birmingham's NEC.

Former Acrecliffe Equestrian Centre pony Devlin, a black 148cm Irish cob gelding, and his pilot William Whittaker took first place in the Squibb and Davies National Junior Foxhunter Championship.

The pony showed true spirit as he first completed a clear round and then performed a spectacular jump off against the clock which at times looked as though it may be too much for him.

However, determination and a leap like a salmon took him into first place.

Bruce Everall, joint proprietor of Acrecliffe along with his wife Anne, bought Devlin in Ireland as a five year-old in 1998. He brought him back to Acrecliffe where his training began and soon he was competing at local level becoming a regular at the Ilkley and District Riding Association shows.

He soon progressed to national competitions. Too small to be in the cob classes he was remeasured and entered in the pony classes and had great success including winning at the Birchingley Manor Festival of Champions.

Devlin was a very popular pony at Acrecliffe and had a large contingent from his former home cheering him on at Birmingham.

Mr Everall advertised Devlin for sale a year ago under the title "Best novice pony in the North of England" and still has the same faith in him now.

He said: "I always knew that he was a winner. He is the biggest hearted pony that ever lived. He was always special from the day I bought him and he ain't finished yet!"

This was not the first Everall horse to get to the dizzy heights of HOYS for in 1995 and 1997 their Acrecliffe Gold competed at Wembley.

Otley rider Karl Fuller bought his first horse, then named Maliamiff, from Bruce and took it to the Horse of the Year Show Foxhunter Championship.

Mr Everall currently has two potential Devlins in training with Karl Fuller although wether they will have the same courage and determination as the little cob remains to be seen.

"With Devlin you ask the impossible and the answer is always yes," said Mr Everall.

This was certainly true of the final jump, a hairy moment for the Devlin fan club but he gave his all, leapt out of nowhere and cleared the fence to win the championship.

Mr Everall said that it was a very proud moment watching Devlin being presented with his rosette.

"He took all the pomp and ceremony in his stride. He had a look of calmness, saying this is me, this is what I was born to do," said Mr Everall.

Mr Everall has now become firm friends with Devlin's new owner former Grassington farmer John Oversby.

Mr Everall said: "After the win, John came up to me and said 'Here he is - the dream maker!' That's what makes it all worthwhile. It is a dream and it can come true - particularly if you work hard at it."

Mr Oversby had double success at Birmingham with Devlin coming first and another of his ponies, Woodside Way, coming fourth in the same event.

The proud but very modest owner said: "The Everalls bought Devlin and brought him on. It took us seven hours to get to the NEC due to traffic problems so the horses were very weary when we got there so this was an even more remarkable achievement."

"I think William and Devlin are a very good partnership. They seemed to click straight away and they have won seven major competitions in five weeks."

"When I retired from farming I said to my wife I had a little ambition to get to the Horse of the Year Show but I was amazed when two of my ponies qualified. I never dreamed I would end up with first and fourth though."

The 14 year-old William Whittaker is a member of the Whittaker showjumping dynasty and his partnership with Devlin looks to be something special.

Devlin is definitely one to watch as his former owner Bruce Everall says: "He has always been a special little pony, he has done tremendously well and will no doubt go a lot further."

So keep your eye on this shining star next season.