Showing World August 2022 (169)

Showing World Issue 169 August 2022 www.showingworldonline.co.uk

Issue 169 - August 2022

Reports from the Royal International Horse Show, the Royal Welsh, Great Yorkshire and many more!

Celebrating 30 years at Hickstead with Sue and Lizzie Bunn

Updates from columnists Justine Armstrong Small, Vicky Smith and Sara Parrott

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MADE IN OUR OWN

UK MILL

A Note From Our Editor Dear Reader, I can’t believe that it’s only been six weeks since our last issue!

Personally, it’s been something of a rollercoaster. A raging tooth infection saw me pretty miserable, especially as it forced me to miss Great Yorkshire Show. It also left me on a serious un-planned diet, which made me even more miserable still. It’s fair to say that I would make for a very grumpy laminitic pony!

Thankfully, armed with antibiotics, I made it to the Royal Welsh and the Royal International Horse Show. As a self-confessed Welsh Pony Geek, it was absolutely wonderful to see crowds return to Builth Wells for the Royal Welsh, and as ever, I got completely wrapped up in the lovely stories behind some of the best wins.

Felling Hot Hot Hot With so much emphasis on the severe heat prior to the show, it was a relief to see how well our equine exhibits coped with the temperatures. I don’t think anyone will refute that they fared better than the humans did. In fact, ours travelled as well as ever and were barely perturbed in their stables. Nevertheless, it was heartening to see some measures introduced to aid the welfare of the horses and ponies. For example, buckets of water were available from stewards, and the first day’s Grand Parade was cancelled. As a cynic of the parade, I was pleased to see this, and somewhat disappointed to see it reintroduced later in the week. I believe gone are the days when the public want to see all prize-winners together, as any enthusiast can find a class of their interest online, and when it can cause some ponies to become a little overheated, I question why we would create a situation that might see a young rider come unstuck after they have won their class. Anyway, back to the heat… I was saddened, however, that whilst competitors could compete without jackets, male stewards were expected to stick to the protocol of wearing a suit. We forget that stewards are often in the ring longer than any competitor or judge, and work tirelessly. I cannot fathom why their welfare wasn’t of greater concern.

The TSR tried a different format at their summer show. I wasn’t there to witness it myself but have heard on good authority that it worked well. If climate experts are proven correct and our summers

are set to be hotter in future, perhaps we’ll see more of these initiatives in the future. Who knows? I for one, will give anything a try that means we don’t see wilting children put off our sport or any serious incidents involving horses or humans. In the meantime, keep yourselves and your horses hydrated.

The Royal International Horse Show I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Royal International. Due to its frequent clash with the Royal Welsh and the distance from West Wales, we don’t always even attempt qualification. However, if I see a judge that I know really likes a pony of mine in the future, I’ll be giving it a go because one day I would love to have a gallop in that super main ring!

Following on from the initiative’s success during COVID, the RIHS have decided to continue with the ‘no marks’ format. In some ways, it’s no bad thing to have one major final judged without marks, and one major final – HOYS – judges with marks.

From the ringside, it seemed as if judges were enjoying their work, and I saw some wonderful championship line-ups, proving the system can work as well as marks where the judges agree. What happens when judges can’t agree, I don’t know, but I would hope that as adults, fair negotiations can be made without one person having to concede more than their share!

From the ringside, it was great to see judges reward excellent shows, shake up line-ups and keep competitors and spectators on the edges of seats. I’m sure there were more than a few mums holding their breath as placings were called! However, in the mountain and moorlands, not one of the ‘top pulls’ stayed top. For some, it was clear why after a blip in shows. But for others, it was not so clear. This is where marks can be useful. Whilst I don’t think that competitors should over analyse marks and I certainly don’t think marks should be commented upon on social media, it is helpful to know where it all went wrong, and going forwards, whether to show your pony under a certain judge again. After all, we cannot expect all judges to like our ponies, and must adapt our showing schedule accordingly. That’s not to say that judge is wrong; it is what it is preference!

Thanks NPS! After the RIHS, I had three days at the NPS championships. I think that these are truly fantastic with so much for children to have a go at, from HOYS lead rein to fancy dress and pairs. The Assendons Final among other classes, also gave adults a lot of fun and welcome relief from the pressure of qualifiers.

Yes, there were timetabling issues which we succumbed to, but overall, it’s a big pat for NPS from me!

The final day at NPS saw us qualify a homebred pony for the first time. Making it more special was that as a head-shaker, he was condemned by vets almost four years ago and it’s been a very, very hard task to get him this far. I have never cried so much over a pony winning a rosette! Please don’t give up if you’re having a tough time; it’s so worth it if things come right in the end.

- Beth Sarah Field’s Murvey George (Real Time Imaging)

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Contents 24

30 years of RIHS at Hickstead An interview with Sue Bunn

29

RIHS: The Horses

45

Sara Parrott Training Tips

48 Royal Welsh Agricultural Show 53

TSR Summer Show

56 Exclusive insights with the HOYS Judges

29

46 Front cover: Robert Walker and RIHS supreme champion, View Point Photo by: Equinational

48

Editorial: Beth Simons

beth.simons@showingworldonline.co.uk

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the editor or Showing World Ltd and while every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained is correct and current at the date of publication, Showing World Ltd will not be help responsible for the appearance of photographic material supplied without the necessary consent, copyright and/or photographer’s details. In addition, Showing World Ltd offers no guarantee of publication and reserves the right to edit any reader’s letters, press releases, reports and articles submitted.

Showing World Ltd 2022. All rights reserved. No part of Showing World may be reproduced, stored in any 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 Ltd.

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Vicky and Boraceforshort

Cheshire based producer Vicky Smith gives us her views on the season…

Care for Limbs The season is in full swing, and we are blessed to have had such good weather. It makes life so much easier than working in the wet and the mud. Nevertheless, it does mean that the ground is very hard, so it’s paramount we all consider how often we show our horses and the wear and tear on limbs. In June and August particularly, the calendar is heavy with HOYS qualifiers and it’s tempting to try and do them all...

Showing’s Profile Show entries are beginning to rise which is great news for hard working organisers and the future of showing. On the other hand, there has been negativity towards judges recently, which Grandstand Media and our showing societies are actively tackling. It seems to me that more than ever, it’s really important that judges are seen to be judging what’s in front of them on the day and rewarding good performances.

It’s also really important that our sport appears to be as professional, transparent

and inclusive as possible. With this in mind, I believe the societies should bring in a rule that competitors cannot judge and compete at the same show. Championship shows are the highlight for most people’s year. Hours of time and lots of money go into qualifying to compete, and exhibitors want a fair crack at the whip at the final. Having even the most honest and professional judges in lorry parks has the potential to give the wrong impression, especially to those new to the sport, and it doesn’t help to encourage amateur competitors who often believe showing is a closed shop! To be clear, I’m not calling into question the integrity of 99% of our judges as so many do a brilliant job and give a huge amount of time to competitors, I simply believe that we should do all we can to raise showing’s profile as a fair and inclusive sport.

The RIHS The Royal International Horse Show was as popular as ever with huge numbers forward.

The show tries to accommodate everyone from miniatures to home produced to the

top professionals and does a great job in timetabling and organisation. Both the pony and horse supremes were outstanding championships to watch and I believe that in the champion hack, Forgeland Hyde Park and champion hunter, Viewpoint who stood champion and reserve horse, we saw two of the best horses of this generation fight it out for the Winston Churchill supreme accolade.

It was brilliant end to a week of very strong competition.

Make Memories!

With the championship shows in full swing, please remember it’s not just about rosettes.

Make time to socialise with friends and let children play. Rosettes are soon forgotten but fun memories last forever. As the season draws to a close, enjoy the last few months as it’s a long winter ahead!

Vicky

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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

Launched in 2009, the British Showing Awards have grown year-on-year to become the most prestigious and credible awards celebrating British showing success.

The awards recognise individuals, horses and ponies who are ‘best in show’, along with individuals and groups who have made a significant contribution and difference to the showing community. The energy surrounding the awards is unrivalled – with hundreds of nominations, thousands of votes and a marketing media frenzy that will connect you with your target showing audience and help you achieve your objective.

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.

Celebrate with finalists and winners at a fizz reception followed by a three course gala dinner and entertainment.

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“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.”

Nicolina Mackenzie, SEIB Marketing Manager

This year’s categories are set to include: • • • • • • • •

Breeder of the Year Junior of the Year Pony of the Year Show Horse of the Year Veteran Horse Society Horse or Pony of the Year Groom of the Year Show Rider of the Year Show Handler of the Year

• • • • •

Show Team of the Year Coloured Show Horse or Pony of the Year Show Area of the Year Show Personality of the Year SEIB Outstanding Achievement Award

Nominations will be sent in via the Showing World website, which will subsequently be reviewed and shortlisted by a panel of judges and then put to public vote. Nominations will open shortly - keep an eye on our social media platforms for the announcement.

The winners will be revealed on the evening of the awards!

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Royal Stage shown by Jeff Grace

DEVON COUNTY SHOW 30th June - 2nd July | Report by Celeste Gall | Photos by Jay Photos A first-time broodmare followed in her mother’s footsteps when she secured the Price Family supreme sash under judge Cindy Sims. Virginia Russell-Wood’s exquisite nineyear-old hack breeding champion Royal Stage [Queenie] floated effortlessly around the ring with her foal, Stage Affair, by Cosford Criminal Affair, at foot. Shown here by Jeff Grace and Simon Luck, Queenie is by Kilvington Scoundrel out of Stage Whisper and enjoyed a successful ridden career winning at Royal International as a small intermediate and taking several championships as a small hack when based with Team Holder. “I had always intended on having foals from her to carry on the breeding lines as her mother qualified twice for HOYS in-hand,” said Virginia, who added: “I had thought with her first foal at foot that I might gently take her to a few shows with no expectations, but she has bloomed and shows herself off in the ring beyond anything I could imagine for her first year.”

breeding champion Tawstock Delilah as her first reserve. Owned by Di Sexton and handled here by Charles Upham, the chestnut filly is

by Langaller Starring Role out of Tawstock Fedora.

“It was a privilege to have so many champions come forward for judging. It was unbelievably close between the champion and reserve and an incredibly hard decision, one that could reverse on another day. My first reserve was a lovely model and very much my type, but one

Reserve went to Tony Reynolds and Michael Cook’s heavyweight hunter broodmare champion Sampsons Court Lulu, shown with her filly foal at foot by Catherston Liberator.

The 11-year-old chestnut mare also won the three-counties challenge with both the mare and foal winning at Royal Cornwall, Royal Bath and West and here. Cindy selected a final seven out of the 13 champions forward and chose the two-year-old riding horse Dunkery Firecrest shown by Melanie Cawley

for the future and the Exmoor was the best of the natives,” said Cindy. “My champion was very flamboyant with lots of charisma and a lovely model and mover. My reserve was a true hunter with wonderful limbs and probably the best foal I have seen for ages.” Exmoor breed judge Jenna Payne was delighted to watch her champion, Dunkery Firecrest shown here by Melanie Cawley, be pulled into the final seven.

“My champion was everything I look for in an Exmoor: typey, good moving and it oozed quality,” said Jenna.

Baylew Tiger Lily ridden by Sophie Curry

Veuve Cliquot ridden by Olivia Minihane

An exciting future Hannah Horton was on fine form again claiming both the riding horse and hack championships with Buriana Larkrise [Ralph] and Imagine FW respectively. Hannah and Ralph, owned and bred by Devon-based Eileen Jenkin has remained unbeaten this season, securing the riding horse championships at Royal Cornwall and Hickstead Derby too.

The Burley family’s elegant grey small hack, Imagine FW, is in his first showing season but also took the title at Royal Cornwall.

Taking the reserve hack championship was the exciting six-year-old Baylew Tiger Lily, bred by Zoe Moore-Williams and ridden by Megan-May Davies. By Tiger Attack out of Zoe’s prolific ridden intermediate champion Mathemadam

High Spirit [Tally], Tiger Lily has been produced

by Sophie Curry and was broken just before lockdown, therefore she has had a delayed career under saddle. “It gave her plenty of time to mature and be educated slowly and correctly,” said Zoe, who sadly lost Tally to colic over winter. “She also produced a threeyear-old by Woodvean Midnight Blue and a yearling by Keady Star, who will be retained for me to ride in the future,” said Zoe, who sold Tiger Lily to Diane Stennett and Lucy Cameron just before the show. “She will be produced

by Jayne Ross now and I look forward to following her exciting career,” added Zoe. Whilst she is in her penultimate year in the intermediate working hunter classes, Olivia

Minihane and her nine-year-old chestnut gelding Veuve Cliquot proved that they can hold their own in the open working hunter classes too. Here, they topped a class of seven clears and scored the highest marks of the class to book their second ticket to HOYS. Purchased as a four-year-old, Olivia has produced him herself through the ranks and they finished runners up in the intermediate final last season. Olivia spoke about the challenges of competing in both classes: “It’s tricky to find an intermediate worker that has enough ability to jump the tracks and be the right temperament and the right model of a horse, but essentially the horse workers and the intermediates are the same height and it’s just as difficult to win either!”

Starfall ridden by Lynn Russell

Double win for Team Hood

Oatmill Hero ridden

by Amelia Bevan

Veterinary Physiotherapist Amelia Bevan rode Jane Scriven’s riding horse Oatmill Hero into the top spot in the ladies side-saddle qualifier. “It was a real honour to be asked to ride him side saddle by Jane. He is the perfect model of a ladies horse and gives such a comfortable, mannerly ride; he moves up and down the gears and was absolutely faultless to ride on the day,” said Amelia, who has ridden side saddle since she was eight years old and has ridden in the ladies classes at HOYS and RIHS, as well as taking several championship titles at the Side Saddle Association championships. “Side saddle has always been my passion and I rode in my first ladies class as soon as I could when I was 16,”

added Amelia.

Amelia’s partner Oliver Hood rode the 10-yearold lightweight cob The Chancer [Ted] into the top spot to book his return HOYS ticket.

Owned by Richard and Auriol Wilson, Ted is in his third season with Team Hood and spent the winter hunting. “He went exceptionally well and all of his connections were thrilled,” said Oliver. Lynn Russell landed the cob championship with the heavyweight winner Starfall. The nine-year-old grey gelding has an enviable show record and stood top of the line at Royal Windsor this season. Lynn also landed the ridden coloured championship with the relative novice five-year-old piebald gelding Talos.

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Diptford Graceful ridden by Tori Dymond

STITHIANS SHOW 11th July | Report by Celeste Gall | Photos by Lisa Wood Photography 17-year-old Tori Dymond demonstrated showmanship beyond her years by executing a flawless show, including a one handed gallop, to clinch the supreme over 12 other in-hand and ridden champions forward under judge Charles Upham. Riding her mother Fiona’s five-year-old mare Diptford Graceful (April), the pair had already clinched both the show pony and intermediate championships on route to securing the supreme sash. Tori and April are already HOYS-bound after clinching their ticket at Royal Bath and West in the 14.2hh show pony qualifier, though it is Tori’s final season in the class and future plans are to contest the small intermediate show riding type and part bred Arab classes. “She’s so level headed so she was completely unfazed by the atmosphere,” said Tori of the busy main ring.

“We are beyond proud of how well April has done this season.”

Tori edged her cousin, Lauren Berridge, into the reserve intermediate championship spot, aboard her show hunter type SCT Le Bijou De Reve (Henri). Earlier in the day, Lauren and Henri took the ridden hunter championship following a win in the small hunter class. “He also jumped clear round the workers earlier in the day as well to finish third,” said Lauren of her nine-year-old chestnut gelding whom she has owned for five years.

Taking the reserve supreme spot was the Mountain and Moorland (M&M) mini champion, Ophelia Vinnicombe and the Welsh section A gelding Uphill Arian, who won the M&M lead rein class. This new pairing only had their first

outing together in April, but have clocked up several championships this season, including the mini M&M championship at Devon County.

The open ridden M&M championship went to RIHS-bound Sue Smith and the striking Fell gelding Stennerskeugh Harvey. The home produced 11-year-old was gelded earlier this season and as well as being RIHS-bound in the open, amateur and Pretty Polly (home produced) finals, he recently stood reserve in the Pretty Polly supreme at North of England.

With the M&M championship held in the main ring, competitors relished the chance to show off their natives to the crowds; Portly French and her 13-year-old Exmoor mare Blackthorn Poem, who were the only mare and Exmoor placed in their class at HOYS last season, gave SCT Le Bijou De Reve ridden by Lauren Berridge

a rousing gallop to stand reserve.

Mark Cosgrove led the seven-year-old grey standard Shetland stallion Zennor Tempest to land the overall M&M in-hand championship. By the prolific Southley Snowman, Tempest has taken championships on nearly every outing this season, including Royal Three Counties.

Tasha Brassett rode the diminutive 121cm skewbald gelding The Rag ‘N’ Bone Man, owned

by Angela Downing, to head the ridden coloured native/traditional pony and the ridden coloured championship. “I’ve had him to produce since January and he’s really held his own in everything he’s done. We hope to do some qualifiers next year, but really he’s aimed to be a lead rein pony for Angela’s granddaughter,” said Tasha.

GREAT YORKSHIRE

Noteworthy shown by Vicky Smith

Noteworthy ridden by Vicky Smith

REPORT BY BRONWYN WARD | PHOTOS BY 1ST CLASS IMAGES

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Megland Moonglow shown by Alan Charlesworth

The sun shone over the beautiful grass rings for four fantastic days of competition at the Great Yorkshire Show, with competitors arriving at Harrogate from across the country.

After hours of judging classes and championships, each in hand section champion was invited into the main ring for the Price Family Supreme qualifier, with the supreme champion taking the ticket to the Horse of the Year Show.

Performing foot perfectly in front of the crowds with her stunning foal at foot, the Tandridge stud’s riding pony broodmare Megland Moonglow took the coveted championship, booking her return trip to the NEC with team Charlesworth. After topping another in hand hunter championship this season, Jill Day’s Full Cry took the reserve honors with Robert Walker.

Jayne Ross had a show to remember, starting the week off with the win in the lightweight hunters with Wall Street, and Rose Bailey’s Twinshock Warrior retaining his heavyweight title. With two horses in the championship, Jayne partnered with her heavyweight winner, and handed the reins of Debbie Harrod’s lightweight Wall Street to Olivia Minihane, whose catch ride resulted in finishing as the section champion.

Over in the White Rose Ring, day one saw huge numbers forward in the ridden

The success of Jill’s novice hunters also included Mr Tea topping the novice ridden hunter championship, after finishing second in the heavyweight ranks. Also traveling from Cheshire for the show was the winner of the novice lightweight division Vicky Smith, paired with Sally Iggulden’s Balmoral purchase Noteworthy. This was a delighted Vicky’s first Great Yorkshire title.

Morean Hamilton’s Rich Man Poor Man and producer Kirstine Douglas made Great Yorkshire Show history being the first former racehorse to win a hunter title when he topped a strong middleweight section, and also the first horse to head both a hunter and retrained racehorse class at the show.

Wall Street II ridden by Olivia Minihane

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coloured classes, a true spectacle to see so many beautiful coloured horses and ponies competing for the golden ticket to HOYS. The native, cob and traditional horses kicked the 2022 show off with the first class of the day, coming forward before judges Paul Cook and Sarah Chapman who had the task of judging over 100 coloured horses and ponies over the four sections.

Alongside running her business ‘Perform Equine’ and producing a string of successful ponies with partner Craig Elenor, Sara Parrott

contests her own mare Starlight [Queenie] in the coloured horse ranks. Showing off her impressive paces in front of the onlooking crowd, Queenie took the ridden coloured tricolour after winning her section by a whopping 13 marks, much to Sara’s evident delight.

Sara and Queenie have a wonderful partnership and enjoy their time in the ring together, “we are very lucky to be part of some very special moments, but to win here on my own horse who I adore was simply fantastic”. This was the second HOYS qualifier win this season for Sara and Queenie, meaning the qualification passed to Founthill Trudie Two Shoes, who is in her first season competing in the horse ranks.

Another coloured stepping up to the horse division and living up to his name was reserve section champion, and non-native horse class winner Awesome II. Produced by Team Bates, it was the turn of his owner Ami Miller to pick up the reins. “They really sparkled in that big ring, and Ami had a grin like a Cheshire cat from start to finish - what it’s all about!” shared a delighted Jo. With 55 cataloged entries and 48 native, cob and traditional ponies forward, the judges did a fantastic job of judging the class and kept the set show short, but testing. 17 years after winning the class on Chantilly Lace IV, Pippa Kirby rode her striking son Monivea Black Magic to victory in front of her delighted team, eight marks ahead of second placed Worsenden Priscilla, and novice stallion Stanray X Rated who finished third with David Bennett.

Following on from the huge class, was the largest non-native horse class of the season, with eighteen combinations forward. KBF Lucia stood second to section reserve champion Awesome II, with Sean Scallan picking up the reins as Polly Coles was busy

Starlight ridden by Sara Parrott in the main ring on board her middleweight hunter. Although missing the class, Polly made it to the ring for a lovely ride in the coloured championship on board this lovely young mare.

With the first two horses having already qualified, the ticket in this class passed to Joseph McNeil’s mannerly gelding Tullabeg Connection, who is in his first season with Jill Wormall. Jill is no stranger to success at the Great Yorkshire, with a win in 2021 in the ex-racehorse ranks, and in the working hunter at the previous show in 2019.

Also catching the judge’s eye to retain their class title from 2021 was Tidkin Regal Moonstone, the winner of the non-native pony division with James Hunton. This pony is having a fantastic season, having already picked up their return ticket to HOYS. Hard work paid off for second placed Hopgarden Hunca Munca and his connections, who secured his place at the NEC after a lovely individual show. Young riders had success throughout this class, with HOYS qualified

AS Finistere ridden by Mel Hennah

Jasmine Radford and her striking pony Jagged Lace finishing in third.

The White Rose Ring’s testing working hunter track saw only eight combinations through to the next phase of judging from 24 starters.

Topping the class and finishing on 90 marks out of a possible 100 was Mel Hennah on board a horse that ensured he didn’t come close to touching any poles, AS Finistere.

Making the journey up from Cornwall was certainly worthwhile for this emotional win “on the bucket list of my dearest friend, the late Carolyn Stevens, was The Great Yorkshire Show. Carolyn’s last words to me were that I needed to own AS Finistere [Jack], so it seems very fitting that he won the HOYS working hunter and championship here” shared Mel. Finishing hot on their heels was another combination who made a long journey

Lochlands Gypsy Barron ridden by Tracy Milward

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to the prestigious show. Traveling from Northumberland, pure bred Irish Draught Silver Lough jumped a fantastic round to finish in second place. Although small enough to compete in the intermediate ranks, ‘Scully’ holds his own against the big open horses and has competed at HOYS in both sections.

Heavy horses continue to be a spectacle for the public, it was great to see a crowd forming around the Ridings Ring for the beautifully turned out in hand Shires and Clydesdales.

A delighted David Beardmore topped the Shire colt and stallion class with his two-year-old Cranleigh Tiger King, and then stood reserve section champion to Paul and Matthew Bedford’s barren mare Metheringham Upton Celeste, booking his young colt a space at the Horse Of the Year Show this October.

The second day of competition saw Jayne Ross and her team retain another title from 2021, this time in the ladies side saddle.

Harbour Master was ridden to victory this year by his owner Charlotte Clark, after Jayne piloted him at the show in 2021 due to Charlotte’s commitments. At just five years old, stable mate King of Clubs took the atmosphere in his stride to top a strong large riding horse class, and to stand champion.

In the cob ranks, both the champion and reserve came from the lightweight section with Red Butler taking the tricolour, and Toberpatrick Boss in reserve. Red Butler’s win comes just a few weeks after clinching the championship at the Hickstead Derby Meeting, this time was with Sarah Walker’s husband Robert in the saddle. Sarah was pleased to have taken back the reins of ‘Jenson’, who she stood cob champion with at HOYS last year.

Over in the Ridings Ring, in hand horses and ponies competed for their chance to show in the main ring for the HOYS supreme in hand

Harbourmaster shown by Charlotte Clark

qualifier. Although the only horse forward in the native, cob and traditional section, Yorkshire based Black Tie II took the reserve spot in the coloured youngstock section championship.

Red Butler ridden by Sarah Butler

Taking the champion title and booking their place in the main ring for the supreme was striking non-native colt Willowsway Top Of The Rock, shown by Thomas Partridge.

This striking colt by Freckleton Royal Affair performed years beyond his age and didn’t miss a beat all day.

Another colt who enjoys his time in the ring, is the native, cob, traditional pony class winner Burghwallis Storm Chaser. Bred by the Burghwallis Stud and now owned by Michelle Pickford, he stood supreme youngstock at the Coloured Horse And Pony Society championship show last year and champion at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair. Delighted with his type and temperament, Michelle and Leanne Pickford are looking forward to welcoming his full brother to their family once he is weaned later this year.

Treworgan Shooting Star shown by William Wright

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Cadlanvalley Buzz Lightyear ridden by Myranda Houghton

The Great Yorkshire is a fantastic display of our native breeds, with all sections well supported.

Day two was the turn of the first section of Mountain and Moorland ponies in hand, with the multi-garlanded Lincolnshire Show supreme in hand winner Treworgan Shooting Star claiming another Dartmoor championship shown by William Wright. A strong Fell section championship was won by Carrock Daenerys, shown by John Cockbain, with Barbara Potter’s Dalefoot Yazz finishing reserve champion.

With hundreds of showing classes at the show, day three also hosted both in hand and ridden Mountain and Moorland classes. One of the strongest classes of the show was the lead rein Mountain and Moorland, with 31 combinations forward and the class having to be split.

Springwater Tactician ridden by Finlay Clay and led by Craig Elenor

It was a one-two for Dartmoor ponies in the HOYS lead rein class, a fantastic showcase for the breed. Finley Clay rode his mother, Heather Clay’s Craig Elenor produced Springwater Tactician to the top spot, and eventual section champion.

Although it was only this pony’s second appearance in the ring this year, it was the second HOYS qualifier win for the mannerly pony, who was bred by Nicola Tyler.

Full Cry shown by Robert Walker

Beautifully home produced by owner Amanda Wilding and ridden by her daughter Alyssia, second placed Nappa Pericles picked up their golden ticket to HOYS qualification and stood reserve champion.

More home-produced success came in the open ridden classes, with Welsh Section B Cadlanvalley Buzz Lightyear [Buzz] winning his third qualifier class of the season. Despite only being five years old, Buzz floated around the electric White Rose ring with his owner Myranda Houton, who describes winning at the Great Yorkshire “as a dream come true!” Buzz has qualified in both the open and junior classes for HOYS this year.

After a full day of judging over 250 ponies, fivetime HOYS finalist, and current reigning Highland winner Lochlands Gypsy Baron set the ring alight with his breathtaking gallop following his win, large breeds championship and overall supreme ridden Mountain and Moorland, The reserve supreme spot went to the champion from the small breeds section, the Sharn Linney produced former HOYS, RIHS and London International Horse Show contender, Thistledown El Toro, who was victorious in the Welsh Section A section with his new rider for this season, 13-yearold Daisy May Allen.

Ladies Man ridden by Poppy Cartert

The final day of competition was a little quieter, with the show finishing with the intermediate sections. The classes were held in the main ring in front of a big crowd, a fantastic experience for the young riders who will be stepping up into adult classes in the coming seasons.

Poppy Carter was paired with Danni Radford’s homebred Ladies Man to produce a breathtaking performance, scoring them a whopping 49 out of a possible 50 marks to top the class and stand champion intermediate. Living up to her name, Whalton A Bit Special gave Victoria Harker a special win to remember on home turf “It’s only taken me 18 years to win the Great Yorkshire,” joked Victoria.

Thistledown El Torro ridden by Daisy May Allen t info@showingworldonline.co.uk | August Issue 2022 | Showing World | 15

Marcosie the Fourth Dimension shown by Simon Charlesworth

ROYAL LANCASHIRE SHOW Mark Buckley’s home-bred Marcosie the Fourth Dimension [Spider] clinched his second consecutive visit to the NEC for the Price Supreme Final shown by his producer Simon Charlesworth. He took both the part-bred and riding pony breeding championships en route to the final supreme. The five-year-old by Turberrry Top Cat was shown twice as a two-year-old by Jerome Harforth and stood a frustrating reserve for the Cuddy Supreme at Notts County before going on to qualify for the first time last season. During the pandemic, he was at home with the Buckleys building something of a dynasty and the stud have welcomed three foals by Spider this year, including out of twice HOYS winning 148cm Crafton Touch of Gold and Cuddy Supreme Pony Champion, Kellythorpes Strike a Pose, two mares with different bloodlines but nevertheless with “exceptional foals” explained Mark.

Trailtrow Tearlach ridden by Kirstin McMurray

The appeal of a direct London International Horse Show ticket for the BSPS Heritage Final attracted quality line-ups. Narrowly missing out on a ticket was Hannah Atkinson riding her mother Linda Atkinson’s Danwood Llewellyn [Lewi]. The 2018 reserve mountain and moorland pony of the year has had a superb season so far. Linda rode the Wyken Rob Roy gelding to secure his HOYS ticket at the Spring Festival whilst Hannah, the current Young Ambassador for the Welsh Pony and Cob Society was otherwise engaged. Hannah most recently won a huge HOYS class at the Great Yorkshire show before going on to stand section reserve. Last season, Hannah and Lewi secured the family’s first ever qualification for the London International Horse Show and stood seventh at the final.

Full-time radiographer Kirstin explained that he is “totally home produced, mainly ridden by Gillian, who won the HPS Performance Awards in 2019 competing with him in ridden showing and BD dressage”. She went on to explain that she takes over the reins “at the major shows and does some low level working hunter pony classes and arena eventing with him”. Since Lancashire, he’s again gone on to stand both supreme mountain and moorland ridden and supreme mountain and moorland in-hand at NPS Scotland Summer Show.

However, they were beaten to the tricolour and the ticket by Kirstin McMurray riding third generation homebred Trailtrow Tearlach. The 13-year-old Highland stallion is by former HOYS winner Mosside McLaren and out of Trailtrow Tilliwhillie.

Though late to the ridden scene, he’s had a super career under saddle. He was first shown in novice classes in 2019, finishing the season at Blair Castle as Supreme Ridden Champion at the Highland Pony Show and on the following day at the NPS Scotland Finals, stood supreme in-hand mountain and moorland champion and supreme mountain and moorland ridden.

In 2021, he moved up to open classes with panache, taking NPS intermediate champion and reserve supreme at NPS Scotland on his seasonal debut and was supreme champion ridden Highland and reserve male in-hand Highland at the Royal Highland Showcase a few days later. He also secured his first ever HOYS ticket on his first attempt at Cheshire County Show.

Danwood Llewellyn ridden by Hannah Atkinson

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | August Issue 2022 | Showing World | 17

Sandboro Sugar Tot ridden by Emelia O’Brien

LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY SHOW 22-23 June, 2022 Report by Beth Simons | Photos by Real Time Imaging Eight-year-old Emelia O’Brien was thrilled to win her first ridden class and stand mini champion with Sandboro Sugar Tot, claiming a HOYS ticket in doing so. Six-year-old Sugar Tot was bred by Kelly Phillips and is by Rotherwood Spring Storm out of Sandboro Sweet Sensation. She has been with Emelia since a yearling, and is home-produced by Emilia and her mum, Emma O’Brien. The pair won the lead rein at the RIHS in 2021, and this is the pair’s first year off the lead “which has been a challenging transition,” said Emma. She continued: “Sugar Tot is a true child’s pony from lead rein to first ridden. At the start of this year, she had never been to a show off the lead so we didn’t know what to expect, but she has proved to be a little gem, taking everything in her stride and looking after Emelia”. Nevertheless, she pointed out that “they are two novices together off the lead so winning was a huge achievement”.

Despite their lack of experience, the pair had already notched up a third at Midland Counties and a second at Cheshire County and scored a brilliant 49/50 for her show at Lincolnshire.

Harry Edwards Brady added another HOYS ticket to his tally. He won the 128cm show

pony class and section reserve with his mum, Emma Edwards’ Rowden Holly Go Lightly, [Tiff]. Eight-year-old Cusop Dimension daughter, Tiff, was purchased by Emma during the first 2020 lockdown. She took to her ridden work last season, qualifying for HOYS at the BSPS Summer championships and standing champion at the Royal Welsh.

This is Harry’s second ticket of the season, having also qualified his evergreen 122cm show hunter pony, Gryngallt Page Too at Royal Bath and West Show.

show pony at Windsor.

Champion show pony was, however, was won

by Henrietta Till’s 148cm Rotherwood Fancy That [Frederick] under Henrietta’s daughter, India. Bred by Liz Mansfield Parnell, five-yearold Frederick is by Treworgan Dare to Peep and is out of Rotherwood Flight of Fancy, who sadly passed away last year. Produced by Nicky Smith, he made his showring debut at Windsor last season where he won his novice show pony class and stood champion before being put away to mature. This season, he made his debut at Wiltshire where he claimed his part-bred RIHS ticket, then went on to win his RIHS 148cm show pony class and stand champion at Area 13A before repeating his 2021 victory and standing champion novice

Aimee Rogers’ Settvalley The Titan booked a return ticket to HOYS in the mountain and moorland working hunter pony not exceeding 133cm class, winning the class for the second year consecutively. Bred by Hannah Turnock and Sarah Lee, Aimee has owned the Welsh section C since a youngster and produces him herself. After an impressive run of 17 seconds in HOYS and RIHS qualifiers, he finally realised Aimee’s goal and qualified for both before winning his final at the RIHS and being placed at HOYS, all the more special as Aimee was pregnant with her first baby, Theo.

This year, the pair have also secured a return ticket to the RIHS – ironically, on a second at NPS Area 11 – before winning a qualifier the

18 | Showing World | August Issue 2022 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Edward Young’s team produced Rowfantina Folklaw [Clint] to win the HOYS 122cm show hunter pony class under Maisie Kerry-Oates, bagging their golden ticket to HOYS. This is the pair’s first season together, and Maisie’s first season in open 122cm classes. They later went on to stand section reserve behind the winners of the 143cm class, Charlotte Caulfield and Lousie Caulfield’s Windsor winner, Rommano Spot of Distinction.

Rowfantina Folklore ridden by Maisie Kerry-Oates

following week at Hambleton.

nothing”.

Section champion was Ross Keys with the reigning Windsor reserve champion, Dycott Welsh King. The pair were, however, second in the class and therefore didn’t get the HOYS ticket. That was awarded to the winner, Sarah Parker riding Mayain Castle, who went on to stand reserve champion! The final winner joining them in the championship was Eltott Little Bit O’Sunshine ridden by Gemma Pallet as the pair had won the 122cm class, providing Vicky Armitage’s Eltott stud with a first ever HOYS ticket with a homebred pony, making their day incredibly special.

Myranda Houton’s Welsh section B Cadlanvalley Buzz Lightyear took the Welsh section B ticket to HOYS. Myranda bought the five-year-old directly from the Cadlanvalley stud at three. He has since won two further qualifiers, taking the breed class at the Great Yorkshire Show again with Myranda in the saddle, and the junior mountain and moorland small breeds class at the Royal Highland Show under Natasha Connor. He is sired by the prolific Cadlanvalley Buzby and is in his first season competing in HOYS classes.

“He is full of character and cheek,” said an extremely proud Myranda.

They were on equal marks in the class, and a blistering gallop meant Ross pipped Sarah to the post in the tricolour. A second bay Welsh section D, Dyffryngwy Sir Picasso claimed the ridden championship under his owner producer, Emma Burrow. Emma purchased Picasso from his breeder and number one fan Gwyneth Griffiths at the autumn cob sales when he was just a foal. Since then, Emma and the Trevallion Picasso gelding have had an incredible partnership, winning the RIHS, HOYS twice, Olympia and standing champion at the Great Yorkshire Show. “He means the world to me,” said Emma, “and owes me

The small breeds tricolour was awarded to the Exmoor Julian Walters and David Hodge’s Blackthorn Poldark ridden by his producer, Jessica Talbot.

Having had a stellar day at Cheshire, team Heath also took their share of the spoils at Lincolnshire. Sandbach based producer Danielle Heath took the hack championship with Guy Mears’ reigning HOYS and Windsor champion, Foreland Hyde Park. The pair won the large hack class en route to the tricolour. The Kilvington Scoundrel gelding had, however, already secured his ticket at

Killcarna Brilliant ridden by Will Morton

Stoneleigh Horse Show meaning that the ticket was awarded to Bethany Phoenix and Molecule One, who also went on to be section reserves. It was a fantastic show for Bethany, as her daughter, Esme also secured a HOYS ticket with home produced lead rein pony Derw Sweet Memories. Joining Bethany and Danielle in the hack championship was Vicky Smith’s winning large hack, Young Lochnivor.

Meanwhile, the riding horse championship was secured by Nicola Worthington-French riding her own Dolphin’s Lawyer as usual rider, Nicola’s daughter Isabella was popping around the working show horse class with Basingwerk Dream Works. Though just a five-year-old, the small riding horse is already a former HOYS and RIHS contender, and has secured himself an impressive four RIHS tickets this season.

Settvalley The Titan ridden by Aimee Rogers

Sarah-Ann Gunn’s Killcarna Brilliant [Chubbs] continued his superb run of luck under Essexbased producer Will Morton, taking the HOYS hunter championship. The seven-year-old was successfully campaigned by Rob Walker as a four-year-old before he was purchased from Jill Day during lockdown. Sarah approached Will to produce Chubbs for her after watching him ride him as a ride judge at South Suffolk.

Will and Chubbs debuted together at South Suffolk where they took the hunter title, and he’s since taken the hunter title and supreme of show at Suffolk County Show. info@showingworldonline.co.uk | August Issue 2022 | Showing World | 19

We love this photo of Chantelle Joslin’s Carnsdale Let It Be and Florian Gilston at the Great Yorkshire Show. This little horse is having a wonderful second season, following on from tremendous success last season which saw him supreme Pretty Polly at the RIHS. He’s photographed here having won a super intermediate show hunter type class, bagging his second HOYS ticket of the year. He is also HOYS-bound with Chantelle in the small hunter class.

Photo by 1st Class Images.

LAP OF HONOUR

Wow! Our readers really have been taking the showring by storm!

Each issue we will be celebrating your individual successes.

Make sure that you all keep us up to date on your successes to be included!

Email beth.simons@ showingworldonline.co.uk and make sure you follow our Facebook and Instagram accounts for more ways to get involved in Showing World magazine.

Theseus And The Tricolour!

Izzy Walker and Welsh section B Redlays Theseus continue to be a combination to reckon with in the 122cm classes. Nine-year-old Izzy and Theseus are set to defend their title at HOYS this year having won a strong class at BSPS Mid-Summer show. We think that Izzy and Theo must have been taking notes while watching Izzy’s dad, Robert Walker in the hunter classes, because the pair went on to give a searing gallop in the championship to secure the tricolour!

Izzy Walker

True Grit Henry Belton, 10, and Landsbury True Grit [Dug] are continuing their quest for working hunter pony glory with a win and champion at Anglesey County Show where they won the Nursery Stakes, the open 133cm working hunter pony and the section tricolour. Henry’s mum, Fiona, purchased the 11-year-old directly from his breeder, Jeanette Macwhinnie, who is also based on Anglesey. As Dug was returning to home turf, Fiona, Henry and Dug also took the opportunity to enjoy the island and have a good splash in the sea!

Izzy Walker

That’s What Friends Are For! Lucky for Harry Judge, his friend Lewis Cousins, 5, was on hand to help him out when he couldn’t attend North of England Show. As Lewis had already qualified his own lead rein show hunter pony, Annandale Line of Fire, he was more than happy to step into the breach to qualify Harry’s pony, Thistledown Snowfall in the same class! Harry, who won Windsor with Snowfall, will be taking the ride at the final. We say, “Well done, boys, that’s what friends are for!”

Annandale Line Of Fire

Henry Belton Thistledown Snowfall

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | August Issue 2022 | Showing World | 21

Marvellous Marco Kerry Boothby and Marco - or Marcos as she calls him – are a relatively new combination, having formed a partnership in March 2022.

“I wasn’t out looking for another horse as I already had a beautiful dun pony at home,” explained Kerry, “but whilst I was with a customer one day, we got talking about how the owner of this lovely grey gelding that on livery had sadly passed away. Unfortunately, the widow wasn’t horsey and wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with Marco. I cheekily mentioned that if he would like to loan him, I’d have him.” Marcos had formerly been a dressage horse competing to a high level, and Kerry explained that in her quest to turn him into a show horse, he would be exceptionally well cared for.

A few days later, Kerry received a call informing her that not only had her loan been approved, but that his owner’s widow would be giving him to her. “I was over the moon,” and upon having her first sit on him, found him to be “mega; like sitting on a cloud”.

Initially Kerry believed Marco to be 17, but upon reading his passport, she found him to be 19. Luckily, this did nothing to deter Kerry. “My mare at home was 24 and I like the golden

oldies,” she said. “I got him home and he was an absolute gentleman and settled really well, and after only two rides on him, I thought I’d take him to a local show. He was impeccably behaved, and I won my veteran class”.

Nevertheless, it wasn’t plain sailing.

Kerry said: “I was told that Marcos did have bad teeth when I collected him, so whilst taking my other horse to the vets thought I’d take him along for an ‘MOT’ and dental check-up.” Her vet found serious gum disease and suggested that he had his top teeth removed. Three weeks of gum cleaning, it was time to get back on board, and in no time at all, the pair were headed for the Veteran Horse Society Spring Festival, which was her first stay away show with him and first show on grass.

“With my brave pants on I did my best to reassure him and he really did pull it off in the ring for a 2nd in the area qualifier and then I took him in the direct qualifier and the first time he has trotted up in hand at a competition, he won, qualifying for the ridden pre-veteran supreme at the Veteran Society National championships. I burst out crying; I couldn’t believe I’d turned a dressage horse into a show horse”.

Marco

To find out more about joining the Veteran Horse Society, visit www.veteran-horsesociety.co.uk The 2022 National Veteran Championships will be held at Arena UK, Lincolnshire on 30th September - 2nd October 2022 The National Veteran Championship is the largest Veteran Equine Event in the UK and is host to the prestigious end of season Supreme Finals and the much acclaimed Veteran of the Year.

The show is hosted over 3 days and has over 120 classes (showing, dressage, jumping and fun classes), most of which are open to both members and nonmembers with no qualification necessary.

Our eventual champion, Noble Ronan ridden by Ruby Ward

An update on the Workers from Justine...

Justine Armstrong Small has over 35 years of experience producing a variety of types, including working hunters and working hunter ponies. In fact, Justine is a formidable opponent in the worker ring. She has claimed the RIHS reserve champion working hunter spot three times – once riding Pipers Ovation and twice with Zin Zan, whom she also steered to the working hunter of the year title and supreme champion at HOYS in 2003. This year, Justine had the pleasure of judging the jump phase of the working hunter ponies at the RIHS, and in this issue, she reflects on her time judging.

I thoroughly enjoyed judging; it really was great fun and a lovely experience.

It proved to be quite a testing track in the end, with lots of questions. Many of those questions came in quick succession, which in itself was problematic for some combinations. For example, there was the triple, ditch, oxer, white rail and wall which all came rather quickly after each other. These were all different types of fences with different requirements. The more experienced riders and ponies dealt with this well, but the more novicey combinations were caught out.

Every fence had a fault at it, but fence 11, which was approached going up hill seemed to cause the most problems, and in fact, it’s the fence that caused me to have a pole when I jumped around later in the week. It was a footbridge with three poles in front of it.

Somehow, rather than your focus being on the rails, the footbridge drew you in and horses jumped through the fence rather than backing off the rails.

Whatever it was about it, that caught a lot out, and it almost became an issue before

ponies even entered the ring. As riders tried to anticipate a problem, and get the stride right, it caused several of them to lose their rhythm.

The ditch also caused quite a few problems.

It’s quite deep, and they couldn’t really see it until they got to it, so I think it took a few by surprise, resulting in “down tools” from some ponies and it was game over for those combinations.

The undulating ground might also have caused some to have a few problems. Overall, though, it was all very jumpable, and though lots of people had faults, there weren’t many eliminations.

The 133cm combinations finished with 7 clears of 20 rounds, and the winning pony was evidently an experienced one.

Whilst there were no clears in the 143cm and 153cm classes, our winner in the 143cm class and eventual champion, Noble Ronan ridden by Ruby Ward, jumped a fantastic round and was a bit unlucky to finish with a pole.

In the championship, it’s a little different as a different class essentially, but it was also such a typey pony and went beautifully. I was judging with Margaret Travers from Yorkshire, and we were lucky that we were in complete agreement on results, and both agreed with the championship.

Whether the RIHS went well, badly or you didn’t even qualify, for lots of you, it’s time to focus on the last few HOYS qualifiers. My advice is keep plugging away at it; keep up with your lessons and training and address anything that’s going wrong. Have confidence in yourself and your pony; keep the faith and keep going!

Next issue, Justine will be talking HOYS prep!

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | August Issue 2022 | Showing World | 23

30 years

of RIHS at

Hickstead An interview with Sue Bunn

Photo

by Honeybunn Photography 24 | Showing World | August Issue 2022 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

As the pinnacle of the outdoor summer showing season, Royal International Horse Show has resided at Hickstead showground since 1992. In July, Hickstead celebrated 30 years of hosting the prestigious event with thousands of competitors vying to win an iconic blue sash. Celeste Gall speaks to Sue and Lizzie Bunn about how the show has evolved over the years.

In May 1960, Douglas Bunn’s dream of opening a superior equestrian competition venue was realised and in 1971, Hickstead offered showing classes for the first time, attracting a whole new audience to the All England Jumping Course. The proposal and encouragement of holding showing classes at Hickstead came from Sue’s lifelong friend Roger Stack: “He said to Douglas that we should hold show classes and he thought about it and said it could possibly be a good idea,” said Douglas’s second wife Sue, who was a keen showjumper but started showing after a trip to Newmarket saw Douglas buy four yearlings, two of which she went on to compete successfully in the show ring. “They were called Open Mind and Welsh Version. Roger, who broke them in for me, suggested that I show them at Hickstead and that was the beginning of my showing career,” explained Sue. In 1992, Royal International made the move to Hickstead. “It was very exciting to have the wonderful championship classes like the hacks, hunters and cobs,” said Sue, whose daughter Lizzie is now the executive director of Hickstead alongside her brother Edward. Over the years, there have been more showing classes added, including the native ponies and coloureds, the latter of which now has a full day at RIHS dedicated just to them. Such is the popularity of the coloured horse and pony classes that the finals, held on the opening Tuesday of Royal International week, is now the biggest gathering of coloured horses in Europe. “The coloured horses came in as the poor relations with the professionals and the traditionalists being very snooty about them, but now of course we have had Her Majesty the Queen’s exceptional coloured Sunbeam take the championship at Hickstead Derby, so we have come full circle,” said Lizzie.

because it is hard to beat the professionals as they do produce to such a high standard,” said Sue. Hickstead has played host to many memorable moments over the years, from show ring engagements to standout supreme shows utilising the famous Derby bank, but for Lizzie Bunn, the most poignant moment was in 2021 when Alistair Hood and Our Cashel Blue bowed out at the top of their game taking the supreme horse sash in front of a packed crowd. “It was a lovely moment. Alistair has been such a great supporter over the years and the horse deserved it too; he couldn’t have ridden it better,” said Lizzie.

Sue Bunn

The native pony classes have expanded exponentially over the years as well, with the nine native breeds showing their versatility on the flat and over fences, from lead rein to first ridden ponies, to home produced and junior classes, there is a now native pony final for everyone. “I am all for the junior riders having their separate class for their natives as some of the younger riders wont quite have the ringcraft that an adult rider has in the open classes,” said Lizzie, who notes that the popularity of native ponies is due to the fact that younger riders can stay on the same pony for several years, or longer, and do a variety of classes with them, unlike their plaited counterparts. “They tend to be a lot safer, and less sharp, than the plaited ponies too,” added Lizzie.

Around 15 years ago, there were Pretty Polly (home produced) classes for the plaited lead rein and first ridden ponies, but the numbers at the qualifying shows began to dwindle as more and more parents chose a native for their children.

Subsequently, those Pretty Polly classes were replaced with the mountain and moorland lead rein and first ridden qualifiers instead. The home produced and amateur classes continue to be popular amongst all riders and the championships finals at Hickstead now include amateur cobs, hacks and riding horses, as well as home produced intermediates and show hunter ponies. “I think the amateur classes should be encouraged Sue and Douglas Bunn

Roger Stack and John Farmer in 2013 (Image by John Periam)

Oliver Hood & Diamonds Are Forever (Image by Nigel Goddard) Allister Hood and Our Cashel Blue (Image by Eli Birch)

Q&A with Sue Bunn Which famous person would you invite for dinner?

I would have to invite Her Majesty the Queen. She would be a fascinating person to talk to, especially about her horses as she is so knowledgeable.

Which horse would you have loved to ride?

Milton, although I probably would have flown into orbit as his jump is so big!

What was your first pony?

I used to ride a 13.2hh coloured pony called Puddles who did everything, including hacking to and from shows!

Your favourite tipple?

White wine

Best dish you cook?

Beef casserole

Last place you went on holiday?

Barbados

Best piece of advice?

Never give up – just go for it and work hard!

A stellar coloured line-up

Dick Saunders

Jayne Ross and Time 2 Reflect (Image by Craig Payne)

Oliver Hood & Diamonds Are Forever

SUPREME LEGACY This year, the RIHS celebrated its 30th anniversary in its Hickstead home. We look back over the horses and ponies that have reigned supreme during that time…

THE WINSTON CHURCHILL SUPREME RIDDEN HORSE CHAMPIONSHIP 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Allister Hood & Our Cashel Blue

Cooper Corporation, ‘Royal Mile’ T.E. Evans & Son Ltd, ‘Royal Bronze’ Miss C Cooper, ‘Mystic Minstrel’ Monarch Assurance Plc., ‘Portman’ Colchester Commercials, ‘Regal Max’ Mr J Dunlop, ‘Red Hand’ Mr J Dunlop, ‘Red Hand’ Mr J Dunlop, ‘Statesman III’ D Parker, ‘Sandy Lane’ Mrs K McWilliam, ‘Trelawn Playboy’ Broadstone Stud, ‘Broadstone Dee’ Mrs T Briggs, ‘Boy George’ Kelanne Stud, ‘Mister McEvoy’ P Hayler & P Atkinson, ‘Broadstone Doulton’

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2021

Lucy Smith-Crallan, ‘Captain Hastings’ Monseratt Sport Horses, ‘Sliabh Nambon Mist’ Carol Bardo, ‘The Philanderer’ Mr John Dunlop OBE, ‘Finn McCool III’ Carol Bardo, ‘The Philanderer’ Carol Bardo & Jackie Beatham, ‘Comberton Clancy’ Mr & Mrs M J Jerram, ‘Dunbeacon’ Miss S Carey, ‘Pearly King’ Mrs Z Turner, ‘Hoppy Jumping’ Mrs D Stennett, ‘Time 2 Reflect’ Mrs D Stennett, ‘Time 2 Reflect’ Miss Annabel Jenks, ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ Miss Annabel Jenks, ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ Lady Caroline Tyrell’s “Our Cashel Blue” Lady Caroline Tyrell’s “Our Cashel Blue”

Dunbeacon

Pearly King info@showingworldonline.co.uk | August Issue 2022 | Showing World | 27 (Image by Samantha Lamb) (Image

by Samantha Lamb)

BHS President Martin Clunes with Poppy Carter and Rotherwood Rainmaker (Image by Samantha Lamb)

THE DICK SAUNDERS SUPREME RIDDEN PONY CHAMPIONSHIP 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2021

Mrs Michael Coates, ‘Yealand Chapter’ Mrs M Cuthbertson & Mrs D L Thomas, ‘Posh Spice II’ Mrs D L Thomas & Mrs J Newbury, ‘Chiddock Over The Limit’ Mrs A Fowler, ‘Broadgrove Chatterbox’ Mrs D Morton, ‘Fairholme Rosettas Rhapsody’ Mrs S Horne, ‘Tidesbrook Roger Rabbit’ Mr & Mrs Hughes-Jones, ‘Chinook Morning Light’ Mrs K Carter, ‘Chagford Lewis’ Lucy Boulton, ‘Pebbly Pipe Dream’ Mr & Mrs Cartlidge, ‘Rotherwood Rainmaker’ Mr D Dixon & Mrs F M Harforth, ‘Dance All Night’ Mr D Dixon & Mrs F M Harforth, ‘Dance All Night’ Mrs M R Cartlidge, ‘Rotherwood Rainmaker’ Mrs J Eddis, ‘Beat the Boss’ Miss Lucinda Farmbrough, ‘Tambrook My Destiny’ Mandy Burchell Small, ‘Seamoor Lady Derby’ Mrs M Stanford, “Benbreac of Croila” The Till Family’s “Drakemyre Puttin On The Ritz” Mrs N Donaldson’s “Wilderness Early Bird”

Beat the Boss ridden

by Susie Eddis wins the Underwood Supreme Pony Championship

Tambrook My Destiny (Image by Craig Payne)

Dance All Night 28 |byShowing | info@showingworldonline.co.uk Lady Derby (Image SamanthaWorld Lamb) | August Issue 2022Seamoor

Matthew Cooper & Benbreac of Croila

RIHS: The Horses

View Point ridden by Robert Walker

Hickstead 26-31 July, 2022 Report by Beth Simons | Photos by Equinational The Best View Point A nail-biting championship saw Robert Walker and Jill Day’s View Point [Sean] crowned supreme horse. The 11-year-old started his campaign looking an absolute class-act to win the lightweight hunter class before taking the supreme hunter championship and repeating his 2018 feat. In the supreme, Robert and Sean raised the bar once again with a stunning show including two brilliant turns along the grandstand – one on each rein – with Robert’s hat held high, much to the crowd’s delight.

Just when it looked certain that Robert and Sean would take the title, Danielle Heath and hack champion Forgeland Hyde Park [Will] gave a show combining impeccable manners and exquisite elegance, leaving the two Cheshire-based producers on equal marks resulting in a ‘ride-off’. Both riders gave a masterclass in showmanship, however judges Sue Bunn, Martin Clunes and Michael Maryan eventually gave the hunter the nod with the hack taking the reserve. The decision was met by rapturous applause from onlookers.

Sean has had a career nothing short of spectacular, and showing devotees will not have been surprised to see him add yet another title to his tally. He was reserve supreme at the RIHS in 2018, has taken the hunter championship at Royal Windsor a whopping four times, has stood supreme at Windsor, and is the reigning HOYS supreme horse.

Forgeland Hyde Park ridden by Danielle Heath

Young Lochnivar ridden by Ali Talbot “He’s a horse of a lifetime for us,” said Robert’s wife, Sarah, who produces alongside him. When asked if they get nervous showing him now, Sarah said: “A little, now. He’s so special to us, and we don’t want to see that day ever come when he gets beaten. We’re not going to retire him; he knows he’s special and he loves going on the lorry, but we won’t chase shows and have no real plans for him next year. Except that he’ll never leave us.”

Will, in reserve, has also had an incredible career. This was the fourth time that Will had won the large hack class at the RIHS having done so previously under producers Robert Walker and Jayne Ross, and the third time for him to take the supreme hack accolade. 11-year-old Will is now owned by Guy Mears having joined the formidable Mears-Heath team after Hickstead last year. Since moving, he’s continued to impress, standing champion hack at HOYS and Windsor under Danielle, and champion intermediate at both under Guy’s daughter, Isabella Mears.

By Kilvington Scoundrel, Will’s paternal half-brother stood reserve to him in the hack championship. This was Ali Talbot and her own winner of the small hack class, Young Lochnivar, who is produced by our very own Vicky Smith. Like his older brother, the nine-yearold is also a former HOYS champion.

Danielle and the Mears family also had a second champion in the supreme: riding horse Times Square III [Monkey]. The Willowcroft Regal Bronze nine-year-old, is the reigning Windsor riding horse champion and HOYS small riding horse of the year. First discovered by Magnus Nicholson, Monkey has been with Danielle since the Mears family bought him at four and she has brought him up through the ranks herself, winning the novices at Windsor twice along the way. This was the first time that Danielle had taken the riding horse title at the RIHS, making it even sweeter.

Times Square III ridden by Danielle Heath

Legend Back from the Brink

Legend in Manhattan ridden by Vicky Hesford

In reserve was the winner of the large riding horse class, debutante Legend in Manhattan [Harry], owned by James Woodington and ridden by Vicky Hesford. The Leander sevenyear-old was also bred by Vicky in partnership with her dear friend, the late Clare Twiston-Davies, being out of Clare’s hack mare Maid In Manhattan. Having been bought by James two years ago, tragedy almost struck when Harry stood on a nail, and it looked touch-and-go whether he would survive the ordeal.

Two separate vet practices advised that he be put to sleep, but in a last-ditch attempt, Vicky contacted Yorkshire-based Peter Hodgkinson, whom she credits with saving his life. “I’ve never ridden a horse like him; he’s so low on milage yet he just takes everything in his stride,” said an elated Vicky, who nevertheless felt Clare’s loss. “I just wish she could have been here to see him.”

Comedian Has Last Laugh Arabian horse afficionado Clare Fitch rode Sue Robinson’s AJA Gulliano to win the breed title. The nine-year-old stallion looked equally graceful and mannerly in the main arena for final placings.

Clare and her husband Steven McCormick have known Gulliano since he was a yearling, with Steven showing him in-hand before Clare took over the reins with him, with the pair going on to win HOYS in 2018 and two National Championships titles.

This will be the fourth time for Clare to win the RIHS final, albeit the first time with Gulliano.

“He can be a bit of a comedian,” said Clare, though she smiled affectionately as she did so, before adding, “but I love him to bits, and he was super; I was so proud of him, especially in that main arena.”

AJA Gulliano ridden by Clare Fitch

They’re Like Buses Just a few weeks after Essex-based producer Justine Armstrong Small clinched her first Hickstead Derby championship, she returned to the showground to claim her first RIHS title – the supreme cob – riding Lauren Cunningham’s victorious heavyweight cob, Horton’s Magnifico. “I’ve waited a long time for one and then they’re like buses,” joked Justine.

Lauren and Justine found the seven-year-old towards the end of 2020 and after hurrying to see him, instantly fell in love. Last year, he finished third at the RIHS despite his lack of experience, and later in the season won three HOYS qualifiers in quick succession before securing a placing at the final. The pair pipped Nicola McConville’s multi-garlanded lightweight, Randalstown Rolex to the title.

They were also joined in the cob supreme by the winning maxi cob, 13-year-old Lord Alexander ridden by Stephen Norris. Owned

by Elizabeth Bury, Alex is sired by Gortlea Ruler out of The Star Of Athenry. Alex and Stephen are the reigning HOYS maxi cobs having won the class for the third time.

Horton’s Magnifico ridden by Justine Armstrong Small

RIHS: The Ponies Early Bird Rises To The Top Supreme champion pony, Wilderness Early Bird [Birdie] was intent on defending her 2021 RIHS Supreme Pony title, graduating to the supreme from two championships and did so in fine style, with a beautiful supreme show, ridden by Mia Donaldson. “We did a similar show to last year,” said Mia, explaining, “it worked once so we hoped it would again!”

The Chiddock Time Limit mare won the part-bred Arab tricolour for the third time, her show pony class for the third time, and the show pony championship for the second time consecutively. Birdie is produced by sisters Alex Ahern and Kirsty Pickles, who admits that she’s “never cried so much when a pony has won a class,” as she did when Mia and Birdie

were called forwards as winners of the 148cm class. “I just wanted her to win that so much as Mia’s out of the class this year.” It was especially important for the pair to win due to connections with this year’s HOYS judge meaning Birdie cannot compete.

The team didn’t prepare anything in advance for the supreme. “You go back knowing that they are capable but you don’t dare to dream you’ll actually win a championship there, and a supreme is a once in a career thing, so we just told Mia to go and ride a really good show and enjoy it,” explained Kirsty. “Will, my husband took a video and when she’s called forwards, we all just look really shocked,” she added, laughing. “It was amazing,” conceded Alex, who asserts they know Birdie “inside out” having produced her since she was five. Birdie is owned by Mia’s mum Nicole Donaldson together with Yvonne Selby of the Archwood

Wilderness Early Bird ridden by Mia Donaldson stud where she will retire to as a broodmare at the end of her ridden career.

The sisters also produced the winner of the 138cm class, being Helen Davies’ Landemann Bird of Paradise. The six-year-old is ridden

by Cate Kerr, and is in her first season.

Nevertheless, she’s taking the atmosphere at these prestigious shows in her stride, winning her HOYS ticket at the Royal Highland, and is an exciting prospect. The last of the open show pony classes, the 128cm class, was won by Susan Brewis’ Team Harvey-produced Hightopps Jet 12-year-old, Royalview Tranquility with Beatrice Taverner Jordan.

Mia and Birdie took the title part-bred title over the winning large part-bred, Sarison Heavenly Silk, owned by breeder Sharon Harrison and ridden by Lucy Glover.

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Doing The Double Zara Brookes won the 153cm show hunter pony class and took the section championship following a blistering gallop in the main arena on her father, Nick Brookes’ Merrycorner Mister Bui [Buttons]. The pair returned to the ring on the final day to storm their way to reserve supreme.

By Templebready Fear Bui, the Connemara x TB gelding was bred by Mary and Louise Duffy.

He’s had an illustrious career, this being the third time he has taken the RIHS show hunter pony tricolour. The first time was in 2018 under Harriet Dennison, before he repeated the feat with Zara in 2021 and again this time. “It’s a dream come true to be riding in the main ring again, never mind take the championship two years on the run,” said an elated Zara.

Nick and Zara’s decision to purchase Good Idea [Hector] indeed proved to be just that. “I saw him at Windsor in line-up with Amy on him, and said to Robert, ‘I really like him,’ and then later saw him again, but we didn’t think he’d be for sale,” explained Sarah Walker, adding, “so it almost like fate the minute he was up for sale.”

Nine-year-old Hector arrived with producers Rob and Sarah Walker just ten days before the show having been sold from Amy Tough’s yard complete with a ticket for the intermediate show hunter type and small hunter classes. He went on to win both, the former with Nick’s daughter, Zara Brookes, 18, in the saddle, and the latter ridden by Rob. “It was only my third time sitting on him, so we had no expectations at all, I was just happy to get a placing in the final line up,” said Zara, who went on to say the win was therefore a “massive surprise!”

Merrycorner Mister Bui ridden by Zara Brookes In reserve for the show hunter pony title was Macie Donaldson riding Stephanie and Craig Donaldson’s winner of the 133cm class Parkhill Di Maria [Angel]. The seven-year-old gelding arrived with delighted producers Craig Elenor and Sara Parrott two-and-a-half years ago to be broken and produced, initially on behalf of breeder, Elaine Sherrard, who was extremely pleased to be there to witness the win. Despite breeding from just two mares, Elaine’s Parkhill prefix has a remarkable record in the 133cm class at the RIHS. Parkhill Beckham and Parkhill Ronaldo won it five times between them, and Parkhill Cantona won the Pretty Polly equivalent. “I just love following them all; still classing them as my babies,” said Elaine, although she concedes that she is “starting to run out of Manchester United themed names for the boys!”

It was a magical win for Harry Edwards Brady and his mum, Emma Edwards’ Gryngallt Page Too [Billy] in the 122cm class as Harry will be out of class at the end of the season, and despite Billy’s innumerable successes including supreme at Royal Welsh, champion at Windsor and a win at HOYS, he had never won at the RIHS. Harry’s joy riding Billy in the main arena was evident to all who witnessed his broad grin and the way the pair threw caution to the wind to give a superb gallop spoke volumes about their partnership!

Joining them in the championship were the 143cm winners, Isabella O’Donnell riding Dawn O’Donnell’s Morning Sunflower.

Roseberry Fascinator ridden by Alice Binks

Debutante’s dominate Two young RIHS debutante’s rose to the top of the intermediate show riding type ranks, with Alice Binks riding Roseberry Fascinator [Hatty] taking ‘the smalls’. Producer Sara Parrot explained that as Alice has made the leap from a 138cm show pony to intermediates this year, they were “hoping for a quiet, educational year”, for both Alice and the five-year-old mare whom Alice’s grandmother, Jane Bennison bought directly from her breeder. However, Alice and Hatty have had a super spring season, winning the novice intermediates at the BSPS MidSummer show and securing a HOYS qualification on their first attempt. It was an emotional victory for Alice and the family, as Jane, who was an avid lover of showing and a dedicated supporter of the family’s showing ventures, sadly passed away shortly before the show after a short illness. “Hatty and Alice really rose to the occasion,” said Sara, “and we’re all very proud of them.”

However, the intermediate tricolour was awarded to another RIHS first-timer, Danni Radford’s home-bred large intermediate, Ladies Man [George]. The six-year-old Tiger Attack was ridden by Poppy Carter, who began riding him last year and who steered him to a promising novice and restricted intermediate championship at the BSPS Winter Championship before clinching a HOYS ticket at the Great Yorkshire Show. It was something of a dream win for Danni, being her first RIHS victory, and all the more special as George is also the first horse that Danni had bred herself.

Ladies Man ridden by Poppy Carter

Incredulity and Iola A mother-daughter team were equally delighted and stunned to stand mini champions. “I can’t believe it,” said Emma Shepherd, who produced and led Woodview Iola to win the lead rein class with Emma’s daughter, Lilly-Mae Howard in the saddle before going on to take the tricolour.

Emma has owned Iola for approximately 18 months, and explained that when they tried her in the dark and in pouring rain only to find her unphased, they knew they had to have her. “She’s a real poppet,” said Emma.

The ever-impressive Seamoor Lady Derby [Jessie] stood mini reserve having won the first ridden with Anya Dewey-Clarke in the saddle.

Now owned by Anna Clarke, Jessie has had an impressive career, and a particularly good track record at Hickstead having stood mini champion twice and 2017 pony supreme as a lead rein with Poppy Steadman and James Burchell in the saddle, and now reserve with Anya, 7, who rode beyond her years to clinch the title.

Woodview Iola ridden by Lilly-Mae Howard and led by Emma Shepherd Seamoor Lady Derby ridden by Anya Dewey-Clarke

The hunter pony lead rein title was awarded to Moonstone Dance Fever [Danson] with five-year-old Fearne Owens in the saddle. The pair were led by Fearne’s mum, Hayley, who has leased Danson from Sadie Hobson before the pair went on to stand reserve. Though Danson is a former HOYS and RIHS contender under Sadie’s daughter Ruby, this was five-year-old Fearne’s very first visit to the RIHS. However, 17-yearold Danson and Fearne announced themselves as a pair for the future when they stood champion at STARS last season.

Moonstone Dance Fever ridden by Fearne Owens and led by Hayley Owens

Mighty Minis Ujeniks Extasy Dark gelding Rosaphia Royal Secret [Roy] and handler, Neville Stamford made their RIHS debut count, taking the miniature horse championship in the International Arena.

The four-year-old was bred by Samantha Wheatley and has had an excellent season so far, also bagging an early ticket to HOYS by winning at Stoneleigh Horse Show.

He was joined in the championship by Freddie Watts, who owns Roy’s sire. This time, however, it was his own home-bred two-year-old that Freddie was showing, being two-year-old Windrush Trademark.

Rosaphia Royal Secret handled by Neville Stamford Windrush Trademark shown by Freddie Watts

KBF Crescendo ridden by Jayne Ross

RIHS: Coloured Horses and Ponies Coloured Supreme Reaches Crescendo Taking the coloured supreme was the uber-consistent duo, Jayne Ross and KBF Crescendo [Daphne] for the second time, having first done so in 2018. The Free Spirit nine-year-old is home-bred by Michael Cook and co-owned by Michael and Tony Reynolds, who were there to witness the victory. They won the non-native horse class en route to the overall supreme championship.

They’re a superb partnership to witness in action, and have a string of excellent results to their name including championships at the Great Yorkshire and at Royal Windsor, and are HOYS bound again this year.

This season, they have also turned their attention to ladies hunter classes, with Daphne taking two qualifiers in two attempts at Herts County and at Royal Bath and West.

Not content with just one sash, Jayne and Daphne returned to the ring 48 hours later, as fresh and sparkly as ever, and looking a picture of elegance to win the ladies hunter class – as photographed – pipping former HOYS winners Francoise Bebington and Seabourne Silent Valley into second. Again, Michael and Tony were ring-side to witness the win and were swiftly on their feet, overjoyed. “I can’t believe that’s just happened,” said a visibly emotional Tony.

To cap their week, the pair finished third on marks in the horse supreme, with Daphne’s expressive movement eating up the main arena. Jayne Ross made her mark in the open hunter classes, winning astride Rose Bailey’s Ricardo Z 10-year-old, Twinshock Warrior, a horse that needs no introduction being multi-garlanded. The heavyweight was champion hunter at the RIHS in 2019, following it up by going one better than 2018 to take the hunter championship and supreme horse accolade at HOYS. The final hunter class, the middleweights, went to Lorraine Homer and Liz Prowting’s Bloomfield Eloquence, with the impressive grey swapping saddle and rider to stand third in the ladies hunter under Alice Homer later in the afternoon.

Interestingly, the reserve supreme horse came from the hogged cob class, with second placed Janay Atherden and her mother Lisha Leeman’s Red Rock III rising to the occasion and shining in the championship. A relatively new combination, Janay and Red are in their first season together.

However, she and the former Windsor champion and HOYS winner have gelled well, with a HOYS ticket already in the bag at Royal Bath and West.

Red Rock III ridden by Janay Atherden

The supreme coloured pony was awarded to Sarah Harrison riding reigning HOYS champion, Lostock Up To Date. The 12-year-old Lostock Huntsman gelding was bred by Caroline Hamilton and was spotted by Sarah and her mum Sharon at the CHAPS Championships as a yearling.

“We put our name on him there,” said Sarah. However, he remained with Caroline until he was old enough to be broken. Since then, he’s enjoyed a supreme run of luck with Sarah, winning RIHS an incredible three times in five visits, stood champion pony twice, and reserve supreme coloured once. When asked if she felt the pressure returning, Sarah was adamant that any pressure was due to the expectation that he would retire having had the HOYS championship. “But he’s still fabulous, and what else could I do with a gelding who’s twelve? It took him a while to mature, and I think he looks about the best he ever has.”

Pippa Duncan and her mother, Samantha Duncan’s Hopgarden Ronaldo took the top spot in the small plaited pony class. Samantha originally purchased the nine-year-old from Terri Guyett, who now produces him.

Pippa has been focused on studying for her A levels this year and is intent on securing her place to study medicine at Lincoln University, meaning that the RIHS was only the pair’s third show of the season.

Instead, “Ronaldo has spent most of the year hacking around Terri’s yard and being my down time from revising,” explained Pippa. “He’s such a chilled pony and Terri produces him to perfection, as she knows him inside out”.

The class marked a significant achievement for breeder Sally Lyndsell as she also bred the second placed pony, Hopgarden Hanky Panky ridden by Tabitha Oliver, as well as fourth placed Hopgarden Hunca Munca, ridden by Holly Tingle.

Similarly, breeder Jane Turnbull saw two of her Burghwallis foals win their native/ traditional type pony classes. 13-year-old Burghwallis Hopgarden Ronaldo ridden by Pippa Duncan Burghwallis Papparazzi ridden by Tayla Lewis Razzmatazz gave an overjoyed Lucie Gordon-Burgess her first major final win in the small pony class. Also enjoying her first RIHS win was Tayla Lewis, who won the large pony class riding Burghwallis Papparazzi on his Hickstead debut for owners Hayley and Karen Sankey, and producer John Cutts.

Hayley Sankey also saw Windsor winning cob Boraceforshort win the hogged cob class, under our columnist, producer Vicky Smith, whilst a second Showing World columnist, Sara Parrott topped the native/ traditional horse class with her own 10-yearold Starlight [Queenie] who looked fresh as ever after her Great Yorkshire tricolour a few weeks earlier.

The amateur coloured award went to Roanna Hamilton riding Victoria Ward’s Red Warrior, and Olivia Taylor topped the junior championship with Rebecca Abba’s Wardsplace Come What May.

RIHS: The Natives

Aniar Cashel ridden by Sandra Burton

Report by Beth Simons Photos by Equinational Cashel Rocks Judges Helen Horsfall and Valerie Hodgett had their work cut out presiding over a massive open mountain and moorland section. They found their eventual champion in the Connemara and New Forest class won by Connemara stalwart Sandra Burton riding Connemara stallion, Aniar Cashel. The nine-year-old is out of Gowlane Star, and by HOYS finalist and Olympia Best of Breed, Banks Timber, whom Sandra won the RIHS championship with in 2017.

The reserve went Katy Marriott-Payne riding last year’s Heritage supreme champion, Salcombe Starehole Bay [Cecil], owned and bred by Felicity Thompson. The Shilstone Rocks Snowy Mountain stallion has had a phenomenal career despite only being broken in during the 2020 lockdown. Last season, the pair enjoyed a magical season, standing reserve and Dartmoor Best of Breed at the London International Horse Show, and second at HOYS. They were also supreme mountain and moorland at the RIHS. “We deliberated whether to bring him back, but he’s young” said a thrilled Felicity of her typey eight-year-old,” adding, “you can’t be afraid to lose as it’s no fun that way.”

Badleybridge Ab Fab ridden by Jennifer Frost and led by Christina Gillet with Lucinda, and the first ridden with younger brother, William in the saddle. Not to be left out of the fun at Hickstead, William and Rocky won the heritage first ridden class.

Lynn Scott’s home-bred former HOYS section C of the year, and the reigning London International Horse Show champion Lynuck The Showman [Peanut] add another title to his tally under usual show rider, Rebecca Penny, who also won on Julie Barton’s former Price Family supreme in hand champion, Highland stallion Ellister Islay Spruce. However, due to a timetabling clash, Rebecca was unable to compete in the championship, which saw Caitlin Fairhurst catch a lastminute ride on Peanut and Tayla Lewis take Spruce’s reins.

However, the heritage mini championship saw the lead reins come to the fore. After a mammoth afternoon, mini judges Tweetie Nimmo and Ann Bigley chose Exmoor Badleybridge Ab Fab [Molly] as their champion, led by producer Christina Gillet and ridden by Jennifer Frost. Molly is loaned by Clare Frost for daughter, Jennifer, and is owned and bred by Sandy Wooderson and her daughter Madeline Haynes. In fact, she is the first Exmoor the pair have bred. Molly has an excellent track record, being a former HOYS contender, and she was actually third in the same class at the RIHS last year. It was an emotional win for the whole team, including Christina, who was visibly moved. “She’s got so much character, and has her own mind,” said Christina, fondly, adding, “she’s a really lovely pony and a genuine kids pony”.

The final class, the Welsh sections A and B was won by Diana Leeming’s Thistledown San Siro [Rocky] ridden by Lucinda Leeming. Interestingly, Rocky’s showing career started with Samantha Roberts, who stood second on Jo Filmer’s Longhalves Renoir. Rocky is HOYS bound this season in three classes, the open section A and junior small breeds

The reserve went to the second placed lead rein, Heather Clay’s Springwater Tactician ridden by Finlay Clay and led by Craig Eleanor. The Hisley Diplomat sixyear-old originally arrived with Craig and partner Sara Parrott to be shown in hand as a three-year-old on behalf of his breeder Nicola Tyler. However, he was purchased

by Heather for her daughter Sienna after HOYS last year. As Sienna’s just three years old, big brother Finlay has taken the ride until she is ready.

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RIHS: The Natives Gallant Gladiator Hickstead’s working hunter classes gave competitors plenty to grapple with and provided excellent entertainment for spectators.

Noble Gladiator [OB] and Ellie Hirst jumped a stonking round to claim his rider-owner Ellie Hirst her first ever RIHS victory in the heavyweight working hunter class before looking every bit the cool customer in front of a packed grandstand to take the section tricolour.

By Dunkerrin Leader, Ellie purchased 11-year-old OB from Kelly Ward six years ago. “He’s been an amazing horse to produce,” said Ellie, adding, “I knew when we were warming up he was in a good mood and wanted to win. He loved the course and made it feel very easy. On the go round he felt like he was showing off and really loved galloping up the hill!”

OB is nothing if not versatile, having also qualified for RIHS as a flat open and ladies hunter, and is already HOYS-bound in the ladies class.

In reserve to them were the winners of the lightweight class, Jane Russell’s Hegglelane Hillbilly with Allan Birch in the saddle.

It was a cracking week for the Noble prefix. Kelly Ward’s super-star 143cm Noble Ronan and Kelly’s daughter Ruby Ward secured the working hunter pony tricolour.

Although they had a pole, the pair jumped an otherwise impressive round, negotiating the RIHS’ customary testing track with apparent confidence in a class that resulted in no clears.

For followers of the working hunter pony classes, this will come as no surprise. Ruby has been riding Ronan since a four-year-old and they have a super

Noble Gladiator ridden by Ellie Hirst

partnership. This season, Ruby and seven-year-old Ronan have been hitting the tracks successfully all season with wins and championships at the BSPS Winter Championships and Windsor.

“Ronan is an absolute super star,” said Ruby, adding that “he’s been a pleasure all the way and I couldn’t have asked anymore from him.” The reserve came from the 133cm, with Beatrice Bailye-Hawkins and our former cover star, Precious Gem [Star] retaining the title they gained last season. Like our champion, Bea and Star have had a super season, with wins including the Gold Cup at the BSPS Championships.

Noble Ronan ridden by Ruby Ward

The final class of the section, the 153cm class saw Ardwholihane Bouncer and Megan Stanley skip their way to the top of the line.

The Nursery Stakes was hot competition as usual with a clutch of young riders looking to make their mark. Matilda Alexander, 11, and her mum, Charlotte’s Glandrine Pied Piper [Rae] stood top on Matilda’s first visit to Hickstead.

Physiotherapist Emily Proud clinched the working show horse with her own HSF Lobo Royale. Bred in Ireland by Owen and Cora Horan, Lobo is by their young stallion Cardento Royale. Emily has owned the six-year-old since he was three and backed him herself. Despite being destined for a career in eventing, Emily and Lobo have had a super season in the showring, standing amateur supreme at the Wiltshire Spring Show and second in the working show horse class at Royal Windsor.

Glandride Pied Piper ridden by Matilda Alexander

Smokey Sam On Smoking Form Windsor champions, Dycott Sparkling Lady [Sparkles] and Gemma Pallet continued their incredible winning streak. Despite being in just her first season of the workers the super-versatile five-year-old section C mare, Dycott Sparkling Lady took the reserve spot in the mountain and moorland working hunter pony championship. Gemma and Sparkles are HOYS bound having taken the first qualifier of the year at Stoneleigh Horse Show within days of the Windsor championship.

Woodbank Smokey Sam ridden by Kirsty Aird

However, the 133cm was beaten to the tricolour by the winners of the 143cm class, Kirsty Aird riding Cheryl Mackintosh’s Woodbank Smokey Sam. The 13-year-old Connemara since is sired by former Olympia champion, Fly The Last Flute. Cheryl has owned him since he was nine, and Kirsty and Sam have enjoyed a super sun of success during their time together, with wins including at HOYS in 2018 and standing reserve at the RIHS in 2019. He is set to return to HOYS having won at the Royal Highland earlier in June. Cheryl was “absolutely delighted” with the result, stating: “Kirsty does an amazing job with him; he’s not always the easiest and has his own little quirks, but he always gives 110%.” He will now stay with Kirsty until after HOYS when he will return home to Cheryl for his annual holiday “on the hill being a pony”.

The over 143 class went to Amy Tough and her superconsistent “Mr Reliable,” King Rover, owned by Sarah Robson. It was the ten-year-old’s third visit to RIHS, where he was also placed in show jumping classes.

The pair are also HOYS bound for the second time having won and stood reserve supreme at the Native Breeds Festival.

Highleigh Hugo ridden by Izzie Williams

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The final 122cm class was topped by section A gelding Highleigh Hugo, owned by Georgina Williams and ridden by his ambitious young rider, Izzie Williams, who made easy work of the testing track.

Glenkeernan Dance In The Deep ridden by Camilla Davies Taking the reserve supreme amateur title was the winner of the amateur heavyweight section, Sarah Tait and Ringwood The Specialist [Felix]. Aberdeen-based Sarah purchased Felix as a three-year-old and has let him mature slowly. “Will Morton backed him, brought him on and campaigned him in the open classes last season, where he qualified both RIHS and HOYS, finishing in the top six at both,” said Sarah, who had a freak riding accident in 2018 and broke two vertebrae in her spine. “After three months in a brace I lost all confidence in riding and though about selling Felix as I didn’t think I could ever ride something as big as him as he stands at 18.2hh. Thank goodness that was short-lived as we have the best partnership now, but I couldn’t have done it without the support from Will,” added Sarah. Felix and Sarah finished eighth in the open heavyweight hunter final and have also qualified for HOYS again this year. “I’ve been riding him this year and I’m really looking forward to HOYS, riding there has been a dream of mine.”

RIHS: The Amateurs, Pretty Polly & UKPH

Ian Smeeth judged the amateur hunters and was thrilled by the standard of horses forward in their classes. “Our champion was the standout of the day.

He’s a super model and true to type with the step and presence to match; he was an outstanding ride and I could happily have brought him home. Our reserve was a true heavyweight. He was an athletic, soft and forward ride with manners to burn. Our winners on the day were the cream of the crop,” said Ian. The amateur small hunter championship went to Ellen Bell and Irish Invention [Jack] who made their RIHS debut together a winning one. By Gallant Cavalier, Jack was found in Ireland by Kirstine Douglas, who produces him and is owned by Ellen’s dad Andy Bell.

“Jack is a delight and loves attention, and for us to win at RIHS is a dream come true,” said Ellen.

Report by Celeste Gall | Photos by Equinational Happy Hunting at Hickstead “Hickstead is his happy hunting ground, he loves the big rings and an audience,” said a thrilled Camilla Stowell-Davies, who stood third in the open lightweight hunter class and won the amateur lightweight hunter final on her nine-year-old chestnut gelding Glenkeeran Dance In The Deep [Fintan].The pair went on to take the home produced amateur championship and the overall supreme amateur hunter championship, going one better than their reserve spot here last season. Cheshirebased accountant Camilla purchased Fintan as a four-year-old after he took the reserve championship at Dublin Horse Show with Kieran Ryan. Camilla and Fintan have an enviable show record, finishing second at HOYS last season and clinching the amateur hunter championship at Royal Windsor. “He lives on a farm and shares his field with the dairy cows. We

love hacking and riding out around the fields, he always has a smile on his face,” said Camilla of the son of prolific sire Crosstown Dancer. “He actually gets his name from the breeder of Crosstown Dancer, Fintan Branigan, who went to see him as a foal,” added Camilla.

Having stood reserve to Camilla and Fintan at Royal Windsor, Amy Cook and her Crosstown Dancer middleweight Mr Darcy Dancer, played bridesmaid again here, both in their amateur middleweight hunter final and in the home-produced amateur championship. Amy, who has her own ceremonial carriage business, also led her niece Milly Hollis, to sixth place in the open mountain and moorland lead rein final on Woodend Marigold. Home producer Vicky Tennant and her 10-yearold grey gelding Bloomfield Bespoke posted their first win together here in the amateur middleweight final.

Ringwood The Specialist ridden by Sarah Tait

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Hortons Happy Go Lucky ridden by Natasha Dolman

Happy Go Lucky Triumphs Despite finishing second in their heavyweight amateur cob final, 23-year-old hairdresser Natasha Dolman landed the amateur cob championship on Hortons Happy Go Lucky [Milo]. The six-year-old coloured gelding is owned by Clare Blaskey, who watched proudly on from the ringside.

“As they went into the championship, I told Natasha to enjoy it and reminded her it was a separate class. He went absolutely foot perfect,” said Clare. “What a day,” added Natasha, who has built a strong rapport with Milo. “I could only have dreamt to be placed at RIHS, never mind champion.” Natasha also finished third in the amateur maxi cob final with her and her mother Nikki’s homebred Parkhall Prince Charming, with whom she is also HOYS-bound.

Angela Hunt’s consistent amateur lightweight cob winner Aughnacliffe High Peak landed the reserve championship. The 13-year-old has enjoyed an unbeaten run this season. “The amateur win at RIHS is always something that has eluded us until now, so I am absolutely thrilled. He has been my absolute rock over the last few years and although he can be quirky, we just get on really well,” said Angela, who is looking forward to her fifth visit to HOYS with him.

Kate Barber-Lomax and the prolific chestnut gelding Master Of The House [Tom] enjoyed two spins in the main ring after winning the amateur heavyweight class and claiming second in the open equivalent. Now in their second season together, Tom has been lightly shown as Kate only gave birth at the end of February to her son. “He’s home produced by my mother Amanda, who mainly hacks him out. It was such a privilege to ride in the main ring and Tom loves to gallop,” said an elated Kate.

The amateur maxi cob title went to home producer Amy Bennion and Red Paddy, who were enjoying their first visit to RIHS together. “I had taken a back seat in showing

Minella Rebellion ridden by Katie Dashwood

myself as I have been concentrating on lead rein ponies for my nieces and then I had my son two years ago, so I only purchased him in October and been back riding since then,” said Amy, who runs a clothing shop business with her mum in Stoke-on-Trent.

The pair also finished seventh in the open maxi cob final. “It was a massive achievement to qualify, let alone to win the final! Paddy is the easiest horse in the world and a total sweetheart.”

The gallop clinched it Having run only five times on the track, it was clear that Minella Rebellion would not be living up to the success of his full brother, the Cheltenham Festival winner, Balthazar King. Their loss has been the showing world’s gain and the 10-year-old large riding horse, ridden by owner Katie Dashwood, headed the amateur large riding horse final and took the championship, impressing ride judge Michelle Burgess. “Our champion was a lovely looking horse who gave me a super ride, but it was the gallop that really clinched it in the championship – so nice to see a horse really lower and cover the ground like he did,” said Michelle. “He absolutely powered up that hill,” beamed Katie, who only happened to acquire him thanks to her friend, and legendary national hunt trainer, Henrietta Knight. “What a lucky day that was when I asked if she knew of a lovely looking horse retiring from the track.” Produced

by Jo Bates, Katie and Minella Rebellion also finished fourth in the open large riding horse class. “To win at RIHS on my first ever visit there was beyond anything I had ever even thought of and then for him to be crowned supreme amateur riding horse champion was just incredible,” said Katie, who rode him to victory in the racehorse to riding horse final at HOYS last season and will head to Birmingham to compete in the HOYS large riding horse championship.

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Victoria Archer rode the exquisite 10-yearold mare Toncyffig Echo Beach to victory in the amateur hack championship. Owned by Victoria and her mother Joan Castle since she was a three-year-old, the daughter of Liberace is completely home produced.

“We don’t have an arena so we just school in a field,” said Victoria, who shares the ride with Carlie Webb, who rode her to second place in the large intermediate show riding type final and third in the Pretty Polly intermediate championship. “We work hard to fund the showing habit,” said a delighted Victoria, who works as a surveyor, whilst Carlie works as a legal secretary. “To win and be placed against some of the best in the country was like a dream. I lost my dad to covid in 2020 and I always wear his lucky socks so this was really special and he would have been so proud.”

Toncyffig Echo Beach ridden by Victoria Archer

Two years on the trot Winning the Pretty Polly intermediate final, and the overall supreme Pretty Polly championship, for the second consecutive year was Floriann Gilston and Carnsdale Let It Be (Bee). The seven-year-old intermediate show hunter is owned by Chantelle Joslin, who partners him in the small hunter classes, and is HOYS-bound in both finals. “What a fabulous birthday present that was,” said wedding manager Floriann, who turned 23 the day before their class. “I had to get someone to cover me so I could compete today as its peak wedding season!” Bee will be making his HOYS debut this year and is currently the only home produced horse qualified in both sections. Standing reserve supreme Pretty Polly champion was the mixed M&M breeds winner, performance nutrionist Emily Morey and the 10-year-old grey Fell gelding Greenholme Guardsman.

Jessica Norris and the six-year-old New Forest mare Purewell Poppy Lou, owned by Lindsay Miller, finished runners up to Emily and Guardsman in the Pretty Polly final, but had their fairytale moment earlier in the week when they headed the 29-strong UKPH amateur mountain and moorland final. “I can’t believe this has happened. If you had told me I was going to leave RIHS with a win and a second place I would have laughed! It has been a whirlwind of a week,” reflected Jessica, who started working for her mother-in-law Lindsay when she was 16. “She took me under her wing and I have ridden her ponies ever since,” said Jessica, who juggles being a new mum with working and riding.

Carnsdale Let It Be ridden by Florrian Gilston

Purewell Poppy Lou ridden by Jessica Norris

Having previously been produced, Darci Barnes and 16-year-old Greylands Sundance Kid [Woody] took the plunge this year to produce from home and their hard work paid off when they headed the Pretty Polly mixed height show hunter pony final. “He goes in the field every single day and loves hacking and going on farm rides. Even though he is 16 now, he’s looking the best he ever has and we’ve had our best year to date,” said Darci, who is also HOYSbound in the 15hh show hunter pony class. “I always used to dream of owning Woody when I was younger and now here I am trotting down the centre line at RIHS; my dream actually came true.” Nineyear-old Daisy Owens exceeded all expectations when she won the Pretty Polly mixed height show pony championship aboard the delightful 138cm Whiteleaze Secret Charm [Bunny]. “Daisy came off the leading rein and straight onto Bunny,” explained Daisy’s mum Francesca, who keeps Bunny at home with them in Wiltshire.

Greylands Sundance Kid ridden by Darci Barnes

Dartmoors lead the way Four Dartmoors went head-to-head in the Pretty Polly mini mountain and moorland supreme but it was the lead rein victor, Nappa Pericles [Percy] and eight-year-old Alyssia Jones, who came out on top with the second-placed first ridden Molly Doherty and Cayberry Pimpernell taking the reserve spot. Amanda Wilding, who owns and leads Percy and Alyssia, only started doing qualifiers at the end of last season and this was their first visit to RIHS. “We felt he was good enough to pursue the qualifiers this year and it was what we really wanted to do. Never in a million years did we think we would win, it has just been the best week ever,” said Amanda, who led the pair to victory in their HOYS qualifier at Great Yorkshire to secure their first ever ticket to Birmingham. Having only been purchased three weeks before RIHS, six-year-old Stanley Disley rode Treworgan Cloudbreak into the runner up spot in the lead rein final. “It was Stanley’s first time at RIHS and as we haven’t had Cloudy long it was a dream come true to stand second. I am really excited for their future together,” said mum Molly-Jo Disley.

Having recently stood supreme ridden breed champion at the Northern Dartmoor breed show, Molly Millard and the 14-year-old gelding Pumphill Pantheon secured their first win at Hickstead.

“He was gifted to my eldest daughter Ella eight years ago by her godmother Sarah Weston and is a true first ridden pony that really looks after his jockey,” said Molly’s mum Carla Iddon. Cayberry Pimpernell is no stranger to finishing second here, having taken the runner up spot in 2018 in the open lead rein final with Mollie Doherty’s brother Kian riding. Mollie then took over the ride on the lead rein and this is their first season in the first ridden classes.

Ever the bridesmaid, the pair pulled off a lovely performance in the championship to stand reserve.

Nappa Pericles ridden by Alyssia Jones

He doesn’t let his diabetes stop him The well-supported UKPH M&M young rider classes saw the smallest pairing of Daisy May Allen and Crumpwell Harry Potter land the championship over the large winner Oliver Bradshaw and Lochlands Lord Byron. Daisy, 13, is now in her second season with the Welsh section A gelding and booked their return ticket to HOYS in the junior class at Stoneleigh. “They both went for it in the championship, she was over the moon to win at RIHS for the first time,” said Daisy’s dad Gavin.

Oliver Bradshaw, 18, posted a win in the junior large breeds final aboard the striking Highland Lochlands Lord Byron (Norman) and clinched the reserve championship, despite coming down with tonsillitis on the morning of his class. “Oliver is a Type 1 diabetic and infections like tonsillitis can cause chaos with his blood sugars,” explained his mum Stephanie Allen, who purchased Norman as a two-year-old. “As the morning progressed, Oliver was in so much pain but was determined not to let Norman down. After a fantastic day, the pain became unbearable and he was admitted to hospital overnight. Although it can be challenging, he doesn’t let his diabetes stop him.” Oliver, who works for his dad in software development, also finished third in the UKPH amateur riders final and has qualified for HOYS in the open ranks. Caitlin Hamilton scored a unique double when she rode Nipna Midnight Rambler to head the UKPH intermediate class, the same class she won last year with his sire Nipna Invictus.

Fantastic Fiocco The senior showing championship saw a clutch of wonderful veteran horses and ponies come forwards for judging.

19-year-old Woodview Fiocco [Finn] and Georgia Kirby were delighted to take ridden champion. Finn has been with the Kirby family for the past six years and the pair have enjoyed a fabulous time together. Last season, they stood fourth at the RIHS in the 133cm Pretty Polly show hunter pony final, took reserve supreme at the Veteran Horse Society Supreme Championships and finished a superb second in the 133cm show hunter pony class at HOYS.

Crumpwell Harry Potter ridden by Daisy May Allen

In reserve was the Bowles family’s Welsh section B gelding, Cottrell Riverdance.

The 25-year-old was ridden by Millie Bowles. He’s been a prolific winner in his twilight years, with highlights including standing champion in hand veteran in the SEIB Search for a Star at Your Horse Live, overall supreme champion at the Veteran Horse Society Championships twice, where he has also been in the ridden supreme championship every year he’s competed there since 2018.

The oldest horse or pony award went to Amanda Cargill-James’ 30-year-old Owl’s Send Mactavish. First timers took both top spots in the in hand section. Louise Swallow’s 20-year-old Monarch’s Retreat [Sparkey] took the top spot shown by Jessica Regan.

The Welton Adonis VII formerly enjoyed competing successfully in eventing with Louise, who has owned him since he was eight. He has since enjoyed some hunting, and attended his first show at Winsdor, where he won! The pair have since qualified to compete at the London International Horse Show having won at Blakesley Show.

He spends much of his time with Jessica’s mum, Carolyn Cox, who also successfully breeds Welsh section Bs. The team attended their first show at Windsor, where they won.

22-year-old Halflinger mare Tina and owner Alicia Houlihan took the reserve in hand spot, and the award for the oldest horse or pony forwards was given to 29-year-old Limerick, shown by Hannah Emerson.

Woodview Fiocco ridden by Georgia Kirby

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Sara’s Training Tips: Letting Ponies Down Sara Parrott produces horses and ponies for the show ring with her partner, Craig Elenor.

Together they have enjoyed countless successes at HOYS and RIHS, from show hacks to mini mountain and moorlands.

Most recently, Sara has had great success showing her own Starlight – or Queenie – in the coloured horse classes, standing champion at the Great Yorkshire and winning at the RIHS. They also produced Parkhill Di Maria and Roseberry Fascinator to win their classes and Springwater Tactician to stand reserve champion at the RIHS. This issue, she talks us through the importance of letting ponies down at the end of the season and between shows.

“I’ll only touch lightly on this as I think it’s fairly common practice to let ponies down at the end of the season for the winter. Doing so has huge benefits for them.

After HOYS, all of our horses and ponies are ‘roughed off’ completely. Their rugs come off, and they are out in the field as much as possible, ideally 24/7 while the weather allows it.

Roughing them off and turning them out

allows them to soften, drop their top lines off and grow a coat. Most importantly, we believe this roughing off is natural for their metabolism and having to use their sugars to keep warm in the winter helps avoid laminitis in the summer. As well as physical health benefits it also allows them to chill and relax as ponies.

We pick them back up just after Christmas, working to Craig’s mum’s saying: “Christmas dinner on the table, rugs on in the stable!”

What is talked about much less is the importance of dropping them back and picking them up mid-season. Any time we get a chance to do this, we do. Our open ponies are ‘up’ from January, which is a long time, so ideally, we drop them down before the HOYS qualifiers start, before RIHS, before the championships, and before HOYS. Often it is only for four or five days, or sometimes a week, but even these ‘mini breaks’ can be so beneficial.

The lead up to the big championship shows is quite intense for the ponies. And us! They are working hard schooling, and the children are having lots of training sessions; they spend

longer on the groomer, and they are being fed according to their increased work load.

Being away at a championship show is hard; they have long journeys, are stabled away, and can’t go in the field. Consequently, when they arrive home, we think it’s really important that they have some down time with up to a week off work, allowing them to relax and their muscles and joints to recover, especially when they have been working on hard ground, and traveling. We like them to be on the field as much as possible during this time.

If the weather is good, they go out at night if not the whole time, as none of our grazing is particularly lush making it ideal for the ponies. Feed wise, all the ponies are dropped back, and most go onto a week of just Topspec Anti-lam or Lite balancer, ensuring we don’t have to worry about too much weight going on. We try not to faff with them too much either, and instead we let them relax and be ponies. With the BSPS champs in sight, it’s only a short time to be let down but equally, so important and we try and run them like this all season.

The ponies pick back up quickly and generally come back fresh and ready to work!

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Springbourne Clarice

Northleach Welsh Pony and Cob Society

Silver Medal Show 22-23 June, 2022 Report by Beth Simons | Photos by Sarah Hayman 2022 saw the Northleach Welsh Pony and Cob Society Silver Medal return to its spiritual home, in a quintessential Cotswold village field, basking in the sunshine, surrounded by cornfields dotted with crimson poppies, and looking like a picture postcard. The refreshed committee had two aims in mind: to bring back the fun to showing and to encourage the next generation of show handlers. Alongside the top-quality showing classes, young handler classes and a children’s fun ring ran throughout the day. Judging by the responses from exhibitors on social media, both these aims were met in no uncertain terms!

The Welsh section As were the strongest section in numbers, represented by 75 superb ponies. Judge Sarah Hamer was spoilt for choice, but eventually Cery Brook’s senior mare class winner, Springbourne Clarice came out on top as champion, with reserve going to the stallion winner, Kitty Bodily’s Pendock Paigeboy. Both exhibitors were thrilled with their results.

Welsh section Bs weren’t quite as strong in numbers, but lacked nothing in quality!

Judge Yvonne Small was really taken with her champion, the colt, Walseker Roca Roja, exhibited by Lyn Wilson, with the mare, Cadlanvalley Cashmere, taking reserve for Shelley Dobbs.

Welsh section Cs turned out for their judge, Tirion Thomas, with exhibits of great quality forward. Competition was hot but Rob Howard’s stallion, Moorcroft The Master came out on top as champion with filly Trevallion Rose Gold exhibited by Nicole Matthews and Dean Smith in reserve.

Welsh Part-breds left nothing to be desired in quality and judge Jamie Frost chose the lovely filly Menedh Titania exhibited by Chris Graham as his champion and the colt, Moorfarm Bowman exhibited by Richard Burge as his reserve.

Jamie also judged the Young Handlers classes helping Northleach to achieve its

Nicola Davies drew in a quality entry of Welsh Sec Ds who gave spectators a grand display of extravagant movement. Champion went to Lee Smith’s glorious mare Eglwysfach Carys, the eventual supreme champion of the Show, and the reserve award went home with the Charman Family’s Geler Elsi, shown by Tommy Fuller.

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Lanesweet Sugar Dash

Walseker Roca Roja

second aim of encouraging the next generation of expert handlers. The firsts and seconds from these classes went forward to the T D TYRES Young Handler Champion of Champions Final. Young handlers from all over the country had been qualifying for the final at shows nationwide. This much coveted honour went to Rhys Freeman handling Idyllic Celeste with Cameon Sage handling Plasderw Waterlily in reserve.

Judges Cheryl Frith and Katy Girdler chose Jean Smith’s Jebeth Sunspot, ridden by Carol Isaac, as their overall ridden champion, with reserve going to Sarah Lane’s Lanesweet Sugar Dash, ridden by Autumn Wren.

Driving classes created a wonderful spectacle and drew an admiring audience. Eventual champion was Dawn Groom’s palomino stallion, Thorneyside Goldust, who looked a picture.

Overall young stock champion went to Floreat Columbine exhibited by Sarah

Page with the Charman family’s Geler Elsi in reserve.

Hope Madoc, handled by ‘little’ Dean Smith, took the overall gelding championship on behalf od Mum and Dad, Nicole Matthews and Dean Smith, whilst Janet and Roger Cater’s Caerneuadd Lyn was reserve.

The hotly contested overall Welsh champion came from the section Cs, being Rob Howard’s Moorcroft The Master and the reserve accolade was awarded to Eglwysfach Carys exhibited by Lee Smith. However, Lady Anne Vestey who presided over the supreme championship was Lady Anne Vesty saw Eglwysfach Carys receive the supreme of the show accolade with Jean Smith’s Janton Sunspot, the ridden champion as reserve supreme.

2023 will be Northleach Welsh Pony and Cob Show’s Diamond Jubilee, celebrating 60 years of showing glorious Welsh ponies and Cobs - a day to look forward to!

Eglwysfach Carys

Jebeth Sunspot

Idyllic Celeste

Moorcroft The Master

Thorneyside Goldust

Royal Welsh

Agricultural Show

Glynwyn Annie Powers shown by Scott Gibbons

18-21 July, 2022 Builth Wells, Powys Report by Beth Simons Photos by 1st Class Images Annie Powers To Top After almost three years away from Builth Wells’ hallowed turf, Welsh breeders and exhibitors came in their droves to the Royal Welsh to see mares dominate most championships both inhand and ridden.

Glynwyn Annie Powers delighted handler Scott Gibbons and the extended Heppenstall-Gibbons family team when they received the ultimate accolade for any Welsh breeder, the supreme in-hand title, bagging themselves a ticket to the Price Family Supreme championship at HOYS. The six-year-old section C mare was bred by Kellie Heppenstall, and was shown by Kellie’s husband Scott. A truly family affair, spectators also saw the couple’s son, Kyle take a turn to fly up the front of the grandstand with Annie. Her sire, renowned stock-getter Glynwyn Gideon is a former male champion at the Royal Welsh, and she is out of Glynwyn Vespa.

Cadfach Request), who won the two-year-old colt class, youngstock and male championships en route to the final showdown with Annie Powers. The reserve youngstock was awarded to the winner of the three-year-old colt class, Maygem The Ringmaster (Moorcroft The Master x Riverbank Danielle) owned and shown by Carl Costello. It was just the beginning of an excellent two days of showing for the Costello family, who almost realised their dream of winning at the Royal Welsh with a homebred when junior brood mare Bluehaven Little Miss Perfect Crossfields Casino shown by Deryk Dykes stood second. However, the family’s ‘cloud-nine’ moment did arrive just a few classes later when Lucy Locket, also by Donys Llawen. Interestingly, they won the filly foal and overall foal title with second placed junior, Leebron Thomas O’Malley Bluehaven Little Miss Fabulous. owned by Tony Lee and family formed a further connection, with his dam Abergavenny Glamour Shane Rogers was delighted to finally secure a Cat also being sired by Llawen. The second red Royal Welsh rosette having stood second rosette was a welcome boost for the Lee family an impressive but frustrating fourteen times.

Shane handled Rhian Roberts’ Rhencullen Pretty after a generator fault caused a barn fire that P (Synod Rock Music x Fronarth Red Print) to top resulted in tragedy and multiple losses. “Three the senior section C brood mare class, much to weeks ago, we couldn’t face coming,” said her delight and surprise! The pair went on to win Tony, “so it was great to see him do so well.”

Nevertheless, it was the Donys Llawen sired the coveted Paddock Dawn award for the best section C brood mare, an award that incidentally, Donys Importance that clinched the sire ratings award in the section Cs. was originally given by the Heppenstall family.

The stallion class saw Freddie Luke saw Sarah Hamer’s super-successful Cwmhir The Bandit rise to the top and take the best stallion award over Nicole Wayman’s junior stallion, Starlans Sun-Ray. Although not of their own prefix, the The reserve section C title went to Deryk Dykes stallion championship demonstrated a strong with his own and his partner Joanne Nicholson’s Donys influence, with Bandit being sired by Crossfield Casino (Crossfield Dannyboy x Donys Llawen, and Sun-Ray being out of Donys 48 | Showing World | August Issue 2022 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

All Hail Hailey It was a poignant week for the Jones and Reed family. Whilst his absence was keenly felt, there was no doubt ‘Geraint Nebo’ was with grand-daughters Catryn and Lowri in spirit as both brought home a share of the spoils. Catryn showed uncle Owen Jones’ Nebo Raquel, to win the junior brood mares and stand reserve for the

‘Paddock Dawn’. Raquel is a mare bred in the purple with both parents, Donys Highwayman and Nebo Rachel being multi-garlanded former Royal Welsh winners.

De Weyerd Hailey owned the section A ring and ran through the cards with abundant sass and exquisite movement, shown by Lowri, who produces Hailey on behalf of her owner-breeder, Willard Leeuwis. The seven-year-old winning junior broodmare’s foal was handled by Willard himself, meaning he was on hand to congratulate Hailey and Lowri.

Islyn Purdey, who had won the senior broodmare class. The pair later went on to claim the reserve overall accolade, much to Dora’s delight.

Ann Jones was absolutely delighted that her lastminute decision to grab her shirt and tie from the back of the wardrobe and show her pride and joy paid off. She showed Friarly Genveave to win the senior barren mare class. Following in her footsteps, son Thomas Jones won the two-yearold section C filly class with Menai Radiant Lady, sired by prolific stallion, Menai Calon Lan. Hayley and Julian Williams’ week got off to a shaky start when Chloe Taylor’s two-year-old section C colt, Citadel Toy Soldier slipped his bridle and made a bid for freedom having been pulled second with Julian. However, colt foal Tolly Never Say Never saved the day taking champion section A foal for the couple, repeating his grand-father Cascob Red Kite’s feat.

In reserve for the breed tricolour was the winning barren mare and female champion, Ben Spoor’s Eyarth Yaris. The Rhoson Adonis mare pipped her paternal half-sister to the female accolade.

This was the Netherlands-based Hoeke family’s winning two-year-old filly, Eyarth Honolulu, (Rhoson Adonis x Eyarth Titania) also produced

by Liesl Mead.

Though not featured in the overall championship, Gareth Robert’s Phylberns stud scored a hattrick of wins and had plenty to celebrate. Yearling filly, Phylberns Aurora, by Eyarth Throwa topped her lineup, and her paternal half-brother, Phylberns Baloo also topped his for new owner Andrew Butler. Aurora’s dam, Rotherwood Rambling Rose also bagged a red rosette in the senior broodmare class. The ten-year-old out of Milltop Rosebud is by the prolific Lemonshill Top Note.

De Weyerds Hailey, Lowri Reed and Willard Leeuwis

Hailey is sired by Springbourne Capricorn, who also shared in the glory not only as sire ratings champion, but also as judge Judith Reed’s eventual male champion in the capable hands of Mark Kilbey. The plucky section A stallion is leased from the Singles stud in Holland. Since joining the Kilbeys at their Idyllic stud at the end of 2018, Capricorn has enjoyed countless successes, including an impressive four reserve championships in Cuddy/ Price Family supreme final qualifiers. Now 11 years old, the Cascob Red Kite son went on to take the best stallion award over Rod Lewis’ winning junior stallion, Cwmmeudwy Bonwr, and also sired the reserve male champion, Idyllic Spectre. Two-year-old Spectre has inherited his father’s sprightly demeanour and extravagant step. He was shown by a delighted Ashley Oldroyd who co-owns him with Dan Williamson. The pair’s own Danash prefix also came to the fore when Danash Polly’s Promise was led by Sophie Curry to win the HOYS mountain and moorland lead rein class under Sophie Evans.

Idyllic Spectre shown by Dan Williamson

Stephen Williams’ Rhesfair prefix was victorious in two classes. Kevin Moy’s Rhesfair Lady Millions beat Chris Piper’s Rhesfair Lady Jane to the top spot in the junior barren mare class, but it was yearling filly Rhesfair Dangerous Lady that proved the biggest threat as she claimed the reserve youngstock and again looked a picture in the female championship handled by Deryk Dykes. However, she was beaten to the reserve female spot by Dora Wyn Jones and her mother, Shan’s homebred Blackhill Piccolo nine-year-old,

Islyn Purdey shown by Dora Wyn Jones

Eyarth Yaris shown by Ben Spoor

One For The Boys

A Lotta Love for Loti

The Sandy Anderson’s Thistledown prefix reached several excellent placings across the A and B sections, with Thistledown Beckie Downie performing best of the section As, claiming the three-year-old filly class. However, it was imported colt, Kallared Heartbeat that set pulses racing and reached the highest of Sandy’s entries. The three-year-old was shown

by Liesel Mead to top the youngstock and male championships en route to the section B tricolour, being the only male champion of the four sections to go on to claim the overall title this year.

Despite breeding winners, female and male championships, the overall tricolour had previously eluded the Lloyd family’s Geler stud until this year. Senior broodmare, Geler Loti (Llechfryn Ffrwydryn x Geler Heti) has enjoyed form at the Royal Welsh before, standing reserve female champion in 2015, but this year she romped through the best broodmare, female and overall championships ably shown by Gerallt Lloyd on behalf of his father, Will Lloyd who handled her foal.

Their fun didn’t stop there with the Rhoson Amlyn colt also getting the nod in the prestigious Tom and Sprightly Cup between the four Welsh champions. Bred by Mia Andersson, Liesel spotted Heartbeat on a Facebook post and instantly alerted Sandy to him. Liesl’s delight and appreciation for her ‘find’ was evident in her ebullient, grateful pats and her broad smile.

Interestingly, he was the only male to take an overall championship across the four Welsh sections. In second place in the three-year-old colts was another of Sandy Anderson’s exhibits, homebred Thistledown Hakka, shown by his producer, Craig Eleanor.

Kallared Heartbeat, Liesl Mead and judge Richard Miller

Geler Loti shown by Gerallt Lloyd

Martin Grist’s winning senior barren mare and reserve female champion Riverbank Rose Queen (Wernllain Sentinel x Riverbank Rosina) rose to the occasion and took the overall reserve ahead of male champion, Peter and Jaquie Denning’s Powysvalley Macsen, shown by Gareth Lapping.

The junior stallion class saw two production teams go head-to-head in final bids for a third win. In the end, it was Simon Pring and Jodie Helliwell who secured the victory with their own Bryneglur Prince Rambo, sired by the winner of the section D sire ratings, Geler Sparc.

Meanwhile, Tom Fuller narrowly missed out on

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Tirgwyn Tiana, Jodie Halliwell, Tom Fuller and Geler Elsi

the hattrick with Simon Charman’s Swrchyrhafod Cymro Coch.

Powyssvalley Macsen shown by Gareth Lapping

In reserve for the youngstock was Rebecca Lamb with her own winning yearling Becklam Aurora (Monohawk Real Magic). Though we are well accustomed to seeing Rebecca triumph with Kath Hall’s Penstrumbly stock, this is the first time Rebecca has shown one of her own breeding since establishing her stud and prefix during the pandemic.

Both teams had already bagged two red rosettes in the section Ds. Jodie had already stood champion youngstock with north-Wales based breeder Mark Roberts’ homebred yearling filly Tirgwyn Tiana (Gwenllan Samson x Geler Magi) and partner Simon had stood top with the filly’s five-year-old full sister, Tir Gwyn Monika Mai, Sterling Cache for Top Dollar! in the junior barren mare class. A tremendous Richard Telford emerged from Monday’s achievement for a stud established just a decade 36-degree searing heat as something of a hero ago! in the eyes of spectators and competitors The Charman-Fuller team had secured their alike. Having already judged the ROR classes, reds in the two-year-old and three-year-old the Scottish producer gallantly sifted through filly classes with Simon Charman’s homebred the throngs of ridden Welsh cobs, smiling and Coppathorne Killer Queen (Geler Ryan x greeting each ride with enthusiasm. “I’m having Coppathorne Sweet Rosalie) and Geler Elsi such fun,” he told competitors as he made his (Geler Sparc x Geler Efa) respectively, with the way down the first line-up. latter standing reserve youngstock champion.

In a ‘pinch-me’ moment for the family, Tom’s middle son Tommy, 14, did bring home a third win for the family when he won the section C junior barren mare class with his grandad Nelson Fuller’s Mattsfield Lady May. It was a moment for all three generations to treasure, being Nelson’s first ever win and Tommy’s debut showing at the Royal Welsh. Tom explained that it was an “unbelievable day” for the family, whilst Nelson Ringside Top Dollar ridden by Alex Williams said it was one of his “proudest moments”, adding, “he has done the mare himself and it made it all the more special”.

In the Welsh part-breds, the Duntarvie Catamount award for the best youngstock not to exceed 148cm at maturity was awarded to Adrian Chapman with Liz Hampson’s Trindod Celtic Lord, which is sired by Adrian and Matthew Everitt’s former Royal Welsh champion, Brookvale Celtic Isle. However, the overall youngstock and overall championship was awarded to Di Nicholson’s homebred winner of the class for two and three-year-olds to exceed 148cm at maturity, Dibynn Top Gun. The three-year-old is by Marchemanor Red Arrow out of Dibynn Chic Flic. He was shown by Alan Charlesworth in the class before Alan handed the baton to Wyn Morris for the championship while he showed Mandy Godden’s uber-consistent stallion class winner, 122cm Moor Hall Peter Pan to finish reserve champion overall.

Dibynn Top Gun shown by Alan Charlesworth

Ringside Zorba ridden by Kate Williams

“You’d better check that,” was his eventual champion’s initial reaction as she was pulled forwards to win the mare class. This was Alex Williams on the family’s homebred Ringside Top Dollar [Topsy], sired by Llanarth Prince of Wales and out of Glanvyrnwy Rosalie. Though initially pulled fifth in her class, the nine-year-old visibly grew in confidence and found an extra dollop of presence through the championship before giving a scorching gallop up the grandstand to secure the tricolour. It was a magical moment for Gareth and Christine Williams who had already been thrilled to see youngest daughter Kate win the gelding class on Ringside Zorba (Trevallion Troy x Gwernfythan Melody). Zorba certainly found his form at Builth, as he went on to win his first HOYS section D qualifier on the Thursday, and the family enjoyed a bonus win when yearling section B filly Byley Eliza won her class in the palomino section.

Riverbank Rose Queen shown by Martin Grist

The reserve champion ridden section D was awarded to David Garner’s Cavyl Barley (Trevallion Picasso x Scwrfa Cherry). Though produced from home by David, the former Windsor winning 13-year-old was ridden by Lilly Burridge, who also produced and rode Hywi The Enforcer to win the section C class.

Hywi The Enforcer ridden by Lilly Burridge

Wednesday’s ridden section A and B classes were well supported as ever. The reigning HOYS ridden section A of the year, Hoekehorst Example (Idyllic Senator x Hoekehorst Evita) won the gold medal for the second time under Libby Grota, a particularly joyful win as the Hoeke family were there to witness it. Meanwhile, the ridden section Bs saw the reigning HOYS section B of the year, Clanmill Leteika Miracle (Hilin Trigonos x Hilin Mika) come to the fore in her class under her owner Katy Marriott Payne. The pair then went on to take the overall section championship ahead of the second placed section B, which was Jo Filmer’s super-versatile stallion, Longhalves Renoir (Lemonshill Falcon x Rhoson Silwli) with his producer, Samantha Roberts.

Hoekehorst Example ridden by Libby Grota

Clanmill Leteika Miracle ridden by Katy Marriott Payne

Rhandolf for Reserve!

The reserve supreme in-hand card was awarded to Swansea based Lara Joslin and her mother Anna Stevens’ Rhandolf of Catchpool. The six-year-old is sired by the highly successful RIHS winning Brinleyview Comanchee out of Ulverscroft Northern Sky. He won the Shetland stallion class and overall breed championship before returning for the supreme.

Nitro Express ridden by Sophie Kitts

Plas Pennant Sir Sidney shown by Henry Prentice

A part-bred Welsh pony also came to the fore in the show hunter pony ranks. This was Abergavenny-based Eurig Eynon and Rebecca Rhandolf was shown by Daniel Tarpey whilst Faulkner’s 133cm show hunter pony Isley Walton Lara concentrates on nurturing her young sons’ Quartz ridden by the couple’s daughter, Ella showing ambitions. Lara explained that she Eynon. Ella, who has recently completed her first and Anna felt he was too good to “be sat in the year in secondary school, enjoyed a tremendous field,” so after a brief chat, Daniel picked him up. season with the Strinesdale Matador nine-yearThe pair have had a fruitful few weeks, standing old last year, qualifying for both the 133cm and supreme mountain and moorland in-hadn at Kent part-bred classes at the RIHS and HOYS. The County and Silver Medal champion at NPS Area pair are set to compete again at the RIHS, and 7. Lara and Anna were thrilled for Daniel. “No are hopeful return tickets to HOYS with some one deserves it more than Daniel after a freak excellent placings in qualifiers so far. They were accident last year resulted in him being laid up also reserve champion part-bred Welsh under in hospital and missing out on HOYS,” said Lara. saddle at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s “He is very lucky to be back in the ring so quickly 2021 autumn show. and with such incredible results”.

Due to a connection with the supreme judge, Lara’s son, Harry, has qualified Rhandolph’s the hunter breeding champion was unable to brother, Toby for HOYS in the lead rein class, proceed to the overall in-hand line-up. However, and demonstrated Rhandolph’s excellent owners Peter and Kathy Bowdler, who are both temperament by hopping on board and riding valued stewards at the Royal Welsh, were thrilled him back to the stables after the supreme. with three-year-old Plas Pennant Sir Sidney It is believed that this is just the second time that and his cache. Sidney is produced by Simon a Shetland has ever held the reserve title at the Charlesworth and was shown by his young Royal Welsh, the first time being in 1995 when prodigy, Henry Prentice. Bred by Derek Walker the Crafton stud’s stallion, Ross of Colden Water was shown by Toby Jackson, aged just thirteen.

and Nick Davies, he is by Siren’s Missile out of Dame Des Flandres. Sidney’s Welsh origins made the win all the sweeter for Gower-based Peter.

Derek was judging at Builth Wells in 2019 when he began chatting to Peter, who runs the showjumping ring at the Royal Welsh Spring Festival.

When Peter mentioned that he was searching for a foal, Derek informed him that he had two for sale. The second, Plas Pennant Master Morris, actually stood reserve to Sidney at the Royal Three Counties earlier this year.

Despite her baby son Sebastian giving her a sleepless night, Pembrokeshire based producer Amy Tough’s consistently broad smile and high spirits were rewarded when she was awarded both the working hunter and hunter championships. The working hunter championship came via Lisa Gray’s Welsh part-bred gelding Cwmmeudwy Spring Salut.

The Caereini Voluut nine-year-old has been enjoying a successful season in the worker ranks, having recently stood champion at Royal Bath and West. He also stood third with Lisa in the saddle in the HOYS middleweight class.

Rhandolf of Catchpool shown by Daniel Tarpey

Express Ends With A Bang!

The iconic Royal Welsh red, white and green championship rosette in the working hunter pony ranks was awarded to 143cm Nitro Express, owned by Dylan Kitts and ridden by younger sister Sophie Kitts, who is mentored by local producer Wyn Morris. A true oldfashioned stamp of hunter pony, nine-year-old Nitro and Sophie made a remarkable recovery from an early mishap to claim the overall ridden supreme on the final day of the show, much to the delight of all their connections.

Isley Walton Quartz shown by Ella Eynon

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Dovanti Boy ridden by Amy Tough

Amy’s second tricolour came from astride Jo Hayman’s Avanti Amorous Archie home-bred, Dovanti Boy [George], a superb achievement for the winner of the four-year-old class.

Bred by Jo’s good friend Sian Kiff, Jo claimed bought him soon after he was born and took him home to her family’s arable farm as a weanling. Though he naturally has a very good temperament, Jo also thinks his environment as a youngster helps him to take “everything in his stride as he’s seen so much at home”.

She explained, “It’s a very busy yard, so he has forklifts, tractors and trailers hammering past him daily”. A familiar face in hunter breeding classes, Jo showed him lightly but successfully as a yearling and he left home for backing by Amy last November. “Amy’s done a super job bringing him on steadily,” said Jo. This season, he has made his mark on the ridden scene already, standing second in the four-year-old classes at Windsor and Three Counties where he was also reserve champion, and third in the novice hunters at Royal Bath and West. “I’m delighted with him, and with sons into cricket and rugby, I’ve always been a one-woman band, so it’s the first year I’ve been able to enjoy going to watch with a cup of coffee in hand!”

Patrick’s Choice ridden by Sophie Curry

Three-year-old sports horse Tallow’s Prospect won his class before going on to take the section tricolour. “We went back for the supreme and had a lovely afternoon,” said a proud Leander, adding “he behaved beautifully and it was a real privilege to be part of it”.

He is no stranger to success, having won his class as a foal in 2019 when his older full sister Cosette’s Prospect, a former Royal Welsh Winter Fair supreme champion, won the yearling and championship. She repeated the feat in 2021, “so it was very special to win with her full brother again this year,” said Leander.

later rode Moelview Moonstruck [Moonie] to win the HOYS section Bs and champion small breeds. The flashy stallion is loaned to Eiry from his breeders, Jane and Richard Jones. Although this is his first season with Eiry, he is no stranger to the limelight, as he has already visited HOYS both under saddle ridden by Chloe Chubb and in the Cuddy Supreme in-hand final shown by Richard.

Big Pat for Patrick!

Ceredigion-based Eiry Bonner landed a double celebration on the show’s final day.

Her Connemara stallion, Fear An Ti [Patrick] romped home to take the 143cm mountain and moorland working hunter pony class before also claiming the championship. Eiry and Patrick, who is available via AI, are former HOYS contenders and recently won their first BE90 event. The fin didn’t stop there as she

In reserve was Sophie Curry with Angela Tucker’s winning heavyweight, Patric’s Choice.

The West Coast Cavalier 12-year-old was purchased by Wayne Tucker for his wife, Angela, last December and arrived with Sophie in January. She promptly fell in love with this “gentle giant,” stating, “he is an absolute dude who is adored by everyone on the yard, and a pleasure to do in all ways”. This season, they are enjoying a superb run, bagging Angela’s first ever tickets to the RIHS and HOYS at Wiltshire Spring show and Royal Three Counties respectively.

For a small stud, Leander Walton’s youngsters have an impressive record at Builth Wells.

Tallows Prospect shown by Leander Whalton

Fear An Ti ridden by Eiry Bonner

TSR Summer Show 16-17 July, 2022 | Onley Equestrian Centre, Rugby Report by Sarah Chapman | Photos by Emmpix Positivity WON the Day! Despite the negativity concerning the forecast on the build up to the show competitors came out in force with a positive attitude and enjoyed glorious summer weather at the TSR Summer Show. TSR had put extra measures in place to ensure the welfare of competitors and their mounts in the heat. Such measures included a change to the class format, water points at each ring, gazebos, permission to compete without jackets, and having Cathy Hyde, a BHS Welfare Officer in attendance to monitor equine welfare. All attempts were very well received by competitors, judges and stewards alike.

Judges and stewards were amazing, embracing the change in class format and assisting competitors to enjoy their showing.

Stewards are the back-bone of a show and without them a show cannot run so TSR would like to thank everyone who came and gave their time.

Overweight Horses The BHS bought along their weigh bridge and exhibitors embraced the opportunity to gain expert impartial and independent advice on their horse’s weight. There was a constant queue all day on Saturday with several horses and ponies receiving the Great Shape Award.

Cathy Hyde said, “We were really impressed that 55 horses and ponies came to us to be

Balmoral Concerto shown by Georgie Lewis Roberts Cadlanvalley Domino ridden

by Grace Gardiner

weighed and fat scored. We were able to have very positive discussions on weight management and other aspects of equine Welfare. We were delighted to award a total of ten “In Great Shape” rosettes to proud owners. The BHS Welfare and Education Team attend numerous events covering many equine disciplines and the number of rosettes awarded on the day was an above average figure in relation to the number of horses and ponies seen.”

Well-Filled Classes After poor entries at some shows it was fantastic to see well filled classes with quality animals. The TSR Members Equitation and Handler Class on Saturday had 17 pre-entries each and had to be split for judging.

Taking the TSR Members Saturday Championship was Alicia Houlihan leading her Haflinger Tina, and on Sunday, Grace Gardiner rode Cadlanvalley Domino to be champion TSR Member.

The in hand classes proved popular with a strong championship for Stephanie Fitt to judge, with the overall in-hand championship awarded to Balmoral Concerto owned and led

by Georgie Lewis Roberts.

The HOYS qualifiers saw a good turnout of quality animals, with a great number forward

TSR Amateur Lead Rein Rider of the Year Ella Salve and her mum

Classic Top Up & At It ridden by Emma Proud

Parkhall Prince Charming ridden by Natasha Dolmans

Briar Snow Fox ridden by Lilly Richardson

Mexican Summer ridden by Georgina Wilkes

Annandale Prince Charming ridden by Poppy Steadman Blackstonefolly Benjamin shown by Jenny Wellens

for the hunter classes. The hunter championship saw Robert Walker take both the champion and reserve spots with Crown Star and Crystal Cove respectively. On Saturday, the cob championship went to Natasha Dolman’s Parkhall Prince Charming, winner of the maxi cob class.

On Sunday the NPS/Baileys Horse Feeds Mountain & Moorland HOYS qualifiers were as popular as ever. To assist competitors who wished to get home, two championships were held the Welsh sections D and C, Connemara and New Forest champion was Jane Smith’s winner of the Welsh section C class, Dafren Rhodri. The tricolour for the best Dales, Fells and Highlands went to Nipna Might Oak ridden

by Leah May. Jane Chadwick’s Loughmore Charly ridden by Mathew Proctor took the Junior mountain and moorland championship.

The mini mountain and moorland championship went to Brogan West’s Shilstone Rocks Thunder Bird ridden by Willow West. Judge Clive Johnston, Irish Pony Society Chairman said, “The champion and reserve ponies were lovely examples of their breeds with wonderful manners looking after their young riders.”

The show hunter pony section was judged by Christine Lomas and Clive Johnston, with the championship awarded to Charlotte Steadman’s Annandale Prince Charming ridden by Poppy Steadman. Christine Lomas said, “We had well filled classes with good quality ponies forward.

Our champion stood out from the crowd; he was free moving with lovely limb – a true, quality show hunter pony.”

Supreme Turnout!

It was brilliant on both days to see such a big turnout for the supreme championships with 17 horses forward on the Saturday and Sunday with three Supreme Championships on offer: Amateur Supreme, TSR Members Supreme and an Overall Supreme.

Saturday Supremes

horse class. TSR Members Supreme landed with Jenny Wellens leading her own Miniature Shetland, Blackstonefolly Benjamin and the overall Supreme went to Georgina Wilkes riding Mexican Summer, an experienced campaigner in the small hunter and ladies classes with many wins. She was looking very fresh to her job and pleased to be in the ring.

Everyone taking part received a finalist rosette and sash.

On Saturday saw the Handlers, Lead Rein Riders & New Stars section compete for the title of Amateur Rider of the Year in their category.

The Handler of the Year

This was split into age groups in two divisions: Senior and Junior. Christine Horswell, all the way from Devon, is an amazing 73 years old On Sunday the Amateur Supreme was won by and shows there is no limit to what you can do.

Annabel Harvey Mason on her own Southway She is an in hand enthusiast taking many wins Donner Dancer all the way from Hampshire. in her area with her lovely Gypsy Lane ponies.

They also took reserve in the TSR Members and Hannah Delaney started the weekend off with a Overall Supreme. Annabel also did well in the bang winning the overall result and then going TSR Amateur Rider of the Year taking third in the on to be second in the Rising Stars group on the 15 – 25 years old category. The TSR Members Sunday. and Overall accolades went to Lilly Richardson, who stole the show with her charming Shetland, The Junior section was very competitive. The Briar Snow Fox. two top spots went to Carter Wigglesworth and Bodie Wellens respectively in the 10-14 years TSR Amateur Rider and Handler of the Year category.

Finals Sunday Supremes

The TSR Summer Show plays host to the unique TSR Amateur Rider and Handler of the Year Finals. To be eligible, riders and handlers must have been talent spotted from a clinic or a lesson with a TSR Talent Spotter. This year over 250 riders were spotted so competition was fierce.

The ethos of the competition is to encourage riders and handlers to improve their skills and the performance of their horse or pony through training. It is open to any type of horse or pony, and conformation is not judged, rather it is the riding or handling ability and the performance of the horse or pony that counts.

TSR Amateur Handler of the Year

New for 2022 was the introduction of a Handler of the Year, Lead Rein Rider of the Year and the New Stars Finals.

There are three ability levels: New Stars (Novice), Rising Stars and Stella Stars.

The Awards The Amateur accolade went to Emma Proud A special awards presentation party was held on her own riding horse, Classic Top Up & At It with bubbles and cake for everyone, and our who was also eigth in a strong HOYS large riding ‘top three’ getting to stand on the TSR podium.

TSR Stella Stars 26-40 group

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Senior 15-25 yrs group Skye Colett 26-40yrs group Hannah Delaney 41+ group Christine Horswell Overall Senior Hannah Delaney Junior 6-9yrs Amelia Edwards 10-14yrs Carter Wigglesworth Overall Junior Carter Wigglesworth Lead Rein Rider of the Year

Tina shown by Alicia Houlihan

The young jockeys had to show how well they rode by completing steering, rising trot without a handle, and balance exercises with their pony. With 18 riders entered, it was hot competition and the eventual winner was seven-year-old Ella Salve riding Gwreiddyn Mefus. Judge Alison Andrew said, “This is a fantastic competition to encourage young riders to learn to ride and establish balance and soft hands whilst having fun! In the freestyle element of the show, I saw some great ‘round-the-worlds’!”

Southway Donner Dancer ridden by Annabel Harvey Mason

New Stars The New Stars section is for riders who are new to showing or on novice horse or ponies. They had to complete a set show and present the horse or pony in hand.

6-14 yrs Group It was fantastic to see so many keen young riders that the age category was split into 6-9 years and 10-14 years with an overall result 6-9yrs group Eliza Hardy 10-14yrs group Lucy Abram Overall 6-14yrs group Eliza Hardy 15-25 yrs group Zoe Nicholls 26-40 yrs group Emilie Murphy 41+ group Samantha Brooker Rising and Stella Stars Section Sunday saw riders in the Rising and Stella Stars sections perform. Riders had to complete a free style show including certain movements within a dressage arena to display their riding ability and their horse’s way of going, then present their equine for an in hand section.

Rising Stars 8-14 yrs Tilly Pavitt 15-25 yrs Leah Smith 26-40 yrs Jennifer Goodman 41+ yrs Amanda Bauber Gammon Stella Stars 8-14 yrs Grace Gardiner 15-25 yrs Harriet Robinson 26-40 yrs Adele Forster 41+ yrs Toni Zelazny

TSR Amateur Rising Stars 41+ group Loughmore Charly ridden by Mathew Proctor

Shilstonerocks Thunder Bird ridden by Willow West

The INSIDE SCOOP with the 2022

HOYS JUDGES

As we all go about qualifying, find out what the judges will be looking for this year in our exclusive feature!

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BARBARA MCGRATH Mountain and Moorland Working Hunter Pony of the Year (Jump)

Barbara has been involved in equestrian sport since a young age, ad throughout her childhood, she competed her ponies in a host of disciplines. “I showed ponies and workers and then went on to do some eventing,” said Barbara. In addition, Barbara and her mother started breeding Welsh section B ponies and British Riding Ponies over 40 years ago, but after a period showing Connemara ponies under saddle, Barbara went on to breed “these lovely ponies”. She explains, “I have also been fortunate enough to be given rides on a number of our other native breeds”.

Barbara is an accomplished judge sitting on a range of panels. “I now spend more time judging which I enjoy, including mountain and moorland ridden

classes and working hunter pony classes,” said Barbara, a section that she is “looking forward to judging at this year’s HOYS.” What will Barbara be looking for?

Breed type will be at the forefront of her mind at HOYS. “When judging the mountain and moorland workers, I will be looking for breed type and way of going,” said Barbara, explaining, “it is important that the way of going, athleticism and movement is appropriate for each breed”. Meanwhile to score high with Barbara, “the jumping needs to be consistent, fluent and mannerly”.

RICHARD RAMSAY Racehorse to Riding Horse of the Year (Conformation) The Ramsay name is one synonymous with showing, with Richard and his wife Marjorie’s handy-work with show horses being admired by many.

Richard and Marjorie retired from running their showing yard just over two years ago, but prior to that, they spent many years on the circuit competing at all the top shows with a whole host of accolades at the very highest level. To that end, Richard is photographed being presented with the riding horse championship at HOYS on Susie CreedMiles’ homebred Original Sin by Sally Osborne.

Richard is also on a number of our showing societies’ judging panels. “Thanks to horses, I have been lucky enough to have judged as far afield as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa as well as Ireland and Europe,” said Richard.

Richard has also been an ambassador for the SEIB’s Search for a Star series, working tirelessly with SEIB’s team to encourage grassroots

enthusiasts and nurture young talented riders and ponies.

What will Richard be looking for?

“I am delighted to have been asked to judge the SEIB Racehorse class at HOYS, as I am passionate about the Thoroughbred horse, and thanks to SEIB and RoR, we are seeing some beautiful horses who have been given a whole new career,” said Richard.

Richard will be looking for “really good conformation, with quality limbs, good feet and an athletic way of going and plenty of presence”. He adds, “I feel a lot of horses today are rather mechanical and lack the ‘look at me’ character.”

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DR TULLIS MATSON The Price Supreme In Hand Championship

Tullis was brought up on a horse stud farm in Shropshire where his father was a wellrespected horse breeder. Convinced that horse breeding could be improved from the animal welfare perspective, he travelled to New Zealand in 1990 where he was first introduced to Artificial Insemination (AI) in horses, a procedure hardly practiced in the UK at the time. Tullis further developed the facilities, and, keen to improve his own skills, undertook training at the University of Utrecht in Holland, sparking a drive to develop new processes and techniques.

He formed Stallion AI Services Ltd in 2000, now one of the most successful stallion collection centres in Europe, offering semen collection services, fertility assessment and worldwide semen export. Tullis pioneers and implements new advanced techniques, such as Post Castration, Epididymal Sperm Harvesting, using different gradients, and specialising in handling and collection from sub fertile stallions.

Since 2002, Tullis has been working with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, being made a Trustee of the Society in 2015. In 2011 Tullis received the Marsh Christian Award for Conservation in Genetic Bio-Diversity, sponsored by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, in recognition for the significant technical, scientific and practical contributions to the field of genetic bio-diversity.

In 2019, Tullis also received the Fellowship of the Royal Agricultural Societies (FRAgS) award in the House of Lords for his success in landbased industries.

Tullis also works with organisations such as Chester Zoo to help cryopreserve semen from endangered species e.g., Rhino and Lion, visiting South Africa in 2019 where he worked with elephants and rhinos. Using knowledge and technology from his lab, semen and tissue samples were collected from 8 elephants and stored in South Africa using the latest technology.

Tullis has formed additional companies which include Equine Reproduction Supplies, Elite Kennel Fertility and Gemini Genetics, which is uniquely partnered with world-leading pet cloning company, ViaGen Pets & Equine.

Following their joint efforts, the genetic clone of world-famous show jumping stallion Arko was born in August 2021.

Over recent years, Tullis has been working to create a cryopreservation biobank in the UK specialising in storing living regenerative material from animal species threatened with extinction. From this idea, in December 2020 Tullis was the Founder and is Chair of the charity, Nature’s SAFE, a living biobank on a mission to save animals from extinction by indefinitely preserving live cells from endangered

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species.

In 2020, in conjunction with Nottingham Trent University, Stallion AI Services foaled the first Suffolk Punch foal in the UK to have been born using sex-sorted semen.

Ruby, the Suffolk Punch mare is owned by Nottingham Trent University who carefully selected and matched the mare and stallion based on their genetics as part of a project between The Rare Breed Survival Trust and Nottingham Trent University.

During the last 18 years Tullis has lectured both nationally and internationally and his popular webinar series has been broadcast around 72 countries received by an audience of 20,000 people. In 2021, Tullis was included on the BEVA’s illustrious list, “60 Faces of AI”, and 2022 saw Tullis personally receive an honorary degree from Nottingham Trent University, and Stallion AI Services was awarded The Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2022 for Innovation, the innovation being Nature’s SAFE. In his leisure time, Tullis enjoys running and skydiving, having completed over 1600 skydives to-date and over the past three years has run over 50 Parkruns!

CAROLINE NELSON Mini Mountain and Moorland Pony of the Year Riding Horse of the Year (conformation)

Caroline considers herself blessed to have been born and brought up in a stud and showing environment.

Both of Caroline’s parents served in the British Army and post-war, Caroline’s father resumed his trade as a skilled scenic artist for theatre and TV. Meanwhile, her Scottish (but Londonborn) mother pursued her ambition to breed top class horses and ponies, with an emphasis on correct conformation, limb and movement, and ‘type’ coupled with natural presence and above all, excellent manners. Caroline said: “Mother always insisted that the animal had to be a nice person!”

A self-confessed nervous child rider, Caroline benefited from both Pony Club and hunting.

She loved the stud and gradually the confidence came so, following a somewhat constraining boarding school education, Caroline relished working within the family business, with beef cattle also a major part of the stud and farm’s activities.

Additionally, in her teens she gleaned invaluable experience helping some of the very best show producers when time allowed and attributes her not inconsiderable knowledge to, along with her mother, Daphne Alexander, the likes of Davina Whiteman, Stella Harries, Donald Owen, Roy Trigg, Roy Tatlow, Vin

Toulson with Jean Andrew and to Veronica (Ronnie) Booth, Head Girl for Elspeth Ferguson at the renowned Rosevean Stud prior to her long-term move to Caroline’s family.

A spell with Richard and Marjorie Ramsay and a fantastic period as Head Girl for Jennie Loriston-Clarke stood Caroline in good stead to start producing in her own right, specialising in both ridden and in-hand animals.

Invited to join the British Show Hack & Cob Association (now BSHA)’s judges panel in 1975, Caroline also adjudicates for the BSPS, NPS, WPCS, AHS, UK Ponies & Horses, SSADL and BSPA. Caroline feels incredibly privileged to have judged not only throughout the UK but in Europe and Australia.

She has five previous HOYS judging appointments under her belt. Presiding over the ‘ride’ aspect of the cobs at Wembley 1994 means she was the last judge to ride the great Super Ted in the ring! Subsequently, Caroline has judged the ride/show of mountain and moorland ponies; conformation of ridden Arabians (when still split into three classes); conformation of mountain and moorland working hunter ponies and, ride/show of the Part-Bred pony class.

“This years’ HOYS appointments are bittersweet,” said Caroline, who went on to explain:

“In early December I received a surprise phonecall from Sandy Anderson asking if I would take on the package hitherto allocated to the much-respected Allan Robertson, who had just passed away. It is felt that we thought, judged the same way, seek the ‘same’ animal. Truly privileged, I hope I do him proud.”

What will Caroline be looking for?

“In the mini mountain and moorland section, I seek fundamentally a quality, correct pony true to its breed type, which is not only a safe conveyance for its precious young rider, but which also goes about its business happily and with a smile on its face!”.

The Show Riding Horse section was evolved some thirty years ago to fill the gap between the desired quality and elegance of the show hack and the workmanlike but classy lightweight show hunter. It has since evolved into a real type, and I will be seeking correct conformation and substance with clean limbs, good bone and feet and accurate movement.

The whole should be stylish and pleasing to the eye. The show riding horse must travel in self-carriage and give my co-judge an exemplary ride”.

Caroline is photographed riding Miss McGredy, Small Hack of the Year and Reserve Champion Show Hack, HOYS Wembley 1973

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