Native Pony November 2022 (156)

NOVEMBER 2022 ISSUE 156

Vintage Treasure:

Ruth On The Hoof: New Forest

Nipna Damask Rose

All the native news from Horse of the Year Show

Bloodlines Banked for Future Dartmoor Days info@showingworldonline.co.uk | November 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 1

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2 | The Native Pony | November 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

OUR OWN

A word from our editor Dear Reader, If this year had gone any faster, I think I could have missed it in a blink!

Personally, I’m still enjoying the HOYS aftermath and the wash of happy faces and gorgeous ponies I am seeing on my social media!

It should come as no surprise then, that this issue focuses predominantly on HOYS. Working through reporting for Showing World and Native Pony, it took me an age to have something written for each of the winners of native classes. There are so many now, which is testament to our wonderful breeds, their popularity and their versatility.

Personally, it was a mixed-bag kind of week. It wasn’t our best week for results with a clutch of first-timers, but we were nevertheless thrilled to have four ponies present and take two rosettes home. Even more thrilling was to have a homebred qualify, and for both lil’ sis and I to compete in the same class together, something we had done at RIHS and at Olympia, but not at HOYS. The introduction of the new junior working hunter pony class proved to be popular and successful, and I’d love to see it grow to have further junior sections.

The reality is both adults and children love riding natives, even small ones, and due to the hardy nature and working backgrounds of the breeds, they are more than capable of carrying adults, and thriving within their chosen discipline. I am not an advocate of promoting natives as ponies suitable for children alone as I feel that breeding with children alone in mind may risk the weight-bearing, hardy, solid types that have kept natives fit, well and working in tough conditions through the ages.

entering the open breed classes. I certainly hope it will man an increase in 2023, as I personally believe that a class each is the ultimate goal for us native nuts, but appreciate that the numbers must demand it.

The strength of the natives was also apparent when I sat down with the independent panel appointed to select finalists for the SEIB British Showing Awards brought to you by Showing World.

Unable to decide on six ponies of mixed type for the Pony of the Year Award, we selected six natives and six plaited. Trust me, that was tough enough! I really hope that you will take the time to vote and even better, I hope to see you on December 3rd, cheering on your favourites as we announce the winners...

- Beth

Nevertheless, their temperaments and heights mean that they are also suitable for children, and I applaud any effort by HOYS to include opportunities for children and adults to enjoy their ponies at what is the best show of the year! I hope that this section grows and evolves as the junior flat classes did.

It was also wonderful to see the Dartmoors have a class of their own. Statistically, I would be interested to see if it has meant an increase in Exmoors and Shetlands

Beth and Maggie together at HOYS riding Marbeth Jimmy Wilde and Stormyoak Just Divine

COVER STARS: Ella Eynon, 12, and five-year-old Welsh section C pony, Joyton Sunshine, the newly crowned Mountain and Moorland Working Hunter Pony of the Year. Photo by 1st Class Images.

OUR VALUED PARTNERS info@showingworldonline.co.uk | November 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 3

Contents Features 14. BSPS Heritage Championships 24. Vintage Treasure: Nipna Damask Rose 28. Tebay Remembrance Ride 31. South West Hairy Pony Festival 39. HOYS Show Report

Regulars 34 40

50

17. An Update from Janine Paterson 20. An Update from Amy Smith 34. Ruth on the Hoof 54. Connemara Breed News 55. Fell Breed News

24

Disclaimer: The view and opinions expressed within the magazine are not necessarily those of the editor or Showing World Limited and while every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in the magazine is correct and current at the date of publication, Showing World Limited will not accept any liability. Showing World Limited will not be held responsible for the appearance of photographic material supplied without the necessary consent, copyright and/or photographer’s details. In

addition, Showing World Limited offers no guarantee of publication and reserve the right to edit any reader’s letters, press releases, reports and articles submitted.

Showing World Limited 2022. All rights reserved. No part of Native Pony may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted or shared in any form or by any means, including, but not limited to; electronic, mechanical, digital, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior written permission of Showing World Limited.

4 | The Native Pony | November 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Precipitation greets a friend (Photo by Malcolm Snelgrove)

Dartmoor Bloodlines Banked Lucinda Dargavel Dartmoor days will never be over thanks to a scheme known as the “ReGENEration Bank.”

The Dartmoor pony is officially listed as an endangered and a ‘priority’ breed by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) and it is known that many of the bloodlines within the breed are becoming increasingly rare. To ensure the survival of Britain’s most threatened native breeds, the RBST set up a sperm bank and to date, semen from six Dartmoor stallions has been added to an invaluable pool.

Fengate Mars Man

The RBST “ReGENEration Bank” programme was launched at the height of the FMD (Foot and Mouth Disease) crisis in 2001 to store sufficient breeding material to prevent a major disease outbreak from posing a threat to any of Britain’s rare livestock breeds. When the calamitous FMD outbreak occurred, it alerted the Trust to the fact that there was no real contingency plan in place to ensure the continuation of some of Britain’s rarest breeds.

Although horses were not under threat by the FMD outbreak, the Trust had become increasingly aware that outbreaks of other diseases in the future, such as African Horse Sickness (AHS) could threaten rare British equine breeds and that the consequences of such an outbreak with no reserves would be devastating. info@showingworldonline.co.uk | November 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 5

This Trust chose eleven native breeds that were considered ‘at risk’ and the “ReGENEration Bank” programme meant that semen would be collected from chosen Dartmoor bloodlines which would then be used to protect against any future disasters as well as to ensure the continuation of the Dartmoor breed in its most traditional form.

All of this would not be possible without the right people behind the project and from the outset, the “ReGENEration Bank” programme was supported

by Jane Holderness-Roddam’s West Kington Stallion Centre in Wiltshire, which is well known for pioneering the use of AI (Artificial Insemination) in the UK. In 2002, a team from West Kington, led by Martin Boyle, MRCVS, took their mobile unit to Elizabeth Newbolt-Young’s highly successful Shilstone Rocks Dartmoor stud at Widecombe-in-theMoor, Devon. They set up a mobile laboratory for the first round of the project which involved semen collection, evaluation and freezing and the Dartmoor Pony Society invited Dartmoor stallion owners in Devon to attend over two days to participate in this scheme.

Crowndale Cricket

Nine stallions came forward and had semen collected, but following the evaluation, only three were found to be suitable for freezing and adding to the RBST’s gene pool. This figure is not uncommon with the process but the first three ponies who passed the tests successfully were the Shilstone Rocks stallions, Shilstone Rocks Freedom, Shilstone Rocks Another Lord and Shilstone Rocks Precipitation.

Stored in liquid nitrogen, their semen will remain viable almost indefinitely and will provide valuable gene pools for future use.

Springwater Intermezzo (Photo by Anthony Reynolds)

Shilstone Rocks on the moors (Photo by Malcolm Snelgrove)

6 | The Native Pony | November 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

With so many rare breeds on the list, and the percentages involved in successful freezing, the “ReGENEration Bank” programme had to rotate the breeds they were collecting from and so it was not until some years later that the Dartmoor Pony Society was offered the opportunity to put forward another stallion for the bank.

This time, the chosen stallion was Nicola Tyler’s Springwater Intermezzo. In 2008, Intermezzo made the journey to Stallion AI Services in Shropshire where Tullis Matson and his team collected and successfully froze his semen.

The request from the RBST was repeated in 2010, with successful collections taken from Elizabeth Brewington’s Crowndale Cricket and again in 2011, from Viv and Tom Brown’s Fengate Mars Man, who again visited Tullis and his team at Stallion AI Services.

Straws for the “ReGENEration Bank” are held at both West Kington and Stallion AI, and over Shilstone Rocks Another Lord

50 doses of semen are currently in store for the six Dartmoor stallions on the list to date. Chair of the Dartmoor Pony Society, Nicola Tyler, said: “Schemes such as this one financed by the RBST are of immeasurable importance for the preservation of the breed after unforeseen future catastrophes. We need to find ways of preserving female eggs long term to provide further genetic security.”

Fast forward ten years and the RBST has recently gained funding from the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) for a new three-year equine project. As part of this, the Dartmoor Pony Society has been requested to submit a report which is currently being analysed.

The aim of the Equine Conservation project is to significantly improve RBST’s ability to support both breed societies and individual breeders in the conservation status of native equine breeds.

Shilstone Rocks Freedom, ridden here by Katie Duxbury

With thanks to Viv Brown, Dartmoor Pony Society, for her invaluable input The stallions and their parentage at a glance: 1.

Shilstone Rocks Freedom – S2002/006 Teignhead King of Clubs x Shilstone Rocks Freefall

2.

Shilstone Rocks Another Lord – S2001/006 Shilstone Rocks Warlord x Shilstone Rocks Another Bunch

3.

Shilstone Rocks Precipitation – S2001/004 Shilstone Rocks Fury x Shilstone Rocks Drizzle

4.

Springwater Intermezzo – S97/3 Wynhill Golly Gosh x Vean Isadora

5.

Crowndale Cricket – S2003/004 Hisley Cravat x Hisley Ragtime

6.

Fengate Mars Man – S2004/009 Senruf Graduate x Fengate Touch of Class

This new project will look to identify overarching and breed specific issues and conduct an analysis of existing differing approaches to breeding and reproductive technologies. Reproduction surveys, semen analyses, and versatility studies will form its backbone with the aim of creating a best practice guideline for breeding strategies as well as finding out what influences breeding decisions. As part of the project, Breeder Guides and a Best Practice Tool Kit for breed societies and others will be produced and in its latter stages, the project will be concerned with the promotion of the wider role of native equines in society and actively encouraging their use.

At Native Pony, we will be following this project, and look forward to updated reports on its progress as well as the parts that both the Dartmoor pony and the Society have to play.

rd

Saturday 3 December 2022 Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire Brought to you by Showing World Magazine

Introducing the

British Showing

AWARDS 22 ®

Brought to you by Showing World Magazine

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The process culminates in a glamorous awards evening and gala dinner, held at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire: an exquisite evening attended by top showing names, sponsors and companies.

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8 | The Native Pony | November 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

“SEIB are delighted to be sponsoring the SEIB/Showing World British Showing Awards. SEIB have long been committed to the showing industry, and these are the premiere showing awards, celebrating the best of the best in the showing community. We look forward to working with the Showing World team to bring you a superb celebration of this season’s best.”

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THIS YEAR’S CATEGORIES ARE SET TO INCLUDE: • • • • • •

SEIB Outstanding Achievement Show Personality of the Year Veteran Horse Society Veteran of the Year Coloured Horse or Pony of the Year Horse of the Year Pardus Wealth Pony of the Year

• • • • • • • •

Native Pony of the Year Breeder of the Year Junior of the Year Rider of the Year Handler of the Year Groom of the Year Area of the Year Show Team of the Year

Voting is open, head over to our website to find details of each finalist and how to cast your vote.

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BOOK NOW! info@showingworldonline.co.uk | November 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 9

Soden Emrys

Glebedale Magic Mike (Equinepix)

The Welsh Pony and Cob Society Sales A three day report on the Welsh Pony and Cob Society Official Sale held at the Royal Welsh Showgorund, Builth Wells where McCartneys were the Official auctinoneers.

DAY ONE On the Friday it was a very encouraging day of selling, with a buoyant trade.

After last year’s successful trade, the majority of stock sold were performance animals, geldings and Welsh part-breds.

Topping the sale was the Welsh Cob four-year-old Palomino gelding, Soden Emrys WS 106645 bred by Sian Ioan.

Purchased as a foal by his consignor Megan Williams at Llanybydder sales, he has quietly been brought on and then broken to ride by Declan Davies.

He took the Overall Championship in the Sarum Investment Gelding show held earlier in the morning judged

by WPCS President Dennis Price ( Afan Stud), and it was no surprise that when ridden in the sale ring by Megan – everybody wanted him! With spirited bidding and Tina Turner in full voice, Lloyd Humphreys took the bids with the hammer finally falling at £14,000. Delighted purchaser was Donna Greenow from the well-known Blaenau Welsh Mountain pony stud near Crickhowell in Powys. Asked how she felt when bidding? Donna confessed she was ‘a little bit nervous’ but later admitted that she had once spent some £20,000 on a Sheepdog bitch at auction, which was scarier! The lucky person for whom he was bought is sixteen-year-old daughter Beth who intends to show him, do some dressage and of course some shepherding on the family’s hill farm.

After some scepticism regarding a Friday sale the return showed that in total 124 lots were offered with 89 sold, resulting in a 72% clearance, selling with a healthy return for the majority of vendors, proving that quality animals will always attract the bidders wherever they are in the sale order and on whichever day drawn.

Jenny Leyton Mills from McCartneys said “We are pleased to see the sale develop to cover three days offering all five sections and the opportunity to see performance animals in a large number on the first day - let’s hope for a continuation of this strong trade” Starting the sale as lot 1 was the threeyear-old Welsh Mountain pony gelding Arvon Griffith consigned by Caernarfon based breeder Sarah Mackay Williams whose Arvon ponies go back generations to her grandfather Mr Willoughby Williams stock, he sold for £2,300, starting a trend for good A geldings.

Sarum Red Robin another A 3-year-old gelding and the current RWAS Gelding Champion went further at £3,500 only to be topped by Kitty Bodily’s home bred Glebedale Magic Mike at £4,400.

A delighted Kitty said “Well Magic Mike certainly put on a show today and makes the whole process of running on a quality gelding worth it. He’s gone to a fantastic show home in Devon with the Conibear family” Topping the Section B geldings at £3,700 was Sandy Andersons handsome grey gelding Thistledown Grand Jury selling to Mr D’amico Simon Charlesworth made the pilgrimage from Newmarket to Builth

10 | The Native Pony | November 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Wells worthwhile selling his threeyear-old Chestnut colt Blaencila Rhodri to top the C’s at £6,200. He was purchased by Mr Joseph. Mr Howatson had his twelve year old Cruglwyd Martino in great order at £4,900 Leading the Welsh Part breds was Julie Evans’ skewbald colt foal Haighmoor Rocket Rodney at £4,200. Rodney will find his way to the Yorkshire based Estoro stud, One vendor who brought forward five lots in great order was Nesta Owen of the Desach Stud. She was rewarded with an average of £3,490 for three ridden Cobs, an A gelding and a Welsh Part bred filly foal.

Mrs Ready’s buckskin D filly Penclose Cashew from very successful ridden lines caught everyone’s imagination selling for £6,100 – she stays locally in Builth Wells.

Following his sale topping success last year vendor Bobby Thomas brought Carnffoi Luke to sell; he made £6,000.

Three D mares Glanhirin Solitaire at £6,000 closely followed by the chestnut cob mare Hendrewen Texas Dream at £5,900 and the dun Hatterall Hunny Bee, at £5,100 made sure the D females were well represented The three-year-old D colt Ryehill Cosmic Spark from Sam Cooper and the 5-year-old stallion Pennal Mr C consigned by Richard Francis tied at £5,000.

DAY TWO With heavy downpours overnight, it

Cwmhir Croeso

was a rain-soaked journey for many to Builth Wells on the Saturday morning for the second day of the official sale where McCartneys reported 170 animals offered and saw 126 sold, with a clearance statistic of 74%.

Saturday’s focus turned to the breeding stock from Welsh Sections A and B and by the time the sale bell rang the sun was shining on an enthusiastic crowd of sale goers.

Prior to the day, the description of the Section A colt foal Cwmhir Croeso bred

by Sarah Hamer had piqued the interest of many of the leading studs, and this colt foal did not disappoint, capturing the hearts of many. After a hard-fought battle between established breeders, the hammer fell at £6,400 and he makes his way to the Anglesey based stud of Gareth and Mavis Parry at Brynrodyn; home of the much-admired Cwmhendy Buster, who has dominated the sire ratings for so many years.

Asked to elaborate on Croeso (Welcome) a delighted Gareth was keen to point out that he is not in the habit of buying sale topping animals, but he had been looking for that ‘special’ colt for many years, to go across the Buster daughters. He came to the sale with his trailer, intent that “if he moved true and straight” he would be taking him home.

With a triple cross of Betws Dafydd, it will be fascinating to see how ‘Croeso’ works in years to come.

A new breeder establishing her Section A stud today with foundation mares, is Karin Reimondos from Sweden who purchased two females. The top price on the day and breaking the record for a female Section A sold at auction, at £13,500, was the 8 year old palomino mare Springbourne Celebrity – consigned by her breeder Cerys Reynolds from the coveted Belvoir columbine line. Celebrity was joined by the top price filly the buckskin Heniarth Dovetail at £3,400. Karin says that she is “Looking forward to starting new adventures and making new memories both in the show ring, with breeding and on the farm”. She was also keen to thank Owen Jones, Nebo for bidding and Swedish breeder Per Aschan for his advice and guidance on her purchases.

Section A Mares found a stronger demand than foals this year with Sandy Anderson’s Thistledown Princess Charlotte – in foal to RWAS Winter fair Champion Ilar Dakota making £5,000 to Melanie Alford of Stapelgrove Livestock Limited, again as a foundation mare.

She was followed by Mrs Vinnicombe’s, chestnut roan, Uphill Pippi long Stockings. She was the first of several lots carrying Uphill breeding to sell well on the day. This six-year-old mare made £3,500. She was purchased by Mr Finch.

Another of Sandy Anderson’s draft of mares made £3,000 – the six-year-old Thistledown White Heather, daughter of Royal Welsh winning Gartconnel Shooting Star. She makes her way to the Dutch based Turfhorst stud of the Koele’s, who are no strangers to top quality breeding stock.

Also breaking the £3,000 ceiling was the palomino daughter of past Olympia Champion Uphill James Fox, Dolhelfa Golden Charm consigned by her breeder, Newtown based Mrs Hughes.

She was sold to the Rothwell-Cure family.

Not to be left behind the Section A males were led by the home bred three-year-old colt Gwyrddparc Haribo bred by Mark and Kathryn Woolley.

Selling at £5,000 to Warren Harvey this son of past RWAS ridden Champion A – Ysselvliedts Nushki goes back to Crumpwell, Bengad and Vechtzicht lines, and should have an exciting future under saddle.

Of a slightly different stamp, the tenyear-old dark bay stallion Ffermymorlais Tempo has an impressive show record at the major shows and has sired champions. He sold at £2,800 to V.Burton.

Top of the foals was the cream filly Popsters Jigglypuff, by the Swedish based Forlan Honey Supreme. Bred jointly by 8-year-old young WPCS member Aston Davis and his mum Heidi, this filly made £2,750 to Ruth Maccinnes. The youngest vendor on the day was delighted with his first ever sale ring experience, his grin widening with every bid!

The trade in the section B’s was less level with only a few hitting the high-spots.

The one that everyone wanted was the nine-year-old grey mare, Thistledown Pretty Peggy, of pure Paddock breeding.

Sandy Anderson shared “This is a fitting tribute to the vision of the late Bernard Butterworth who passed away this summer and his wife Maureen, both exceptionally talented breeders.”

Produced by Liesl Mead, this mare had the added attraction of being in foal to the current Royal Welsh Champion Swedish bred Kallared Heartbeat. A rousing dual with many hands held high saw the final two thrash it out in hundred-pound bids going tit-for-tat.

The eventual winner at £8,000 was Melanie Alford who again hopes to establish a new Section B breeding venture alongside the A’s. “I liked her because of her depth and her quality, and we very much look forward to the foal she is carrying” said Melanie.

It is extremely encouraging to see new entrants into the breeding world, and another enthusiast who bought two of the Thistledown draft of Section B mares was Patrick Bukowczan from France. He takes home Thistledown Rainbow

Springbourne Celebrityinfo@showingworldonline.co.uk | November 2022 Issue | Thirstledown The NativePretty PonyPeggy | 11

threshold selling for £10,000 was Gwilym Howatson’s homebred three-year-old dun colt Sangrug Daniel. Unshown yet; his future will be with the Haywoods.

By Sangrug Drako he is out of Fronarth Dream Lady purchased wisely by the vendor from the Autumn Cob sales in 2005 for £1,050.The Howatson family are also to be congratulated as they brought forward seventeen lots for buyers consideration over the sales weekend – a mammoth feat in itself.

Fronarth Be Dutch returned to his homeland from Holland to be sold from his base at Islyn. Already broken to both ride and drive, the Sweetings from the Estoro stud in Yorkshire secured the bay four-year-old from the Koele family at £6,000.

Cwmesgair Rolex at £4,000 was the top yearling colt. This perlino colt from Gornoeth and Corscaron lines was purchased by the Thomas’s

Tireinon Gabriella

at £3,000 and Thistledown Golden Girl at £1,800.

Prior to the sale one of the talking points has been about where an animal is lotted in the draw by the auctioneers. One of the early birds of the day, the thirteenth lot to grace the sale ring proved that early, middle or late, the buyers will find and be there for quality lots. Mr Butters selling the Anne Holt bred, four-year-old Musbury the Countess for £3,800 to the D’amico’s.

Heading the Section B males was the chestnut yearling colt Moelgarnedd Aran-Benllyn at £2,000. Consigned by his breeder Aaron Williams and produced

by Colin Tibbey, this RWAS winter Fair winner was purchased by Sarah Tattersall.

WPCS President Dennis Price of the locally based Afan stud kindly donated the proceeds from the sale of one of his Section A filly foals – Afan Saving Grace to his chosen charity for his presidential year - “Wales Air Ambulance”. The chestnut filly sold for £900 after spirited bidding ensuring a welcome donation to this worthy cause.J.Preston was the successful purchaser.

DAY THREE Sunday dawned bright at Builth Wells. A large crowd gathered for a full and final day of McCartneys auctioneering team’s

efforts in the sale ring. With C’s and D’s selling from ten o’clock in the morning through until gone six, there was a brisk trade, with 238 lots offered, a 198 sold, resulting in a pleasing clearance of 82%.

Vendors entered the ring with their stock, safe in the knowledge that equal parity was given to all breeders, and sellers.

Prices were steady with discerning buyers happy to raise their catalogues for the best quality on offer. Whereas in previous years it may have been a market more geared toward the foal trade the older animals fought back on this occasion with many seniors making the highest prices.

Star lot – saved by the Auctioneers to a spot late in the sale was the seven-year-old Palomino Welsh Cob stallion Danaway Rossi. Broken to drive and lightly shown by his breeders the Attrell family, Rossi rocked the status quo enticing committed bidding, however it was an American bid which won the day at £14,000 equalling Friday’s top price going to the D’amico’s.

Over the four-day sale they purchased five animals, 3 B’s an A and the D making a useful shipment and influx of bloodlines to America. It is encouraging to hear of exports during these difficult post-brexit years when the European exports have become more costly.

Another D male to cross the five-figure

12 | The Native Pony | November 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Section D mares were jointly lead by Tireinon Gabriella, the last mare sold by Roy Higgins after 61 years of breeding.

Such a contribution to the breeding world of the Welsh Cob was much recognised by the reaction of the crowd to this grand chestnut mare as she reached the £8,000 figure to jointly top the female D’s. Her purchaser Dean Prater intends to cross Buckles Cherry Tango over her, who himself goes back to Tireinon Triple Crown.

Jointly reaching the £8,000 price tag was the big upstanding Gwenllan Briallen Mai consigned by Ceri Bennett .After a slow start she gathered momentum in the ring as the crowd appreciated her scope and movement – none more so than her successful purchaser Michael Wenman.

Two other D females to cause bidding wars were the four-year-old dun Dearnvalley Lady Di from Ms Silverton – a mare full of Trevallion breeding who sold to Mr Newsoe at £7,000, closely followed at £6,000 by Gemma Paxford’s homebred three year old chestnut filly, Fairgrove Ceridwen, by Kallistalodge Hercules, another of Mr Wenman’s purchases over the weekend.

Each year the promise foals show at the sale can make the heart beat a little faster and this year was no different. In fact, some made the heart race! Two such fillies were the three-quarter sisters sired by Pennal Carwyn, Glyncoch Gabrielle, a chestnut and Glyncoch Desert Princess, a palomino. Selling at £6,500 to Etienne and Catrin Stevens in France and £5,500 to Carol Prater respectively. Carol of course known for her previous palomino sale purchase of the sale topping Caederwen Miss Monroe.

Glyncoch Desert Princess

Top of the Cob colt foals was the effervescent Fronarth Royal Flyer, Carol Prater again taking him home for £5,500.

This bouncing colt’s dam Fronarth Maria’s Princess is is a half-sister to the current RWAS youngstock Champion Tirgwyn Tiana.

Other drafts of top foals which impressed were the five consigned from Cascob averaging £3,240 and the Llwynhywel five averaging £2,420.

Section C’s bidding was set alight by the three-year-old Ormond Rosenthal consigned by his breeder Richard Morgan.

This black colt by Joyton Maybe Black out of a previous autumn sale purchase Synod Rita Rose goes to top producer Sam Morsley at £6,600 to top the section, and will no doubt grace the show ring in future. The dam was originally purchased at the sale by elder brother and Society Chairman Daniel only to be swiftly claimed and transferred to Richard and is the subject of much leg- pulling within the family.

Selling at £4,500 the homebred Troedymynydd Trouble from the Mcdonald family is a past RWAS Gold medal winner and Glanusk Supreme.

Broken to both ride and drive and

described in the catalogue as having “the heart of a lion” he makes his way at only seven years old to the Randalls.

Richard Morgan again topped the C females with the bay, deep brood mare Synod Rose Alex at £3,700. Bred by Amanda Harries this eleven-year-old granddaughter of Synod Roy Rogers and Ranger returned to her place of purchase as a foal – another Cob sale graduate to find her new home with the Jennings’s.

Young C fillies who appealed to the bidders present and online were the three year old chestnut roan filly Greigiau Spring Bouncing Queen. Bred by Lee John Owen on Anglesey this was another consigned by Nesta Owens after her successful Friday draft selling at £3,000 to Emma Payne.

Anime Tiger Lilly topped the C filly foals at £2,900 for breeder Mrs Sharples purchased by Mr Harbottle. This black granddaughter of sire ratings winner Moorcroft the Master is destined for a County Durham home.

Glyncoch Gabrielle

Taking both home at £2,900 and £2,400 respectively was Jodie Sillett.

Top of the Section C yearling fillies was Glyn Anderson’s foal purchase Parvadean Golden Locket at £2,800. This dun daughter of Starlans Evol heads north to the Calder valley in West Yorkshire.

And so closed the three-day Autumn Official sale. The Society would like to thank all vendors, bidders, purchasers and sale-goers for their support and all the team at McCartneys and Severn Valley events for their continued energies to grow this important event in the Society’s calendar.Thanks also go to the RWAS for such a great venue.

This second annual sale has grown to a third day – it is visited, viewed, enjoyed and appreciated all over the world – let us hope that the great trade experienced encourages more breeders and enthusiasts for the Welsh breed to get involved. A comprehensive report with full sale price listings and more photographs will be published in the 2023 WPCS Journal.

Closely following on – under the maxim ‘why buy one when you can buy two’ were the filly foals Godebog Violette and Rhydeilian Catrin from father and son breeders Tom and Alun Hughes.

Thistledown Princess Charlotte

Tireinon Gabriella

Young breeder Austin Davis aged 8 with mum Heidi, Purchaser Ruth Maccinnes and Popsters Jiggly Puff

Lovelyhill Folklore ridden by Vikki Smith

BSPS Heritage Championships

Bergli Dreamwatcher ridden by Ella Freeman

Report by Celeste Gall Photos by Equinational “I feel like we have become one this year,” admitted Vikki Smith after she secured the supreme heritage title aboard the eye-catching blue roan New Forest stallion Lovelyhill Folklore (George). Owned by Penny Sutton and Peter Rowe, George capped a successful second season with Vikki by taking the open mountain and moorland working hunter pony championship here, as well as booking his ticket to London International Horse Show, before performing flawlessly in the evening finale to land their first supreme together.

Only the week before at HOYS, Vikki and George did an impressive one-two, winning the ridden New Forest pony of the year title and then jumping clear around a technical track to stand second in the mountain and moorland working hunter pony final. The pair won three HOYS working hunter qualifiers this season, standing champion twice and finished second at RIHS in the ridden final against the Connemara ponies. “His conformation is fabulous so he is built to do both classes and I really think we just ‘get’ each other,” said Vikki, who was the first person to ever jump him. “I knew from the first jump that he was incredible,” she added.

Shetland ponies rule Shetland ponies dominated championships, impressing judges with their safe, workmanlike attitudes and delighting their young riders. The mini supreme went to nine-year-

old Ella Freeman aboard the black Shetland gelding Bergli Dreamwatcher (Bob). Now a six-year-old, Bob came to the family as a four-year-old from Anneli Whitehouse with plans for him to be broken and then return to her stud as a working stallion. At only 4ft11, Ella’s mother Laura usually breaks in the ponies. “About six weeks in to backing I had a very bad accident on the yard that put me out of action for months, but I didn’t want to stop with Bob so I asked Ella, then seven, if she would continue his education with my help,” explained Laura. “It became clear to me that Bob and Ella were going to be very special together so between Anneli and I we decided that he was going to be a fantastic child’s pony so I then purchased him and gelded him,” added Laura. Their prediction proved fruitful as here they won the restricted tiny tots first ridden and stood restricted champion en route to the mini supreme victory. Ella, who is part of the Shetland display team with Bob, also loves dressage and jumping with him.

“Things like this don’t usually happen to us, they’ve never even done an evening performance together but just took it all in their stride,” said Laura, who hopes the pair will contest the first ridden and open RIHS and HOYS qualifiers next season.

Another black Shetland turning heads was Sarah Dowson’s five-year-old mare Addingham Gabi, who landed the open RIHS mini championship after winning the lead rein qualifier with six-year-old Sophie Wall in the saddle. Sarah, who has owned her since a yearling, has also broken Gabi to drive and

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although unshown as a driven pony, finds it a great way to keep her fit. “She’s not ridden much at home as my friend’s daughters Sophie and Frankie (3) can only ride around their other commitments, but she’s a proper safe children’s pony,” said Sarah, who led the pair to win the class.

Five-year-old Alexia Lilley finished second and reserve champion open RIHS mini champion with her promising new ride, the piebald Shetland Briar Puzzle. The pair, led by mother, Amy Southworth, also headed a huge tiny tots lead rein class and secured the tiny tots championship too.

“We first saw Puzzle at the Shetland performance show in the summer and we absolutely loved him. He’s such a great stamp of a Shetland; up to height and beautifully put together,” said Amy, who will lead them in HOYS and RIHS qualifiers next season, whilst Alexia will contend first ridden and open qualifiers on her charismatic Shetland Pinglewood Pasha. The diminutive pairing of Alexia and Pasha narrowly missed out on both HOYS tickets at the end of the summer, and made a great impression here finishing second in the RIHS Pretty Polly first ridden and standing reserve champion and third and highest placed Shetland in the open RIHS first ridden qualifier. “Pasha is the ultimate mother’s dream pony since the day she arrived as a two-year-old. They enjoyed a fantastic first season off the lead together standing supreme at the British Palomino Society national championship show and reserve ridden supreme at the Shetland Pony Society performance show.

They have a very special bond,” added Amy. Booking their return ticket to RIHS to defend their mountain and moorland Pretty Polly lead rein title was eight-year-old Alyssia Jones and her exquisite Dartmoor gelding Nappa Pericles. The pair, led by mother Amanda, also clinched the mini Pretty Polly championship and stood third and highest placed Dartmoor in the open RIHS lead rein qualifier.

Karl Morris, who judged the RIHS Pretty Polly mini classes and championship said: “My champion combined exceptional quality, confirmation and breed type and was everything I would look for in a lead rein. I always judge Nappa Pericles ridden by Alyssia Jones and led by Amanda Jones

Addingham Gabi ridden by Sophie Wall and led Sarah Dowson

the championship as a separate class and the second placed first ridden pony showed the manners of a true child’s pony to stand reserve.”

‘I’m feeling optimistic’ When Sarah Gemmell’s eight-year-old Fell pony stallion Geordans Oliver II started showing a lot of uncharacteristic behaviour, she knew something wasn’t right with him. After many months, he was finally diagnosed with Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS). “He had qualified for RIHS in the mountain and moorland working hunter pony class on his first attempt in Scotland and it was downhill from there,” explained Sarah. “We didn’t attend the final as it would have been a seven hour journey for us and he was desperately not right and when we discovered what it was, there was not enough time. It has been a rollercoaster to get him back on track.”

Pinglewood Pasha ridden by Alexia Lilley

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With the Heritage championships their first show back since his diagnosis, they certainly showed just how effective Sarah’s strict diet and fitness regime has been, winning two classes. “He has lost about 30kg since we changed his routine; he is worked five or six days a week and has been away for swimming rehab twice, where he stays for a week. That has really done wonders for his fitness,” said Sarah, who also had success with her six-year-old Highland pony stallion Strathleven Achiltibuie (Buie), who clinched the novice working hunter pony championship. By Islesman of Mendick, he was purchased as a three-year-old and Sarah has enjoyed competing him in a variety of competitions this year, including show jumping, dressage and eventing. “He’s very versatile, but has always been in the wings with Oliver taking precedence. He jumped clear all weekend and was an absolute delight,” said Sarah, who opted to ride Oliver in the evening novice working hunter pony championship as she had both through. “Emma Burrow, who broke Buie as a four-year-old, and is the only other person to have ever ridden him, rode him in the evening for me,” explained Sarah, who will contest both HOYS and RIHS WHP qualifiers with both ponies next season.

Strathleven Achiltibuie ridden by Sarah Gemmell

Another Highland stallion with Mendick breeding, Marksman of Mendick, certainly showed his potential as a future star winning their restricted ridden class, as well as winning their novice ridden section and standing reserve champion novice.

Owned and ridden by Amber Thorpe, the six-year-old has been kept as a true novice this season. “We love taking our time with him and giving him a chance to settle in the ridden classes,” said Amber, who travelled to Scotland with her mother Clair to view him. “We fell in love with him as soon as we saw him; he has the most amazing temperament,” said Amber, whose results with him this year include supreme novice ridden at Midland Counties and champion in the young pony Dargavel final at the NPS championships. “He is having a well deserved holiday until next year, where we plan to attempt some qualifiers,” added Amber.

Going solo With her mum on holiday, Caitlin Hamilton flew solo with her Dales gelding Nipna Invictus and not only did they take the young riders championship, but they also headed the Olympia direct qualifier, booking their passage for the second year. “It’s so exciting to be heading back to Olympia! Mum usually comes everywhere with us, but she might let me go on my own again now,” said Caitlin.

Lucy Heygate and her 11-year-old Connemara gelding Inverin Paddy (Joey), who are already Olympia-bound after picking up their ticket at South of England, collected both of their RIHS tickets early here. “I never expected to win two qualifying tickets in one show!” said Lucy, who has owned Joey for two seasons. “He is the perfect pony for me to take to shows and do by myself and at home, we enjoy hacking for miles on the farm,” Lucy added.

Five-year-old Alice Hartenfeld enjoyed several successful rides on her string of ponies. Fresh from their second placing in the mountain and moorland first ridden at HOYS with Thistledown Special VIP, the pair won the open first ridden class and stood open champions, as well as winning the tiny tots first ridden class. On the lead rein, with mother Katherine at the helm, Alice rode their exciting 2023 prospect, the Welsh section A mare Settvalley the Mistress to win the mini novice championship and the overall tiny tots championship.

Thistledown VIP ridden by Alice Hertenfeld and led by Katherine Hertenfeld

Nipna Invictus ridden by Caitlin Hamilton Inverin Paddy ridden by Lucy Haygates

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Dex gives it his best shot

An Update from Janine Paterson After such a hot and dry summer, the rain was inevitable! I’m all for some rain but surely enough is enough! Winter is hard with horses and the monsoon-like weather we’ve been having through autumn really is depressing!

Bicton International Horse Trials was our last event of the season and in the run up to it, the occasional rain was giving perfect footing! I had both my rides waitlisted, but cracked on with their fitness programs in the hope we might get in.

One week before, we got great news: both Dex and Roo had been accepted! Dex was running full steam ahead on the back of three good BE90 runs, and Roo hadn’t been anywhere since Firle Place two weeks after Badminton May, but he likes to be fresh!

Roo was first of 100 competitors to go in the dressage, not an easy position but he sparkled in the rain and produced a 30.9 test. ‘Mr Consistent’ was happy to be at a party!

Dex had sunshine and he tried his heart out in his first long arena test, scoring a brilliant 31.9!

It’s a tense time waiting until the following afternoon when all 100 combinations have completed dressage, but my ponies had done me proud, with Roo sitting in 15th and Dex 25th overnight! Pony Power!

Roo feels sprightly!

Friday it rained continuously. The ground was coping fairly well but I was pleased to be second out on the course on Roo. He was so much better behaved than last year, conserving his energy during the roads and tracks so he could perform on the steeplechase and XC phases. Sadly, the speed was increased from last year for the steeplechase, from BE100 speed, to BE Novice speed. We went as quick as we could but gained some hefty time faults. Roo flew round the XC though, and it was good to be back out on him doing what he loves after a non-starter season!!

Dex was sadly right at the end of the class. After nearly 100 competitors had tramped and skidded their way around, the going was hard work to say the least. He was excellent for the roads and tracks, and though the steeplechase speed was too tough, but he tried his heart out! He came into the 10-minute box with some extra time to spare and he recovered quickly. I was excited to get out cross country because he has been feeling fabulous and even though this was going to be his biggest course and test to date, it rode well so I was hopeful for a good spin!

Roo

Dex set off well and was managing with the deep going, but three-quarters of the way around, Bicton’s hills meant he was running out of gas. A downhill section allowed him to catch his breath, and he came through the water, but as I put my leg on for the final climb up a long steep hill, he just didn’t have any more to give, so I retired him. It was a tough choice with only four fences left and a minute still on my watch, but there was a big fence on the hill and I wouldn’t have forgiven myself if he had hit it or fallen. He is only six years old and he has had a brilliant season. With better going he would have stormed around, but with all that rain our dreams washed away!

There’s always another day though and he was buzzing about life later that day, so I know next time he will dig a Roo loves his job!

Dex

Pricked ears despite his weary legs!

bit deeper if required. I think one difficulty was that he’s never had to jump from anything but good going, so he’s not had the chance to get acclimatised. Similarly, his fitness work has been on lovely grassy fields, not ploughing through deep mud. A more experienced pony like Roo can cope, but a younger pony needs to get used to it.

Sunday, we had fun with the trot up. Roo sailed through. I could barely hold him; he looked fantastic!

Show Jumping resembled a lake despite being on a surface and was completely waterlogged after a monumental storm overnight! Roo jumped well but with tired legs from the previous days exertions, we rolled two poles. It’s a challenge jumping a weary pony; where you might usually get them to lengthen, if they are zapped, they won’t, so you have to sit quietly and hope they pick their way around!

What an experience though, two ponies at a long format event! It was thoroughly enjoyable despite the ghastly weather and I’m still battling through the mountains of filthy washing!

My ponies would usually have a break from competing over winter, but this year I’m cracking on. Summer had lots of periods of inactivity due to the heat and ground - so I’m making the most of having fit and healthy ponyies to brush up on our jumping and dressage skills.

Teddy is looking and feeling super and Soup is really taking shape, and Sonic is going from strength to strength, so watch this space for them hopefully getting back out.

Having a great time!

It’s always sad when the season ends, especially where Sharon and I were convinced Teddy had a Badminton ticket, but disappointingly, BE rounded down and he needed to be seventh not eigth at Frickley Park! He could have gone to Bicton if we had known sooner, but we will be back next season, all guns blazing, trying to get back to Badminton! Teddy deserves a spin there so much, so fingers crossed our dreams come true.

As always I’m hugely grateful to Sharon Goodman for entrusting me with her two wonderful connies Teddy and Dex. Sharon is always on my wavelength. It’s been a fab season, especially having Teddy back out at his best! Now we’re looking forward to getting winter out the way and seeing what 2023 has in store for us! info@showingworldonline.co.uk | November 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 19

An Update from Amy Smith Where do I even a start?!

What an absolute whirlwind couple of months! As I write this, I’m sat in the nail salon getting myself ready for our much-awaited family holiday to Florida! It’s been four years in the making due to COVID, and we’ll now be taking an additional member of the family – Lachlan. Finally, we are getting our turn to make memories.

Reflecting on the last couple of months, I’ve had some amazing times. Rewinding to HOYS week, my own Laburnum Richard [Pedro] did what he does best, and made me smile from ear to ear. He seems to just love HOYS. He jumped what I thought was a masterclass round to finish second, adding his to his tally at HOYS. He’s now been in the afternoon championship six times in nine appearances, now that’s some record! I get asked all the time, when will he retire? “When he’s

ready,” is my response. He’s still in the peak of his career and he loves to perform to a crowd so why would I retire him now.

The biggest shock for me came on Sunday afternoon, upon the prize giving of my class in the coloured native pony aboard ‘Gangster’.

My partner John entered the arena holding our son Lachlan to drop down on one knee and ask me to marry him! It’s not often I’m lost for words, but I truly was!

Of course I said yes! It topped off a super week for us all. My sister Vikki had an amazing show to top off her successful showing season and I’m so thrilled for her.

With the dark days and nights drawing in rapidly upon my return from my holiday, I’ll have some new faces to break and work on ready for next season. I’ve got quite a few workers for next year, which I’m so happy about. I’m uncertain as

Amy and her boys photographed together - ‘a rare thing’ Pedro makes it into his sixth HOYS championship

to where the flat classes are going.

I really lost my faith in those classes this year, as sometimes I felt good performances were not being rewarded. Speaking to people around the ring, it’s a mutual feeling amongst a lot of competitors. It worries me for the future of our sport as if this is the way they feel, how long will they people keep putting money into the pot? We need to see this change.

On the subject of judging, I’d like to see the format of the

Some Halloween fun!

judging change at HOYS for the workers. I don’t think the conformation judge should be able to watch the ponies jump as I feel it could influence the marks and at no other show would the judge be able to watch all the ponies jump.

At the heritage championships this year a lovely Highland which had already won a class already that day received a 2/20 for confirmation! Unless a pony is borderline crippled or an extremely poor example of the breed, I don’t think anything deserves a mark of 2! If this was someone starting off at affiliated showing, it could be them off for life! I would have loved to ask the judge that day to explain his 2/20 mark and his reasoning! I have already voiced my opinion that more needs to be done to educate judges and what is expected from a working hunter pony. I stand by that but accept it is just my opinion!

So, with a trip to Florida, a wedding to plan, ponies, work and kids, I’ll still keep juggling and spinning those plates! That’s what we do best, right?!

Lachlan celebrates his Aunty Vikki’s win with her The moment Amy said ‘Yes!’

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NPS/ Anthony Evans Arena Eventing Final and Performance Day Aston le Walls | 17th of September, 2022

By Maggie Simons The NPS/ Anthony Evans Arena Eventing Final and Performance Day enjoyed a fabulously supported day at Aston le Walls, with competitors noting the superb course built by Nigel Taylor and the friendly, encouraging atmosphere there. Claiming the hotly contested arena eventing championship was the winner of the 90cm class, West Bridge Mirah piloted by Rachel Turner and owned by Collete du Feu and Peter Webber. Having bought Woody as a five-year-old and competed him as a working hunter pony, he was later sold to Collete and continued to be campaigned

by Rachel qualifying for the Horse of the Year Show in 2019. When asked to pick the reins back up at the NPS Championships for the event pony qualifier, Rachel was only too pleased to do so. On Woody’s performance at the final Rachel said, “He was fantastic and did everything I asked of him,” thanking Collete and Peter for the opportunity to ride him once again and was equally delighted to have them back at the side-lines watching.

King Rover

Taking the reserve spot was the winner in the 70cm class, Jessica Suffling with her own Pileybailey Centurion.

Sprout as he is known at home, was bought by Pip Smith, a friend of Jessica’s as a foal for a companion. Fast forward to 2020 and when Jessica jokingly said she’d steal him during a visit to the Isle of Wight, Pip soon realised she wasn’t altogether joking, the deal was done. The seven-year-old New Forest, by Applewitch Pure Magic has done a little bit of everything, including Riding club Show Jumping, Dressage, Combined training, eventing and even turning his hoof to Pony Club with Jessica’s daughter when the opportunity arises, as well as being placed in both the intermediate and open WHP finals at the NPS Championships. Despite entering the Arena Eventing finals with little expectation, the pair tackled the course with ease, gaining positive comments from the judges.

The RIHS qualifier championship went to the uberconsistent King Rover. Owned by Sarah Robson and ridden this year by Amy Tough has enjoyed a superbly successful year, winning at the Royal International Show earlier in the year having won at NPS Area XI and booking his HOYS ticket at the Native Breeds Ridden Festival.

In reserve was Rhiannon Suttle’s Cashelbay Comet, under Georgia Love, having claimed the second place in the exceeding 143cm class behind Amy and Bertie.

Another consistent grey Connemara, the 11-year-old picked up his Horse of the Year Show ticket this year at Cheshire County Show.

Following enormous RIHS qualifying classes, the Novice Mountain and Moorland Working Hunter Cashelbay Comet

Maesmynach Y Pennaeth

Rhinns Point Balach An Uisage

Pony championship was once again taken by Amy Tough, this time aboard Alison Robson’s Maesmynach Y Pennaeth.

Winning the exceeding 143cm class, the five-year-old stallion has competed successfully in the Novice Workers this year, winning the training stakes at Native Breeds Ridden Festival and NPS Area XI to note a few results. In reserve was Rachel Turner riding Silent Whisper, the winner of the 133cm class, owned and bred by Jane Cooper. Having only contested five shows this year in her first season, Ellie is no stranger to being in the ribbons, having qualified for the NPS Intermediate WHP final, she won the final at her second show.

as well as the National Welsh Championship Show 122cm Championship this year. In the reserve spot was the second placed pony from this class, Rhinns Point Balach An Uisage under Olivia Faulkner. Also known as Rory, he won his NPS Novice Final class at the Summer Championships as well as completing his first HOYS and RIHS qualifiers this year.

Haverford Fauntleroy

Rory was the name to beat in the training stakes classes with the Championship going to the winner of the 69cm class Haverford Fauntleroy owned by Beth and Maggie Simons and ridden by Maggie. In his first open season in the workers, Rory claimed in ticket to HOYS at NPS Area 7 in Bury Farm

Silent Whisper

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Nipna Damask Rose with her foal Nipna Midnight Rambler shown by Anna and Laura Pennell

Vintage Treasure: Nipna Damask Rose

By Robert Parker-Jones Photos by 1st Class Images and or Digital Works Ltd The Dales Pony is a native of the upper dales on the eastern slopes of the Pennine range, from the High Peak in Derbyshire to the Cheviot Hills near the Scottish Border. For centuries an outstanding work horse capable of excelling in so many situations, it has adapted well to modern times and has shown everyone that it is capable of securing the highest accolades.

The Pennell family were to become involved with Dales ponies quite by accident. Mum (Julie) bred Thoroughbreds for several years; she’d had a multitude of successful – and not so successful – racing Thoroughbreds which she also bred as potential riding horses. After a run of disastrous foalings and being repeatedly dumped by a particular one (and with four children under 4) she decided enough was enough.

Julie saw her first Dales at a country fair doing a shepherding demonstration, the pony being used had just been left to stand quietly in the ring and she decided

that was what she needed. She rang the Dales Pony Society secretary and was told there was a waiting list for ridden geldings but they would ring when one came available. One duly did and that was the family’s first gelding Lingjohn Juniper. Julie then saw an advert in Horse and Hound and bought the first Lowhouses gelding, Minstrel, from Richie and Freda Longstaff. He is still with the Pennell’s enjoying a great retirement aged 27 years. She bought four in a row from Richie and Freda, one for each child to bring on and enjoy. Laura and Anna stuck with the horses but the boys didn’t and are now not their biggest fans! The first stallion was to come from Lowhouses in 2000 as a colt foal, named Lowhouses Black Magic, he was to have a big impact on the newly formed stud. Julie had already sourced her foundation mare by this point, Sunnybrow Penny and it was this combination of Magic and Penny that was to give the stud five full sisters who have been the real backbone of the stud.

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Nipna Midnight Rambler ridden by Sarah Parker

Nipna Damask Rose winning as a broodmare

The stud needed a prefix, it was in the days where you had to give three choices to the Central Prefix Register and it was assumed they would get one of the first two choices. Their third choice was a play on words, Julie’s first Dales gelding “Juniper” and one of her early mares Sunnybrowe Anna = Nipna. At the time they were a little surprised it was accepted but now 25 years later it has become synonymous with high class Dales ponies!

Nipna Damask Rose (Rosie) is the third of the five full sisters bred from Lowhouses Black Magic and Sunnybrowe Penny and she was born on the 20th of May 2006. She was lightly shown in hand as a young filly at the Dales Breed Show, Lincoln County and a few others but it was felt that she needed time so was left to mature.

Anna broke her in, and remembers her as being quite straightforward, she’d always been a very quiet mare that wanted to please and tried hard. She was sat on as a four-year-old, turned away and then picked up again in the Spring as a five-year-old. She qualified for the Picton Novice Final at her first show at the end of July 2011 and then contested the Picton Final and won her section at the NPS Summer Championships.

She only had three seasons under saddle, following her novice year in 2011 Anna put a lot of mileage in as a sixyear-old and they both learnt a lot during the course of the season. The pair had two or three seconds in qualifiers as a six-year-old which really spurred them on, HOYS seemed a whole new world to them and a big step up, so they became attendees at numerous clinics and undertook lessons to improve ringcraft in the hope of gaining the elusive first. As a seven-year-old she won the Winter Open Final and was second in the HOYS qualifier at the NPS Spring Festival in 2013. To round off an excellent day, Anna and Rosie’s full sister Nipna Flora won the novice final as well.

Next stop was the Scottish Horse Show and feeling slightly nervous Anna was thrilled when her number was called as winner of the class. She’d gone by herself that day, and the level of joyful tears all the way home was quite something! The family were lucky enough to have been to HOYS previously as owners of Lowhouses Rebel with Sarah Parker riding (Rebel was one of the original four geldings). Sarah grilled them about what they did and how they did it, she left no stone unturned. Rosie in

true style took to the occasion with enthusiasm and was second in her class at the Horse of the Year Show. To finish off her ridden career in style she also won the Blue Riband Final and Championship at BSPS Heritage the week after HOYS. She was always home-produced and the first Nipna mare to qualify for HOYS and RIHS. Coincidentally, they were Anna’s first major qualifications too. She retired to stud the next spring and has had four foals for the stud so far.

Measuring in at 14.1 hh at maturity, Rosie is certainly a lovely pony to have around; she’s very quiet and unassuming and she loves being a mother. When being shown she lived slightly on her nerves, consequently she was good at big indoor shows like the Scottish Horse Show and HOYS as she clung to her rider for confidence and pinged along, she could be a little complacent at the smaller shows and a bit too quiet! To date she has had four foals Nipna Midnight Rambler in 2015, Nipna Outrageous in 2017, Nipna Queenie in 2019 and Nipna Sage in 2021. March 2023 will see the arrival of a foal by the stud’s new young colt Highcroft Emperor.

Rambler is the first to be out under saddle. “He is produced by Sarah Parker as having done it ourselves with Rosie we feel we don’t have the level of commitment, time and talent to do him justice. Sarah has had our Dales ponies since Lowhouses Rebel in 2011 and she often will have a novice and an open,” explained Julie.

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Rambler went to Sarah in late 2019 as a four-year-old.

“We don’t often start them so young but he was ready and with it being COVID year, it meant he got a nice quiet education,” said Julie. He won the NPS Pure Novice final at their Winter Festival as a five-year-old, then in 2021 he was Champion at the Royal Windsor Horse Show and also qualified for HOYS and the London International (formerly Olympia). He finished second in his class at HOYS (just like his dam) and third at London International securing the Best of Breed award as well. He is returning this year having qualified for London by taking champion at Suffolk Show. Rambler also won the Intermediate Mountain and Moorland Final at RIHS this year with Caitlin Hamilton riding him.

At HOYS in 2022 he repeated last year’s result to stand second, beaten by the eventual Mountain and Moorland Pony of the Year.

Rambler is by Nipna Invictus, they used him as a young stallion before he went on to have his own successful ridden career having been to HOYS and Olympia several times.

Interestingly Invictus, owned

by Caitlin Hamilton, won the same final at RIHS as Rambler, just the previous year!

thought important and tried to focus on?

It transpired that when Rosie was at the start of her ridden career, someone once said to Anna “she’s too much of an in-hand type” to do the ridden classes. It was a bit of a red rag to a bull statement; happily, she went on to prove that the Pennell’s are firm believers that there isn’t such a thing as an “in-hand” or “ridden type”. They aim to breed ponies that could first and foremost stand up against their breed contemporaries at the breed shows and those qualities going hand in hand with having the conformation, action and temperament to take on the ridden classes.

Julie suummarised: “Dales ponies are renowned for being full of quality with that great action and a bit of fire in them to make them special, we’ve tried to make sure we breed ponies that have great trainable Nipna Damask Rose ridden by Anna Pennell

All the foals at Nipna are named with a link to the family business of Garden Centres and plant nurseries, “some links are quite tenuous but Midnight Rambler is a type of rose,” said Julie. When Rambler was born, Anna was doing a charity walk along the length of Hadrians Wall having been assured that the foal couldn’t possibly come early………not only that but Rosie had developed a habit of springing her barn door open and the night Rambler was born, Rosie had been retrieved from the garden just after midnight having taken herself on her own ramble!

I asked the family what have been your aims and objectives when breeding Dales ponies?

What three aspects have you

26 | The Native Pony | November 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Nipna Outrageous, a three-year-old by Castle Hill Black Jack

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temperaments that enjoy their work. It’s much easier to work with a pony of any breed that wants to do a job than one that doesn’t.”

The family feel they’ve been really fortunate to be in a position where they can place or sell their ponies to the best possible homes as they only breed a handful of foals each year. They have never focused on finding them “showing homes” but ones where they are loved for being a nice Dales pony that can turn a hoof to any discipline and if that person wishes to show too then they have the perfect pony to do so!

Both Laura and Anna are Dales Pony Society Judges and Anna is also a DPS Council member. In

2022 the ponies have had a phenomenal year and the family were thrilled to receive a letter from HOYS saying that Nipna Ponies had won the Dales Breeder of the Year title once again, they’ve been fortunate to win these five years consecutively. With three full siblings qualified all by Lowhouses Black Magic, he has also been awarded the Dales Sire of the Year. What a legacy that pony has left the stud!

Five ponies qualified for the open class at HOYS and two in the juniors is quite an achievement for any breed or stud!

This is just the first chapter in what is going to be a bestselling story charting the successes of the Nipna Stud!

Nipna Stud’s five HOYS Open Contestants

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info@showingworldonline.co.uk | November 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 27

Passing the Union Flag

Tebay Remembrance Ride

by Libby Robinson and Ruth Chamberlain On Sunday 18th September, there were a number of Remembrance processions and rides across the country in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth II – many including Fell ponies, a favourite of Her Majesty. Cumbria being the homeland of the Fell pony saw a number of these Processions and Remembrance walks across the county. One such walk was held in Tebay which is in the centre of traditional Fell Pony breeding country with strong connections to Fell ponies the late Queen owned.

The Procession through Tebay was led by 14-year-old Fell pony mare Towford Harmarine bred near Jedburgh, Scotland put to a Lawton Liverpool gig with driver in funeral livery.

There was a lovely turn out of native pony breeds behind the carriage with eight Fells, one Highland, a Welsh pony, and a cross-bred Dales.

Many of the locals, and people from further afield, gathered to pay their respects.

Star of the day - Fell pony, Towford Harmarnie, who led the procession of people and ponies

A moment of reflection as they head to the Fells

Heading through Old Tebay

Heading home to the Fells

Libby Robinson and Fell pony Marnie arriving to the Church

The procession led by the Fell pony (Towford Harmarnie) passing the Cross Keys Inn

Passing through Tebay

Passing the Union Flag Passing through info@showingworldonline.co.uk | November 2022 Issue | The Native Pony |Tebay 29

Processing passed some gathered members of Tebay village

Processing passed some gathered members of Tebay village

Passing through Tebay

Procession moving through Tebay

The rain arrived as the procession moved amongst the Tebay houses

30 | The Native Pony | November 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk Many Fell ponies joined the procession Prayers and a blessing for the ponies

South West Hairy Pony Festival

Kingmaker Adventurer champion in-hand Dales and reserve supreme in hand

18th September | Report by Suzy Mckirgan | Photos by Nick Pound Highland Triumph in Inaugural Battle of the Breeds Kings Sedgmoor Equestrian Centre was the venue for the inaugural South West Hairy Pony Fest show, the brainchild of Molly Simpson. The event was aimed to be a showcase for Highland, Dales and Fell ponies in the South West, giving owners a chance to show their ponies at a fun and friendly show which had something for everyone The day started with the Dales ponies, and Jessica Tropman was delighted to take the championship in a good quality field with the gelding Kingmaker Adventurer. Jessica purchased her “best buddy” six years ago, and having turned him away to mature, he is now back in work and Jessica aims to start jumping him, with cross county outings already booked. The reserve champion also came from the gelding class, Jane Robinson’s Whitworth Taff.

Geldings continued their success in the Fell pony section, and coming out on top was Rosie Gall’s 14-year-old Raisebeck Romeo. Rosie bought Romeo four months ago, and they are just starting to get to know each other under saddle. Reserve champion went to the mare, L Knight’s Lownthwaite Beauty Queen.

Elizabeth Houghton who judges the Dales and Fell classes was very impressed with the standard of ponies forward, and both geldings stood out in their respective championships.

Raisebeck Romeo, champion in-hand Fell

The novice and junior championship was won once again

by Jessica Talbot, this time riding the novice Dales mare, Earnwell Charisma II who was competing at only her second show. Reserve to Charisma was the winner of the junior ridden class, Holly Parker and the six-year-old Fell gelding Townend Gideon.

The youngest competitor of the show was ten-year-old Libby Wenden who rode her mother’s Fell pony Wellbrow Buttons to take home several rosettes and prizes.

Jessica Talbot took the Highland and Dales ridden championships with Holmedown Wisconsin and Southerton Jasper respectively, and the Fell ridden champion was Rhi Randell riding Karen Hodge’s much garlanded homebred Fell mare Kalmara Fantasia. This pony has had a stellar season, winning breed championships at Devon County and the Bath and West, as well as supreme championships at the Dorset and Dunster Fell shows.

The last competition of the day was the “Battle of the Breeds” supreme ridden championship, judged by Pam Cox and Mathew Lawrence, which saw Jessica Talbot and Holmedown Wisconsin take their second supreme of the day, with Kalmara Fantasia taking reserve supreme.

The show was deemed to be a great success, with many competitors enjoying the friendly atmosphere, meeting up with friends and making new ones through their shared love of “hairy ponies”. Plans are already in place for a second show next year, which is hoped to be just as successful.

Holmedown Wisconsin, supreme champion in-hand and ridden

Southerton Jasper, champion ridden Dales

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Having ticked off Exmoor and Dartmoor, I moved on to the New Forest to meet the wonderful New Forest ponies. I was fortunate that my visit coincided with the release of the stallions onto the forest, and I was kindly put in touch with a few owners who could help me locate the area where their stallions may be. I came to the New Forest with very little experience of the breed, and I had imagined it to be a flat bowling green (as is so often seen on tourist social media photos) – how wrong I was!

But I will go into that later.

Suzanne Kempe, who owns the glorious Bullhill Major, had messaged me to say where he had been that morning – and luckily, he had not moved very far! It was a bit of a damp day (the first rain I had seen in a week which is very unusual for a Cumbrian!) but it didn’t dampen Major’s spirit or drive as he gathered his mares together. Suzanne came out to meet me and

we had a lovely time watching him gather and move his mares through some trees – very excited at being out on the Forest. I captured a lovely moment of him amongst the trees – silhouetted against the rain with one of his mares. Suzanne and I went for lunch where she told me so much more about the breed and the ways in which they are kept on the forest.

Later that afternoon, I met up with Jehanna Stride who owns the magnificent Mogshade Quarryman. Jehanna took me to the place where she had released Quarryman, but sadly there was no sign of him there. However, we did manage to catch up with her mare Ruby and her new colt foal who had joined another group of mares and foals that had eluded the stallions. I was glad of the rain as it pushed the ponies into the forest – and how much more characteristic could New Forest ponies in a forest look?

34 | The Native Pony | November 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

RUTH ON THE HOOF

Born hardy

Queen of the Forest

Adapted for a range of habitats

I remember thinking how much they reminded me of deer; they moved so quietly and delicately through the trees.

I am much more used to heavier ponies using through to get where they need to go. The New Forest pony is a relatively light build in comparison to our native breeds – however, the vegetation of the New Forest is so lush and plentiful, that a breed like a Highland pony could easily become dangerously overweight.

Equally, a New Forest pony would be less likely to be able to withstand living in the Highlands without needing some sort of management like extra feeding and rugging. It just shows how perfect each breed is for their natural habitat. Jehanna and I had a great afternoon getting soaked but finding lots of ponies, although no sign of Quarryman!

The following morning, I arrived back at the New Forest, and lo-and-behold, there was Quarryman standing close to

the road with a newly gathered group of mares. One of the mares had recently foaled and looked to be a first-time mum.

I messaged Jehanna to let her know and she popped out to see, along with some other owners of the ponies in that group.

Quarryman was very busy trying to collect a couple of mares who seems to be resisting his charms, but he did have one mare who had taken a fancy to him and at any opportunity she would sidle up and nuzzle him.

After spending some time watching Quarryman, I then went to meet up with Lyndsey Stride who has the Cuffnells ponies with her husband Robert. They also run the Commoning Family Twitter and Instagram accounts where they share a lot of information about life as a New Forest Commoner as well as a lot of history and information; it is well worth a follow. Lyndsey took me to some of the most beautiful forest areas I have ever

36 | The Native Pony | November 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

seen, and we spotted more ponies who had come out to graze now that the rain had largely stopped. Lyndsey gave me a wonderful tour of the area and showed me how hugely the New Forest differs in terms of landscape and habitat – from the “wild” looking North that had fewer trees, to the densely forested parts that appear to have been preserved in time. I spent my final afternoon returning to some of the parts Lyndsey had pointed out to try to capture a range of the different habitats the New Forest pony lives in.

My visit to the New Forest definitely changed my perception of the place. It is richly biodiverse, with beautiful deciduous woodland and a range of habitats and landscapes. I knew I would love the ponies of course, but I think I fell a little more in love that I expected. They were so quiet, gentle and polite – I can see why people enjoy this breed so much. That ended my tour of the southern breeds and it was time to head home and see where my adventures would take me next!

In the forest

Secret Meetings info@showingworldonline.co.uk | November 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 37

Save the date!

Horse of the Year Show 4th - 8th OCTOBER 2023

NEC BIRMINGHAM

W W W. H OY S .C O. U K

British RAISING THE BAR

38 | The Native Pony | November 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Elsie Lynch and Noble Peppermint

HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW FULL SHOW REPORT INSIDE info@showingworldonline.co.uk | November 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 39

Skaergaardens Delicious Love shown by Scott Dixon

The Price Family Supreme In Hand Final Love Comes Out On Top The Price Family Supreme In-Hand Championship is without doubt one of the most difficult to qualify for, and once again, we saw excellent representation of our native breeds. In fact we saw two of our native breeds in the championship.

Eventually, the reserve champion spot went to Scott Dixon with the winner of the pony division, 10-year-old Connemara mare, Skaergaardens Delicious Love owned by Vanessa Clark.

She was the first native to gain a place in the line-up this year, qualifying at Notts County.

Delicious was bred in Denmark by Brigitte Gotske,

by Wirtsmuhle Delaney’s out of Skaergardens Secret Love. She is no stranger to the limelight having stood 2017 mountain and moorland ridden champion at HOYS under former owner Kelly Jones, and 2021 RIHS overall reserve champion mountain and moorland under Jo Jack. She was also crowned supreme champion mountain-andmoorland in-hand at Windsor last season year shown by Henry Hird.

Delicious was shown by Scott Dixon, who showed Vanessa’s five times Price Supreme contender, Castle Emperor to the supreme championship at

Sharptor Kinsman shown by David Hodge

40 | The Native Pony | November 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Moortown Crusader shown by David Jordan

Notts County in 2019. Jo Jack took charge of her filly foal by Clover Hill Magic, who also qualified for the Price supreme at Royal Bath and West Show.

“It’s an absolute dream come true for all of us,” said Scott, “especially Vanessa.”

The only male to feature in the overall championship was the second placed pony. This was Julian Walters and David Hodge’s Sharptor Kinsman. The Shetland stallion qualified at Royal Cornwall Show handled by David, who also showed him at the HOYS final. The six-year-old is the second Sharptor-bred pony to qualify for the coveted final, following in the footsteps of Sharptor Trinity, who was shown

by Julian. Kinsman is by Sharptor Laser Red out of Laddyll Kimberley, and has both foals and yearlings on the ground. In March he competed at the National

Clover Hill Magic shown by Jamie Frost

stallion show in Glasgow, standing Shetland breed champion and reserve overall supreme.

Also in the line-up were John Jordan’s Dartmoor stallion Moortown Crusader shown by David Jordan, finishing in third place, with fourth awarded to Cathy Wood’s Clover Hill Magic shown by Jamie Frost. The highest placed Welsh pony was Scott and Kellie Gibbons’ section C, Glynwyn Annie Powers who finished in sixth, shown by Scott Gibbons.

Kate Williams’ Northlight Coppelia was hot on her heels in seventh, although Coppelia was shown as a hunter pony broodmare not as a section B.

Glynwyn Annie Powers shown by Scott Gibbons

Also qualified were two further Welsh section Bs, being Kerry Wainwright’s Skellorn Bronze Soldier, and Catryn Bigley’s Llanarth Harmony.

Northlight Coppelia shown by Kate Williams Llanarth Harmony shown by Simon Bigley

Skellorn Bronze Soldier shown by Stuart Mason

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | November 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 41

Joyton Sunshine and Ella Eynon

Mountain and Moorland Working Hunter Ponies Golden Sunshine Burns Bright The Top Spec Arena’s collecting ring was awash with nervous competitors awaiting their turn to jump in the Thor Atkinson Steel Fabrications Ltd. Mountain and Moorland Championship on the show’s second morning.

There were also a number of very nervous mums and dads, and none more so than Eurig Eynon and Rebecca Faulkner, whose daughter Ella Eynon, 12, was jumping in the 133cm division with their own Welsh section C, Joyton Sunshine [Dougie].

However, the pair’s nerves were unfounded, as Ella and Dougie not only jumped clear, but went on to win the class before progressing to the Andrews Bowen International Arena to take the championship.

Eurig first spotted five-year-old Dougie at HayOn-Wye Sales as a youngster, and he was stored at their base in Abergavenny until broken. He was very lightly competed as a four-year-old by Georgia James, before Ella took over the ride last September.

A winter of Pony Club saw the young pair hit the season running with early wins in training stakes at NPS Area 25, and the novice championship at the Native Breeds Festival. They attempted their first

HOYS qualifier at the NPS Summer championships and it was a case of ‘third time lucky’ when they took the ticket at NPS Area 4.

Ella said: “I am so proud of Dougie. He’s still so young and really a novice pony, to come here, jump clear and do this is unbelievable.”

Her sentiments were echoed by mum, Rebecca. “We didn’t even expect to qualify let alone win,” said Rebecca, “I’m lost for words! We’re just really proud of them both.”

Superstar Connemaras The reserve also returned to South Wales, giving Pembrokeshire’s Amy James her seventh worker title at Horse of the Year Show. This time, her win came astride 10-year-old Connemara King Rover [Bertie] who is owned by Sarah Robson.

Dubbed her “Mr Reliable”, Bertie is in his fourth season with Amy, and it’s been an incredible one. The pair made their third trip to the RIHS memorable by being placed in show jumping classes and taking the exceeding 143cm mountain and moorland working hunter pony title. An early second ticket to HOYS and reserve supreme at the

42 | The Native Pony | November 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Native Breeds Festival in May paved the way for further glory at the NEC. “That was amazing. He’s been great throughout the four seasons I’ve ridden him, but this year has topped them all,” said Amy. Bertie was the first of two Connemaras ponies that won at this year’s RIHS to repeat their success at HOYS, proving their versatility over very different tracks.

The reigning RIHS champions, Cheryl Mackintosh’s Woodbank Smokey Sam and Kirsty Aird also took home a red rosette. The 13-year-old Connemara is sired by former Olympia champion, Fly The Last Flute. This is actually Kirsty and Sam’s second HOYS win, having also won in 2018 and taking reserve at the RIHS in 2019. He booked his return to HOYS at the Royal Highland earlier in June. This will have been his final HOYS, as his team have decided that he should now go on to a lease home to continue enjoying his work but at a less intense level.

King Rover ridden by Amy James

Highs and Lows!

If ever there was a tale to prove you should always dust yourself off and get back on, it was Debbie BarkerRuniewicz’s HOYS. Despite being sore after taking a tumble from Exmoor Moonpenny Aquarius in the 133cm working hunter pony class, a resilient Debbie hopped onto his 122cm son, Moonpenny Delphinus [Finn] and went on to win the class. Debbie has owned 11-year-old Finn for three years. “He was backed by Lauren Brill for his breeders, the Bryant Family. Then he joined Frankie Currell before he came to me in 2019,” said Debbie.

Last year was Debbie’s first HOYS, qualifying the same ponies and returning with no placing, meaning that not only was she celebrating her first HOYS win, but also her first HOYS placing!

Woodbank Smokey Sam ridden by Kirsty Aird

Debbie said: “Once in the prize giving, I learnt I was one of just four clears so I was hopeful of a top six placing but only in my wildest dreams did I think I’d win at HOYS. I’m ecstatic. To win second time round is just fantastic.”

Pearly King Reigns Over Inaugural Junior Workers The inaugural junior 122cm mountain and moorland working hunter pony Sadie Osborne’s Vennebos Pearly King [Sparts] ridden by Lola Carabine, giving Lola her first win of a fantastic week. Sadie spotted Sparts in an advert three years ago. “I just had to have him,” she said, explaining that she had watched him at the BSPS championships ridden by Izzy Hartswood-Collier “and was desperate for him!” She proceeded to lease him from former owner Claire Collier for two years before takin the opportunity to purchase him.

Moonpenny Delphinus ridden by Debbie Barker-Runiewicz

“Sparts is Lola’s best friend and I will always be greatful to the Collier family for trusting us with the best boy!” said Sadie. She was also thankful to the Harker family who produce Sparts on her behalf. “It’s all our dreams come true!

Joining the winners in the championship after taking seconds were Smith sister’s Amy and Vikki riding Amy’s own exceeding 143cm Laburnam Richard and Penny Sutton’s Lovelyhill Folklore respectively; Rose Bailey’s 133cm Joint Venture ridden by Rachel Turner, Jacqueline Wharton’s 122cm Dunkery Black Grouse under Frankie Currell and Lucy Richardson’s Elberry Suilen ridden by Lilly Richardson.

Vennebos Pearly |King

by Pony Lola Carabine info@showingworldonline.co.uk | November 2022 Issue Theridden Native | 43

The Mountain and Moorland Open Breed Classes

Griseburn Major ridden by Joe Watson

A Special Cecil, a Showman, and a Victorious Victor The show’s first morning saw the inaugural Dartmoor only class welcomed into the Top Spec Arena, it being the first time that this increasingly popular small breed has been separated from the Shetland and Exmoor ponies. It was last season’s runners up, Salcombe Starehole Bay [Cecil] and Katy Marriott Payne that got the eventual nod from judges Jo Jack (conformation) and Tweetie Nimmo (ride), with Andrea Baybutt’s Pricklegate Brown Owl finishing second under Aliya Khan. Broken during Covid, Cecil has had an incredible run under Katy’s careful production and steerage. The Shilstone Rocks Snowy Mountain eight-yearold stallion enjoyed a magical 2021 season, standing reserve and Dartmoor Best of Breed

at the London International Horse Show, second at HOYS, and supreme mountain and moorland at the RIHS. This year, he’s once again proven a tour-de-force, taking the championship at Royal Windsor Horse Show to qualify for the London International Horse Show, repeating his win at the RIHS, and now winning the HOYS final. It was a bittersweet victory for all involved, with his owner breeder, Felicity Thompson seriously ill in hospital having been kicked at home some weeks previously.

“All she wanted was for him to win here,” said Katy, “and now he has. I just wish she was here to have seen him.”

Lilly Richardson, 10, won the first Shetland and Exmoor final riding her mother Lucy

44 | The Native Pony | November 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Salcombe Starehole Bay ridden by Katy Marriott Payne

Richardson’s eight-year-old Shetland gelding Briar Snow Fox. Despite being small in stature – him – and young in age – her! – this pair gave a polished show beyond their years to clinch the class, with Tweetie Nimmo having set a trickier show than usual for riders to negotiate, including a circle and a gallop on the diagonal, and precise locations for each transition to be executed. Bred by Viv Hampton, Snow Fox originally joined the family on account of his half-brother, Briar Snowman’s success in their hands. He’s grown with the Richardson sisters and progressed from first ridden through to open ranks.

He and Lilly qualified at North of England but really showed their mettle when they won at the Great Yorkshire Show, again executing a difficult show.

Winning the As was a pony in need of little introduction: Thistledown San Siro [Rocky].

Owned by Diana Leeming Rocky had qualified for no less than three classes with his young riders, Lucinda and William Leeming. After an incredible season in 2021 which saw both riders win a class each at the Royal International, his success has continued this year,

showing career started with Samantha Roberts, who not only won, but secured the highest ride mark of the entire section with Jo Filmer’s homebred Welsh section B stallion Longhalves Renoir [Levi].

Nine-year-old Levi is out of Rhoson Silwi and is sired by Jo’s own celebrated stallion, Lemonshill Falcon, who was also placed at HOYS several times.

He was lightly shown by Jo and Samantha last season from Jo’s base and has gone on to have a tremendous 2022 campaign, qualifying on his first attempt for HOYS at Stoneleigh Horse Show (May) and for the RIHS at BSPS Area 15 Spring Show, finishing second at the Hickstead final. Another who can turn a hoof to other disciplines, Levi has also been competing in dressage, qualifying for the BD championships, and also showing talent over fences. “I was thrilled with how he went,” said Samantha, “he felt lovely.

He’s had an amazing season so winning here really was the icing on the cake. It really was not expected and I’m so grateful to Jo for the opportunity to enjoy him.”

The New Forest class saw Penny Sutton and Peter Rowe’s

Briar Snow Fox ridden by Lilly Richardson

Thistledown San Siro ridden by Lucinda Leeming

winning an amazing three firsts and a mini championship at the RIHS, and multiple classes and championships across the country from Cheshire to Three Counties and the NPS Summer Championships. A truly versatile little pony, the 11-year-old Blackhill Piccolo gelding has also been giving workers, PC and mounted games a shot over the last year! Interestingly, Rocky’s

Lovelyhill Folklore take the win ridden by his producer, Vikki Smith. Vikki has steered the eleven-year-old to considerable success over the past few years in both flat and working hunter pony classes with placings at both HOYS and the RIHS and he also finished New Forest Best of Breed last season at the London International Horse Show. This year, demonstrating Longhalves Renoir ridden by Samantha Roberts

just how versatile he really is, he stood second and third in the flat and workers respectively at the RIHS, and enjoyed two spins around HOYS’ International Arena on the show’s second day as not only did he win the breed class, but he also stood second in the workers final. Interestingly, the New Forest class saw not only last year’s second place go one better, but the reversal of the result, with 2021 victor Hilltop Ned finishing second for new owner Leisa Woodward and new rider, Rebecca Penny.

Spectators saw a repeat of the 2021 results in the Highland class. Elite athlete Tracey Milward’s former Cuddy Supreme finalist Lochlands Gypsy Barron [Basil] repeated his win. Tracey has owned 12-year-old Basil since a foal, and describes him as “a dream to own”. This was Basil’s fifth ridden appearance at HOYS. Tracey describes him as “a dream to own,” and “extremely

[Harry] stood at the top of the line under Lauren Beaumont.

Susan and Lauren chose Harry unbroken at his breeders John and Dianna Staveley’s Scottish base. Lauren has brought him on herself, with excellent results including championships at the Great Yorkshire Show and Royal Cheshire Show, and they have recently qualified for the London International Horse Show. This was Lauren and team Beaumont, which includes Lauren’s mum, Helen and sister Olivia’s first HOYS win, making it all the more special. In second was Casey Ormrod, whose first HOYS was made magical by a spin in the main arena riding Emlaughmore Lightening.

Lovelyhill Folklore ridden by Vikki Smith

The Fell class saw Leah Cassel’s nine-year-old Rundales Trooper stand second under Leah’s younger sister Hollie McGauley, the pair qualifying at the Royal Highland Show. But Lochlands Gypsy Barron ridden by Tracy Millward

Eastlands Dunedin ridden by Lauren Beaumont

easy to do anything with”. As well as ridden showing, Basil has also been used for stud duties, with Tracy breeding under the Traleeo prefix. This year, they qualified by winning a stonking class and strong championship at the Great Yorkshire Show. Bizarrely, the second spot was also a repeat of last year’s result, with the rosette handed to Jane McNaught’s Dunedin Mascot ridden by Katie Common, a combination that has enjoyed tremendous success this season including champion ridden Highland at the Royal Highland Show and he’s since booked a ticket to the London International Horse Show.

In the Connemara class, Susan Pool’s Eastlands Dunedin

it was Carlisle-based Emma Burrow come to the fore with Willmont Braveheart [Bert]. The nine-year-old gelding is by Underwoods Gideon out of Townend Liberty, and was bred on owner Antonia Mitchell’s yard, with Antonia seeing his potential and snapping him up as a foal. This is Emma’s second season with him. The pair finished eight last season, and they kicked off his 2022 season promisingly when they took the HOYS ticket at the May Stoneleigh Horse Show. Emma explained that he is “easy” at home – a “good boy”, enjoying hacking and jumping, and even went for a pre-HOYS jumping session “to freshen him up”.

Willmont Braveheart ridden by Emma Burrows with Baileys Horse Feeds’ Jane Buchan

Scoring a fourth win of four classes in 2022, Alex Williams topped the Welsh section Ds riding homebred mare Ringside Top Dollar [Topsy]. The upstanding, powerful Llanarth Prince of Wales nine-yearold has had a phenomenal season starting with a HOYS ticket on her season debut at the NPS Spring Festival, a championship in searing heat at the Royal Welsh show in the ridden Welsh classes, and a final tricolour having won the NPS Ringside Open Ridden final and championship. Once again, we saw far fewer mares than stallions and geldings forwards in the mountain and moorland breed classes, and Topsy was the only mare to have won a class.

She is produced from home by Alex and the Williams family, and Alex was careful to credit sister Kate, who was also in the same class with homebred gelding Ringside Zorba, and Matthew Lawrence for their help through the season.

However, it was in the Welsh section C and the Dales classes that the judges found their champion and reserve.

Adding to his already phenomenal career, Lynn Scott’s Lynuck The Showman [Peanut] scored a second win in the Welsh section Cs before going on to stand reserve. Bred

by Lynn, 12-year-old Peanut is

by Caerneuadd Hywel out of Llanidan Miss World. Having initially been produced by Aimee Devane to a credible second at HOYS, he has now been produced for a number of seasons from Lyn’s home by her daughter Emma, and is ridden

by Rebecca Penny. Emma said, “He never lets the side down,” and from his tally of results we can understand why! To date, he has won at the Royal Welsh, Great Yorkshire, the Royal Highland Show, notched up three consecutive championships at Royal Windsor and has made five Olympia/ London International Horse Show appearances culminating in him being reigning champion and RIHS Welsh C and D winner.

breeders Helen and Andrew Horn, who incidentally also bred third placed Griseburn Lester.

Joe and co-owner Rob McIvor purchased him as a raw, unbroken and unshown three-year-old.

He has grown into a remarkable pony, exuding quality with the substance and manners to match.

This season, he has been lightly shown, winning at NCPA and qualifying at the North of England show, but belied his lack of milage with a precisely executed show.

He went on to give an excellent account of himself in the evening championship, where his colour, hair and type made him a true eyeful under the lights. “I can’t believe it,” said a stunned Rob after the championship. “I can’t put into words what it means to us. We came with no expectations, just to be in the top ten would have been amazing so for him to win is unbelievable.” The pair had formerly stood second with Westwick Duke, but it was Rob and Joe’s first HOYS win, making it even more special. Joe, who works full-time, was quick to credit Rob for his hard work with Victor at home, but we got the impression that Joe is really rather fond of him, saying, “He’s just like a pet. He goes in the field every day, he hacks out – he doesn’t do much schoolwork – but he loves his work, absolutely loves it.”

Ringside Top Dollar ridden by Alex Williams

Griseburn Major and Joe Watson

The tricolour was awarded to a pony just embarking on his career: Griseburn Victor ridden by Joe Watson. The five-year-old Dales stallion is sired by Wolsey Viking and is out of Tarbarl Kate Moss.

He was bred by Cumbrian Lynuck The Showman ridden by Rebecca Penny

Show Hunter Ponies and Children’s Riding Ponies: Natives in disguise!

Part-bred Welsh half-brothers Annandale Phoenix and Warleigh Blushing Groom made up the show hunter pony championship having won the 122cm and 133cm show hunter pony classes respectively. Both are sired

by Welsh pony, Stoudley Taliesin.

this week to support me. To prepare for HOYS we have just been working him at home and did lots of hacking. We haven’t introduced him to the music or anything, but he seemed to quite enjoy it,” said Daisy.

The win was all the more precious as Daisy has battled with ill-health this summer, having been diagnosed with anaemia and being admitted to hospital several times. “She’s had a really tough year,” said Jodie, “we’re so proud of her as

Maisie Peters and her mum Melanie Peter’s 15-year-old Annandale Phoenix ended their last ever show hunter pony class on a high, winning the class and going on to stand reserve champion.

He started his career as a hunter pony at Team Walker on the lead with Sam, but it ended on a high at HOYS under Maisie, whose infectious grin delighted onlookers. Maisie is now out of class, and so Phoenix is set for reinvention as a mountain and moorland working hunter pony. “He’ll never leave us,” said proud mum, Melanie, adding, “We can’t bear to part with him”.

His younger but slightly taller halfbrother Warleigh Blushing Groom [Joey] took the overall Binks Family Show Hunter Pony of the Year title.

10-year-old Joey was ridden by Daisy Mae Allen, 13. He is owned by Daisy’s parents Gavin and Jodie. The pair are in their second season together, and this was Daisy’s first HOYS win.

“That was incredible,” said Daisy.

Joey was produced last year for Daisy

by Kevin Cousins and Christina Gillett, but this season, the family have produced him at home, allowing Daisy to get to know him better. “Today it just felt like I clicked with him,” she said.

The win came just 48 hours after she stood a fabulous second in the junior small breeds class riding her section A gelding, Crumpwell Harry Potter, a pony who brought about her first RIHS win in the equivalent final a few months ago.

Daisy said: “It feels like a dream, it hasn’t sunk in. My mum, dad and quite a lot of my family have been here

Warleigh Blushing Groom ridden by Daisy Mae Allen

she’s worked so hard, and she really deserves this.” Jodie and Gavin were also quick to explain that Annabel Drake had been a great support that morning, working Joey for Daisy so that she could conserve her energy and strength.

Annabel herself also had a magical week, scoring two fantastic wins in the 148cm children’s riding pony and the part bred classes respectively, and a direct ticket to the pony supreme with her mother Sarah Drake’s Stanley Grange Gilt Edge [Edward], bred by Jerome Harforth.

The champion and reserve BSPS Children’s Riding Pony of the Year, however, came from the smaller sections. Reserve was part-bred Welsh 138cm section winner Copybush Time Lord ridden by Harriet Storey, who described him as “the best pony ever.” The five-year-old former Royal Welsh Winter Fair champion is produced

by Carl Morris and was purchased for Harriet at the beginning of the year as a novice. Nevertheless, the pair qualified for the partbred pony and 138cm show pony classes at the RIHS and contended a handful of qualifiers for HOYS. “Carl’s worked so hard and done such a good job,” said Harriet. Still, she admits to being “so shocked” that he won HOYS on his first

Annandale Phoenix ridden by Maisie Peters

Stanley Grange Gilt Edge ridden by Annabel Drake

Copybush Time Lord ridden by Harriet Storey

attempt and has given Harriet her first HOYS red rosette and first spin in the Andrews Bowen International Arena.

When asked what he was like at home, Harriet told us that “he’s not much of a cuddler, but he loves food.” We prescribe plenty of Polos for him as a reward for being such a special chap!

Taking the tricolour was an established pony who will need little introduction to show pony followers. This was Jenny Harker’s 128cm Ardenhall Blenheim [Joules], who rose to the occasion and owned the ring in the evening performance! He was ridden by Lola Carabine, who rode beyond her 10 years all week to have a fabulously successful show. In fact, it was her second championship of the day having stood second on her first ridden, and her second win of the week, having also won the first junior working hunter pony class.

Ardenhall Blenheim ridden by Lola Carabine

Minis The first of the week’s mini classes, the Colne Mountain and Moorland lead rein class saw last year’s champion come to the fore and ultimately, repeat his 2021 feat. This was Brogan West’s Shilstone Rocks Thunderbird, ridden by Brogan’s daughter Willow West, and led by producer John Harvey, who looked extremely relieved and cut a heart-warming picture hugging Thunderbird afterwards!

The 12-year-old from was purchased from Cheryl Elcock for Willow after Brogan saw him advertised on Facebook during the pandemic. Brogan explained that Thunderbird introduced Willow to the ring, adding “Willow is so lucky to have this pony; he is a true lead rein, only ridden by Willow and just lunged for 15 minutes before going in. I trust him 100% looking after Willlow. Our trio leading the champions into the main arena for the supreme was very special.”

In reserve for the mini mountain and moorland title was a combination that needs little introduction: Lilly Ahern-Lee and Rachel Brightmore’s supercool Shetland gelding Lotuspoint Cassius. Cassius is leased to Lilly’s mum, Alex Ahern, and aunty, Kirsty

Shilstone Rocks Thunderbird ridden by Willow West and led by John Harvey

Pickles as Rachel’s own daughter, Olivia has now outgrown him after he safely carried her through the first ridden ranks and into open Shetland classes, competing at Olympia aged nine. Similarly, Cass has often been safely negotiating busy open breed and coloured go-rounds with his current – and tiny! – charge Lilly. Last season, Lilly and Cass were placed in no less than four classes and were supreme junior coloured at the RIHS, before being placed 4th at HOYS in the open, and capturing the hearts of all spectators at the LIHS when they were 5th, Best of Breed and highest place junior. These days, they can also be found putting their skills to use on Instagram as Kingsland’s only junior brand ambassador.

The second placed first ridden was Katherine Bowling-Hartenfeld’s Welsh section A gelding ridden by five-year-old Alice Hartenfeld. The final pony forwards in the championship was Heather Clay’s RIHS reserve champion, Dartmoor Springwater Tactician, led Craig Elenor and ridden

by Finlay Clay.

Lotuspoint Cassius ridden by Lilly Ahern-Lee

Newoak Midnight Blue ridden by Scarlett Smith and led by Adam Forster

Craig and Fin also steered the prolific former HOYS winning and BSPS supreme champion Cadlanvalley SuperTed to the second spot in the show hunter pony lead rein class. They were pipped to the post by part-bred Dartmoor gelding Newoak Midnight Blue, being sired by former HOYS winning Dartmoor stallion Lickfolds Snowstorm and out of Ardenhall Midnight Charm. Producers Adam Forster and David Jinks spotted the four-year-old at breeder Jackie Newberry’s home and instantly fell for him. “I saw him and told David right away, ‘I’m bringing this one home’, so that’s what we did,” said Adam, who led him to victory in the lead rein hunter pony class, having notched up two seconds in the same class on previous occasions. He was ridden by five-year-old Scarlett Smith – also a first-timer – who was riding on behalf of her grandmother Naomi Bradwell, one of the Jinks Team’s most longstanding clients.

Similarly, five-year-old Millie Knipe smashed her first HOYS appearance by winning the show pony lead rein class and mini championship riding part-bred Welsh pony Derw Dream Boy led by Millie’s dad, James. Though only lightly campaigned this season, the pair had already made quite an impression on the showing world when they took the supreme championship at the BSPS Summer Championships. The Westgrove Dark Secret fiveyear-old is out of Welsh section B pony Heniarth Hushabye and was purchased directly from his breeder Julia Owen. Mum and Dad team James and Jade broke him in, brought him on themselves and continue to produce him from home.

Derw Dream Boy ridden by Millie Knipe and led by James Knipe

Junior Mountain and Moorland Championship Chapman for Champion!

In our last issue, we featured 17-year-old Chantelle Chapman and her Fell pony Greenholme Falcon [Dan], because despite an incredibly tough year, the pair booked a return ticket to HOYS having won an enormous junior large breeds class and championship at Derbyshire Festival. It seemed unimaginable just a few months ago that they would be at HOYS, let alone that they would win and stand champion.

Yet that’s exactly what happened against a backdrop of cheers, tears and rapturous applause.

11-year-old Dan is sired by Greenholme Look at Me and is out of Greenholme Shandy. Chantelle’s mum, Victoria Oliver found Dan six years ago when he was just a five-year-old.

Dan and Chantelle have enjoyed a super run together, including winning the SEIB

Search for a Star final in 2018 and later winning their mountain and moorland working hunter pony class at Windsor, securing placings at the RIHS and a fourth last year at HOYS. Things became harder for the pair and for Chantelle’s family earlier this year when in March, Victoria was sadly diagnosed with cancer and she continues to battle with it, despite discovering that it is in fact terminal.

With Mum in hospital, Grandad stepped in to drive the lorry and Chantelle’s brother Bobby graduated to the groom’s position, with Bobby and Chantelle really pulling together during this time.

HOYS 2021 saw Lilly Walker stand second and reserve champion mountain and moorland junior with section A Amilas

Greenholme Falcon ridden by Chantelle Chapman

Clicquot, but this year went one better in the class riding her mum, Samantha Walker’s golden palomino Welsh section B Melau Aramis [Teddy], before going on to match her championship spot. Six-yearold Teddy is produced by Lauren Brill and Lauren partnered him in novice classes, winning the revered Picton Novice final at the NPS championships. This year, he has had a super season, winning his first open qualifier and taking an RIHS ticket at BSPS Area 4A. He also qualified for the HOYS open breed class with Lauren, finishing third before she handed over the reins to Lilly the following day.

Samantha said: “It’s an absolute dream come true, a total shock! everyone had been telling me how nice he was, but you never quite believe it until it happens. Lots can go wrong on the day, but he was an absolute superstar and loved the atmosphere.”

Melau Aramis ridden by Lilly Walker

LOVE IS IN THE AIR! This year’s HOYS saw not one, but two engagements during the show!

After several abandoned attempts, Tom Wood finally managed to propose to Isabella Mears in their hotel room before returning to their families to celebrate at the show. In some ways, it was perfect that he should do it there and not before, as the couple met at HOYS in 2017.

Upon hearing the news, Sandy Anderson decided to honour the betrothed through an invitation to present the Thistledown Cup to Lily Attwood.

2023 will see Isabella’s last year competing in Intermediates on Forgeland Hyde Park as well as the couple’s marriage at Grantley Hall near Harrogate.

Meanwhile our very own Amy Smith got engaged to Connemara breeder John Canavan when he made a surprise entrance into the coloured native type pony class and got down on one knee with their baby son Lachlan in his arms. Amy’s surprise reaction – and her affirmative answer – brought cheers and tears from onlookers. “I was not expecting that,” said Amy, “good job I said, yes!”

Isabella and Tom present the Thistledown Cup

CONNEMARA ROUNDUP

EAST ANGLIAN ROAD TRIP 24-25 SEPTEMBER | By Julia Spacey Julia Woods brilliantly organised a wonderful two days for members. Those of us who were lucky enough to go on it were treated to a fascinating day in Newmarket on Saturday 24th which included being shown round the beautiful Park Lodge Stables by James Eustace and a visit to the Horse Racing Museum.

Steve showed us all his stock, not just the ponies, and it was lovely to see so many pigs, lambs, goats and Hereford cattle looking so well and contented before we got to see all the ponies which included four stallions and four mares and foals.

It was a treat to see so many Connemaras in one place and Steve’s pride in them was more than justified.

Some of us stayed at the Golden Boar at Freckenham where we were joined for a very jolly dinner by Julia and Steve Woods and those who were staying with them and Rosie and Steven Thompson.

The weekend was rounded off by a lovely barbecue with the delicious hamburgers and sausages coming from Steve and Rosie’s on farm butcher’s shop which has unsurprisingly become very popular. Rosie was kind enough to open the shop and many of us came home with some of their delicious meat and sausages.

Steve Woods cooked a wonderful breakfast for us all at their lovely Cockerel Inn Farm and Julia then gave us a “master class” in Have a Go judging and what to look for at a Filly Inspection using the six ponies in residence. This was followed by a cup of coffee and some delicious cake and flapjacks made by Sarah Rook before we went on to Steve and Rosie Thompson’s Fenrose Farm.

We are all so grateful to Julia for all her hard work in the meticulous preparation of the two days and to both the Woods and the Thompsons for all their kindness and hospitality. We all enjoyed it so much that we are hoping that perhaps we can try and organise something in the Southeast next year.

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FELL

ROUNDUP

Brackenbank Ebony and Brackenbank Raven

Fell Pony Society Centenary – Stud Visits

By Claire Simpson As part of the Centenary celebrations, several Fell Pony studs and owners opened their doors and invited guests to come along and visit their ponies. As well as an opportunity to learn more about our wonderful ponies, the visits proved to be great social events and provided an opportunity to enjoy lovely days out in the beautiful Cumbrian countryside with like-minded people. Many thanks to all the hosts.

Visit to the Brackenbank, Rundales and Peepings Ponies The visit to see the Brackenbank, Rundales and Peepings Ponies took place on what was probably the hottest day of the year in Cumbria.

The visit started at the Wilkinson’s at Brackenbank, in the beautiful village of Murton near Appleby, where we were able to meet in the village hall and enjoy a picnic lunch before wandering through the fields to meet the Brackenbank ponies in their beautiful, peaceful, setting nestling under the peaks of the Pennines.

The mares and foals were in super condition and appeared to enjoy the unexpected attention from all the visitors. Lots of photographs were taken of the foals as they frolicked in the sunshine.

Due to the heat, and the demanding walk required, several visitors chose not to make the trip up onto the fell to see the semi-feral Peepings and Rundales ponies. Some of those who made the journey up the long stony path reported that they had felt like they needed oxygen, but, as well as seeing the ponies, they were rewarded with the most magnificent view of the Lake District mountains. Fortunately, the whereabouts of the ponies had been established in advance and they had been secured in some old sheep pens where grass was plentiful, so they were in a convenient place for the visitors who braved their way up onto the fell in the searing heat.

David Howe identified each of the ponies in turn and discussed their

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Brackenbank mares foals and visitors

breeding and their progeny.

Most had lived on the fell all their lives and had had very little handling but didn’t appear to be troubled by the visitors. They were all in excellent order, including Rundales Betty who was the oldest at 27 years old.

Some of the visitors were delighted when David was able to identify the dams and other relatives of their own ponies. Several of us were in no hurry to leave such a beautiful peaceful place and those who remained until the end witnessed the most wonderful, magical, sight of the ponies returning to the fell, single file, led by the older mares who dictated the route and the pace.

Carrock Stud Visit The Cockbain family welcomed visitors from as far as the USA, Denmark, Holland, Sweden to see their ponies as part of the Centenary celebrations.

Imogen Cockbain (14) said ‘It was lovely to meet so many passionate pony people who I hope to meet again one day.’

Imogen added that thoroughly enjoyed participating in the 100 miles with a Fell Centenary challenge and said ‘It has been a lot of fun and has got me out riding my pony even more. Through the 100 miles challenge I got

At Brackenbank

the chance to meet other members like Jo Abrahmson and Flo Lloyd who came to our farm on the jubilee weekend for a ride around our farm. I feel like I have really achieved something by completing the challenge and would like to say a big Thank You to all those who helped come up with the idea and make the challenge possible.’

Photo - Imogen and Townend Sugar bred

by Imogen’s late great Grandfather.

Brackenbank visitors at Murton Village Hall

Lownthwaite Stud Visit Liz Whitely was amongst those who attended the Lownthwaite stud visit, which is run by FPS President Christine Morton and her family.

Liz reported that Christine and her daughter Alison greeted the guests at their homes in Gamblesby with refreshments and gave them time to peruse the displays that the family had created. These included lots of information about the history of the Lownthwaite stud, along with Fell pony breed history. There were three competitions – name the bit; name the artefact; and a judging competition.

Peepings and Rundales mares and foals going back to the fell

The visitors spent time wandering through the mares and met the stallion

Christine and Alison Morton at the Lownthwaite visit (photo by Liz Whiteley)

Waverfoot Warrior who was inside the building and talking with anyone who spent time with him. They then travelled to the farm at Lownthwaite, where they were able to see Greenholme Icarus and more of the mares; after which some of the visitors ventured up the fell to see the young ponies; though they could only be viewed through binoculars as they sensibly remained very high up the hill, keeping cool, and away from the flies.

Lownthwaite mare and foal (photo

by Liz Whiteley)

Christine’s chosen charity this year is The Moredun Foundation Equine Grass Sickness Fund, which is the only registered charity in the UK raising funds specifically for research into grass sickness. The charity plans to make use new modern technologies to research this dreadful disease, that still has no preventative vaccine or cure, despite being first recorded over 100 years ago.

Due to the generosity of her guests Christine was able to donate £60 to the appeal.

Hosts Katherine and Megan Wilkinson

Waverfoot Warrior at Lownthwaite (photo by Liz Whiteley)

Visitors at the Lownthwaite visit (photo by Liz Whiteley)

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Helmside Fell Ponies Open Day Nicola Evans and her merry band of helpers brought 15 of her Fell ponies home from their various conservation grazing sites to meet Fell pony enthusiasts at her Open day. As well as seeing the ponies and enjoying lots of Fell pony chat over refreshments on a baking hot summer’s day, visitors were able to look around the family’s beautiful garden, enjoy artwork in the barn, and admire the wonderful view of Kendal and the mountains beyond.

Visitors were able to have a go, or spectate, with a horse agility course laid out for the ponies in hand or under saddle and a fun time was had by all.

A view of the Centenary from our overseas visitors What a fabulous year we are having celebrating the centenary of the Fell Pony Society and welcoming guests from overseas.

It’s also a special year for the Dutch daughter society and Hans Schrijen, Manon Ottink

- ten Asbroek and Society Secretary, Joyce de Hoogh made the journey to the UK to celebrate. Joyce explained: ‘ This year was a special year for us, being a daughter Society of the FPS for 25 years. That made it even more special to visit the FPS Breed show and celebrate the Society’s 100th anniversary.

It was wonderful seeing so many ponies and spectators coming over to the Breed show, and to see so many other overseas visitors as well. We had a great time seeing all the beautiful ponies and catching up with a lot of people.

We were also able to see some ponies in their natural habitat during our trip, which was the icing on the cake!

Melissa Kreuzer, Chairperson of the FPS of North America, also had some super feedback following her visit from the USA: ‘I can truly say we have all come together, the world over, in a mutual spirit of celebration beyond all expectation, and it absolutely fills my heart.

I travelled from the USA, with four other companions, to experience as much on offer as we were able, and the camaraderie and pure positivity we felt has been energizing. The

FELL

ROUNDUP Chantelle Chapman & Greenholme Falcon – Junior M&M Champions – HOYS 2022 Chantelle Chapman (17) was overwhelmed when she was called forward to take the junior mountain and moorland championship at HOYS with Greenholme Falcon (Dan), her pony of a lifetime. Confelicity is a lovely, but little-used word, that means to take pleasure in another’s happiness and there was confelicity in spades around the Top Spec arena, and for those of us able to watch a Facebook live-stream at home; and Chantelle said that she really felt the crowd was behind her.

58 | The Native Pony | November 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Townend Sugar and Imogen Cockbain

Breed Show was more dynamic and engaging than any other I’ve attended, and the Centenary exhibit and stud events were filled with genuine pride on all our faces for a pony we all love so much.

I will cherish this particular visit like none other; it’s truly a gift,

making memories together in such a banner year!’

Thanks to all our overseas visitors who celebrated such a wonderful year with us!

A family portrait!

A photo that speaks a thousand words A moment to treasure!

After taking the championship the family then stayed until Sunday so that Chantelle could ride Dan in the international arena for the supreme championship; a fantastic experience that both pony and rider loved.

The success is made all the sweeter by the fact that the family has had a very difficult couple of years, and Mum, Victoria, has been having treatment for cancer, which has meant that family and friends have stepped into provide support and help Chantelle, and her younger brother Bobby.

Sadly Victoria was in hospital at the time of the Derbyshire Festival, but with help from Grandad doing the driving, and brother Bobby stepping up as groom, Chantelle and Dan were able to compete and jumped a cracking clear in the HOYS mountain and moorland working hunter pony to finish third out of 34

ponies. Then, with Mum in tears watching a live stream from hospital, they won the HOYS Junior Large Breeds, out of more than 30 beautiful ponies and went on to take the Junior championship.

Throughout Victoria’s illness Dan has given the family a focus, he has been their rock and a little ray of sunshine making the family smile during the dark days. Next year Bobby may take the ride and contest WHP and junior classes while Chantelle concentrates on her novices.

Victoria would like to thank everyone who has supported the family in the many ways over the past months, especially Louise, Kath and Gary, and Kirsty; and her amazing Mum and Dad who have helped make the dreams a reality.

Well Done All!

They give the crowd a wave as they leave the arena!

60 | The Native Pony | November 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk