Showing World February/March 2023 (172)

Showing World Issue 172 February/March 2023 www.showingworldonline.co.uk

Issue 172 - February/March 2023

Re-Riding History: the Connemara pony and side saddle

Reports from London International Horse Show, Thames Valley Welsh Show, Royal Welsh Winter Fair and more!

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2 | Showing World | February/March Issue 2023 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

A Note From Our Editor Dear Reader, I can scarcely believe that it is February 2023 already! Is it too late to wish you a Happy New Year?! Possibly, so I’ll wish you a Happy New Season instead!

Some of you will have your preparations well under way for this season, but if you haven’t decided on a proper plan yet, take a look at our feature on goal setting. It’s certainly made me think carefully about my own plans!

It’s exciting that the 2023 brings so many new opportunities for amateurs this year beyond the wonderful Search For A Star series and the esteemed classes at the Royal International Horse Show. TSR and Grandstand Media are set to bring over 100 new opportunities for amateurs to compete at Horse of the Year Show, and the BSPS, BSHA and ASAO have announced that there will be a completely new amateur showing section at the London International Horse Show. This means that more amateurs than ever will be able to enjoy competing at the biggest and most prestigious shows in our calendar. I cannot praise organisers more!

As ever, social media has revealed its ugly side to our showing community. I will not spend much time on it here, but please remember to be kind to each other. If you have been on the receiving end of hurtful comments, then hold your head up and take little notice.

While you’re preparing for the season, our plans are also under way for this year’s SEIB British Showing World Awards in December. Keep an eye out on our social media for details of voting opening in the summer, and in the meantime, save the date: December 2nd 2023!

Meanwhile we want to hear from you! Don’t forget to keep us up to date with your results and your breeding news.

Also, if you are interested in joining our little team of writers, get in contact with me directly. We have big plans afoot!

Now go get showing…! Good luck!

- Beth

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Contents 6

Royal Welsh Winter Fair

16

SEIB British Showing World Awards 22

50

London International Horse Show

66 Vicky Smith on the season so far 72

Thames Valley Welsh Show

86 Search for a Star at Your Horse Live 97

Exclusive insights with the HOYS Judges

53

76 Front cover: Castle Kestrel ridden by Lucy Glover Photo by: Real Time Imaging

76

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 2023. 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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Tom Page

The Showing Register and Grandstand Media announce 112 exclusive opportunities for Amateur Competitors!

Grandstand Media and TSR have announced exciting opportunities for amateur and home-produced competitors aiming to compete at HOYS in the upcoming season.

In a joint statement, Grandstand and The Showing Register revealed that The Showing Register Summer Show, taking place on 15th and 16th July 2023 at Stoneleigh Park, will be made an exclusively amateur and home-produced show featuring a full set of Horse of the Year Show ridden showing qualifiers.

each amateur or home-produced combination. The eligible combination with the greatest number of points from their top five placings, which has not already qualified for HOYS, will gain qualification for Horse of the Year Show 2023.

Combinations that top the Premier Amateur League will also see their consistency rewarded with exclusive TSR prizes.

In addition, further opportunities will be provided to amateurs that support the Horse of the Year Show showing qualifiers throughout the season via the new Premier Amateur League, which will be administered via The Showing Register. This new League will replace the recognised HOYS La Liga League, and will instead offer an additional HOYS 2023 ticket in every HOYS ridden showing class for eligible amateur combinations.

Together, these exciting initiatives will see a significant total of 112 places across the ridden showing classes at Horse of the Year Show 2023 dedicated to amateur and homeproduced combinations.

The Premier Amateur League will work to reward amateur combinations regularly placed in the top eight at HOYS qualifiers with points towards the league table. In similarity to the previous HOYS Showing Wildcard, the top five results from the season will be totalled to give an amount for

This is a significant development to the qualification process for HOYS, underpinning Grandstand’s support for TSR’s ethos of providing development opportunities in showing across all levels. To provide further support for amateur and home-produced combinations, TSR will be providing further training clinics for all levels both in-hand and ridden, HOYS preparations days and exclusive training and advice for TSR members.

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Eyarth Vienna shown by Joe Parry

ROYAL WELSH WINTER FAIR 28-29 November 2022 | Builth Wells, Powys Report by Beth Simons | Photos by 1st Class Images

Vienna Cream of the Crop TV personality Sara Edwards prevailed over the supreme horse championship and saw fillies come to the fore to take both supreme and reserve spots. It was a delighted Joe Parry who secured the supreme nod with his own homebred Eyarth Vienna. The quality yearling filly had already clinched the supreme Welsh and section B championships en route to the eventual supreme.

She is by the celebrated stock-getter Rhoson Adonis, out of Eyarth Titania, who was herself multi-garlanded in the showring, including winning a coveted red rosette at the Royal Welsh show, the pinnacle for breeders of Welsh ponies. Vienna is a full sister to the 2022 reserve youngstock and reserve female at the Royal Welsh, Eyarth Honolulu.

some of her mares. Already delighted with the cross, Sara hopes that Ana Mai will continue to be successful in the in-hand ring before eventually turning a hoof to the ridden classes like her father.

Taking the reserve supreme was the cob champion, Parciau Ana Mai, exhibited by proud North-Walesbased breeder Sara Miriam Williams. It was a cracking end to the day for Sara, as Ana Mai’s maternal half-sister, Parciau Miriam Mai stood second in the filly foal class earlier on, something Ana Mai did in 2021. Both fillies are out of Parciau Miri Mai, although the champion is sired by Monahawk Masterpiece [Bond]. Interestingly, Sara had awarded Bond the Royal Welsh ridden section D championship when she was a ride judge, and had fallen for him, and this instigated his use over 6 | Showing World | February/March Issue 2023 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Parciau Ana Mai shown by Gethin Williams

Both our supreme and reserve supreme were bred in North Wales, as was Vienna’s reserve in the Welsh section Bs, Moelgarnedd Mabon. He was shown by producer Colin Tibbey on behalf of breeders the Williams family. Colin also showed Mabon’s sire, Cuddy Supreme and HOYS ridden finalist Moelgarnedd Stadros.

The winning colt foal, Hilin Altair was also bred just a stone’s throw from the champion. He was shown by owner William Owen. Meanwhile the winning filly foal broke the trend, hailing from Gareth Hensby’s Yorkshire-based Laithehill stud, and shown by South Wales-based Ceri Powell. This was pretty palomino filly Laithehill Goddess, who by the celebrated sire Laithehill Oberon out of Penwood Blondy.

Moelgarnedd Mabon shown by Colin Tibbey

Laithehill Goddess shown by Ceri Powell

Hilin Altair shown by William Owen

The Best of Blue Blood and A Shining Knight The overall Welsh was judged by Mr Stuart Franklin of the Sarum stud, meaning that section A champion Sarum Royal Knight could not come forward for judging. However, Stuart nevertheless thought that the reserve champion section A, Nantfforchog Blue Taffeta, was a worthy stand-in as he called her forwards as his reserve in the overall Welsh championship. Taffeta was shown by breeder Tracy Jones. It was a cracking day for Tracy, as she also bred and exhibited the winning filly foal, Nantfforchog Blue Vanity. Both fillies indicated that we have more exciting showring prospects for the future from Tracy’s celebrated Blue line which also includes HOYS finalist Nantfforchog Blue Bowtie and HOYS champion Nantfforchog Blue Moondust, both of whom are sired by Centannial Ramos, sire of Vanity and Taffeta.

However, the fillies were not full sisters, with Vanity out of Bedlolfa Angelina and Taffeta out of Nantfforchog Blue Moon.

It will be interesting to see if these two follow their older siblings into the ridden ring.

Nantfforchog Blue Taffeta shown by Tracy Jones

Sarum Royal Knight, bred by the aforementioned Stuart Franklin, was exhibited, however by new owner Roland Williams, and shown by producer Adam Fletcher. A delighted Adam explained that he was initially sent to him by Stuart for production, but knowing long-standing client Roland would be taken with him, he orchestrated the sale. “I told him, ‘we’ve got to buy this one, he’s going to be a good one’,” said Adam.

A good one he’s thus far proven to be, standing supreme champion on his showring debut at NPS Area 29’s Halloween Show. No doubt we’ll be seeing a lot more of this plucky little showman!

Sarum Royal Knight shown by Adam Fletcher

The Welsh section A yearling colt class caused something of a déjà vu moment for producer Sam Morsley, who produced and showed Owen Griffiths’ homebred Illar Denver to win the class. Denver is a full brother to last year’s supreme champion, Illar Dakota, also shown by Sam. The brothers are by Waxwing Flypast out of Waxwing Dainty Dinah, who is on long-term lease to Owen from breeders Tom Best and David Blair.

Ilar Denver shown by Sam Morsley

Gucci Height of Fashion The section C championship was won by Julian Williams showing his own and wife Hayley’s Glynwyn Gucci. By Glebedale Ding Dong, Gucci is out of Tymor Diamonds Are Forever, and Julian explained that the couple purchased him to cover fillies they own with older Glynwyn blood.

“Hopefully it will work,” said a beaming Julian.

Interestingly, for a while it was a battle of brothers as Julian’s brother Edward was pulled second with homebred Carless High Jinks, but judge Dafydd Morris deliberated hard over his final lineup, and decided to bring Maarten Koele’s Islyn Lord Bridgerton up into second place.

Gucci’s win comes at the end of a magical year for the Heppenstall and Gibbons families’ Glynwyn stud, breeders of this upstanding colt, which saw them stand supreme champion at the Royal Welsh summer show. It also signalled the beginning of a good day for Kitty Bodily and Jill Williams as Gucci is sired by former HOYS Cuddy Supreme winner, Glebedale Ding Dong, and their own yearling colt, Glebedale Déjà vu [Dan] won the yearling section C colt class. Interestingly, Dan is a full borther to Ding Dong, being by Parvadean Darius out of Glebedale Delightful. He was shown by Bryn Jones, and all connections were delighted, not least as Dan underwent colic surgery in the summer. Bryn also won with his own Welsh section D colt foal, Cascob Dai John Jones, by Royal Welsh champion Cascob Brenin Dafydd, out of Cascob Diana.

Another enjoying a déjà vu moment, albeit of a different kind was the owner-breeder of the 2021 Welsh section C champion, Richard Morgan whose homebred filly foal Ormond Ruby’s Pride won her class shown by producer Dorian Lloyd. She is also

by Parvadean Darius, but out of Synod Rubyanna.

The final section C class, the yearling fillies was won by Tryfel Saffire shown by owner breeder Michael Cobley. Saffire is by Michael’s multigarlanded Royal Welsh winning Caebryn Endeavour out of Tawelfan Mair.

Julie Evans’ homebred and home-produced filly foal Haighmoor Delyth took the reserve championship in the Welsh section Ds, shown by Ceri Ann Bennett.

This quality filly by Trevallion Ap Playboy out of

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Glebedale Déjà vu shown by Bryn Jones

Glynwyn Gucci shown by Julian Williams

Ormond Ruby’s Pride shown by Dorian Lloyd

Tryfel Saffire shown by Michael Cobley

Kylebeck Cameo also won and stood champion on her debut at the Blaenavon WPCS foal and youngstock show.

Also in the Welsh section D championship was Shae Price showing his partner Lauren Bullock’s recent Welsh National Foal Show winner, Penlangrug The Demonstrator, by Osbourn Picasso out of Penlangrug Della.

Celtic Prince Takes Sport Horse Crown Two sport horse classes kicked off proceedings on the show’s second day, presided over by Gower-based Kathy Atkin Bowdler. Though there were just two classes, onlookers enjoyed plenty of quality and Kathy had her work cut out!

Her eventual champion came from the yearling class, won by Adrian Chapman showing his own Saltre Celtic Prince winner of the yearling class. We are used to seeing Adrian exhibiting in the Welsh Part Bred classes, but the tricolour signalled an excellent start to his foray into sport horse classes! This elegant colt is by Brookvale Celtic Prince, and he is out of Perle D’or. “We’ll look to geld him, then hopefully we’ll send him away to be broken at three and see what the future holds for him,” said a delighted Adrian. They pipped North Wales sport-horse breeder Huw Gruffydd and homebred Caereini All That Jazz to the post in the yearling class.

Haighmoor Delyth shown by Ceri Ann Bennett

Taking the runner up spot in the sport horse foal class was vet Elliot Clifton showing Rosita Hamar’s What a Yarn. Winning that class was the eventual reserve champion, Ami Miller’s Honourable Bachelor shown by James Knight. He is the first foal to be carried by the prolific champion, DPUK Night Dancer, who was runner up in the 2022 Price Family Supreme Championship final for horses over 148cm on her first appearance in hand after a superb career under saddle which saw multiple wins at the highest level, including at HOYS. Penlangrug the Demonstrator shown by Shae Price

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | February/March IssueSaltre 2023 | Showing World |9 Honourable Bachelor shown by James Knight Celtic Prince shown by Adrian Chapman

Patchy Partbreds and Family Affairs Coloured native types took the tricolours in the coloured section and Welsh Part Bred sections.

Champion in the coloureds was the winner of the foal class, Steppers Neptune shown by breeder Decland Davies, who gave an impressive display of movement befitting of her prefix! In reserve was Ann Basset’s Auroramoomin by Sempers Spirit out of Florestine.

The champion Welsh Partbred was welcomed by many as a refreshing change from the usual plaited, non-native type.

This was Derbyshire based Kris Osborne’s Sepycoe Pippy Longstocking. She is out of a rescued traditional mare, Fruit Pastille – or Patsy – and by Kris’s own Welsh section D stallion Penlangrug Darcy. “Pippy was born on the day Prince Philip passed away, hence her name,” explained Kris, who added, “she knew she was special when born”. She is one of three foals out of Patsy to stand top of the line up at the winter fair, but is the first to take the champion partbred. We have always been the bridesmaid and never the bride so this really was a special one to win,” said Kris. It was a fantastic end to her yearling season after winning the coloureds and reserve champion at Cheshire Show, winning a huge coloured class at the Royal Welsh in summer, and recently winning her WPCS Bronze Rosette and reserve supreme of show. She is shown by Bradley Butler and supported throughout by his wife Charlotte, “since I can no longer ride or run them after being diagnosed with a degenerative disability in 2020,” explained Kris. “There’s lots more to hopefully come from this kind, sweet filly and

Steppers Neptune shown by Decland Davies

Auroramoomin shown by Lauren Milnes

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Sepycoe Pippy Longstockings shown by Bradley Butler

team Sepycoe. My thanks have to go to all those that enable me to continue showing my home bred babies; without Bradley, Charlotte and my husband Dan I would have had to give up what I have worked so hard on for a long time and love doing.”

In fact, homebreds were the name of the game in the partbreds. In reserve was Tammy and Richard Burge’s Tamkirk Born to Dance, shown

by Richard. The win was a second in as many outings for the filly, as she stood champion on her debut to secure her 2022 WPCS medal, stood reserve in Builth Wells and scored a hattrick with a tricolour at Thames Valley Welsh Show. She is by the couple’s prolific prizewinner Moorfarm Bandsman.

The remaining classes were also homebred victories. Though now owned by Jessica Goldsworthy rather than breeder Rebecca Lamb, the winning foal exceeding 148cm, Becklam Amoura was produced by Rebecca for the show and shown by her side-kick Jason James. By Monahawk Real Magic out of Lyndell Andorra, Rebecca also led her Royal Welsh winning full sister, Becklam Aurora to stand second in the exceeding 148cm yearling class.

Becklam Amoura shown by Jason James

Also celebrating a homebred win were Seren James and her mother Mel. Their yearling gelding Duke of Amethyst won the yearlings under 148cm class. Duke is their first foal out of beloved mare Bluerock Amethyst [Dolly] whose wins under saddle with Seren include at Royal Windsor. He is by Small Land Envoy, and was born on the

late Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday. He’s had a successful run of luck inhand including at the Royal Welsh earlier in the summer. “He’s always shown by my daughter Seren as we consider it a family affair so no producers in sight. My mum, ‘Granny’ Val and non-horsey hubby Mike come along; it’s all about the love for our homebred and a family fun day out,” said a proud-as-punch Mel.

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by Seren James

Going for Goal!

By Maggie Simons As the season fast approaches, it’s important to remember there’s more to preparing for a successful season than simply getting your horses and ponies back in from the field and fit!

You also need to prepare yourself both physically and mentally. Goal setting is a great place to start. Outlining your ambitions early in the year can help you consider how to improve your performance, focus your efforts, spend your money effectively and help you feel a sense of achievement whether you win a red rosette all season or not!

Types of Goals Goals can split into 3 categories: outcome goals, performance goals and process goals.

Outcome goals are relative to the performance of others and involve a certain amount of comparison. Getting too caught up on these is not always conducive as you can’t do anything about someone else’s performance. That’s why it’s better to focus on process or performance goals.

Process goals focus on the execution of behaviours that can help better your performance. Whether that is managing a whole lesson without being reminded to keep your heels down or your elbows bent, or persevering with something you find difficult rather than focusing on the things that come more easily to you.

Performance goals are self-monitored and focused on personal achievement. These are the ones to really concentrate on as they will

not draw you into negative comparisons with others.

want to do, it’s just important that you have that measure in mind.

Setting your Goals

Set deadlines and identify mini challenges and goals for achieving your targets. Remember that step-by-step way you set out your goals?

Use them to create mini goals along the way.

Attaining these mini goals will not only help you track progress, but will also help you to reflect on how far you have come when times get tough.

It’s important to remember the SMART acronym when setting our goals. In other words, goals should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-bound.

Start with specific. Often it helps to write out these goals in a step-by-step manner to maintain focus as opposed to only seeing the bigger picture where the end point may seem daunting.

All of your goals should also be attainable and realistic. We all want to strive for improvement and shouldn’t neglect our dreams, but setting goals so high that they are unattainable, in the short term at least, will only leave you feeling deflated and overwhelmed. Keep goals realistic, too. We would all, including me, like to be the next Charlotte Dujardin, Piggy March or John Whitaker, but realistically while I’m 31 and still don’t wish to ride anything bigger than 14 hands, it’s not going to happen. However, I can aim to improve my riding in ways that are realistic and attainable for me! Hopefully, my results will improve as a consequence.

Then make sure your goals are measurable and determine your method for tracking your progress. It doesn’t matter whether your measure of success is to win a class, achieving better marks for your show, jumping a better round than previously, or simply feeling more confident doing what you

Make sure that you have support, too. As well as a supportive trainer who can give you practical advice, surround yourself with a team of helpers and champions who can give you the nudge, hug or kick-up-the-bum you need when things don’t quite go to plan, or who can celebrate with you when they do!

Lastly, keep goals timely. Take each week at a time and each show at a time, and reflect on each experience to set goals for the next show, but don’t get too caught up in the negative. Of course, it’s important to reflect critically on your performance, but make sure that it’s constructive. Don’t get too hung up on the negatives and do make sure that you acknowledge areas of improvement. If you focus too much on the negative, you’ll end up feeling demotivated and lacking confidence.

Ask yourself, “what would my friend say about my performance?” The likelihood is that a good friend will pick up on the good and the bad. Be your own friend. Also, be wary of wanting to see an improvement in your marks from one week to the next, as marks are subjective, and judges will forgive or penalise differently. Be

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your own judge, or ask a trusted member of your team to set their own marks from week to week, knowing, bearing in mind your own goals.

Amy Smith

Whatever your goals, ambitions or dreams for this year and the next, enjoy your ponies and horses, enjoy the process of learning and remember that there is always another day.

I also asked some more riders how they tackle goal setting…

Amy Smith For me, every rider and every pony is different.

I have personally battled with my own mindset for the last few seasons. Having a lot of success, in a short period of time, is amazing, but the difficult part is staying at the top. Other people begin to have high expectations of you, and I have considered taking a step back to mend my confidence, a few times. Luckily, I am surrounded by some amazingly supportive friends and family, who sharply reminded me why we do what we do. Firstly, love the pony and secondly, love the sport. It’s important to remember that you can only be as good as the pony you’re sat on, and with showing being a subjective sport, sometimes we can’t do any more than try our best. As a team we like to pride ourselves on hard work and dedication, but sometimes, others forget that we’re only human, and we all have our ups and downs.

The working hunter ponies pose a bit more difficulty when it comes to goal setting. Now that I know Pedro, I like to give him a 6-week window before a big show, to get back in shape. These six weeks will include intense workouts, slowly increasing in intensity as he gets stronger. The less experienced ponies are different, I have to trust my gut instinct as to when they will be ready for the next step up, if it all seems too much for them, we know that it’s time to take a step back instead. Sadly, I don’t think people are willing enough to make these backward steps to rebuild their pony’s confidence. We find the heavier breeds, fells, dales and highlands, especially take their time in building confidence.

Vikki Smith Similarly to Amy, I like to build the ponies up, and progress up the ranks through the season as the ponies get stronger and more confident.

I try to make shows fun and easy for the novices, with as little pressure as possible. It’s impossible to recreate the same atmosphere as you get at a show when you’re at home. We make sure to treat each pony as an individual and set their goals accordingly. Jumping goals are set at home by working through lots of exercises, that way the ponies can progress their jumping without hammering their legs.

Darren Crowe Every horse and rider combination are completely different, and so we set their goals accordingly, depending on age, character, strengths and weaknesses. These goals are regularly reviewed on progression and the feel the horse is giving me, as well as the relationship and capabilities of horse and rider.

Vikki Smith Sara Parrott

Darren Crowe

Most importantly I like to achieve comfort and confidence in the way the horses are working and willingness to perform at their very best.

When an insecure horse finally puts their trust in me, it’s the most rewarding feeling, regardless of whether that takes weeks, months or years. “Diamond Geezer” is a perfect example. When he first came to me, he had no self-confidence but with time and patience his behaviour improved and is now impeccable.

Winning HOYS 2022 was a very proud moment for us both; the electric atmosphere could have been a real test, but the time and patience spent on him were completely worthwhile. You can’t ask any more of a horse than to try their best for you. Our job is then to keep asking questions and nurture them to achieve bigger and better things. It never ceases to amaze me what can be achieved with time and effort.

When I get to the end of the season, I take a step back, reevaluate, and work out my goals for the next year.

Sara Parrot I love setting goals and having a plan! Craig and I will discuss each pony and set our aims and goals for the season from there. Of course, these will be revisited regularly, especially when it comes to novice ponies and children, things don’t always go to plan.

Usually, goals revolve around the individual pony. We have quite a few ponies that compete in the same class, but these are planned for the same as if they were the only one in the class

and each combination will have a plan set solely for them. For example, our four-year-olds will go out for a few ride arounds followed by a novice show or two and will finish at the BSPS Summer Championships.

The easiest thing to set a goal for is an open or established combination. As the schedules come out, we will pick a route to HOYS, RIHS and the major shows that we can do on the way without overshowing and allowing down time.

These are probably the most ‘stuck to’ plans.

The exception to this is if we have a novice or first ridden rider who needs more ring time, or if we have new combinations who need some mileage together before the goals are set around them.

All our older lead rein riders have set the goal to compete in tiny tots first ridden this season, leading them into open first riddens in 2024.

We don’t always let the children know the season plan as you can overface them, but on the flip side it’s important to give the children riding goals which are ambitious but not out of reach. All the children are different but they nevertheless all need filling with confidence.

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Maggie Simons

My Own Goal Setting Setting goals for the year can be a minefield and goals can change regularly for me! Not producing ponies full time can mean that sometimes things take a little longer, especially if you have a slightly nervous or sharp pony, but I have always felt it is better to get the correct start than to hurry to the finish line.

During and since Covid I have loved trying out different exercises and training tips found on social media. I try to set up a different pole or jumping exercise every week and use it to highlight where I’m making progress and what my next exercise needs to target. These are my mini goals!

Lessons and training are also a BIG part of my routine and instrumental in goal setting. Striving to improve my own riding as well as the pony’s way of going is paramount to keeping sane throughout the season and often helps lend a more balanced perspective on progress than tracking show results, which can fluctuate through no fault of your own or your pony’s. For example, I might give a cracking show, but the conformation judge won’t like my pony. The lower placing is therefore not a reflection of my progress, I need to focus on the feel of the show and take a different type of pony under that judge!

With the four-year-olds that are broken over the winter, all I set out to do is to get them walking, trotting and cantering, usually out and about around the farm and ridden in company, before they have a little break before possibly

coming back in to do a few local shows in August. The older ponies will have their goals set according to what they did and achieved in the previous year.

For those who have only just started their open career, the goal is generally to build on the consistency in performance and to improve on this. We tend to choose eight to ten shows a year for each pony and stick to it. Whether this is on the flat or in the worker ring, we always make sure the ponies have plenty of fun and variety in between competing as it keeps them and ourselves fresh!

For those ponies that are nearing retirement, it’s about savouring every outing with them, which means choosing the showgrounds or courses they prefer and knowing when to leave them at home if the ground isn’t right or they’re not at their best. These are the most difficult ponies to maintain a sense of perspective on. It’s a battle between desperately wanting them to bow out of showing at their peak, and not losing the enjoyment of competing with your old favourite because you might not have had the rosette you hoped for.

Reminding yourself that they don’t know what colour their rosette is or whether they have qualified for HOYS or RI or not helps a lot!

Whatever our goals, we try to remember that we travel hundreds of miles, miss out on dinner with friends and go through anti-ageing moisturizer like it’s going out of fashion, but if we focus on performance, ensure we relish the “journey” and enjoy the pony, the prize at the end will only be a small part of it.

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Society Roundup Traditional Gypsy Cob Association (TGCA) Happy New Year to all of our members, wishing everyone a sound, successful and most of all enjoyable 2023. We are delighted to confirm we will be hosting TOYS 2023 (2-5 August) over a four-day period this year, with many exciting new classes planned. Our Part Bred series proved to be so well supported last year that we have expanded this section. We have also made changes to our Junior Programme which will now see Part Bred and Full Bred Gypsy Cobs judged separately. This will create more opportunity for all to achieve success, with additional changes to the schedule including everything from Grass Roots to Show Jumping. We will continue to follow our ethos of promoting the breed standard whilst encouraging our members to have fun and enjoy our versatile breed.

Watch out for qualifying shows throughout the UK which you will find details of on our website.

Finally, not long until Spring, so continue to protect and nurture your feather, as well as your sanity, through winter, when they flow so beautifully in summer you will be so glad you took the time.

All information and forthcoming events and can be found on our website www.tgca. co.uk or follow us on Facebook.

Kim Neal British Show Pony Society (BSPS) I do hope that you and your ponies are wintering well and that the wet weather will soon subside to give way to warmer drier weather soon!

At the end of last season, our Council members Joanne Pybus and Sharon Thomas attended Stars Championships and Sunshine Tour Championships respectively and awarded Junior memberships to worthy candidates and we very much hope that they will be out competing in BSPS Classes this year.

Our Judges Conference, Awards and AGM and Ball takes place on the 11th of February.

To date we already have over 120 signed up for the Judges Conference and we are still selling Ball tickets – please do support the Ball as this raises funds for the Children’s Entertainment at the Summer and Winter Championships.

The Winter Championships will be our first show for head office, and this will take place on April 29th, 30th and 1st May at Arena UK and there will be opportunities to

qualify for the RIHS and Burghley as well as culminations of the Winter Workers Series and the Novice Championships. Please support our Winter Shows that the Areas organise as these are costly to run and they need your entries.

I wish you a very Happy New Year and look forward to seeing you at our events this year.

Karen Toynton Ward Coloured Horse and Pony Society (CHAPS) Happy New Year!

As CHAPS UK members will no doubt have seen if you have read the 2023 rule book – of course you have! – we have introduced the CHAPS UK Stipendiary Stewards from 2023. In line with many other societies, it was felt there was a need to have an official available at shows to oversee facilities available and ensure that rules upheld, as well as being available for our judges, competitors and the shows officials should they be required. Our Stipendiary Stewards will collate all the information and report their findings back to board. Aspects covered will include showground signage, layout ,working in areas, rings, stewards etc in an ongoing effort to improve standards for all.

Our Stipendiary stewards have been drawn from the HOYS level judges panel and have many years of experience as judges, producers, breeders and show officials.

They bring with them a wealth of experience, knowledge and a sense of fair play.

It is hoped that we will cover as many our affiliated shows as possible during 2023.

Whilst happy to talk to CHAPS members, they will not be there to make comments on the judging of the class or to give out advise.

Lin Herridge will act as Chief Stipendiary Steward.

For 2023 non-showing members of the judges selection committee, Vincent Seddon and Lin Herridge will contact and allocate judges for ALL CHAPS UK’s regional shows in an effort to help and support our regional show secretaries.

Caroline Hamilton TSR Society News Happy new season, showing fans!

After 10 years Sarah Chapman, founder and director and organiser of The Showing Register (TSR) has handed over the reins to Grandstand Media.

Going forwards, myself – Maggie Simons – and Chloe Bingley will be taking the society forwards. But who are we? I have been involved in showing for 20 years and have progressed from competing unsuccessfully at grassroots to winning and even standing champion at HOYS proving amateur dreams do come true! Showing has a big place in my heart and if I’m not showing you’ll find me stewarding or in the secretary’s tent helping where I can.

Meanwhile Chloe will be familiar to many of you as a steward. She has also been part of Horse of the Year Show, firstly with the awards presentation team and most recently as the Judges Liaison. She has horses of her own that she competes in Eventing and Show jumping and she also teaches.

We’re delighted that together with Grandstand Media, we will be able to facilitate 112 exclusive opportunities for amateur competitors aiming to compete at HOYS. The Showing Register Summer Show will take place on 15th and 16th July 2023 at Stoneleigh Park and will be an exclusively amateur and home-produced show featuring a full set of Horse of the Year Show ridden showing qualifiers. Further opportunities will be provided to amateurs through the ‘Premier Amateur League’. Keep an eye out on our social media and website for more…

Maggie Simons Sport Horse Breeding (GB) We start the season delighted that our members will once again be able to compete in the qualifiers for the HOYS Hunter Weights, Small Hunters, Working Hunter Horse and the Ladies Side Saddle. It is hoped that in the current climate, this will be of enormous benefit to our members, offering a one-stop-shop for anyone with a hunter and making showing memberships as cost-effective as possible. We’re glad to be back working closely with Grandstand Media and are really excited for the upcoming season.

It’s also exciting that preparations for our spring and championship shows are well under way, and we’re delighted to be hosting a Burghley Young Event Horse qualifier in the summer. The spring show will be on April 2nd at Addington and details of timetables and judges will be available soon.

Ruth Flack

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Described as ‘the party of the season’, the SEIB British Showing World Awards were nothing short of fantastic! The awards were hosted for the first time by Showing World’s new team, and were held on the 3rd December at Stoneleigh Park. These awards have been running since 2009 and throughout that time have grown into the most prestigious and glamorous annual awards celebrating showing success. Across the thirteen categories open to nominations, over 3000 were received, but the finalist votes absolutely took off with each winner receiving between 800 and 1500 votes. Over 450 guests were welcomed to the awards to celebrate the final results.

Welsh classical singers, Jessica Robinson and Emyr Wyn opened proceedings inviting guests to take their seats with a specially adapted rendition of ‘The Most Wonderful Time of the Year’ and continued to entertain throughout. During courses, guests were treated to songs from the pair and were encouraged to wave their red napkins during a performance of Brindisi, or rather ‘the drinking song’ from La Traviata.

The 1st Class Images Junior of the Year The awards kicked off with the • presentation of the 1st Class Images Junior of the Year.

Renowned photographers, 1st Class Images, are a familiar name to so many competitors in several equestrian disciplines and we were delighted to not only have 1st Class Images present to capture everyone in their glad-rags, but also to have Henry Kinchin, Owner and Managing Director to the awards.

• Each finalist had done exceptionally well in the 18 months leading up to the awards, taking multiple wins and even supremes, at the very highest level, from the Royal Highland to the Royal Welsh and at the very pinnacle of the season, Horse of the Year Show.

Nominated for the 1st Class Images Junior of the Year award were: •

Twice 2022 HOYS winner, Annabel Drake

•

HOYS 2022 mountain and moorland working hunter champion, Ella Eynon

•

Former HOYS winner and up-and-coming show-rider Izzy Walker, who makes the 153cm riders sit up straighter when she tackles them in a show hunter pony championship!

•

Morgan Mcloughlin, 15, who won at the Royal Highland Horse Show on Highland pony Mozart of Millfield, to secure her first HOYS ticket despite serious injury and being told that she may never ride again just a few years ago, a testament to her grit, determination, and love of showing!

Annabel Drake Ella Eynon

Competitive lead rein jockey, Penny Richardson, winner of the Burghley lead rein sports pony title and HOYS runner up. We’ve watched Penny secure countless wins this season on the lead and in tiny tots classes with her string, including Briar Snowman, Briar Snowfox, Thistledown Van Der Vaart, Cosford Glamorize and Gwyrddparc Torres Former HOYS and RIHS winner Reise Shakespeare who has moved up through the pony ranks and found himself competing in the supreme championship at the BSHA 2021 championships against many older professionals aged just 16. Before we began presentations, we gave Reise a special mention for celebrating his 18th birthday at the awards.

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Izzy Walker

Morgan Mclaughlan

Reise Shakespeare

Penny Richardson

The reserve was awarded to Ella Eynon. At just 12 years old, Ella jumped homeproduced five-year-old Welsh section C Joyton Sunshine to win the mountain and moorland working hunter pony championship at HOYS. Ella also qualified two more ponies for HOYS, earning herself two Le Mieux La Liga awards for consistency in doing so. She also bagged a fifth in the 133cm show hunter pony class with Isley Walton Quartz, whom she also rode to champion at the Royal Welsh Show.

Nominations emphasised Ella’s determination to succeed, reflected in her dedication to riding her ponies every night after school, bringing them

on from backing herself.

They also noted her polite demeanour in the ring and her readiness to smile.

However, Ella was pipped to the post by Annabel Drake.

Having formerly had great success in the junior mountain and moorland ranks winning both HOYS and the RIHS, this year, Annabel has been a delight to watch on 148cm pony Stanley Grange Gilt Edge, or Edward, whom she produces with mum, Sarah under the careful tutorship of Jo Bates. 2022 marked her last year in the class, so Annabel and Edward have really given it their all for his first proper open season.

Their results are enviable,

with highlights including champion RIHS part-bred Arab at BSPS area 7, champion RIHS show pony at the BSPS Winter championships, reserve part-bred champion at Royal Windsor, champion HOYS show pony at Stoneleigh and Suffolk shows, winner of the HOYS part-bred pony at North of England, supreme at BSPS area 15A and supreme show pony at the BSPS Summer

Championships with a beautiful individual performance. They put a cherry on top of a fab season by winning both their last 148cm class together and a strong part-bred class at HOYS. As Ella, nominations emphasised not only Annabel’s talent and determination to succeed, but also her sunny disposition and her willingness to help as BSPS Area representative.

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Show Handler of the Year The Showing World panel grappled hard with this category to find their finalists as nominations were received from the in-hand as well as the lead rein ranks. A long-standing supporter of the showing world as a steward, Nigel Oliver was invited to present

ponies and those of his owners, scoring championships at several high-profile shows.

•

The panel decided on the following talented handlers as their finalists: •

‘Passionate and enthusiastic handler’ Tom Clark who racked up an incredible 48 wins, 17 championships and yet more reserves and youngstock championships, including at Royal Windsor, Royal Cornwall and Devon County in 2022.

•

Katie White, a lead rein handler dedicated to encouraging children and ‘building young riders’ confidence’. During 2022 Katie has notched up some great results and she was able to lead cousin Emily for the first time in the mountain and moorland lead rein class with Thistledown Hideaway Harry, finishing third, having won the Hickstead Derby Meet earlier in the summer. Former highlights include standing second at RIHS and reserve champion at HOYS with Thistledown Velvet Touch and champion at Windsor with Seamoor Lady Derby.

•

Tom Clark

Daniel Tarpey, who despite breaking his leg in September 2021 and enduring four subsequent visits to surgery, hit 2022 with vigour!

Highlights included mountain and moorland supreme champion at Kent county, reserve supreme at the Royal Welsh with Shetland stallion Rhandolf of Catchpool. He was also BMHS HOYS champion, qualifying for HOYS at the spring breed show before going on to stand fourth in the BMHS final. A versatile handler, he also led Harry Joslin to eighth place in the show pony lead rein final at HOYS.

•

James Knipe, a handler who had a dreamy summer leading his daughter Millie Knipe on Derw Dream Boy, or Dave, to stand champion at Royal Cheshire County Show before going on to stand overall supreme at the BSPS summer championships and mini champion at HOYS. James and wife Jade produce five-year-old Dave from home, juggling preparation around full-time work.

•

Craig Elenor, twice runner up for Handler of the Year.

Katie White Shane Rogers

Shane Rogers, who had a superb 2022 season both with his own

Daniel Tarpey

18 | Showing World | February/March Issue 2023 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk James Knipe

Craig Elenor

Voters cast Shane Rogers as reserve. Due to showing on the day, Shane narrowly missed his time to shine on stage by just minutes, deploying stand-in Katy Marriott Payne to receive his award.

Despite being from a non-horsey family, Shane realised two dreams in 2022: to win at the Royal Welsh after countless seconds, and to qualify for the Price Family supreme in-hand final at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). He did the former with Rhian Roberts’ Rhencullen Pretty P, going on to take the Paddock Dawn trophy for the champion brood mare in the section, and he managed the latter with Jane Laffey’s part-bred Welsh gelding Rotherwood Firefox. The pair finished an enviable sixth at the final.

The final winning votes landed with a familiar face in lead rein and in hand classes: Craig Elenor. A former winner of the Price Family Supreme In-hand final and handler of several finalists, Craig has had another highly successful year in hand, albeit narrowly missing out numerous prestigious wins.

However in the lead rein ranks, Craig led Dartmoor gelding Springwater Tactician and his young rider Finlay Clay to stand champion at Great Yorkshire, second and reserve mini mountain and moorland champion at the RIHS and they were also second at HOYS. Craig also led Finlay to second in the lead rein hunter pony class at HOYS with former winner Cadlanvalley Super Ted after the trio qualified at Royal Three Counties show. Craig had stood runner up for Handler of the Year on two occasions.

Showing for everyone

info@theshowingregister.co.uk theshowingregister.co.uk

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Show Area of the Year The Area of the Year award goes some way to recognising the efforts of our Area and Show Committees, and Nominations came from the length and breadth of the country, representing grass roots and HOYS competitors alike. Fullers Flowers generously donated stunning flower • arrangements and bouquets for the night, and to represent them Christina Vaughn presented the winning Area.

The finalists were: •

NCPA Derbyshire whose two-day Derbyshire Festival is an amazing achievement for a small team.

•

Welshmoor Events, who received glowing recommendations as according to fans, this ‘inclusive organisation’ attracts both ‘grassroots to county winners alike, being a highlight of the local calendar’. Locally, the shows are seen as super events to build confidence and experience for both equines and humans alike!

•

•

BSPS Area 1A, an active area with plenty • to keep members engaged as they not only run shows, but also arrange other events

including training clinics, lessons, sessions for training young judges and have lots of ‘social engagement’ with chairperson Joanne Pybus going ‘above and beyond’ for members.

No doubt, each of the areas nominated, their committees and representatives will have given hours of their time and thoroughly deserved the nomination. However, there could be just one winner and one runner up.

NPS Area 29, a dynamic and enthusiastic bunch, working hard to provide a range of classes for members and the wider showing community alike. Their efforts to introduce a fun element to their shows have not been missed, with competitors, officials and spectators joining in the fun posing in fancy dress at their Halloween show.

The reserve went to NCPA Derbyshire. As one nomination stated, their two-day festival ‘must take some organising’. They host an impressive array of HOYS qualifiers and still find time, space and energy to host a good range of classes ‘for novices, too which often get overlooked at the summer qualifying shows as everybody is so busy chasing golden tickets’. They really are a small but mighty team, represented on the night by Jayne McAuliffe.

NPS Area 20, who are another hardworking group ‘passionate about providing their members with plenty of classes at their shows’ and they are also credited with providing support and encouragement to members who are working towards their goals and plenty of congratulations when goals are met’.

BSPS Area 2B, a team ‘who always go the extra mile for members’

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The winner of this section, however, was BSPS Area 2B, whom according to nominations goes the extra mile for members organising a host of activities and providing plentiful support for members, led by secretary Christine Pearsall, and its two representatives on the night: chair Sue Hughes and vice chair Janet Hoyle.

Bob Langrish

Emma’s Royal Service Recognised The penultimate award presented on the evening was the Show Personality Award, presented by Sandy Anderson, chairman of the Grandstand Group.

The Show Personality of the year award gives recognition to those characters that consistently give of their time and efforts to the showing community or that have been prominent in their contribution during that year. This year’s winner became prominent in their unique bond with their owner.

Receiving the award was 26-year-old Fell Pony mare Carltonlima Emma. Bred by the Carltonlima stud, Emma was purchased by Lizzie Briant Finlayson on behalf of the late Queen Elizabeth II from Thomas Capstick of the Murthwaite Stud in Cumbria where she was a brood mare as a seven-year-old.

Emma with her award

much greater fame outside the ring. She became Her late Majesty’s pony of choice, and the pair were regularly seen hacking around the grounds accompanied by head groom Terry Pendry. Earlier this year, Emma further captured the hearts of the nation when in a poignant scene, Emma donned one of the late Her Majesty’s famous headscarves to watch her funeral procession at Windsor Castle on Sept. 19, standing alongside Terry Pendry as the coffin passed by.

We were delighted that long-term producer of natives for Queen Elizabeth II, Lizzie Briant Finlayson accepted the award on Emma’s behalf, as both so thoroughly deserved such recognition for their service.

Emma sent us this message: “Many thanks for awarding me winner of the Personality of the Year in what has been a very difficult time for us all. I’m so very sorry that Terry and I could not attend but I so much appreciated this special nomination and was pleased that Lizzie Briant was able to accept this lovely trophy on my behalf. It was our duty, honour and privilege to serve our Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and we miss her so very much.

Congratulations to all your Winners which I am sure were richly deserved.”

Though Emma’s progeny is still prominent within the herd – producer Lizzie Briant Finlayson is excited to show Emma’s grand-daughter Balmoral Vocalist next year – it is in a ridden capacity that Emma rose to fame. In 2005, Emma was broken to ride by Lizzie, and in 2006, she scooped the supreme title at Devon County to qualify for HOYS in the Cuddy Supreme In Hand Final – now the Price Family Supreme, the most difficult final to contest. A year later, she competed at both HOYS and Olympia under saddle, ridden Emma was also eager to assure readers

by Lizzie. that she is “very well looked after by The Team at Windsor Castle” and she is Whilst Emma was undoubtedly a “enjoying semi-retirement”. successful show pony, she acquired

Carltonlima Emma photo by Bob Langrish

Smart Grooming Groom of the Year Our partners Smart Grooming provide the equestrian industry with exceptionally highquality grooming products, used by industry greats to turn out horses of the highest quality to the highest standard. They were a natural fit to sponsor Groom of the Year, and to represent them, we had their own Lauren Moore Williams to present the award and to give each finalist an extra special – and extremely useful – prize from Smart Grooming.

Receiving the prizes were finalists…

•

•

Liv Williams, a freelance groom offering plaiting and turnout services to a host of show teams.

•

Poppy Carter, a classy show-rider turned groom and vital team-member for Showing World columnist Vicky Smith. In fact, she even took over the running of the yard and cared for Vicky too when Vicky was bed-bound with COVID at the beginning of the pandemic. Vicky said that her ‘horses have never looked or gone so well’.

•

Aimee Stunt, an integral component in Team Walker. Aimee moved north to the yard during the first week of lockdown in 2020, but didn’t let this bother her and she got stuck straight in to work. At only 23, she has now ridden in the hunter championship at last year’s HOYS and earlier this summer at the RIHS. “She is so hard working through the season but also backs all our three-year-olds through the winter,” said Rob Walker.

•

“right hand woman”. Tiffany does a significant amount of the backing of youngsters at home through the winter, bringing them on alongside Danielle.

The team have had tremendous success, with Tiffany now taking care of turnout for one of the most successful hacks in history, Forgeland Hyde Park, and having the rest of the team looking incredible at the ring on time!

Tiffany Smith, who is Danielle Heath’s

•

•

Patrick Wills, an amateur groom who received sweet and funny nominations as he had never touched a horse prior to meeting his wife, Jay. However, when she fell ill whilst pregnant with their daughter, diligent husband Patrick took on all the horsey jobs and by now, Patrick has a keen eye for spotting any problems, packs the lorry, baths the ponies and generally is the ideal amateur groom! At shows, it’s known that if there’s a problem or if someone needs a hand, Patrick will always be there to help anybody out.

Nathan Arnold, a producer turned professional groom for Polly Coles.

Nathan is often to be found in the middle of the night plaiting horses by head torch. He didn’t need to plait this year’s HOYS winning team member though, instead, a shorn mane was the order of the day for Boheradurrow Fred, winner of the maxi cob class.

Liv Williams Poppy Carter

Aimee Stunt

Tiffany Smith

Ellie Greenhalgh, who is now Katie Jerram’s right-hand woman after working her way up through the ranks on the team.

Patrick Wills

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Nathan Arnold

To their teams, each of these individuals is professional, capable, helpful and trustworthy: an essential element, but voters could choose just two of this incredibly strong field.

Taking runner up was Liv Williams. Liv, whose plaiting, marking and turnout skills were put to great effect by several show teams in 2022, often working late at night and in the wee hours of the morning to make sure that her clients’ horses and ponies look fantastic in the ring. Self-taught, Liv also teaches plaiting tutorials online. Her claim to fame for the 2022 season is that she plaited and prepared several prize-winners at HOYS this year, not least, the working hunter champion Little Joe. But the title headed east to Katie Jerram’s yard and to Ellie Greenhalgh. Ellie started working at Katie’s yard as a junior staff member and she has worked her way up through the roles. She is now Katie’s head groom and is an indispensable presence on the team, turning out some of the country’s top show horses. She’s been especially supportive to Katie with her young horses since Katie incurred a particularly nasty back-break a few years ago. Of course, this year, the yard has endured the additional strain of losing their long-term owner and supporter, the late Queen Elizabeth II. In a historic moment, Ellie groomed the Katie-produced First Receiver, Her late Majesty’s homebred who became the King’s first HOYS winner.

Liv Williams receives runner up

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | February/March Issue 2023 Showing | 23 Lauren| Moore Williams World and Ellie Greenhalgh

Behind the brand: Smart Grooming This year, Showing World has teamed up with Smart Grooming, a brand who specialises in creating top quality products for grooming and show preparation, to bring you tips and advice on turning your horse or pony out for the show ring.

“This year we are really looking forward to opening our doors to the world of showing, and where better to start than with the Showing World Magazine?”

Founder, Victoria Goody

In this issue, we catch up with Smart Grooming’s founder, Victoria Goody to find out more about the brand.

Victoria, how did Smart Grooming begin?

Smart Grooming started up in 2006 with just one product! This was the Smart Tails, humane tail tidying rake. An advert in Horse & Hound with a before and after picture, set the ball rolling, and became a sensation virtually overnight. This innovative and humane method of giving a “pulled” or tidy look to an unruly tail, gave choice to traditional methods, as well as being more acceptable and safer to use on sensitive horses.

How has the Brand grown?

We have grown the brand with care and thought, it’s a competitive market, but our core values will always be to provide quality, value and best user experience for horse and rider at every level. Our unique place in the market is to be able to offer the complete range of products that are needed for both daily and show day preparation.

Where are you based and who is behind Smart Grooming?

There are just five of us working at our office, which is based on the Devon and Somerset border. Each person has specific roles covering the day-today sales and order processing, trade and export work, show management, social media and marketing. We do outsource some work, but 95% of the work is done in house, so we need to be very efficient!

We all have our own horses and compete in various disciplines. Two of our team members, Lauren MooreWilliams and Daisy Conibear are passionate about showing and turnout, which is very useful, particularly when developing new products. We try to accommodate all their showing dates in the diary, although with us exhibiting at a few events, there can be overlaps when riding and working clash. Royal Windsor last year was an example when both Lauren and Daisy competed on their lunch breaks!

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What products should our readers try ahead of the show season?

We have several useful products for this time of year, some of our favourites are: Super Shine - Our secret to the best show ring shine. This is a multi-purpose, non-oil based, concentrated high gloss lotion for everyday use as well as for the show ring. At this time of year, its great to use when hot clothing to moisturises the skin (especially on a clipped coat), restore colour and promote a healthy glow.

Pro Levelling Knife - If you are looking for a pain free way to level a mane, this tool is for you! Its method of use is similar to the traditional way of thinning, but instead of pulling at the hair, it cuts, leaving a feathered, level finish that is still easy to plait.

Colour Enhancing Shampoos - Formulated to be rich and luxurious to use so a little goes a long way. We have Deep Purple Whitening Shampoo for greys and stain removal, Black Magic to deepen darker coats and Strawberry Shampoo to enhance chestnuts, bays and dun coats. Plus they all smell incredible too!

Who are your sponsored riders for 2023?

We are very lucky to have support from some of the best in the business. We have three sponsored riders, but we also have a great team of brand ambassadors competing at all levels and disciplines.

Katie and Chris Jerram-Hunnable were are first sponsored riders in 2019. Since then native specialist, Vikki Smith and show horse producer, Danielle Heath have joined our team.

Where can we find you this year?

We hold training clinics throughout the year and we are so excited to be heading back to Badminton Horse Trials, Royal Windsor and Your Horse Live again, so do come and find us!

What else can you tell us about your products and brand?

Our core values will always be to provide quality, value and products that really do work.

We all want our horse to look the part in the show ring, but this shouldn’t be at detriment to the health of their skin and coat. Most of our products contain essential oils and natural UV filters, so that they are safe to use, even in the summer. Our high shine formulas leave no residue or greasy build up, leaving the a dust free, shiny coat. We also understand the importance of creating educational content, in print digitally and live; partnering with Showing World and The Showing Register gives us the perfect opportunity to share a dedicated and highly motivated showing audience.

Find out more on www.smartgrooming.com

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Website wide for all Showing World subscribers. Just enter SHOWINGWORLD10 at the checkout!

Veteran Horse Society Veteran of the Year Cottrell Riverdance

For over 20 years, the Veteran Horse Society has been dedicated to the care and welfare of horses and ponies over 15 years old. They host a range of showing classes throughout the UK, from local to county level, and have a superb and inclusive celebration of the veteran horse and pony at their championship show.

Presenting the award was the Veteran Horse Society’s Nigel Vale, lead judge and integral member of the showing committee.

The finalists ranged in age from 18 to 30, their varied careers capped by a successful turn in the veteran showing ranks making each one prizeworthy. They were: •

Cottrell Riverdance, 25, is owned by Selina Bowles and ridden by Millie Bowles. Millie and the Welsh section B have been a fabulous combination for the past eight years. In his youth, ‘Ronnie’ was a games pony, but in truth he did a little bit of everything, but took to showing when the Bowles Family purchased him.

Millie describes him as “a quirky, fun pony, still living life to the fullest.

He’s had countless successes in the veteran showing leagues, a host of awards and was the Overall VHS Supreme Champion in 2019 and 2021, and he was also awarded the VHS Achievement Award in 2022 as well as winning the SEIB Search for a Star Veteran Ridden Final at Your Horse Live.

•

Silver Henrietta, 30, who looked a marvel at her retirement at the Veteran Horse Society Championships with owner-rider Tia Hulse.

•

Diamanté Del Rey an 18-year-old PRE Fusion gelding that Virginia met on a riding holiday in Spain at Los Olivillos. He was their beeding stallion and then a trekking horse.

“After many riding holidays in the Andalucían mountains together, he came to live with me in England in 2016 when he was twelve years old,” said owner Virginia Draper. Since then they have competed in British Dressage, participated in Iberian Demos, and competed in Foreign

Diamanté Del Rey

Knavesgreen Honey Pippin

Taking the Biscuit

Breed, Veteran and Concours d’Elegance showing classes.

•

Maysong, 25, is a former show-jumper and eventer, eventing being her favourite, along with her owner Laura Kenyon Brody.

She was purchased by Laura aged 13. The pair took to showing as a means to keep Maisie busy now she’s no longer allowed to event. She thoroughly enjoys lighting up the showing ring.

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Knavesgreen Honey Pippin, owned by Leanne Shadbolt for the last 11 years.

•

Taking the Biscuit, or Patchy, has been Claire Hazeldene’s “partner in crime for all of her 23 years”. Originally Patchy was “a Christmas present from my late father to my mother as a six-month-old foal”. Patchy is a real allrounder, having competed in affiliated dressage and show jumping, working hunter and showing classes, including at the Royal International Horse Show in the coloured classes, all with much success even in her veteran years. In 2020 she was badly injured with a very poor prognosis, but despite all the odds she has made a recovery and has since competed successfully at the VHS Championship.

Maysong

Voters chose Leanne Shadbolt’s Knavesgreen Honey Pippin as their reserve. Their partnership started off as a loan from a very close friend, Lynn, who had owned her from a foal. Very sadly, Lynn was diagnosed with cancer a year later, and when Lynn passed away in 2013, Pippin was left to Leanne in her will. Since owning Pippin, Leanne has taken it upon herself to tick off outstanding things on Lynn’s bucket list that she never got to complete. One of these things was side saddle, and at the 2022 VHS championships, Leanne and Pippin competed in the style and performance class side saddle against all other competitors who were astride to take the win! In their eleven years as a team, they have competed in showing, dressage, show jumping, eventing, and side saddle, and she still loves to do all of these now, competing on the British Riding Club show jumping team and also competing in working hunters side saddle.

Unfortunately, the past 18 months has been very difficult for the pair as Pippin had two separate cases of impacted colic, and Leanne found herself nearly losing her on both occasions. “But, being

the strong feisty mare that she is, Pippin fought through both and is still with us fitter and stronger than ever and coming home with some of her best results yet out competing,” explained Leanne.

However, the winner was an extraordinary horse who only began showing aged 25.

Tia Hulse’s Silver Henrietta – or Hettie - retired at the VHS championships looking remarkable at an incredible 30 years old. “Hettie is truly my heart-horse,” said Tia. “She’s been with me through everything from the loss of my dad, to giving me two foals and taking champion at the VHS national championships, and she’s also helped me meet lifelong friends.” Tia has owned Hettie for 16 years, and together, they’ve had a lot of fun competing in an array of disciplines from grade A jumping and novice level eventing to working hunter.

“She’s a true allrounder horse and my whole world,” said Tia. Though Hettie has now retired from the showring earlier this year, she will continue to hack and go on farm rides. Tia explained: “she has given me so much over the last sixteen years and she more than deserves a slower pace of life”.

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | February/March Issue 2023 | Showing World | 27 Silver Henrietta

Show Breeder of the Year

The Pennells were sadly unable to attend the event, but were represented by Caitlin Hamilton, who is herself an excellent ambassador for the stud having won countless championships on her own Nipna Invictus, not least the UKP&H Intermediate Mountain and Moorland class at the RIHS in 2021, a feat she repeated with Nipna Midnight Rambler earlier in 2022.

Topping the votes and taking the Breeder of the Year award was Jill Williams’s Glebedale stud, now managed by Jill’s daughter Kitty Bodily. Over the years, Jill has bred Riding Ponies, Welsh sections A, B and C, but now the stud’s focus tends to be on the A and the C, though don’t be surprised to find a section B lurking! They have enjoyed tremendous success over the years and have been champion at many of the major shows across the UK, including Royal Welsh and Horse of the Year Show winners. Section A Glebedale Mumbo Jumbo stepped up from an extremely successful run as a first ridden to not only win his class, but to stand open champion at HOYS 2018. Similarly, former M&M mini champion Glebedale Jubilee is now successfully representing her breed in In-Hand qualifiers with her foal at foot. Their breeding has formerly won the Cuddy Supreme Pony – now the Price Family Supreme In-Hand – with Glebedale Ding Dong, who went on to stand Supreme In-Hand Reserve Champion. Last season, they had numerous cracking wins and championships in hand, and the Glebedale Stud flag was flown at HOYS with several ponies qualified from the Junior M&M workers to the section Cs.

Glebedale Mumbo Jumbo

Breeders play a fundamental role in our industry, and ensure that year after year, we have quality youngstock to enter the ring as future stars. Seven studs made it to the final voting, being Glebedale, Nipna, KBF, Ringside, Amesbury, Linsop and lastly Sharptor, Halstock and Blackertor combined. Between them, they’ve racked up some incredible results, with wins from the Great Yorkshire, to Bath and West, the Royal Welsh, the RIHS and HOYS. However, in an extremely competitive section, it was two native studs that topped voting and enjoyed the greatest glory.

Julie Pennell’s Nipna Stud of Dales ponies occupied the runner-up spot. Established by Julie in 2000, the stud is now managed by Julie alongside daughters Anna and Laura Pennell. The team have had many notable victories in the show ring. The Pennell’s breeding success owes specific credit to former stallion Lowhouses Black Magic, he sired many show winners for Nipna Stud, an incredible record at HOYS as every pony that he has sired has finished in the top 10. In 2021, Nipna ponies dominated the Dales Pony of the Year final at HOYS with a stronghold of 6 representing the stud and they went on to make history as all 6 were

placed! This year the Stud was represented in equal merit at HOYS with 5 Nipna ponies taking 7 qualifying places at HOYS. Nipna Midnight Rambler (Rambo) last season was second at HOYS, a feat he repeated in 2022 following in his mother Nipna Damask Rose’s footsteps. He was also Best of Breed at the London International Horse Show in third, before qualifying again in 2022 and again repeated his success by standing Best of Breed feat at the final. This season has been a great one for Nipna ponies in the show ring with the tally at 11 qualified for RIHS, 5 for HOYS, and 4 for LIHS! Nipna Stud

Most recently, section C yearling colt, Glebedale Déjà Vu won his class at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair, where Glebedale Ding Dong also sired the champion section C, Glynwyn Gucci.

Jill and Kitty both took to the stage to receive the award. “I’m just so pleased for my mum,” said Kitty, “After all these years of breeding, it’s lovely for her to be recognised.”

Run by David Hodge and Julian Walters the Sharptor, Halstock and Blakertor studs are breeders of Miniature Shetland Ponies, Standard Shetland Ponies, Dartmoor Ponies and most recently Exmoor Ponies. Both David and Julian are ambassadors for the Shetland breed and advocate the emphasis

on the breeding standard both for inhand and in ridden classes. The Stud’s dedication has been rewarded, with multiple appearances in the Supreme In-Hand final at HOYS, with Sharptor Trinity making history in 2016 when she became the first of her breed to contest the final in 30 years. A tall order for the Shetland, being our smallest native breed. Nevertheless, they held their own at the final, this year finishing reserve pony in the Price Family Supreme In-Hand final with Sharptor Kinsman - repeating the result of Sharptor Trinity from 2016 and 2017. The stud has also had several HOYS, RIHS and London International Horse Show (LIHS) qualified ponies, and with several out in mini classes as well as the opens, it’s clear that their temperament is just as good as their cracking conformation.

The Ringside Stud, based in south Wales, is led by sisters Alex and Kate Williams, supported by parents Gareth and Christine.

They have had a phenomenal season! Flying the flag for Ringside Stud and Welsh Cobs that they have homebred, the sisters both qualified for HOYS 2022. Ringside Top Dollar took Champion Section D Pony of the Year at HOYS, a title that they repeated following the 2015 win with Ringside Game Over. Both Ringside Top Dollar and Ringside Zorba that the sisters competed at HOYS, also won at the Royal Welsh Show 2022 claiming a double spot in the coveted Gold Medal Championship for the stud, with Ringside Top Dollar crowned Champion Ridden Welsh Cob and Gold Medal Winner.

The family’s success extends beyond just their homebreds, and they have had a successful showing career including in the coveted Supreme In-Hand with a win in 2013 with Synod Lady Lilian, and most recently in 2022 with the Section B Northlight Coppelia.

Led by Michael Cook and Tony Reynolds, this stud is responsible for one of the most consistent coloured horses on the circuit, KBF Crescendo, or Daphne. Daphne stood RIHS 2022 coloured supreme Champion for the second time, having first done so in 2018. The Free Spirit nine-year-old mare is home-bred by Michael and Tony. She’s an incredible horse to watch, with a string of excellent results to their name including championships at the Great Yorkshire and at Royal Windsor. In 2022 she also competed in

Breeders of the Year, Jill Williams and Kitty Bodily of Glebedale Stud

Breeder of the Year Award runner up Nipna Stud represented by Caitlin Hamilton

ladies hunter classes, with Daphne taking two RIHS qualifiers in two attempts at Herts County and at Royal Bath and West before winning the final at the RIHS. A second KBF horse, five-year-old KBF Lucia (Poppy), won the non-native coloured horse class at HOYS this year too. They also have several other horses flying the KBF flag competing at the highest level.

Based in Cardiff and led by Anne Prosser, the Amesbury ponies have enjoyed years of success at shows, with numerous ponies carrying the prefix qualifying for HOYS. Many are started by Anne’s daughter, Charlotte Prosser, who produced the lead rein pony Amesbury Champagne to the Supreme title at the Royal Welsh Show in 2019. The family stud has been breeding ponies for over 25 years, and they are dedicated to the ponies that they have bred. Breeding true children’s riding ponies, the stud’s success reaches far beyond the success in the show ring with many Amesbury ponies excelling in all aspects of ridden work. Many that nominated Anne and the Stud noted the suitability of the ponies for children, “All of Anne’s ponies are true children’s ponies, beautifully put together with temperaments to match.”

Breeding under the Linsop prefix, Lindsey Hewitt and Sophie Clohessy are dedicated to promoting the British Riding Pony.

Based in Burnley, the pair have overcome Lindsey undergoing major brain surgery to continue to produce quality ponies, turned out beautifully for competition.

Although the Stud is relatively new, their priority is breeding quality riding ponies that are wonderful children’s ponies, they are incredibly proud that the Linsop ponies are showcasing these qualities which they highlight ‘are not mutually exclusive’ in-hand and under saddle. What’s most remarkable about this pair according to nominations is their absolute “dedication to and positivity about the British Riding Pony.” They are also “always promoting positive messages about the showing industry, setting a great example to young breeders and showing enthusiasts.”

Amesbury Stud

KBF Stud

Linsop Stud

Ringside Stud

Sharptor, Blackertor and Halstock Stud

Pardus Wealth Pony of the Year Award We were inundated with nominations for the Pony of the Year Award, sponsored by Pardus Wealth, an investment advisory practice that incorporates financial planning, portfolio management, and other aggregated financial services established in 2018.

In fact, it was such a strong category that we had to split nominations and establish a new Native Pony of the Year category to reflect the strength of the nominations and the agonisin decision our panelists found themselves with!

On the night, Georgia Smith represented Pardus Wealth and the Cunningham-Bryce family to present the Pardus Wealth Pony of the Year title.

The finalists were: Wilderness Early Bird Wilderness Early Bird, or Birdie, and her young rider Mia Donaldson have had a wonderful run in the 148cm show pony and partbred classes under the careful tutorage of producers Kirsty Pickles and Alex Ahern. Last season, they have marked Mia’s final year in the class by winning the show pony class at the RIHS for the third time and championship for the second time. They also won the partbred championship for the second time, and to top it all, took the pony supreme for the second time!

Annandale Phoenix Ardenhall Blenheim

Ardenhall Blenheim 128cm show pony Ardenhall Blenheim is owned by Jenny Harker and produced by Jenny’s daughter Victoria Harker. Known as Joules at home, the Harkers found themselves unable to part with Joules when Victoria’s younger sister Emma was out of class. Afterall, he had already stood second with Emma at HOYS and given two young riders brilliant experiences of RIHS and HOYS. The Harkers asked Lola Carabine, 10, to take the reins and she did so with panache.

Joules and Lola gave impressive performances to take the Children’s Riding Pony of the Year title at HOYS, and were utterly charming in the supreme, with Joules waiting patiently for Lola to cross and uncross her stirrups in the electric atmosphere.

Ennis Boy, or Russel to his friends, is a 153cm working hunter pony who retired at HOYS on a high, winning his class standing reserve champion under his long-term partner, Ellie Callwood. At 17 years old in 2022, he also won and took champion at the Burghley Sports Pony final in September, adding yet another title to his impressive tally which includes championships far and wide, from the BSPS championships to Royal Dublin Horse Show. They’ve also been former runners up at Horse of the Year Show and were second at the RIHS earlier last season scoring the highest jump mark of the class. A true all-rounder, Russel also hunts and team chases and will continue to do so after his retirement from the show ring.

Gryngallt Page Too, who was one of two finalists who bowed out of the 122cm show hunter pony class at HOYS. Owned by Emma Edwards Brady, ‘Billy’ is ridden by Emma’s son Harry, who is also out of class. Billy first competed at HOYS as a show hunter pony lead rein in 2013 when Harry was just three, and the pair gained fame when Harry was captured waving at crowds. Billy has qualified for HOYS every year since and has been in the top two in the 122cm show hunter pony class since 2018. In fact, he’s won the class twice.

He has also won at all major shows including Windsor and the Royal Ennis Boy

Welsh several times. This year, he and Harry picked up the final ‘bog’ win missing on his result card – the 122cm show hunter pony title at the RIHS, and the pair charmed judge Claire Oliver to win the inaugural Robert Oliver Showman’s Award at the BSPS summer championships.

Also nominated were Noble Peppermint and Annandale Phoenix.

Our reserve, 133cm working hunter pony Noble Peppermint, or Pepper, enjoyed an incredible 2022. Pepper partnered HOYS debutante Elsie Lynch, 10, to a dream HOYS. First, they won the 133cm working hunter pony class, then took section championship before going on to give a charming account of herself in the supreme judging to take the pony supreme. Earlier in the year they won at Royal Windsor Horse Show, before qualifying around a testing track at Royal Three Counties and standing second at RIHS. It was the second time that she achieved the working hunter championship at HOYS having also done so with Ruby Ward in 2018. She remains cared for and produced by the Ward family. Elsie collected the prize for Pepper alongside Ruby.

The recipient of the Pardus Wealth Pony of the Year Award was Annandale Phoenix, the second finalist to complete their final show hunter pony class at HOYS, standing top and bowing out on a high. Owned by Melanie Peters, Annandale Phoenix was ridden by Melanie’s daughter Maisie Peters. The then 15-year-old started his career as a hunter pony at Team Walker on the lead with Sam, but it ended on a high at HOYS under Maisie, whose infectious grin delighted onlookers when the pair not only won the class, but went on to take section reserve champion. Maisie is now out of class, and so Phoenix is set for reinvention as a mountain and moorland working hunter pony.

Gryngallt Page Too

Wilderness Early Bird

Georgia Smith and Maisie Peters

Noble Peppermint

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | February/March Issue 2023 | Showing World | 31 Elsie

Skaergardens Delicious Love shown by Scott Dixon

Native Pony of the Year Love Comes Out On Top Having struggled to narrow the pony • nominations to just three plaited ponies and three native, the Showing World panel made the decision to split the nominations, creating a brand new category for 2022: the Native Pony of the Year, open to mountain • and moorland open, junior and mini ponies.

It was an incredibly strong section and a yet stronger lineup of finalists. All six had won their class at HOYS this year, some for the second time, and some straight off the back of an RIHS win too. In other words, they are all phenomenal ponies!

Diana Leeming’s multigarlanded Welsh section A and HOYS and RIHS winner, Thistledown San Siro, ridden by Lucinda and William Leeming

Sharn Linney presents Vanessa Clark with Skaergardens Delicious Love’s award

Vanessa Clark’s classy Connemara, Skaergardens Delicious Love.

To present the award, prominent producer and lead rein queen, Sharn Linney was welcomed to the stage.

Our reserve came from the worker ranks in the end, being Woodbank Smokey Sam. This talented Connemara started In the end, fighting it out for Native Pony of his career as a flat pony, qualifying for the Year, we had: Olympia and thrice for HOYS. Since his • Brogan West’s Dartmoor, the twice subsequent sale to current owner Cheryl HOYS mini mountain and moorland Mackintosh, Sam and rider Kirsty Aird champion, Shilstone Rocks have formed a formidable partnership Thunderbird, who was led by John in the 143cm mountain and moorland Harvey and ridden by Willow West; working hunter pony class. This year, they have been on wonderful form, winning • Victoria Oliver’s Fell pony Greenholme the RIHS and standing champion, then Falcon, who stood HOYS junior winning the final at HOYS. 2022 marked champion under Chantelle Chapman, the second time for Sam to have won both at HOYS and Hickstead, having also • Cheryl Mackintosh’s brilliant Connemara, Woodbank Smokey Sam, won HOYS in 2018 and taken reserve at the RIHS in 2019. He booked his return • Jo Watson and Rob McIvor’s HOYS to HOYS at the Royal Highland earlier in open champion, Dales stallion, June. Like several other finalists, Sam Griseburn Major, retired from top level showing at HOYS. A delighted Kirsty accepted the award on

Greenholme Falcon

Kirsty Aird receives Woodbank Smokey Sam’s runner-up award from Sharn

Woodbank Smokey Sam and Kirsty Aird at the RIHS

Griseburn Major ridden by Joe Watson

Thistledown San Siro ridden by Lucinda Leeming Shilstone Rocks Thunderbird shown by John Harvey and ridden by Willow West

behalf of Cheryl and Sam. The winner, however, was another Connemara, Skaergardens Delicious Love. What a pony Delicious has been for her breeders, owners, riders and handlers alike!

10-year-old Connemara Delicious was bred in Denmark by Brigitte Gotske, by Wirtsmuhle Delaney’s out of Skaergardens Secret Love.

Brigitte advertised her online in 2015, and Vanessa [Clark] missed out on her then by a matter of days. “I enquired about her, and although I wanted to have her, it was a year when everything was going wrong: I had brain surgery, Comet died, I had a colt that I needed to sell, and I felt I had to be sensible. But then the colt sold, and I rang again but Kelly [Jones] was already on the boat to pick her up.”

Delicious and Kelly went on to enjoy a magical HOYS in 2017, winning and standing champion mountain and moorland on her first appearance there.

But Vanessa kept in touch with Kelly, and 18 months later, they hatched a plan: Vanessa would buy her, but Kelly would have the first foal back. The agreement has duly been kept, and the Clover Hill Magic filly that accompanied her to HOYS 2022 has now gone to Kelly.

Whilst this year’s filly is the first that Delicious has carried, there are a further two offspring got by embryo transplant. They are yearlings Chillham Delphinius – a colt who has recently taken a tricolour on his showring debut – and Chillham Golden Delicious.

As the yearlings were in utero with recipient mares, Delicious continued her ridden career with Jo Jack, standing reserve supreme mountain and moorland at the RIHS in 2021, and she also stood supreme mountain and moorland inhand at Royal Windsor in 2021 shown by Henry Hird.

This season, Delicious was shown by Scott Dixon from home. She was the first native to take a Price Family Supreme ticket, doing so at Notts County Show with her foal at foot, handled by Jo Jack.

It was tenth time lucky, as Vanessa had Castle Emperor qualify five times, and Castle Comet four times. Interestingly, Delicious is just the fifth Connemara mare to qualify for the supreme in hand at HOYS, following Rosenaharley Laurin (1983), Chiltern Lara

Sharn with representatives of each finalist

(1984), Ballydonagh Misterina (1987) and Tyan Ma Lady (2018). She is also just the third to qualify with a foal at foot, Chiltern Lara being the first with a colt which Vanessa later bought at foot! Nevertheless, Delicious duly went on to win the Price Supreme Inhand pony final this year and then stood reserve champion.

Commenting on HOYS, Vanessa explained: “I had no clue what the judges would go for, but she performs at her best when she thinks people are there to see her.”

And her reaction to Delicious’ most recent accolade? “I was absolutely delighted to receive the award. It was a lovely surprise and topped off the season,” she said.

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Show Team of The Year Our award for the Show Team of the Year recognises not only the successes of teams, but also their efforts to be encouraging and inclusive to all members. To present the award, we invited showing extraordinaire Richard Ramsay.

The final teams had each had a superb run of luck with innumerable successes.

Finalists included: Christina Gillett and Kevin Cousins’ Team Gillett/ Cousins are a team credited with always taking care of the children. ‘They have such a lovely, kind way with the ponies,’ said one nomination. The team qualified 14 combinations for the RIHS and 11 at HOYS. The RIHS saw Christina lead Sandy Wooderson’s homebred Exmoor Badleybridge Ab Fab to win the lead rein mountain and moorland and mini championship. It was the third time that the team had secured that championship. They also scored an enviable two seconds at HOYS 2022; Thistledown Gingernut was second in the 122cm shp with Jessica McIntosh and Cosford Glamorize took the runner up spot under Penny Richardson in the lead rein class. “We’re focused on ponies and children being happy; that’s the priority,” said Christina.

‘It’s the magic that is Gill,’ said one member of Team Thompson, commenting on leader Gill Thompson’s ability to bring on children and ponies.

In 2021, the team achieved the ultimate Team Helliwell

goal of standing supreme pony at HOYS with Roseberry Final Edition, but Gill’s not one to sit on her laurels, and was characteristically humble about her achievements in her 2022 Showing World interview.

Last season, the team took seven ponies to HOYS. ‘It was going to be very hard to beat 2021, but it was a consistent season,’ said Gill, citing watching four-year-old show pony Roseberry Picture Perfect winning the new class for 4-6-year-olds at the BSPS championships under Chloe Heathcote at only his fifth show as one of her highlights in a year of consistent performances across the board from her team.

With a clutch of ponies at HOYS, undoubtedly a 2022 highlight for Team Hillyard was Charlotte Tuck winning the 143cm show hunter pony of the year title with Romanno Romany Gypsy on their final showring appearance together.

This was the seventh time for the team to take Gypsy to HOYS, with her standing consistently in the top three. ‘It was great to see her get her moment on the centre line,’ said Charlotte’s sister Katie White.

Charlotte also partnered Jamie’s Lad to second in the exceeding 143cm mountain and moorland working hunter pony at the RIHS. Although Katie was quick to note that ‘several’ of their ’young jockeys got their first ever HOYS ticket this year which is always a special moment for us as a team’.

Summing up nominations, this is a team known for care and having a good time. It sounds like nobody wants to go home from stay away shows with Team Hillyard, and they ‘make everybody feel like winners no matter the result’.

Team Cousins and Gillett Team Thompson

Cumbrian based Team Helliwell had yet another successful year in 2022, with one nomination citing Rachael Helliwell as ‘Queen of the Intermediates’ after both the champion intermediate show riding type and hunter type were both produced by her. There were Shildon’s Regal Gold ridden by Abbie Kirkbride and Briarhill Buddy Bolden ridden by Harriet Dennison respectively. The achievement is yet more impressive when you consider that both horses are in their first season. Past results

Team Hillyard

include championships at the BSPS summer and winter championships, at Royal Windsor and supreme at the RIHS. The runners up, Team KMP. Katy Marriott Payne’s Northamptonshire is always home to a thriving clutch of quality natives. But according to nominations, you can also find a ‘warm welcome, lots of fun and plenty of support’ for jockeys, nurturing young members through their first RIHS and HOYS experiences. Always a team to rally together, in 2022 we even spotted them laughing off an unfortunate turn of events that saw them left without a lorry door at the NPS championships! In 2022, they had a cracking run of results, building on the impressive three HOYS wins and the RIHS supreme native in 2021 with a Windsor championship, a repeat RIHS win and a Royal Welsh win. Perhaps most special of all was a poignant win at HOYS for Dartmoor stallion Salcombe Starehole Bay.

Team Holder

And the winners: Team Holder Led by Gayle and Emma, Team Holder had 18 qualified for the RIHS in 2022 and combinations in seven classes at HOYS. That’s a lot of happy children. The nominations were clear: they ‘treat both kids and ponies as if they are their own’, and make sure that the children are having fun. ‘They make it fun and have a unique way of making their riders feel special, and teach the children values and sportsmanship’.

One nomination recalled: ‘At the RIHS, Gayle told the children, “If you get a white rosette, we have a box of coloured pens back at the lorry and you can colour the rosette in any colour you like”. The children who got white rosettes were then elated!’ Their own highlights were too difficult to pick as ‘every jockey and pony makes us proud’, but they did count watching 128cm Rotherwood Spring Rain at both the RIHS and HOYS after waiting on him to be ready for three years amongst them. “We’re absolutely delighted to win,” said Emma, “it means the world to know our team are behind us and appreciate our efforts to make everything fun for our clients”.

Team KMP

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CHAPS Coloured Horse or Pony of the Year

Wot Perfection

Established in 1983, CHAPS are the leading society for coloured horses and ponies, working continuously to promote coloured horses and ponies in all disciplines. To present the award, we welcomed Jane Warmington from HOYS. This was another difficult section for our panel with hundreds of nominations including RIHS winning ponies, TGCA and Search for a Star diamonds, and HOYS winners.

In the end, the finalists in short were: Burghwallis Razzmatazz, Ace of Kings, Red Rock III, Addien Toy Soldier, Red Warrior, Wot Perfection.

Burghwallis Razzmatazz and Lucie GordonBurgess had a super 2022 season, with this consistent little showman earning himself a win at the RIHS. But it’s not just wins that make this pony so special. We received scores of nominations crediting his temperament. One nomination said: ‘He’s an amazing pony; he always tries his heart out and is a pleasure to watch. A beautiful boy inside and out’.

Ace of Kings is a small pony but a big hit in the ring. He was purchased unseen in 2018 by his owner Samantha Johnson,

Red Rock III

and he remains home-produced by her. A pocket-rocket of a pony, Ace is one of the most consistent traditional cobs on the circuit, holding his own and winning many championships up and down the country. The former TGCA Pony supreme of show had a superb 2022 season in which he was truly multi-garlanded. He was supreme at Stirling Agricultural Show and stood reserve supreme ridden at TOYS. One nomination read: “This is just a fantastic pony who can turn his hoof to

anything including in hand, ridden, side saddle and concourse d’ elegance. This year he has done it all with grace and an amazing ability no matter the conditions this is truly a pony of the year.” Described as an ‘exceptional example of the breed, Ace’s temperament is also praised. “Ace takes everything in his stride and always performs. He is a true gentleman who is not only handled by adults but by children of all ages. Once in the show ring, Ace is a star; he shines.”

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Mounted policewoman and amateur showing enthusiast Helen Jackson and her own Addien Toy Soldier had a ball progressing together in the showring until in January 2022, he was left fighting for his life from a serious case of pneumonia. Helen carefully nursed him back to full health and in spite of his earlier illness, he looked a picture through the summer to hold his own in HOYS qualifiers, and qualified for Your Horse Live and STARS. He was also overall supreme of show at the North West Championships. “He is quite simply a legend,” beamed Helen.

Victoria Ward’s talented Red Warrior is home produced by his equally talented loaner Ro Hamliton, from grass and with no menage at home. However, the pair have had tremendous success together.

Not least, they stood supreme amateur at the 2022 RIHS, making Ro’s “dreams come true”, and supreme amateur at Equifest after winning five classes. Similarly, at the CHAPS championships, they won four classes, including the Kaleidescope Amateur class, and took the 14-strong championship before standing second reserve overall supreme amateur. They have already qualified for the RIHS in 2023 so no doubt we’ll be seeing more success from this pair next year. “Red Warrior is a pony of a lifetime and has made so many dreams come true. I am a full-time primary school teacher and I fit my ponies around my job. In the winter it is tricky as I don’t have a school and dark evenings. It just shows you don’t need top class facilities to do well,” said Ro.

However the runner up and winner spots were occupied by two extremely successful horses, with the results exactly matching the championship at HOYS. In reserve was Red Rock III. A winner at HOYS, RIHS and Windsor in 2021 under Victoria Hesford, he was purchased last spring by Lisha Leeman for daughter Janay Atherden after she tragically lost her ‘Notty’, Randalstown Top Notch. Red and Janay hit the ground running in 2022 with an early ticket to HOYS at the Royal Bath and West and stood reserve supreme coloured at the RIHS. They also stood second in their cob class at HOYS before going on to win their coloured class and stand reserve champion coloured.

The winner of the CHAPS Coloured Horse or Pony of the Year was Wot Perfection, or Spook. Lindsay McCulloch’s Spook was first spotted by her producer Richard Telford when he was out teaching. He persuaded long-term owner Anne Vestey to snap her up, and after watching Lindsay enjoy her at home, facilitated a further change for Spook. In 2022, they had a magical HOYS, when Spook won the non-native pony class and went on to give a beautiful account of herself in the Andrews Bowen International Arena to take the coloured championship.

“It’s honestly just unreal,” said Lindsay. “She’s my everything even before she won anything as she’s my best friend and always looks after me and gives me everything. To win this award is the icing on the cake”.

Ace of Kings

Burghwallis Razzmatazz

Red Warrior

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Addien Toy Soldier

The Showing Register Show Rider of the Year The Showing Register has been dedicated to nurturing grass roots and amateur competitors through its pathways as well as providing a catch-all inclusive society for our most competitive. Behind the growth of the society is Sarah Chapman and her mum, Gayle, and so we welcomed Sarah alongside Chloe Bingley, now taking the TSR forward alongside Maggie Simons, to present the awards.

We have some fantastic show riders on our circuit, and none more so than the finalists for the Showing Register Show Rider of the Year: Georgia Darlington, Alice Homer, Darren Crowe, Thomas Page and Camilla Stowell Davies.

The runner up was Darren Crowe. According to the nominations, Darren is something of a ‘magician,’ able to ‘get any horse to go well and knows how to set them up for the judge – a true horseman’. Followers of showing will be more accustomed to seeing Darren in the Arab ring, and when asked at HOYS how many wins he’d enjoyed in the Arab world, he thought it was ‘about fifteen’!

However, this year, it was in the riding horses that Darren turned heads at HOYS. He won and stood champion with his own Diamond Geezer, marking the first time he had won on a horse of his own. The pair later performed

Will Morton

‘a breath-taking supreme prelim show’ in which it was clear that Diamond Geezer is a shining prospect in Darren’s hands in dressage, his intended discipline in the future.

However, taking the title was a young producer who first rode at Horse of Year the HOYS in 2013: Will Morton. On that occasion he was showing lightweight

38 | Showing World | February/March Issue 2023 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk Alice Homer Georgia Darlington

cob, Woodfield Choice in the Search for a Star final aged just 16. Despite having a wildcard qualification just weeks before the show, they won the final, and returned the following year to stand second in the open lightweights. Since then, Will hasn’t looked back. He’s now had wins all over the country and last year enjoyed tremendous form with wins and tricolours including at Windsor,

Tom Page

Darren Crowe

Lincoln and Suffolk, and he took no less than 6 horses to HOYS this time, finishing second with Killcarna Brilliant.

And the other finalists..?

Georgia Darlington is another young rider making great strides in the workers world.

According to nominations, Georgia is ‘a versatile rider,’ and despite her youth, she has ‘experience with a range of classes and horses’. Georgia is another who has overcome adversity to make a great seasonal comeback, as she incurred a bad break to her leg after a fall out hunting the week after HOYS 2021. She underwent surgery on the leg in February ‘22 but by the BSPS championship, she was on great form to win the novice mountain and moorland championship and later the Intermediate Gold Cup and section championship on her own Jara, a horse she later rode to the Intermediate Working Hunter of the Year title. She mixes time in the workers ring with

showjumping, showing equal talent in that discipline, too.

Young producer Alice Homer, who had a highly successful 2021 which saw her stand second at HOYS in the large hack and large intermediate class with Ballinclare, who went on to win Hack of the Year for her new owners in 2022. Alice also had a dream-like season.

She won no less than three classes at Royal Windsor horse show including the novice hunter championship and the ladies horse championship. She also partnered Little Joe to the working hunter title at Windsor with the pair retaining their excellent form to also stand Working Hunter of the Year at HOYS. A versatile jockey, you’ll find Alice as adept at sitting tight on a Point-to-Point course as she is sitting pretty at a show!

Amateur showman Tom Page, who had an incredible first season of showing, qualifying loan horse Wolfe for RIHS and HOYS at Suffolk County, finishing a fabulous tenth.

Camilla Stowell Davies

What’s most remarkable, however, is that in the summer of ‘21, Tom overcame a blood clotting disorder which nearly cost his life, and struggled to walk through the autumn months, making his debut showing season yet more impressive.

Camilla Stowell Davies and her fabulous hunter Glenkeeran Dance in the Deep [Fintan] are an inspiration to amateur and homeproduced competitors in horse classes, competing consistently and successfully for several years together. They have enjoyed exceptional results at the highest level including occupying the runner up spot at HOYS. In 2022, Camilla rode Fintan to be champion amateur hunter at Royal Windsor, and they stood supreme amateur at the Royal International Horse Show. They also won a strong HOYS qualifier at Royal Cheshire, stood supreme at the SHB (GB) Championship show and finished third at HOYS.

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | February/March Issue 2023 | Showing WorldDarren | 39Crowe

Cuddfan at Coxlake Show Horse of the Year

View Point

Just like luxury glamping site Cuddfan at Coxlake, sponsors of the Show Horse of the Year, the horses in this category ooze class. Maggie Simons from Cuddfan at Coxlake presented the award.

Nominated are: View Point, Fuerty Emperor, Forgeland Hyde Park, Little Joe, First Receiver, Legend in Manhattan.

The runner up spot was taken by Jono Fryer’s Fuerty Emperor, a horse who shook up expectations at HOYS, leaving the ring a winner. Fuerty Emperor, affectionately known at home as Angel Gabe, won the heavyweight hunter class at the Horse of the Year Show, delighting crowds as he carried young rider and producer Lauren Brill down the centre line following her first win in the horse ranks. Gabe is pure Irish Draft, but in an affectionate nod to his affable character, is described in one nomination as ‘a giant Labrador’!

This runner up award marked the end of a super 2022 for Gabe and Lauren.

Fuerty Emperor

There is little we can say about the winning horse that hasn’t been said before. Jill Day’s inititable View Point - or Sean – has had an incredible career. It started with a win at the National Hunter Championships aged just four years old. He’s since gone on to stand

supreme at the RIHS, scored an incredible four consecutive championships at Royal Windsor Horse Show, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house at HOYS when he stood supreme horse for the second time consecutively and was led down the centre line by his producer and

40 | Showing World | February/March Issue 2023 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

rider Rob Walker. Sean led votes by a considerable margin, a testament to his appeal and his popularity. The Walkers were insistent, however, that retired or not, Sean would remain at their Cheshire base to enjoy hunting.

Robert and his daughter Izzy – herself a talented young rider – picked up the award on Sean and Jill’s behalf.

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. Danielle and William also gave a masterclass in manners and elegance in the supreme ride-off at the RIHS, ultimately finishing reserve.

Also in the final line-up were…

Little Joe, who partnered rider Alice Homer to some impressive wins in the working hunter ring. At 17.2hh, Little Joe is actually rather big, and makes big jumps look little! The nine-year-old Kec Maximum Joe gelding retained superb form through the 2022 season, winning the heavyweight division and standing champion working hunter at Royal Windsor Horse Show and capping the year by taking the working hunter of the year title at HOYS.

Guy Mears’ Forgeland Hyde Park, or William: an uber-talented and consistent horse with an impressive tally of wins. After standing champion at HOYS in 2021 under producer Danielle Heath and champion intermediate show riding type under Guy’s daughter Isabella, William continued his stellar form in 2022 to stand hack and intermediate champion at Windsor, take the first HOYS tickets of the season to his respective finals, stand hack champion at the RIHS. This was the fourth time that Will

First Receiver, who touched the hearts of his connections and onlookers when he took the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse final at HOYS under producer Katie Jerram. It was a poignant moment, as he would have been the late Queen Elizabeth II’s first HOYS winner, something she dearly wished to achieve. Instead, he became The King’s first recipient of HOYS glory. The five-year-old was also champion novice at the Jockey Club’s ROR championships at Aintree and took the last ticket to HOYS after winning a strong class at Burghley.

Legend in Manhattan, or Harry, is owned by James Woodington but was bred by his producer Victoria Hesford and the late Claire Twiston Davies, a great supporter and friend to Victoria.

This makes Harry of great sentimental value to the team around him. Disaster almost struck when Harry had a nail through his foot and had nothing short of a gaping hole threatening to cut short not only his career, but also his life. Several vet clinics condemned him, but Vicky and James persevered and pursued surgery. He has made a remarkable comeback from injury and despite being just lightly campaigned and in his first season, he won the large riding horse at the RIHS in 2022 and stood reserve champion.

First Receiver

Jono Fryer

Maggie Simons, Robert Walker and Izzy Walker

Forgeland Hyde Park

Little Joe

Legend in Manhattan

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | February/March Issue 2023 | Showing World | 41

SEIB and Showing World Outstanding Achievement Award Our last award was a special one, and sponsored by our partners, SEIB. For more than 50 years, South Essex Insurance Brokers have provided specialist cover to suit a vast array of sectors, including the horse industry. Not content with providing specialist cover, they are also dedicated to the promotion of the sport and to giving to worthy causes within the sector. They are also staunch supporters of showing, and we were thrilled to welcome Nicolina Mackenzie to the stage to represent our final award.

In a unique twist, we invited Marjory Ramsay to join Nicolina on stage to co-present the award. Marjory should have received the equivalent 2021 award alongside husband Richard, but was sadly too unwell to attend.

So as she was able to attend in 2022, we awarded her with a special bouquet of flowers.

During 2022, Showing World boasted some wonderful stories in its pages. However, one stood out, demonstrating exactly how great the showing community can be when it pulls together.

When Louenna Hood saw the devastating affect that the Russian invasion was having on Ukrainian families, she found herself compelled to act, and did so quickly. Offering simply to ensure that donated essentials got to families in need, Louenna found herself responsible for the shipment of far, far, far more than she had ever expected. As the

boxes rolled in, and her house became over-run, she knew who she could call for help: haulage maestro and all-round good guy, Philip Judge – Judgee. Without hesitation, ‘Judgee’ was ‘in’, kindly agreeing to drive a wagon of donated goods to the Polish-Ukrainian border. But even he couldn’t do it alone and called in wingman Nigel Oliver to share the driving. The pair made not one, but two return journeys to hand-deliver much-needed aid.

With such an overwhelming response to their appeal for goods, Louenna turned her attention fundraising, establishing a JustGiving page. With a total of over £190,000 raised, the funds went to various places of need, including children’s charities, hospitals and orphanages as well as housing families and supporting the Ukrainian Embassy.

It’s fair to say that Louenna instigated an incredible humanitarian effort, and Philip played a crucial part in pulling it off!

Therefore, Louenna and Philip received the award together. Unfortunately, Philip couldn’t be in attendance – he was being a good-guy fundraising elsewhere, but Louenna was accompanied to the stage by rapturous applause and heart-felt congratulations.

We are delighted that Louenna has since received a New Year’s Honour.

Louenna Hood, Nicolina 42 | and Showing World | February/March Issue 2023 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk Mackenzie Marjory Ramsay

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.

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | February/March Issue 2023 | Showing World | 43

Copperfield Not Out in the Cold

Golddigger Wins Big

Tracey Harris and her own five-year-old cob Copperfield have made a great to his showing career standing Champion at the December date in the Notts and Derby Show Series. Tracey purchased Irish-bred Copperfield as a three-year-old and has broken and brought him on herself.

Nikki Proctor had a “proud mummy moment” when her four-year-old show cob, E.S. Goldigger competed at his first show, the Supreme Showdown Winter Championships, ridden by Janine Brownsword. Despite being just recently backed they went through the cards to win the newly broken horse class, champion novice horse and reserve ridden supreme of show.

Copperfield and Tracey Harris

Queenie Takes Mini Crown Three-year-old Queenie Follows had a great time at the Notts Derby Show Series show with her native ponies. Queenie and her Shetland pony Coppice Magnum took reserve novice champion at their first show together. Queenie’s Welsh section A Evedem Stardust stood mini champion.

E.S. Goldigger

Reuben In SSADL Dream Lauren Mallon and her 18-year-old Hanoverian, Reuben qualified for LIHS 2022 back in July at the Tendering Hundred Horse Show on their first attempt!! Fast forward to December 2022 and they stood fifth in the SSADL Ridden Grand Finals. “I never thought we would make the top 15 but to make the top 5 was a totally unexpected and such a surreal feeling. Reuben is a horse of a lifetime and we have spent nearly 12 years as a partnership, I am looking forward to what we can achieve in 2023 together,” said Lauren.

Reuben

Queenie Follows and Coppice Magnum

Queenie Follows and Evedem Stardust

Jo Eldridge and Cayak

Cayak on Parade After they had enjoyed a spin at London International Horse Show in December, Jo Eldridge and Cayak returned to London to start 2023 by strutting their way through the New Year’s Day parade.

Jo explained: “All the Queens Horses was the brainchild of Caroline Marsh and this year they celebrated the 10th anniversary of the parade. Cayak and I were lucky enough to be representing the Iberian horses organised by the Lusitano Breed society of Great Britain.

“An early start from Suffolk saw us heading to Hyde Park, our base for the day. We met up with the all the other riders including side saddle riders, a Shetland team dressed as 101 Dalmatians and ladies in their elegant concours.

“Cayak and I were dressed in Portuguese attire, a costume that I had commissioned to

replicate what is worn at times of celebration in Portugal and in the bull ring.

“Our position in the parade saw us flanked by cheerleaders and the band Scouting For Girls. The parade route began at the Ritz, taking us to Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square then down Whitehall to finish at Westminster.

On the route back we given the privilege of riding down to Horse Guards Parade, along the Mall, and to Buckingham Palace for photos.

Cayak

“It was an incredible experience meeting such an eclectic group of people. It’s easy to forget that so many people have never seen or touched a horse in real life, something that us equestrians have the privilege of doing daily. It was such a humbling experience to be able to bring the horses to the people and something I will never forget.”

Cayak

Lucky Lady Jack Wilkinson’s three-year-old filly Trevallion S She’s A Lady attended the Tudor Rose Bronze Medal Show last November and made it a successful run out, winning the two-year-old filly class and standing reserve champion to bag her first medal. She has been owned by Jack since a foal.

Nemesis Trumps Competition Mari Richards and her own homebred colt Tredeg Nemesis (Zonneweide Diamond Jubilee x Centannial Ramos) won the Welsh section A colt foal class, champion section A foal and overall section champion at the National Welsh Foal and Youngstock Show held at the Royal Welsh showground.

Trevallion She’s a Lady

Tredeg Nemesis

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | February/March Issue 2023 | Showing World | 45

Sara Parrot and Craig Elenor know a thing or two about producing winners in the showring! But, with so many ponies on the yard, they also know all about training riders. Rather than focusing on tips for improving your pony’s performance, in this issue, Sara will focus on training the rider, rather than the horse.

“

I firmly believe that training the rider is just as important as training the horse. As riders and exhibitors, we spend a lot of time training our horses, but we shouldn’t neglect to assess our own position, to ensure that we are straight and that we are riding independently from hands and seat. It’s amazing how simply bringing our shoulders back can lift the front end or opening our wrists can stop us blocking the horse’s shoulders. These exercises should help you to make sure that you are riding correctly.

Sara Parrott

”

Exercise 1: Ride One-Handed I quite often ask riders to ride one-handed with both reins in the outside hand, a bit like a hack’s rider might. The inside hand is placed in a variety of ways. For example, it could be rested on the rider’s leg, or on the hip or where it would be if it were holding the rein. Start with the exercise in walk, then progress to trot and ultimately, canter. The beauty of this exercise is it’s impossible to execute without equal leg and seat, and generally lots of leg, too!

Therefore, it exposes if the rider is balancing on the reins.

Once the rider is established with this, then start adding some circles and changes of rein. This will require the rider to turn using all aids except the hand – body-angle, seat and legs – and it also requires them to sit tall and use their core muscles. If it gets tough, remember that it’s also great practice if you ever get into a supreme championship!

Exercise 2: Hold the Buckle Sometimes riders become fixated on riding the front end, but in doing so, they forget that the horse’s head often mirrors the hind leg. Therefore, they can end up leaning on their hands and this results in leaning, strong horses. This simple exercise tackles this habit and is a great warm-up for horse and rider. On the other hand, if your horse is sharp, take care, as it might be best to try this at the end of the session.

I prefer the exercise at a canter, but start at walk and work your way up through the paces. Ride holding the buckle of the reins, letting the horse find its own balance underneath you, controlling the speed with your seat and leg and not touching the front end.

I’ve used this exercise a lot in strong horses in canter and it’s amazing how once the rein is dropped, they drop straight back to trot. We want all our horses to have their own balance and to have self-carriage and this is a great exercise for rider and horses.

Exercise 3: The Three-Point Position

Simple Tips for Tackling Position

This exercise exposes problems with the lower leg position.

Shorten your stirrups by two or three holes and ride in the ‘three point’ (jump) position. Just like the other two exercises, work your way up through walk, trot and canter. The beauty of the exercise is that unless the lower leg is in the correct position and your balance is correct, you won’t be able to stay stood up. Work towards completing your entire warm up in this position. Riding in the ‘three-point’ position is also great for young riders as it helps to secure the position.

1.

If you are riding without your trainer, having someone film you is great for visually seeing what you are doing. You know what they say: the camera never lies. Remember that if a bad habit takes three weeks to form, it will take three weeks to break, so stick at it!

2.

Imagine there is a string pulling the top of your hat to the sky. This is a great way to encourage lifting through the core and sitting straight without stiffness.

3.

Ensure a younger rider’s thumbs stay on top by asking them to imagine they are carrying two cups of tea and mustn’t spill any. To tackle this with slightly older riders, I ask them to check that they can see the inside of their wrists, ensuring that their wrists are open and soft.

4.

Keep reinstalling position with young riders. As they go through a growth spurt they can often become crooked or unbalanced so it’s important keep on top of it.

5.

Stay positive, especially when dealing with young riders. It’s important to find positives as well as things to improve, as this is essential for building and maintaining their confidence levels.

Exercise 4: No Stirrups Riding with no stirrups is an old one but it’s such a good one!

No matter what your age, there is no better way to develop straightness and a good seat than riding without stirrups. Next time your junior rider wants to hop on bareback, if it’s safe to do so, let them, as it’s so good for their riding! If your horse isn’t safe enough to do a work out in this way, then even just dropping your feet out of the stirrups during a walk can help stretch your legs and improve seat and straightness.

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | February/March Issue 2023 | Showing World | 47

Saturday 2nd December 2023 Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire 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.

48 | Showing World | February/March Issue 2023 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

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

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 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!

Have you ever considered sponsoring an award?

With a wide range of benefits and promotion included, sponsoring an award could be the perfect boost for your brand.

Get in touch at info@showingworldonline.co.uk to request a sposorship brochure and discover the full range of perks available.

TICKETS ON SALE SOON info@showingworldonline.co.uk | February/March Issue 2023 | Showing World | 49

London International Horse Show Final Placing

Name

Breed

Owner

Rider

Breeder

1; BOB

Castle Kestrel

Connemara

Amanda Sharman

Lucy Glover

Henry O’Toole

Eastlands Dunedin

Connemara

Susan Pool

Lauren Beaumont

Dianna Stavely

Inverin Paddy

Connemara

Paul Cook

Lucy Haygate

Sean Flaherty

Moyabbey George

Connemara

Ailsa Vines

Ailsa Vines

Tony Walsh

Griseburn Lester

Dales

Gillian Simpson

Aimee Devane

Helen Horn

Nipna Invictus

Dales

Kirsty Hamilton

Caitlin Hamilton

Julie Pennell

Nipna Kitty O’Day

Dales

Julie Pennell

Tayla Lewis

Julie Pennell

Nipna Midnight Rambler

Dales

Julie Pennell

Sarah Parker

Julie Pennell

Nipna Mighty Oak

Dales

Leah May

Leah May

Julie Pennell

Greenholme Knight

Fell

Terry Clynes

Terry Clynes

William Potter

9; BOB

Wildhoeve Oki Doki

Fell

Ruth Roberts

Clare Fitch

Roy Ottink

3; BOB

Dunedin Mascot

Highland

Elizabeth McNaught

Katie Common

Anne Mitchell

Trailtrow Tearlach

Highland

Gillian McMurray

Kirstin McMurray

Gillian McMurray

Harris of Mendick

Highland

Aileen Curle

Brian Williams

John and Kate Dykes

Hilltop Ned

New Forest

Leisa Woodward

Rebecca Penny

Lucinda Lang

Lovelyhill Folklore

New Forest

Penny Sutton & Peter Rowe

Vikki Smith

Alex Humble

Bryncarreg The Bandit

Welsh C

Charlotte Laurens & Chris Phillips

Kimberly Bates

Gary Watson

Danwood Llewelyn

Welsh C

Linda Atkinson

Hannah Atkinson

Linda Antkinson

Gems Malt Whiskey

Welsh C

April Gilmartin

April Gilmartin

Richard Deptford

Lantau Supernova

Welsh C

Jodie Haywood

Jodie Haywood

Nicola Hutchinson

Menai George

Welsh C

Hannah Turnock

Hannah Turnock

Peter Jones

Llandderfel Richard

Welsh D

Anne Wilson

Danii Thexton

Tony Smith

Steppers Relight My Fire

Welsh D

Ashleigh Flear O’Rourke

Lisa O’Rourke

Decland Davies

Thorneyside Guardsman

Welsh D

Katherine Marks

Katherine Marks

Peter Grey

Wishaw Red Admiral

Welsh D

Simone Harrison

Simone Harrison

Alice Burgoyne

6

Salcombe Frowder Cove

Dartmoor

Felicity Thompson

Alice Tomlinson

Felicity Thompson

4; BOB

Salcombe Starehole Bay

Dartmoor

Felicity Thompson

Katy Marriott-Payne

Felicity Thompson

Shilstone Rocks River Dart Dartmoor

Chloe Chubb

Emma Lucas

Elizabeth Newbolt Young

Westown Wild Fire

Dartmoor

Sarah Weston

Gemma Pallet

Sarah Weston

Warrenmere Woodcock

Exmoor

Mary Rose Bryant

Elizabeth Etchells

RSPB Minsmere

Shetland

Lucy Richardson

Lilly Richardson

Viv Hampton

Latijn V.d. Helling

Shetland

Claire Connor

Aliya Khan

Jan Lap

Lotuspoint Cassius

Shetland

Rachel Brightmore

Lilly Ahern-Lee

Chris Hodgeson

Dukeshill Pearly Spencer

Welsh A

Jenny Harker

Victoria Harker

Jo Sheil

Longhalves Renoir

Welsh B

Jo Filmer

Sam Roberts

Jo Filmer

Melau Aramis

Welsh B

Samantha Walker

Lauren Brill

Mandy Jones

Moelview Prince Charlie

Welsh B

Chloe Chubb

Chloe Chubb

Richard Jones

Rushill Diplomat

Welsh B

Sarah Parker

Owen Parker

Jill Rushton

Waxwing Persia

Welsh B

Emma Burrow

Emma Burrow

Waxwing Stud

Wortley Golcar Lily

Welsh B

Gillian Simpson

Amber Thorpe

Gillian Simpson

10

5; BOB

8; BOB

BOB

BOB

BOB

BOB; Best Junior Briar Snow Fox

2; BOB

7; BOB

50 | Showing World | February/March Issue 2023 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

CLASS OF 2022 Age at final Sex

Sire

Dam

Judge 1

Judge 2

Judge 3

Judge 4

Overall score

7

Stallion

Glencarrig Knight

Castle Melody

46

46

47

46

185

8

Gelding

Eastlands Harleybrae

Eastlands Dunrose

39

39

37

40

155

11

Gelding

Inverin Roddy

Inverin Lady

30

33

39

32

134

9

Stallion

Castlegrange Fionn

Glencarrig Heather

33

32

38

47

150

6

Gelding

Wolsey Viking

Westwick Ginny

34

38

39

43

154

11

Gelding

Wolsey Xabi

Hodgson Lane Alice

38

38

36

43

155

9

Mare

Lowhowses Black Magic

Tarbarl Peggy Macdonald

35

39

40

37

151

7

Stallion

Nipna Invictus

Nipna Damask Rose

38

43

38

45

164

7

Gelding

Lowhowses Black Magic

Tarbarl Peggy Macdonald

27

29

36

36

128

6

Stallion

Greenholme Warrior

Greenholme Dolly

40

27

41

40

148

13

Gelding

Klompes Ivanhoe

Uldale Black Misty

30

39

43

44

156

10

Mare

Greenholme Diego

Salisbury Pippa

41

40

42

45

168

13

Stallion

Mosside Mclaren

Trailtrow Tilliwhillie

29

33

40

38

140

11

Stallion

Dougal of Mendick

Clover of Mendick

36

37

33

36

142

9

Stallion

Brookshill Mustang

Hilltop Daisy

39

37

42

39

157

11

Stallion

Applewitch Pure Magic

Yewtree On High

37

35

37

38

147

7

Gelding

Pantyfid Flash Jack

Bryncarreg Cinderella

32

36

38

33

139

11

Gelding

Wyken Rob Roy

Rivervalley Lou Lou

34

38

29

30

131

8

Stallion

Parvadean Replay

Brimstone Nerys

40

35

31

40

146

9

Stallion

Wyken Rob Roy

Lantau Hale Bopp

37

40

39

38

154

7

Stallion

Tyeos Survivor

Friarly Georgina

45

38

44

28

155

7

Stallion

Ffoslas Prince of Wales

Lunesville Princess Grace

38

32

27

27

124

6

Stallion

Brynithon The Director

Synod Roseanne

42

30

42

33

147

10

Gelding

Thorneyside The Saracen

Thorneyside Eve

37

37

43

34

151

9

Gelding

Wishaw Revelation

Wishaw Dancing Queen

23

23

45

41

132

7

Stallion

Shilstone Rocks Snowy Mountain Shilstone Rocks Fiesta

36

40

42

40

158

6

Stallion

Shilstone Rocks Snowy Mountain Haida Maroon

33

46

40

45

164

7

Stallion

Shilstone Rocks Snowgoose

Shilstone Rocks Riverdance

29

28

38

35

130

6

Stallion

Westown Firecracker

Cayberry Sugar Plum

42

39

32

32

145

14

Stallion

Frithesden Lysander

Barlavington Wagtail

26

33

33

31

123

8

Gelding

Briar Piccolo

Southely Mayflower

32

43

39

39

153

5

Stallion

Caz V. Stal Nieuwemoed

Rylanda V.d Helling

41

31

37

32

141

15

Gelding

Collytown Sabre

Cashmere of Crooklands

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

9

Stallion

Dukeshill Magnum

Dukeshill Philadelphia

43

43

43

47

176

9

Stallion

Lemonshill Falcon

Rhoson Silwli

37

41

30

39

147

6

Gelding

Zonneweide Royal Lustre

Melau Sian

39

40

45

34

158

7

Stallion

Newtonhill Naughty Boy Charlie

Llangeitho Princess Royal

34

29

40

48

151

6

Gelding

Janpete Tom Thumb

Mybella Demure

30

29

25

32

116

7

Stallion

Eyarth Beau Geste

Cwrtycadno Perlen

26

23

41

31

121

11

Mare

Ernford Bellair

Wortley Wild Jasmine

41

34

27

34

136

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | February/March Issue 2023 | Showing World | 51

Champions of Yesteryear

ynne Scott’s Lynuck The Showman ridden by Rebecca Penny

52 | Showing World | February/March Issue 2023 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

1978

Scriffel Casper

Welsh B

1979

Senruf Grebe

Dartmoor

1980

Rosenaharley Laurin

Connemara

1981

Norwood Principle Boy

Welsh B

1982

Grayswood Village Peregrine

Connemara

1983

Rosenaharley Rossleague

Connemara

1984

Rosenaharley Rossleague

Connemara

1985

Phineas Phinn

Connemara

1986

Wiston Llwynog

Welsh D

1987

Dunrowan Dolphin

Highland

1988

Marston Monsoon

Welsh B

1989

Persie Ramroad

Welsh C

1990

Verwood Roger

Welsh D

1991

Tiercel Mystical

Connemara

1992

Lunesdale Lucky Lady

Fell

1993

Langfield Canth

Dartmoor

1994

Kentchurch Cloud

Welsh D

1995

Marwood Doon Caedmon

Connemara

1996

Kentchurch Request

Welsh D

1997

Rannock of Trailtrow

Highland

1998

Harwel Wizard

Welsh B

1999

Dunedin Harris

Highland

2000

Snowydene

Highland

2001

Starcrest Discovery

Welsh C

2002

Kilmannan Black Pearl

Dales

2003

Stowbrook Jenny Wren

Exmoor

2004

Castle Comet

Connemara

2005

Bunowen Castle Ri

Connemara

2006

Pittybeck Prince Charming

Welsh B

2007

Bunowen Castle Ri

Connemara

2008

Torrin of Croila

Highland

2009

Farriers Finger Print

New Forest

2010

Pumphill Buckthorn

Dartmoor

2011

Rushfield Bailey

Dartmoor

2012

Bronheulog Harvey

Welsh B

2013

Fly the Last Flute

Connemara

2014

Moelview Prince Consort

Welsh B

2015

Townend Schubert

Fell

2016

Uphill James Fox

Welsh A

2017

Cadlanvalley Sandpiper

Welsh B

2018

Banks Timber

Connemara

2019

Dyffryngwy Sir Picasso

Welsh D

2021

Lynuck The Showman

Welsh C

2008 champion, Torin of Croila

2009 champion, Farriers Finger Print

2009 champion, Farriers Finger Print

The breakdown in numbers Breed

Number of winners

Dartmoor

4

Exmoor

1

Shetland

0

Fell

2

Dales

1

Highland

5

New Forest

1

Connemara

13 (including 2022)

Welsh section A

1

Welsh section B

7

Welsh section C

3

Welsh section D

5

2010 champion, Pumphill Buckthorn & Sarah Parker 2014 champion, Moelview Prince Consort

54 | Showing World | February/March Issue 2023 Dyffryngwy | info@showingworldonline.co.uk 2019 champion, Sir Picasso

2017 champion, Cadlanvalley Sandpiper

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Castle Kestrel ridden by Lucy Glover

KESTREL FLIES TO TOP SPOT London International Horse Show | London Excel December 2022 | Report by Beth Simons | Photos by Real Time Imaging Lucy Glover made owner Amanda Sharman’s LIHS debut a memorable one, riding her Class 1 Connemara stallion Castle Kestrel to take the championship. The seven-year-old gave an exquisitely well-mannered and precise show, some of which executed with just one hand on the rein, while nevertheless maintaining an onward-bound rhythm and outlook characteristic of a native. The judges were certainly impressed, with both ride judges Jill Burgess and Fiona Holton awarding him 46. The conformation judges, Joyce Coltart and Ann Bigley were equally impressed. Indeed, Ann Bigley awarded him a consistent 46, describing him as a “proper Connie”, while Joyce Coltart gave him her highest mark of the day at 47.

Bred by Henry O’Toole, he is by Glencarrig Knight and out of Castle Melody. Lucy first spotted him online as a yearling, while he was still in his native Ireland. Spotting his potential, Lucy messaged Amanda, who is based just fifteen minutes away – to tell her about him immediately. “I told her, ‘we need to buy this one, Amanda,’ but I later read on the advert that he was shown to a ridden home,” Lucy recalls, fondly, “So I rang her and said that he had gone, which was when she replied, ‘Yes, he’s gone because I’ve bought him!”

Despite being excited to show him, Lucy and Amanda decided to turn him away as a fouryear-old allowing him to mature, and COVID-19 claimed his five-year-old year. Consequently, he

remains lightly shown. He secured his 2022 RIHS ticket at the 2021 Heritage championships, won a second RIHS qualifier at Area 4B, then proceeded to win Royal Windsor and Lincolnshire County. He finished a credible seventh at HOYS before going on to win the breed qualifier at the 2022 Heritage championships and securing his LIHS spot. He then returned to Amanda’s for a short holiday before making his LIHS debut looking every bit a champion.

Lucy explained he’ll enjoy another holiday before the RIHS qualifiers for 2023. “He’s really easy,” she said of him, “my little niece goes into him and can lead him out to the field, and he really enjoys his work and does loads of hacking. He gives a beautiful ride; he’s so light in the contact and so forwards off your leg.”

Though Lucy has very few natives to produce, it is her third visit to LIHS having formerly taken the Welsh section B Best of Breed with Carrwood Shimmering Gold. However, she was utterly thrilled to take the win: “It’s amazing; Olympia’s always been a massive one to tick off the list for me, and now he’s done it.

Meanwhile Amanda was somewhat speechless!

“We just wanted a young Connemara stallion to breed and to bring on,” she explains, “So to be here for the first time and win is a dream. I feel very lucky,” she said.

Equally stunned, though perhaps more emotional

56 | Showing World | February/March Issue 2023 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

was Victoria Harker. The young producer had already had a stunning season and capped it with the reserve spot riding Welsh section A stallion Dukeshill Pearly Spencer [Dennis]. Like the champions, Dennis and Victoria executed a balanced and rhythmic yet sparkly show to go one better than at HOYS. Victoria explained that she had flown back from Australia just three days before to ride him, and so credited mum, Jenny, and younger sister, Emma, with keeping him running. A Royal Welsh in-hand winner as a youngster, Dennis had first arrived with the Harker family at three, on loan from his breeder Jo Sheil, who was there to watch him at London. To add to the occasion, Jenny had newly purchased Dennis from Jo as Victoria’s very special Christmas present. “I sold him when it became clear that they [the Harkers] wouldn’t let him come home,” joked an evidently proud-as-punch Jo.

Dukeshill Pearly Spencer ridden by Victoria Harker

Dennis is out Dukeshill Philadelphia and is by Dukeshill Magnum. He is the second son of Magnum to achieve the Best of Breed award at Olympia, or its equivalent, the first being Heniarth Quip, who was BoB in 2003 and 6th in 2004.

When asked what he was like at home, Victoria answered: “He’s a character! Everything goes in his mouth and he’s a good doer! But he’s really easy and loves his job; he’s a true showman.” He’ll now enjoy a break before commencing the 2023 season by hitting the later RIHS qualifiers.

The third placed combination were by far the best travelled, having made a 574 mile trip over several days to the show. This was Katie Common and Jane McNaught’s 11-year-old Highland Best of Breed Dunedin Mascot. His show belied his heavy stature, being apparently extremely light on his feet and forwards. Katie agreed, describing him as a “really uphill ride”.

Salcombe Starehole Bay ridden by Katy Marriott Payne

Dunedin Marksman ridden by Katie Common

He has been on loan with Katie since 2018, and the pair hit the ground running winning their first show before going on to stand supreme at the breed show twice and taking the coveted NPS Picton Final along the way.

Mascot, who is sired by the renowned Dunedin Marksman, had an amazing 2022 season having stood champion at the Royal Highland Show, champion at NPS Scotland where they secured their HOYS ticket, champion and NPS Silver Medal winners at Blair Castle, reserve supreme at the Highland pony breed show having won a second HOYS qualifier, and he finished runner up at HOYS. “It’s none of my work,” laughed Jane when congratulated on his placing.

“It’s all down to Katie.” Jane purchased him as a three-year-old colt but had him gelded when broken. When we asked what was next, Jane was clear: “It’s all up to Katie. He is so happy at Katie’s that I couldn’t and wouldn’t take him away. He adores her and loves where he is; I couldn’t do it to him – it would break his heart!”

Last year’s runner up, Felicity Thompson’s Salcombe Starehole Bay once again proved absolutely deserving of his moniker, ‘Special Cecil’, taking the Best of Breed for the Dartmoors in fourth place, ridden as ever by producer Katy MarriottPayne. Felicity’s battle to overcome a life-threatening injury this autumn has not only given Team KMP additional motivation to keep Felicity and daughter Freya smiling, but added a new poignancy to his HOYS victory, a win that capped an amazing season in which he stood champion at Windsor and repeated his 2021 RIHS win – an occasion Felicity, thankfully, witnessed. “We’re coming back so Felicity can come to see him here,” said Katy.

Cecil’s brother, Fred, Salcombe Frowder Bay was also in the line-up, finishing sixth under Team KMP member Alice Tomlinson. Fred won the RIHS and stood second at HOYS under Katy in 2019, but he has since allowed Cecil to enjoy the limelight.

Nevertheless, he made his extremely light 2022 season count taking the LIHS qualifier at the

Heritage championships on his season debut! Fred belied his lack of match practice at the final to give an excellent account of himself.

Julie Pennell and the Pennell family’s Nipna Midnight Rambler [Rambo] took fifth place under his producer, Sarah Parker. Rambo is the first foal out of Nipna Damask Rose [Rosie] who stood second at HOYS under Julie’s daughter, Anna Pennell. The seven-year-old first turned heads at the BSPS Winter Championships when he stood supreme before going on to take the coveted ridden championship at Windsor in 2021, standing second at HOYS and taking third place at the London International Horse Show last December. This season, he booked his RIHS open and Intermediate tickets, a HOYS qualification and the LIHS qualification on his first attempts, going on to repeat his runner up spot at HOYS and win the RIHS Intermediates under Caitlin Hamilton. It was a remarkable victory for the pair, not least because Caitlin had won the 2021 RIHS intermediate final on Rambo’s father, Nipna Invictus [Victor]. Not to be left out at LIHS, Caitlin and Victor finished 10th at London, forming the second of four Nipna-bred ponies at the final.

Salcombe Frowder Cove ridden by Alice Tomlinson

Nipna Invictus ridden by Caitlin Hamilton

Nipna Midnight Rambler ridden by Sarah Parker

In seventh was Samantha Walker’s golden palomino Welsh section B Melau Aramis [Teddy], ridden by his producer Lauren Brill. Lauren partnered the six-yearold in novice classes, winning the revered Picton Novice final at the NPS championships. This year, he has had a super season, winning his first open qualifier and taking an RIHS ticket at BSPS Area 4A, qualifying for both the juniors and open breed classes at HOYS and going on to stand third in the

Melau Aramis ridden by Lauren Brill

opens under Lauren and first and reserve champion in the juniors, ridden by Samantha’s daughter, Lilly Walker.

This was Teddy’s debut appearance at HOYS. Eighth place was awarded to Rebecca Penny and Leisa Woodward’s Hilltop Ned who also netted the New Forest Best of Breed. The nine-year-old forest bred stallion won HOYS in 2021 under former owner Ellena Thomas before being sold to Leisa and moving to be produced

by Danielle Garner and occupying the runner up spot under Rebecca at HOYS 2022. Not only did the pair’s appearance mark his London debut, but also Rebecca’s debut at London on a New Forest. “I’ve only done a handful of shows with him, really, as we bought him in August,” said Rebecca, “but he’s pretty uncomplicated, has settled right in and isn’t a moment’s bother.”

Ninth saw another 2021 HOYS victor step into the placings. This was Ruth Roberts’ Fell stallion Wildhoeve Okidoki under his producer Clare Fitch. Ruth, who sponsors the Arab classes at HOYS, originally went to Clare to produce her Arabs but became “hooked on hairies” through Clare, with Oki being her first.

13-year-old Oki is a consistent campaigner, being a former Olympia Best of Breed as well as 2018 reserve mountain and moorland at RIHS. “I adore him,” said Clare, “and he knows he special for sure. He’s genuinely such a great pony.”

Hilltop Ned ridden by Rebecca Penny

The remaining Best of Breed spots saw several debutantes make their mark. HOYS 2022 winners Lucy Richardson, 10, and her mother Lucy Richardson’s Briar Snow Fox executed a show beyond their years to cap a superb season taking the Shetland Best of Breed and Heniarth trophy for the highest placed junior rider on their first appearance. “It feels amazing,” said Lilly!

Eight-year-old Shetland gelding Snow Fox was bred by Wildhoeve Oki Doki ridden by Clare Fitch

Menai George ridden by Hannah Turnock

Viv Hampton. He originally joined the family on account of his half-brother, Briar Snowman’s success in their hands.

Derbyshire’s Hannah Turnock and Menai George also made their London debut notable taking the Welsh section C Best of Breed. George was originally loaned to Hannah by Robert Elliott, but having fallen absolutely in love with him, Hannah persuaded Robert to part with him and purchased him as her own earlier this summer. Last season saw them make a visit to HOYS and RIHS, and this year they topped the season with a first-time qualification to London International Horse Show at the Heritage Championships and scoring one of the highest ride marks of the day. “He is just the best,” said a beaming Hannah. “I can always rely on him to give his best and to try his hardest.”

Briar Snow Fox ridden by Lilly Richardson

Thorneyside The Guardsman ridden by Katy Marks

Katy Marks’ Welsh section D stallion Thorneyside The Guardsman [Dogulas] pinged his way to the Best of Breed spot.

The powerful 11-year-old was purchased by Katy as a threeyear-old, and has been brought on by her to great success. This year, they bagged an early HOYS ticket before finishing 7th at the RIHS and 6th at HOYS. Qualification for LIHS at the Heritage Championships saw them complete their hattrick of tickets for the season.

Elizabeth Etchells took home the Exmoor Best of Breed riding Mary Rose Bryant’s Warrenmere Woodcock. The Frithesden Lysander stallion was the only representative of his breed forwards having claimed the Breed class at the Heritage championships. He has had a super season this year, winning the supreme at the Exmoor Breed Show and claiming a HOYS ticket as well as winning the Assendons Freestyle to Music final at the NPS championships.

Showing World would like to give a special mention to Lilly Ahern-Lee who sadly missed out on competing at London International Horse Show with crowd favourite and 2022 HOYS first ridden winner, Lotuspoint Cassius as Lilly sustained an injury during a practice with her cheerleading team. We hope that Lilly’s feeling better and that we’ll see the pair back in the show ring very soon.

Warrenmere Woodcock ridden by Elizabeth Etchells

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Pillgrim Journeys to Champion

Pillgrim ridden by Amy Hunter

Report by Celeste Gall | Photos by Real Time Imaging It was an emotional win for Amy Hunter and her 19-year-old coloured pony Pillgrim, when they finally took the supreme sash in the SSADL ridden supreme. “It was such an amazing feeling being called out as the winner, I cried a lot!

He felt amazing on the day and he really turns on an extra feeling at shows that I just don’t get at home,” explained Amy, who works full time as an estate agent.

“It’s been a really challenging month preparing for London due to the extreme temperatures. Motivating myself to ride when it has been below freezing has not been easy but it was all worthwhile.

“A lady from the yard brought tubs of hot water from her home so we could wash his legs and tail, and then on the way to London we hit traffic on every motorway,” said Amy, who finished reserve on Pillgrim at Olympia in 2019. The pair also played bridesmaid at Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) in 2021. “When it was announced the SSADL classes were returning to London International Horse Show (LIHS), we thought we would try for one more trip down south,” added Amy. The pair, who are previous RIHS and Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) finalists in the coloured ranks, will be turning their hand to dressage this season.

The reigning RIHS SSADL ridden champion and Veteran Horse Society (VHS) supreme champion clinched the runner up spot here. This was Sue Kirby’s 13th show hunter pony gelding Woodview Fiocco (Finn), ridden by her 15-year-old daughter Georgia. The 19-year-old by Barkway Kouros was purchased as a step up from first ridden ponies six years ago.

“Finn has taken Georgia to places that she

has only ever dreamt of going to and they have such an amazing bond together,” said Sue, who watched Georgia pilot Finn into second place at HOYS in 2021 in the show hunter pony class. “Taking the reserve championship at LIHS was the best Christmas present ever,” said Georgia, who added: “Finn is a true hunter pony who loves his job; he has a home for life with us.”

Woodview Fiocco with rider Georgia Kirby with judges Penny Clifford, Jackie Webb and representatives of sponsors Agria Pet Insurance

Overlay Gamebird and Millie Rackham-Cobb

Determination pays off The youngest rider at the final, eight-year-old Millie Rackham-Cobb finished third with the quality lead rein show hunter pony mare Overley Gamebird (Mildred), now 19-years-old. Millie, who was diagnosed with epilepsy four years ago, got the flu just weeks before the final and the family weren’t sure if they were going to make the final again. “The first time they qualified together it was cancelled due to Covid, so Millie was determined to compete this year. We had been back and forwards to the hospital just two weeks before the final and even though Millie hadn’t been able to ride for weeks, she rode beautifully and was shocked to be placed so highly,” said Millie’s mother Heidi Rackham, who leads the pair. “It’s their final year on the lead rein in 2023 so we are determined to make the most of it,” added Heidi, who also led them to stand fourth at RIHS is the SSADL ridden championship for the last two seasons.

Amy Simcox and her ‘one in a million’ 19-year-old Welsh Cob Minyffordd Mabinogion (Stig) finished fourth on their first visit here. “I bought him unseen from his breeder as a seven-year-old and he had only been a covering stallion,” said Amy, who has competed at both RIHS and HOYS with him. The pair also finished reserve in the SSADL ridden final at RIHS in 2021. “He is a family favourite,” added Amy.

Minyfford Mabinogion ridden by Amy Simcox

Bizzie B ridden by Jackie Banks

The oldest horse award went to Jackie Banks with her 26-year-old mare Bizzie B, whom she rode side saddle here. Jackie has owned her since she was two-yearsold and Jackie’s 11-year-old daughter, Xanthe, also competes side saddle on her, taking the young rider novice championship and the junior novice reserve championship on her at the side saddle national championships.

Emma Coates and Charlie Brown stand with judges and sponsors for a photo

Determination pays off Trotting into the history books was the 33-year-old gelding Charlie Brown, a former trekking pony now owned by Emma Coates, who led him to victory here.

“He’s probably what you would call an old fashioned Welsh Cob,” said Emma, who is the Equestrian Manager at the prestigious Lucton School, where Charlie is based during term time. “He was gifted to me by Carol Church of Tregoyd Mountain Riders and is very popular with the students. He is in regular work giving lessons for the students and even did a Pony Club rally the week before LIHS. He also helps round up my stock,” said Emma, who farms sheep and cattle alongside her full time job.

“He was the last horse my dad ever rode, and he would always come with me to shows, and we think it is what made Charlie keep his ears forward at LIHS. I have to give a huge thanks to all the supporters and the society who help me during the season,” said Emma, who has several veteran ponies competing in the SSADL classes, including the already RIHS-qualified homebred Eytonwell Paper Moon, who will contest the SSADL in-hand final there.

Standing reserve was Beth Hutchinson and her former Novice eventer Tamiros, now 22-years-old. “I bought him as a five-year-old, even though he didn’t tick any of the boxes on my shopping list! Once we eventually got going he had a super eventing career until we had a rotational fall and unfortunately that ended our career together,” said Beth, who farms sheep and has just bred her first racehorse alongside her full time job as a production operations manager. The pair finished fifth at Olympia in 2019 and Beth was unsure if he would come out again this season but he enjoyed his best year to date. “He is certainly our horse of a lifetime who completely rules our yard,” added Beth.

Tamiros and Beth Hutchinson

Lauren Moore Williams and Longdon Blackjack

Taking third place, and the best turned out award, was Jessica Raegan and the reigning RIHS SSADL in-hand champion, 20-yearold Monarch’s Retreat (Sparkey). Owned by Louise Swallow, who purchased him as an eight-year-old who had only done dressage, he evented up to 3* with Jess Lewis, but severe liver failure four years later saw the end of their eventing career. “My mum, Carolyn, nursed him back to health and once recovered he enjoyed hunting and Pony Club with Louise’s daughter Poppy, but last winter he was struggling to keep his weight on, so he came back home at the start of 2022 where my mum looked after him again.

“It was discovered that he had grade four ulcers and needed special feed and care to get him looking 100% again. Considering how much Sparkey has done in his life so far he has completely clean legs and moves really freely,” explained Jessica, who won the SSADL class at Royal Windsor. “We just threw him in at the deep end with showing him for the first time and he has gone from strength to strength this season,” she added.

“We didn’t think he’d come back from it”

Social media manager Lauren Moore-Williams finished seventh here on her first visit with her beloved native coloured pony Longdon Blackjack.

The 16-year-old piebald is a previous RIHS winner as a coloured pony and is a ‘happy hacker’ at home. “He had a pelvis injury that we didn’t think he would come back from, but here we are! He is so special in so many ways and he just lights up every time he walks into the ring,” said Lauren, who took the SSADL ridden championship at Royal Windsor earlier in the year.

Monarch’s Retreat shown by Jessica Reagan

Cheshire based producer Vicky Smith on the season so far…

Surviving Until Spring As the nights get lighter, all preparation is looking towards the show season.

The season is long and often it takes us a few shows to get “Match Fit” and the 4am alarms and late finishes take some getting used to. As does the organising!

I once arrived at a spring show with no girths! Luckily Simon Reynolds was parked next to me and lent me some before my mum got wind of it and gave me grief.

We have a set programme for spring at Bridge Farm. All horses begin by walking round the roads. It’s often freezing so that coupled with newly clipped fresh horses means it can feel a long few weeks! The weather often stops play as this winter we have had plunging temperatures and torrential rain. It’s hard as a professional to get going at this time of year so I really feel for amatuer riders with full time jobs who only get to see their horses in the daylight at weekends.

These foundations are really important for the longevity and soundness of the horses, so I urge riders to work hard at fitness and think about their training.

As long as the season is for us, it’s also a long season for horses to be going round in circles with their ears pricked.

Pole work, jumping and farm rides are also good for a variety and fitness. We take our horses to unaffiliated dressage shows. It’s a quiet environment and is a great education for the young horses having a short trip on the lorry whilst also providing a change for the older ones as well as a useful training tool for my staff to practice plaiting and packing the lorry before the shows start.

Grandstand Media’s recent announcement of a new pathway with HOYS qualifications specifically for the amateur and home-produced competitor as well as a variety of rising star classes on offer at London International Horse Show means there are more opportunities for amateur and grass roots riders to compete on the big stage.

I really hope those riders continue to be attracted to showing. TSR and the BSHA continue to do a great job with their accredited trainers offering opportunities for riders to attend clinics and gain knowledge in the quieter months.

As the financial crisis continues to bite and find a level, I wonder how this will impact our diverse showing community. Feed, bedding and haylage prices are at an alltime high and the forecast indicates it will get worse before it gets better.

I hope people can still enjoy shows as disposable income is affected. It must be a worrying time for show organisers who will surely be affected by price increases.

It’s important to remember most shows can only run due to the kind volunteering committee judges and stewards and also sponsors who continue to donate to ensure we can all continue to enjoy showing. A “thank you” to a sponsor who is presenting prizes or a steward who has been on their feet all day goes a long way and certainly would be well received.

I’m looking forward to a more positive social media in spring with photos of people enjoying their animals and sharing success.

Be Kind, Vicky Hacking

66 | Showing World | February/March Issue 2023 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Vicky and Bart

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RE-RIDING HISTORY

Esme Mansergh-Wallace

By Clare Silke

Onlookers of the Intermediate side saddle class at the Royal Dublin Horse Show may have been struck by the array of competitors in this year’s class. Five of the twelve qualified combinations were pure breed Connemara ponies.

Side saddle is not a discipline linked with the history of the Connemara.

Ireland’s native breed, traditionally this pony was the working animal of the Connaught region, toiling in the bogs and fields of the west of Ireland, pulling carts to sell farmers’ harvest at market.

Come the spring, the hope would be that mares foaled to help supplement the winter months’ dwindling income.

Side saddle, in stark contrast, was the riding style of the European elite, upper class ladies. Despite the lack of historical connection with this discipline, Connemaras ridden and competing under side saddle has gained significant popularity in both Ireland and the UK. How has this breed become such a popular choice for a style of riding that is in such contrast to its historical origins?

Bohemia rode aside on her way to marry King Richard II in 1382. Originally saddles were little more than sitting platforms accompanied by wooden step structures called planchette for feet to rest. This 12th century version of the saddle did not offer much stability as women were seated at a complete right angle. Progress came with the addition of the horn or fixed head by Catherine de’ Medici circa 16th century.

This addition allowed the right leg to wrap around it offering increased rider support. Later the planchette was replaced with a leather covered stirrup and the rider could now face forward allowing women to walk, trot and canter.

By the Victorian era side saddles had evolved hugely in their design as it was considered the proper aristocratic way for women to pursue equestrian activities. The addition of the leaping head during this period, which frames the left thigh, enabled women to jump and cover country allowing them to take to the hunting fields alongside their male peers.

The art of side saddle has evolved over thousands of years. While the exact date of origin is not clear, there are accounts that Princess Anne of

Today, the Ladies and Intermediate side saddle classes at the Dublin Horse Show are arguably the pinnacle of the discipline in Ireland. Qualifiers are held

Kate Hogan

Aine Keogh

across the country with the top three combinations from each competing at the final showcase in August. The Intermediate Side-Saddle class is popular with Connemara competitors as the height requirements are horses of any breed over 148cm not exceeding 158cm. While the overall aim of the class is to preserve the art of this riding style, combinations are judged on rider’s ability and turnout. From the equine side, manners and way of going are critical assessment factors in this class as traditionally the horse had to be beautifully obedient, wellschooled and light across the ground with smooth, comfortable gaits to carry a lady safely across country as with the hunting parties of old. As part of this class a show piece is performed where combinations are assessed at walk, trot, canter and either an extended canter or gallop with the emphasis on harmony between horse and rider.

Light, athletic steps are rewarded with conformation qualities such as a good front with length of rein, good shoulders and adequate length of back to accommodate this type of saddle.

While hacks and riding horse types are traditionally associated with side saddle

the Connemara is growing in numbers of finalists in this class year on year.

Esmé Mansergh-Wallace is a household name when it comes to side saddle at the Dublin Horse Show. The tradition was handed down to Esmé and her sisters by her mother Phillipa, and all three girls have been won Champion Side Saddle Rider at the RDS on several occasions. Having competed on both pure and part-bred Connemaras, Esmé considers the natural gait of the Connemara a key factor in their suitability to succeeding under side saddle ‘The trot is probably the most important gait when it comes to side saddle. The pace is very important for the rider to be able to sit comfortably.

Connemaras, for the most part, tend to naturally have very good trot.’ She recommends trying sitting trot astride first to get the feel for a pony’s suitability for taking the side saddle. ‘Connemaras’ temperament of course sets them apart from other breeds. They need to have a spark but that is balanced with good rideablity. Removing one leg means there is a certain amount of trust you are giving over to them. By and large they are very clever with a fondness for

learning; they like a challenge and doing something new. That’s what I found with Finn.’ Finn is the 6-time winner of the Dublin Ridden Connemara class Derrymore Paddy Finn. Over the years they have won countless side saddle classes and championships across Ireland. In 2004 the striking pair won the then ‘Junior’ Side Saddle at Dublin and in 2006 they won Champion Side Saddle rider for which Finn was presented plaited as it was not common to present as a native. In 2019, after a break and a change to the Dublin schedule, Esmé and Finn qualified for the Intermediate Side Saddle Class. On these later outings Finn was presented as a native.

‘We were proud of his achievements to date, his age and that he is a pure-bred Connemara. It was lovely to leave his mane flowing and long.’

Having judged side saddle classes herself, Esmé stresses the importance of a good front on an animal thus offering the rider a feeling of security and the broadness that tends to be characteristic in the conformation of these ponies lends itself to that. This is echoed by Thomasina O’ Reilly, 2019 Ridden Reserve Champion

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at the Connemara Pony Show Clifden aside Rosscon Camille. ‘Their depth in body gives you the feeling that you have something quite solid underneath you as well as the temperament and sure footedness the breed is famed for. Originally bred as working animals they have the ability to handle a variety of ground better aside without interfering too much with their rhythm.

Unflappability is important when showing in the ring as these classes can draw very large crowds and the solidness of character that is inherent in the breed is ideally suited.’

Aideen Robinson and daughter Áine Keogh who qualified the grey gelding Cluainín for this year’s Intermediate class in Dublin also call out the breed’s temperament with their adaptability to this riding style. ‘It is his willingness to learn, his forgiveness allowing for mistakes and we learn from them together.’ Áine has juvenile arthritis and doesn’t feel she has the same strength riding astride. ‘He takes on the role (of rebalancing) himself when the other leg is taken of. I put a lot of faith in him and I feel he really supports me when he is under side saddle’.’ Her Mum Aideen adds, ‘The Intermediate Side saddle is such a beautiful class. We really want to encourage Connemara owners to give it a go and get involved to continue this style of riding.’

A stand out performer on the Irish circuit this season was the dun mare Kinamara Laura piloted by Kate Hogan.

Winner of the Junior Side Saddle at the Botanica International Show of the East,

Thomasina O’Reilly

the Northern Ireland Festival and the Ladies Side Saddle at the Connemara Pony Show in Clifden. ‘Her owner, Jane Dalrymple, always wanted her to go under side saddle at Clifden.’ Witnessing this pony’s gallop first hand was awe inspiring, so much so that when the pair galloped, as part of their show piece in Dublin a week later, the crowd erupted into spontaneous applause.

‘The gallop is her favorite. She loves a big atmosphere and gave such a good spin’. On that sunny Sunday in August they were placed third overall to stand as the highest placed Connemara in the Intermediate Side Saddle class at Dublin Horse Show 2022.

In the UK the performance of

Connemaras under side saddle is equally accelerating. A Connemara that has dominated this year is Sarah Clune and daughter Moya Payne’s Derrow Lad. Moya has been awarded Open Junior Side Saddle Rider of the Year with wins at the Royal Windsor Show and the esteemed National Side Saddle Championships, competing in both equation and Concours D’Elegance classes. The Concours D’Elegance is a costume class where competitors are judged on emulating a painting from period times. ‘Traditionally the plaited types have dominated these types of classes. It is something we accidentally got involved in but this year he has been in the top three on all his outings’. Moya’s costume is inspired by the Royal horse artillery and she notes

Moya Payne

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Shirely Anderson

that Derrow performs at another level when the costume is on. ‘Connemaras know when they are being watched, and he will just blow himself up to look like a stallion. The navy costume against his white coat is striking and he seems to enjoy this class as much as we do.’

Sarah & Moya credit Derrow’s traditional, square frame ‘with a leg in each corner’ confirmation for his suitability to carrying the side saddle.

Vice Chairman of the Side Saddle Association (UK) Shirley Anderson, who, with her daughter Alex, compete their Connemara under side saddle notes that Connemaras under side saddle have been gaining popularity over the past decade. ‘Side saddle is all about the elegance of the picture.

Connemaras are attractive to look at and many have the flowing paces to give the right picture. Other natives and traditional Cobs have shorter backs and cannot accommodate the length of side saddles. As a strong breed the majority of Connemaras have generous length

of back while also being able to carry the weight of these saddles.’ Shirley emphasizes the importance of correctly schooling ponies first so they are balanced and conditioned to take the weight of a side saddle. The pony’s back needs to be conditioned as carrying a rider and this saddle style is a different weight distribution. Riders also need to condition themselves to hold their posture without relying on the stirrup or balance strap. This is a common thread and something to consider for anyone training ponies to this riding style. Both Thomasina and Esmé emphasize the importance of correct schooling astride first and foremost with a focus on left hand aids. When ponies are trained to the saddle short sessions of 20 minutes twice a week are considered sufficient to keep backs strong and healthy.

Hacking out in the side saddle is encouraged to understand the feel for both pony and rider. When the physical strength has been built up ponies need to be well schooled both

astride and aside respectively, not purely able to perform a show piece. Due to the physicality of this style of riding, the athleticism of the Connemara allows the ponies to adapt successfully to this discipline.

While side saddle may not have played a role in the history of the Connemara pony there is endless potential for this breed to excel in this discipline as part of its future.

The experience of these riders illustrates how the inherent nature and qualities of the modern Connemara allow these ponies to compete and be enjoyed under side saddle. For more information of how to get involved with side saddle in your area both the Side Saddle Association and Irish Side Saddle Association have details on instructors near you. www.sidesaddleassociation.co.uk www.ssaireland.com This feature is dedicated to the memoryof Áine Keogh, who sadly passed away shortly after it was written. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.

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Thames Valley Welsh Show

Aimee Devane rides Popsters Storytime to supreme ridden champion

10th December 2022 | Berkshire College of Agriculture, Berkshire Report by Beth Simons | Photos by EquinePix

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STORYTIME’S DEBUT A HAPPY TALE Aimee Devane was delighted to take the ridden supreme with Jane and Paul Steeples’ four-year-old Welsh section C mare Popsters Storytime on her debut showring appearance under saddle. The Glebedale Johnny Depp daughter was purchased by Jane and Paul from the WPCS Autumn Cob Sales as a foal and was sent to Aimee to produce earlier this year. She took her first show well and truly in her stride, winning first the pure novice before running through the cards taking the overall novice tricolour en route to the supreme.

Aimee’s charges dominated the ridden championships. A second Welsh section C produced from her Newbury base, Costa Joe The Boss topped the open championship under Rachel Cooper having won the NPS Open Ridden class. Though co-owned with Aimee, Rachel took over the ride at the BSPS Heritage championships where she was restricted reserve. Whilst Rachel will now take most of the rides in flat classes, Aimee will continue to compete him over fences, and they aim to begin with arena eventing in January.

Gillian Simpson’s homebred section B Wortley Golcar Lilly made it a hattrick of tricolours for the team by taking the open training class and section champion. She was ridden by stand-in jockey Amber Thorpe who was having a final London International Horse Show practice run.

Following in her parents’ footsteps, Phoebe Prater, swapped her ridden gear for running shoes, handling Welsh section A stallion Springbourne Coalport to take the section championship, NPS Silver Medal Championship, overall Welsh championship, and in-hand supreme. Seven-year-old Coalport is by Cascob Silverghost out of Springbourne Cara. Though UK born, he was reimported by Phoebe’s Parents Dan Prater and Ann Thomas-Jones after Phoebe had spotted him a few weeks after he had gone through one of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society’s online sales in 2020 unsold. “He was a surprise; I only knew he was coming a few hours before he was delivered as Mum kept it quiet,” explained Phoebe. Coalport is the sire of filly Challenge Cloe, the 2022 Welsh International Reserve Supreme, and

Phoebe explained that he “has sired two lovely foals this year who are retained” by the family, and they “expect two more next year”. The Springbourne stud also expect one foal by him next year having sadly lost his sire last year. As well as producing quality youngstock, Coalport has also had a successful run in the showring, standing reserve champion at Towerlands Silver Medal and winning at NPS Area 4. “He’s a lovely boy and I really enjoy showing him,” said Phoebe.

Reserve supreme also went to a Welsh pony: section C Coppathorne China Doll. The quality filly was bred by Simon Charman, and is now co-owned between the Charman family and the Fuller family, who produce her. She started her day’s campaign with the section championship, and she also stood supreme foal and supreme youngstock champion before taking the overall reserve.

She was shown by Tommy Fuller, who has produced and shown for Simon for a number of years. Tommy explained that he made the long journey from Kent to John and Jacky Kirk’s Builth Wells home to cover

Springbourne Coalport stood champion Welsh section A and supreme in hand shown by Phoebe Prater

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Tommy Fuller showed Coppathorne China Doll to stand champion section C, supreme foal and reserve supreme inhand champion

China Doll’s dam, Coppathorne Special K (by Moorcroft the Master) with Donys Importance. “I fell in love with her once she arrived, and lucky for us Simon agreed to share her with us,” said Tommy. She made her debut showring appearance at Southern Counties WPCS Autumn medal show where she was youngstock section C champion and reserve overall section C and supreme overall youngstock. “She’s had quite the start and something very hard to follow,” Tommy said, adding, “we will hopefully have her out this coming season and look forward to her becoming a future broodmare.”

Starcrest Discovery. However, Tony had long considered keeping his own Welsh cobs, and having successfully shown Stephanie Edwards’ London section Ds, he decided that this filly’s mother, London Total Temptress would be the one to set him on his way with his own cobs. It proved a brilliant decision when she stood youngstock champion at the Royal Welsh show in 2019. By Llanmorlais Exclusive, Enchantress is Temptress’ first foal and is already set to follow in her mother’s successful footsteps, standing first,

youngstock champion and overall section D champion winning her first Bronze WPCS medal at the Southern Counties WPCA Show on her first showring appearance.

However, the Welsh section D championship was awarded to Sonia Smith’s homebred Trevallion Culhwch.

The five-year-old stallion was successfully shown as a youngster by Dai Williams, bringing home numerous red rosettes, and has since been broken and shown under saddle by Katie Parry. Now matured, Culhwch was shown once again by Dai.

Hot on Tommy heels was his teenage son, also Tommy, showing the winning section C stallion and standing reserve to his dad with Graham Moffatt’s Pwllmelin The Fox, who arrived at Shankley for Tommy junior to show earlier in the autumn. The pair have got off to a great start in the ring, standing section C champion and supreme overall champion at Southern Counties Bronze Medal Show. “I can’t begin to tell you how proud of Tommy we are and how grateful we are to Graham for allowing The Fox to come stay at Shankly,” said proud dad, Tommy.

Another foal showing great promise was the Welsh section D youngstock champion, Tony Newman’s homebred filly, Starcrest Total Enchantress. Tony is better known for his breeding and showing of Welsh section Cs, including Olympia winner

Starcrest Total Enchantress took the youngstock Welsh section D title, shown by her breeder-owner Tony Newman

He is by prolific stockgetter Gwynfaes Culhwch and has his trademark expressive movement. Sonia and Dai’s luck didn’t stop there, with homebred colt foal Trevallion S Zeus also winning his showring debut, shown by Sonia. Culhwch pipped the reserve, Carol Isaac’s homebred mare, Penclose Deluxe, to the post. Deluxe was shown by Carol’s grandson, Freddie Deacon, who has risen to the challenge of showing cobs in-hand with great promise over the past year, proving himself to be as natural in the inhand ring as Carol is in the riddens. Freddie’s mum, Delyn explained that Deluxe has spent much of her life in the field as a broodmare, but thought they would test the waters with the view to showing her with a foal at foot in 2023.

Deluxe took it all in her stride to give a great account of herself, making for a promising start to her campaign.

The section Bs saw Jo Filmer leave with plenty to celebrate having taken both champion and reserve spots. This season, Jo has enjoyed tremendous success with homebred HOYS-winning Longhalves Renoir, and at Thames Valley we saw promises of more great things to come from Longhalves. Her champion was showring debutante Stougjeshoeve Royal Dutch, who later also went on to stand reserve overall foal champion and reserve overall youngstock champion.

Bred in the Netherlands by Geert Verbaas and was imported by Jo to join her Longhalves stud. “I have bought him in specifically to use over the Falcon and

Trevallion Culhwch impressed to stand champion Welsh section D handled by Dai Williams

Renoir mares. I love his bloodlines,” explained Jo. Dutch’s dam, Stougjeshoeve Especiale Born, is a full sister to Royal Welsh supreme champion and HOYS finalist, Stougjeshoeve Escudo. Meanwhile sire, Cwrtycadno Glyndwr, is of a long line of illustrious champions.” Whatever his pedigree, it’s clear that “dear” Dutch is becoming something of a favourite.

“He’s a real delight, possessing superb conformation, lovely bone and limb a delightful temperament and extravagant

movement. Here’s hoping he fulfills his potential!”

Jo’s own breeding also enjoyed a share of the spoils, with yearling – now two-yearold – filly Longhalves Crown Princess [Molly] occupying the reserve spot. By Longhalves Heir Apparent, Molly occupies a special place in Jo’s heart, being out of the late Rhoson Silwli, who was dam of retained HOYS finalist Longhalves Lollapaloosa and the prolific Longhalves Renoir.

Jo Filmer’s Stougjeshoeve Royal Dutch stood champion Welsh section , reserve overall foal and reserve overall youngstock

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STARS Champion of Champions

Birchwood Drover and Louis Cure

17th – 20th November 2022 Aintree International Equestrian Centre, Liverpool Report by Celeste Gall | Photos by Equinational

The Shetland and The Shark A veteran Shetland pony shared by two brothers produced foot perfect performances to land the ridden supreme title and stand reserve in-hand supreme. 16-year-old Birchwood Drover safely carried Louis Cure, seven, around the ring to land the mountain and moorland first ridden title in a huge class with 42 combinations forward. In a hotly contested supreme, Louis gave a flawless account of themselves which included a walk to canter, a one handed extension and, finally, he handed judge Caroline Hamilton a flower plucked from his buttonhole at the end of his show. Also judging the supreme was Anthony Gribbin and Kevan Baskeyfield, who said: “The supreme ridden went around beautifully and were a lovely combination that certainly wowed the crowd.”

Louis shares Drover with his older brother Alfie, who turned 10 over the STARS weekend, and his younger sister Millie, three. The Cure family have had him on loan from Elaine Tomlinson for 18

months and are members of Ribble Valley Riding Club. “All three of the children share him and do absolutely everything with him from Pony Club to fancy dress and beach rides. He is just an absolute saint of a pony,” said proud mum Heather.

Alfie clinched the ridden veteran (14-19yrs) title, as well as standing top of the line in the young handler final; they also finished second in the mountain and moorland small breeds ridden final.

As they had both qualified for the ridden final, they were both allowed to ride separate supreme championship shows. “The boys rode their hearts out and did two perfect little shows, but Louis pipped his big brother by only two marks,” added Heather, who then watched Alfie lead Drover in the in-hand supreme to finish reserve. “Drover looks after my children in the biggest of atmospheres and has given them so much confidence and ring experience; we love him to bits,” said Heather.

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Taking the in-hand supreme was the stunning blue and white gypsy cob gelding Mr Blue Shark (Athos), who dazzled under the spotlights with owner and handler Mia Browne. Athos was rescued from a field in Doncaster by Tia as a young colt and had to be nursed back to health, but his transformation is astonishing and here he scooped the coloured in-hand final by a five-mark lead from a class of over 40 horses and ponies. Lloc and District Riding Club member Mia, 14, backed Athos herself and competed in the ridden equivalent final last season where they stood fourth. “I set myself a goal this year to try and get fourth or above and did we beat that! I have mainly focused on in-hand this year and my aim is to qualify for HOYS with him,” said Mia. Supreme judge Kevan said: “The in-hand supreme was a good moving true to type gypsy cob that showed off his paces and was a pleasure to watch.”

Lloc and District Riding Club were the only Welsh club to attend STARS, but nevertheless made the Welsh presence felt!

Younger representative Ashleigh Bowes and Twyford Taragon also claimed a win in the 50-strong best turned out class, much to the delight of connections.

Mr Blue Shark and Mia Browne

‘An experience like no other’ A six hour journey from Angus proved fruitful for 18-year-old Ella Dunn, who scored three top two placings with her two charges, the show pony Abbas Blue Rainbow (Dancer) and the show hunter pony Kellythorpes MillyOn-Air (Bunny). Ella has owned her ‘pony of a lifetime’ Dancer for eight years, and the pair landed the open show pony title here. Now 19, the chestnut gelding finished second at RIHS in her final year in affiliated show pony classes last season. “He has taken me everywhere I have ever dreamed of and I hope to contest the veteran showing classes with him next year,” said Ella, who manages Dancer’s Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) with diet and exercise.

Ashleigh Bowes and Twyford Taragon

“If I had it my way, he would live out as I think it is so good for their brains and their bodies, but in order to manage his EMS effectively, it isn’t possible for him,” explained Ella, who shows nine-year-old Bunny from grass. “She far prefers living out,” added Ella, who finished runner up on Bunny in both the show horse and show hunter pony classes. Owned by Berri Moore, Ella has Bunny on full loan and enjoyed a successful season including qualifying for three classes at RIHS and taking reserve champion challenge intermediate at the BSPS summer championships. “Her confidence in the show ring has grown and grown this season and I have high hopes for the 2023 season with her,” said Ella.

Abbas Blue Rainbow ridden by Ella Dunn

Chloe Chubb, who judged the ride section of the open ridden show pony class said: “Sadly, some of the ponies found the atmosphere a little electric, but our winner gave an excellent account of itself, showing lovely paces in a relaxed manner.” Chloe also co-judged the plaited lead rein pony final with Jaime Mead and they found their winner in the exquisite mare In The Night Garden (Beatrice), ridden by Olive Armstead and handled by her mother Savannah, who purchased Beatrice in the summer of 2020. The pair enjoyed a quiet novice season together in 2021 and last season they contested both RIHS and HOYS qualifiers, gaining top placings and taking the home produced mini lead rein plaited pony championship at Equifest. “The plaited lead rein winner had great manners from the moment it walked into the ring. Pony, jockey and handler were all in sync with each other giving a very polished performance as well as being a quality pony,” said Chloe, who was judging at STARS for the first time.

In The Night Garden ridden by Olive Armstead and led by Savannah Armstead

‘An emotional mess’

Harry Omar riding Idyllic Prometheus and led by Claire Omar

As expected, the mountain and moorland classes were extremely popular with quality ponies going right down the line, but it was Holly Charnock and her Welsh section D stallion Menai Castaway (Jonesy) who clinched both the ridden and in-hand large breed sashes. “He’s very well behaved for a stallion and just loves the attention, the more kisses and cuddles the better,” said Holly of the 11-year-old by Menai Super Star, who enjoys a varied life competing in everything from dressage to working hunter classes, as well as enjoying beach rides and camps.

Holly, who works as a school chef, does the horses together with her mum Karen Southeran, who runs the oldest riding school in the UK – Bowlers – alongside Pat Armfield. Unfortunately, on the morning of STARS, they found their young homebred Louis with colic and Karen had to rush him to Leahurst for emergency surgery, so Holly had to make the trip to STARS without her. “She said we had to go and luckily I have some amazing friends who really rallied around me and got us ready for the ring as I was an emotional mess,” said Holly, who ended up scoring the joint highest marks of the whole show with 96 out of a possible 100. Further good news came for Holly when Louis was finally allowed home after successful surgery.

Eight-year-old Harry Omar, who has autism and ADHD, topped the mountain and moorland lead rein class with the Welsh section A gelding Idyllic Prometheus (Kermit), led by his mother Claire. At the beginning of the year, Harry’s mental health meant he was really struggling with school and his self confidence was at an all time low, so Claire decided to remove Harry from the school until she could find one that could better meet his needs. “He came down to the farm every day with me instead and we would spend a lot of time with the horses, and in particular, grooming and hacking Kermit. I owe Kermit so much as he gradually brought Harry out of his shell and his mental health and self confidence was improving every day. They have such an amazing bond and they enjoyed a fantastic season together.

Menai Castaway ridden by Holly Charnock

“Harry can easily get overwhelmed so we did a lot of preparation for STARS and on the day we watched a few classes so he was familiar with how things would work. When he was called forward as the winner he had the biggest smile and I was nearly in tears,” said Claire. “Harry is now thriving in a new school and he is preparing for his first season as a first ridden with Kermit.”

Judge Chloe Chubb said: “I thoroughly enjoyed judging the lead rein mountain and moorland class which saw masses of entries with some really lovely correct ponies. I especially liked our winner who was an incredibly typey section A, with good limb and a true Welsh pony head.”

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Accurate riding rewarded Judge Robert Parker Jones had the difficult task of judging the equitation classes, with ponies and horses to be ridden in snaffle bridles only. Robert decided to set a show and publish it beforehand in order to give every rider the same opportunity of knowing what was required. “Although nearly every competitor performed the set show, it was the way in which the rider rode that affected the marking. I was looking at the way the rider used their seat and aids, their position throughout, the suitability of the partnership and the overall impression.

“Those that rode accurately and calmly without rushing, thinking about their riding effectiveness when performing transitions and changes of direction scored well. It is surprising how revealing riding a circle can be and this exercise is what really sorted the classes out,” said Robert.

His highest score of 96 out of a possible 100 went to the winner of the first ridden equitation class, Grace Gardiner and Cadlanvalley Domino, who also took placings in both the small breeds mountain and moorland final and the first ridden mountain and moorland final. “When I was announced as the winner I was very shocked,” said Grace, who added: “At home, Domino is just perfect, she does anything I ask of her.”

Cadlanvalley Domino ridden by Grace Gardiner

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100 years of developing Ireland’s Connemara Pony: The Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society celebrate 100 years in 2023

Connemara pony herd

Journey through the century

By Clare Silke In June 1912 a man by the name of Michael O’Malley, one which has become synonymous with the Connemara pony, set off walking from the west of Ireland village of Rosmuc.

His destination was Olympia, London. He was accompanied by his groom Joe Walsh, they lead a 4-year-old grey stallion ‘Irish Dragoon’ and a 6-year-old cream mare ‘Eileen Alanna’.

The goal was to present these ponies as an example of the Connemara pony breed as part of ‘The Parade of Types of British & Continental Horses & Ponies’. A journey today gauged at 870 kms was made on foot, train and boat from the wilds of Connemara to the heart of thriving London to one of the most prestigious equestrian events of the British calendar.

O’Malley’s desire was to ‘show as many people as possible the best pony in the world’ and he was rewarded for his efforts with a diploma from the International Horse Show for taking part in the display. This journey would ignite a fire to preserve and develop Ireland’s native pony breed the results of which we are still experiencing today.

In December 2022, a pony by the name of ‘Castle Kestrel’who was bred in the heart of Connemara by Clifden based breeder Henry O’Toole - stood Supreme Mountain & Moorland Champion at the London International Show. One hundred and ten years after that first showcasing of Connemara ponies at Olympia, this win is a testament to the efforts of those that would come together to form the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society to develop and a promote a pony breed so versatile and talented it would go on to perform on a world stage for more than a century.

Forming the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society Twelve years would pass between the journey to Olympia before the coming together of local Irish Connemara breeders to officially form the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society.

Over that period O’Malley penned a series of letters outlining his concerns and the actions he would like taken to preserve this pony breed. In December 1923, a public meeting was held under the auspices of the Galway County Committee of Agriculture and the Department of Lands and Agriculture, to form a society for the preservation and improvement of the Connemara pony. The first committee took the initial steps at that inaugural meeting. Their task ‘to attempt to foster and develop, on systematic lines, a native breed which had existed for centuries, the merits of which were recognised not only in Ireland but outside it’.

Concluding that best results were likely using carefully selected ponies from native stock, large numbers of which were to be found in Connemara. It was unanimously agreed to form the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society. Objectives and regulations were set and decisions to inspect existing stallions to determine whether they were suitable to improve the breed or if importing new stallions, such as the Arab strain, would be required. Inspections of mares and stallions were planned. The first inspections were held in April the following year at eleven locations throughout the county including the CPBS first Annual

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Show at Roundstone in August 1924. A total of 339 mares presented at inspections: 75 passed; of 50 stallions presented, six passed.

The then Society commented: ‘In making our selections we endeavour to adhere to the type of pony which made the breed famous in the past. That is a deep-bodied animal, short-backed and well ribbed up, standing on short legs, having good bone, sloping shoulders, a well-balanced neck and head. The ideal height ranging from 13 to 14 hands and the average height of the selected ponies is 13 hands 2 inches’ with particular attention paid to action and selected ponies had free, easy and true movement. These inspections would lay the way for the first Connemara Pony Stud book in 1926.

The next 20 years would be a formative time in the Society’s history as they set in motion procedures to encourage breeders to engage and adapt breed standards against a backdrop of starvation and unrest for the people of the Connemara region.

One hundred years on…

It is 2023, 100 years from the Society’s first formation that the foresight of the first council to preserve and improve this unique native pony, and the contribution the breed has made to the economy and development of Connemara, is recognised and acknowledged world-wide. Today the Society has daughter societies in seventeen countries across the world, indicating the popularity and wide-ranging ability of this very special adaptable pony breed.

Members of the first elected Council of the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society. Back row: Bartley O’Sullivan, Michael O’Malley, Willie Roe; Middle: Mr Wallace, Josie Mongan, Tim Cotter, Tommy Kelly; Front: Tom Lyons, Mr Prendergast, Father White, Christy Kerin

Stallion Parade Image (photo by Rynes Walker)

The First CPBS council, courtesy of Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society Archives

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To celebrate this extraordinary milestone in both the history of the Society and of the breed itself several events are planned by the CPBS to celebrate this centenary. Taking place in March the Connemara Pony Spring Weekend will be the first of this year’s events to mark this Societal anniversary. Taking place at venues across County Galway and the seat of the Society, the Clifden Showgrounds the four-day festival will run from the 23rd through to the 26th of March. As well as community events that highlight the impact the pony and the Connemara region have had on one another, colt inspections will take place, an integral part of the success of today’s Connemara pony, on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Encouraging all current and new breeders to have their young stock inspected as part of this year’s festivities to ensure breed standards are safeguarded into the next century. Saturday evening will see the hosting of the Centenary Celebration Hall of Fame awards where breeders past and present will be awarded for outstanding contributions and commitment to the breed. Launching on the night will be this year’s ‘An Capaillin’, the Society’s annual chronicling the previous year’s global success stories of Connemara ponies both at home and aboard. Sunday, the final day of the festival will see the parade of Stallions showcasing the sires of the moment at the showgrounds. Always a spectacular sight, breeders of stallions that have had significant impact on the breed over the decades are to be recognised as part of this year’s parade. Set to be an engaging 4 days of activities it is set to attract Connemara pony breeders, owners and enthusiasts from all over the world.

The annual Connemara Pony Show will take place at the Clifden showgrounds later this year. Returning to its third week of August date for 2023, this year’s four-day show will be dedicated to this historical anniversary. Always an incredible display of the Connemara across a range of competitive classes from in-hand showing, ridden, sidesaddle and performance competitions, the Connemara Pony Show will take place from the 15th to the 18th of August. A date worth saving for anyone who is interested in experiencing Ireland’s native breed at home in the birth place of both the breed and the Society.

Conor Mac Cormack presenting Banks Donavan. (Photo by Rynes Walker)

For more information and events that are set to be announced to mark this auspicious occasion stay up to date with the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society website https://cpbs.ie/ and Facebook, Instagram and across social media.

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SIDE SADDLE: STYLE AND TRADITION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY RIDER by the Side Saddle Association | Photos by EmmPix How many times have you seen a side saddle rider and thought, “Wow! How do they manage to look so elegant?” The answer is plenty of preparation, attention to detail and an ample supply of cleaning products for horse, tack and rider, including safety pins, hair pins and lacquer!

Although, you might be glad to know that it is not down to having everything brand new. In fact, many of the saddles/habits used by side saddle riders and Side Saddle Association (SSA) members are over 100 years old.

SSA Turnout Guidelines demonstrate safety and fit throughout, regardless of age of saddles and habits, and at the SSA, we primarily look for the fit of the saddle for the horse or pony and rider to ensure maximum comfort and enabling the horse to go freely and smoothly, and giving riders

the opportunity to give the impression of “just sitting there”. Side saddles, like astride saddles, should be fitted professionally and the SSA maintains a list of qualified side saddle saddlers and a “For Sale and Wanted” list. Numnahs are permitted but must fit the saddle neatly and correctly thereby avoiding any pressure points.

The habit – the name given to the jacket and apron made of restrained hue – is readily available for hire, second hand, off the peg or made to measure and worn with a neatly fitting waistcoat. Incidentally, that waistcoat should not be brightly coloured so leave the red one in the wardrobe! The habit should also be accompanied by a neatly fitting shirt with either a correctly tied hunting tie secured at the knot with a plain hunting tie pin or collar and tie. Both hunting ties and

ordinary ties benefit from secret pins to keep them in place.

Spotless habits, which may be navy, tweed or black, should be clean and hung correctly or well pressed with not a wrinkle in sight, and those with grey rides should tackle the thankless task removing hairs from habits.

The jacket should rest just on the back of the saddle and the apron fit snugly under the jacket with the hem parallel to the ground, about a hand’s width above the counter or seam of the boot covering the rider’s left leg, secured with a piece of elastic. Breeches, of a similar colour to the habit, should not show at any time. Silk hats, bowler hats or safety hats are worn as appropriate.

Adults may wear a silk hat. The height of the crown should be between 120cm and 133cm, depending on the height of the wearer, with a

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bun and a black veil which should be neatly fitting, meeting in the base of the bowler or silk hat brim, secured with a black pin, or crossed over the bun. A hunting tie is worn.

Traditionally it is only correct to wear a silk hat, after midday, at shows of county standard or upwards, at the National Side Saddle Show and when giving displays.

Adults may wear a bowler hat and veil, or safety hat without a veil, with a navy, black or tweed habit, collar tie, with hair in a bun. All headwear should be clean, worn horizontal to the ground and safety hats should have an appropriate cover. Veils should be matching, so if a tweed habit is worn with brown boots and bowler, the veil should also be brown.

Hats meeting current safety standards are compulsory when jumping. Our advice is that you always check the rules, however, as some shows require safety hats to be worn at all times.

Incidentally, it’s required that safety hats are required for ride judges, too. Ride judges won’t be wearing spurs though, which is expected of other adult riders, unless stipulated otherwise in a show’s rules.

Hands should be gloved, and the gloves should be plain brown or tan leather or string of a similar hue, or if wearing a silk hat, they may be chamois leather or cream. Discreetly coloured body protectors may be worn at any time.

Gentlemen wear ratcatcher, although on occasions when ladies are permitted to wear silk hats, they may wear a silk hat, collar, tie,

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black tail-coat and waistcoat, salopettes or close fitting military trousers, spur, brown, fawn or tan gloves.

A whip or cane acts as the rider’s right leg and is used sympathetically to give aids to the pony or horse. So, one should always be carried. It should be rigid rather than flexible, but it should be no longer than 76cms for juniors riding a pony not exceeding 148cm, or 100cms for horses and adults.

Juniors aged under 18 must wear hats that meet the current BS safety standards, a collar and tie, with hair in a bun (real or false), no bigger than a small doughnut and high enough to sit under the brim of the hat, using several, preferably lightweight, hair nets, pins and lacquer or tied with neat ribbons. Make sure there are no wispy hairs on show! As with adults, long boots should be worn, although jodhpur boots or plain gaiters are acceptable for small children. Garter straps are optional, but if worn, should be trimmed to fit and the buckle on the centre of the knee. For flat classes, a spur or blunt spur band may be worn horizontally on the seam or counter of the boot with a neatly fitting spur strap. No spurs for jumping, though.

Correctly fitting tack, including bridles, should be spotless with bits, irons, buckles polished, paying close attention to worn straps needing repair and saddle soap cleaned out of strap holes.

No straps should be fastened using the top or bottom hole. If using a curb chain, extra links should be linked up, not hanging down, and a correctly fitting lip strap used.

If the saddle has a roller bar (often seen on older saddles), a safety stirrup must be used, and if using safety stirrups, fittings should be checked for easy and safe release.

Numbers should be worn securely on the centre of back. Wonky numbers give a false – wonky! – impression of the rider’s position.

For side-saddle classes, the pony or horse should be appropriately trimmed and plaited, unless of course, the pony is a native, in which case breed rules apply.

For further information, check out the Side Saddle Association (SSA) website. SSA Members can seek advice locally via their Area Committee, Instructors, Side Saddle Saddlers and get additional benefit from the Clinics and Seminars offered.

Website: www.sidesaddleassociation.co.uk Business page www.facebook.com/sidesaddleassociation Group page www.facebook.com/groups/764823307610056 National Side Saddle Show: www.nationalsidesaddleshow.co.uk

Thistledown Elpaso lead rein winner with Marcus Capel Pony Club CEO and Nicolina MacKenzie

SEARCH FOR A STAR AT YOUR HORSE LIVE 11-12th November 2022 Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire ELVIS CROWNED SUPREME Champions of all shapes and sizes were crowned across eleven finals at the SEIB Insurance Brokers Search for a Star Your Horse Live Championships, and ten winners returned to the ring for the first ever Search for a Star Your Horse Live overall championship the following day. Eventually, it was the winner of the inaugural Pony Club SEIB Search for a Star Your Horse Live lead rein final, Heather Hiscox’s Thistledown Elpaso [Elvis] and his seven-year-old rider Emily Hiscox who took the top title.

North Warwickshire Pony Club member, Emily and Welsh Section A, Elvis’ performance was foot perfect and Emily finished by showing her fabulous balance and her pony’s steadfastness by standing up on his back for a few seconds. Judge Katie JerramHunnable said: “It was a unanimous decision from the judges, myself, Chris Hunnable and Mathew Lawrence. The pony’s show was exceptional.”

Heather has owned Elvis for three years, and in that time, he’s enjoyed a variety of activities from PC camp to hacking and jumping. She said: “We didn’t think for a moment we’d be in with a chance of winning the Pony Club final. Today I was shaking in the ring!

Thistledown Elpaso lead rein winner with Katie Jerram-Hunnable, Nicolina MacKenzie and Mathew Lawrence

Emily has been up since 5.30 this morning and Elvis is meant to be going to a Pony Club rally tomorrow, although I think we might give him a day off! He is Emily’s little unicorn and will be going back out in the field tonight – with no hood!”

Pony Club Chief Executive Officer, Marcus Capel said: “We are absolutely delighted that the inaugural Pony Club Search for a Star has been such a success. It was wonderful to see all the members and parents here enjoying this fabulous show and for a Pony Club member to go on and win the supreme is just the icing on the cake, thank you to SEIB for giving our members this opportunity and I look forward to next year.”

Another young showing enthisuast took the in-hand SEIB Search for a Star championship at Your Horse Live. Finn Williamson is fifteen-years-old, and he showed Kirsty Wilson’s Port Lou Lou to take the title.

Thistledown Elpaso ridden by Emily Hiscox and led by Heather Hiscox

Finn said: “I have been so nervous this week. It was amazing to win yesterday and then she was brilliant today. Search for a Star has been such a good experience for us, and she loves showing! I’ve got my GCSE’s coming up next year and we hope to do some intermediate classes. After the great time we’ve had this season, we think showing is her thing!” Finn and Port Lou Lou were Search for a Star HOYS finalists in the riding horse hack championship at Horse of the Year show last month. Conformation judge Mathew Lawrence said of Port Lou Lou: “As soon as she entered the ring, I thought she was a great type. She has a lovely way of going with fabulous cadence and has been beautifully produced by her enthusiastic handler.”

The first championship final of the day encompassed the five classes that make up the SEIB Search for a Star in-hand championships. Twenty-two horses and ponies and their handlers entered the main SEIB Arena en-masse. Many different types were Finn Williamson and Port Lou Lou

represented, from Dartmoor ponies, through hunters and even the first ever Shire finalist at SFAS. The veteran in-hand winner was first to be announced, being Lucy Ashworth and her own twenty-four-year-old bay gelding, Randall IV. This showjumper still competes to 1m 30 level and also qualified in the plaited horse Search for a Star in-hand final. A delighted Lucy said: “I have been really ill, I was diagnosed with stage 3 cervical cancer in November last year and didn’t think I’d be showing this year. It is just brilliant to have got my life back a bit. Randall was an ex-international showjumper and he is still ridden and does everything. When I bought him, I went to see an ex-racehorse and ended up coming home with Randall!”

Randall IV shown by Lucy Ashworth

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Milnerfield Lady Isabelle shown by Lucy Parr

Lachlann of Croila Croft shown by Judith Hogg

Larchgrove Isabella and Emily Elliott

The largest horse in the championship, Shire mare, Milnerfield Lady Isabelle [Issy] won the inhand native and traditional SFAS championship for her handler, Lucy Parr. “All I wanted when I came along to the Search for a Star qualifier was to get her out and help raise the profile of the breed,” said Lucy. “We have achieved so much more, we put in plenty of time and effort and Issy is so versatile. She rides, drives and hopefully we will also breed from her.” There were just 250 Shire foals registered in 2021 with around 800 breeding mares. Denise Badger from the Bickers Court Stud who is Lucy and Issy’s main cheerleader explained: “There is a push to expand the gene pool of the Shire horse, more artificial insemination means access to more stallions. The SFAS series is really opening up showing of Shires to both younger and more inexperienced people. It would be fabulous if people can learn from what Lucy has been out and done.”

The in-hand mountain and moorland winner, five-year-old Highland pony Lachlann of Croila Croft had traveled all the way down from the Scottish Highlands with his owner and handler, Judith Hogg. Judith said: “He has never seen anything like this before!

He was broken in this spring and has been to several outside shows. We realised at the beginning of this week that he is scared of clapping so had to quickly remedy that.” Lachlann of Croila Croft is also broken to traditional hill work in the Highlands.

Judith continued: “His hill work involves carrying hinds and fallows down the hill to the larder. It is a very traditional thing to do and ensures the hill is looked after. There aren’t many places that this still takes place. He will have a short holiday now and then carry out some more hill work through the winter.” Judith and Lachlann of Croila Croft also competed in the ridden Mountain and Moorland

championship at Your Horse Live where they finished in second place.

Ryehill Petit Ami won the in-hand plaited pony championship for her handler Lisa Hayyez. The five-yearold has been owned by Lisa since last May. Lisa said: “I am over the moon with her today, this is her first proper season going to shows and even to qualify was amazing! We came today with no expectations and as a schooling exercise. We plan to bring her out as a lead rein pony next year and this will have helped her experience hugely.”

The first Pony Club SFAS finals saw sixteen ponies travel from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

The first ridden SFAS Pony Club championship went to Rufford Pony Club member Emily Elliott, 9, and Connie Elliott’s Welsh section B Larchgrove Isabella [Issy]. Connie said: “She is such a lovely pony, Issy and Emily have done everything from galloping on a racecourse at camp to veteran championships and working hunter pony classes.”

In the open Pony Club SFAS championship, Mid Surrey member, Helena Kitchener riding Naomi Kitchener’s grey Connemara, Cavan Mick took the win. Helena said: “What an amazing experience, we still have borrowed gear for this, but it is fine!

SFAS has been great; through [the] showing I’ve learned to ride with two reins and go through trotting up practice. He is such a patient pony. We will spend the winter arena eventing and we will have another go at SFAS next year.” Helena also competes in tetrathlon with Mick and the pair competed at the Pony Club championships this year finishing in the top 20%.

Maia Ellis and her own part-bred Welsh cross traditional cob black mare, Furlong Socks won the partbred traditional SFAS Your Horse

Cavan Mick and Helena Kitchener

Furlong Socks ridden by Maia Ellis

Live championship. Maia said: “I am just shocked and can’t believe we have won. Just getting here is a massive achievement.” Apprentice hairdresser Maia has owned twelveyear-old Sox since she was four, and together they compete in cross country, dressage and fun rides.

The first Your Horse Live SFAS championship took place in 2018 for Mountain and Moorlands, and now, four years on, the championship has become a true amateur mountain and moorland goal.

Natalie Pastor and her homebred New Forest Langorra Ginger Port [Larry] were convincing winners of this competitive final. Natalie said: “Anything was a bonus today, he has been a star. When they started reading out the results in reverse order, I realised we were in the top three and was so delighted when we won!” Natalie and the Woodrow Portman gelding also won the SEIB SFAS Working Pony final at Horse of the Year Show. She continued: “It was always the plan to breed from our mare. We bred two foals from her while I was away at uni and I kept Larry. I backed him and have produced him myself.”

In the SFAS Open Veteran final each gave a unique individual show with plenty of flamboyance and the four judges held up score cards – similar to Strictly – and gave a mark out of 10 for the shows. Following stripping and trotting up, the winners were announced.

Langorra Ginger Port ridden by Natalie Pastor Cottrell Riverdance and Millie Bowles

Millie Bowles and her mother Selina Bowles’ 24-year-old Welsh section B pony, Cottrell Riverdance [Ronnie]were crowned the champions. Millie said: “We really enjoyed the atmosphere today, it is so exciting to come to a show with big names, such as Charlotte Dujardin walking past the ring! We came here last year and won the in-hand veteran final before taking second place in the ridden SFAS veteran class. Ronnie as we call him has recently been going to water treadmill sessions once a week.”

The SEIB Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse – in a nutshell Search for a Star is strictly for amateur riders and details for each show where riders have the chance to qualify for the HOYS and You Horse Live Search for a Star finals are available at www.seib.co.uk/competitions.

The five Search for a Star qualifying shows take place from April through to August. We are planning to include ‘Weekender’ events whereby a workshop will be held by the Search for a Star judges and stewards at the venue the day before the competition taking place. Search for a Star is very much a learning experience, competitors have the opportunity to receive support from top professional judges to learn and improve their performances.

Judges travel to the different qualifying venues to help with continuity and many qualify later after taking on board instruction.

Rachel Bond and Bowland Shooting Star qualify for the 2022 hunter final Donna Hoe and Midnight’s Magic qualify for the veteran in-hand final at Your Horse Live 2022

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Mumford and rider Claire Oliver qualify for the Racehorse to Riding Hoorse final at HOYS 2022

The range of classes on offer for Search for a Star covers many different types and breeds of horse or pony. There are HOYS qualifying classes for hunters, cobs, riding horses and hacks, working ponies and working horses (any type of horse or pony) and traditional gypsy cobs. The qualifying classes for Your Horse Live cover mountain and moorland, open veteran horse and pony (open to anyone with any horse over 16 years old, professional or amateur) inhand horse and / or pony to be confirmed (sections including any plaited show type and any traditional or native (any colour) plus mountain and moorland).

NEW for 2023 – will be an amateur in-hand class for heavy horse breeds.

if they are lucky enough to qualify in more than one but YHL is more flexible and competitors can compete in more than one class if they qualify.

Competitors do not need to be a member of any society, body or association to compete in Search for a Star. This is what helps make Search for a Star so inclusive and accessible to all. Horses and ponies entered into breed classes do need to have a relevant breed society passport.

There will be extra qualifying shows for the HOYS SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse championship in 2023. Five SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifying classes will be run at the SFAS qualifying shows. Further qualifiers are to be held elsewhere SEIB support ethical showing and testing for prohibited substances and tack inspections may take place.

All competitors are expected to have read and understood the Search for a Star rules before entering. Passports will be checked for all qualifying horses and ponies and ownership details must be correct as per the rules.

Competitors can enter as many classes as they like but can only qualify in one championship class at HOYS, so some competitors have had to choose which class they would like to compete in at HOYS

The Search for a Star full schedule including classes, times and rules will be released in due course.

SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse The SEIB Horse of the Year Show Racehorse to Riding Horse championship is open to professional and amateur riders.

Horses must have run either under rules or in point to points to be eligible.

For more information please visit www.seib.co.uk/competitions

Give It a Go: SEIB Search for a Star 2023!

SEIB Insurance Brokers’ Search for a Star had a bumper year in 2022. More than 1,000 amateur competitors came forward to have a go at qualifying for the prestigious Search for a Star Horse of the Year Show championship and the new and exciting Search for a Star Your Horse Live championship.

Over 100 lucky combinations made it through to the 2022 championships and two overall champions were crowned.

Cardiology nurse, Alex Windross and her own grey gelding, Herbie took the HOYS SEIB Search for a Star supreme title and lead rein Pony Club Pony, Thistledown Elpaso and his seven-year-old rider, Emily Hiscox took the supreme at Your Horse Live Search for a Star.

Looking ahead to the 2023 series of Search for a Star, we spoke to the 2022 champions for an insight on how to succeed in this amateur showing series.

The 2022 Search for a Star HOYS champion, Alex Windross was momentarily stunned when she and her lovely grey riding horse Herbie were announced to have taken the title in the

main HOYS arena last October. Alex said: “It was such an amazing surprise to have won. I never expected it.” However, Alex had her preparations for the HOYS final well and truly organised. She said: “The top piece of advice that I could offer would be to get a good, encouraging trainer who can identify with you and your horse. My trainer Karen Hill has been amazing, we would never have done it without her. We did plenty of hard work throughout the summer to get up to speed so we were well prepared and able to relax, smile and enjoy the experience.

“One brilliant tip Karen gave me was that if we looked the part at HOYS, we would then feel the part. She said that you need good advice from people that know! I was duly sent over to Hilary and Richard who dressed me to look the part, and they knew just what I would need for the HOYS finals from the correct browband for our class to the right gloves. It was a cost, but I decided to invest for what was likely to be a once in a lifetime outing and I did extra shifts at the hospital to cover it.

“When you actually are at HOYS, I would say, bring a good friend who will ground

you all the way. I was told to stop faffing and get on with it and that was exactly what was needed! I am very much an amateur rider playing about and giving it a bash. My logic is that every horse has a niche for what they are good at and I will go with them and do what they are enjoying so we will have success and all enjoy it! I’m now thinking about going to the Great Yorkshire with Herbie this year.

Without the confidence and belief Search for a Star has given me, I wouldn’t even be considering the idea.”

Emily Hiscox’s mother, Heather Hiscox owns Search for a Star 2022 Your Horse Live champion, Thistledown Elpaso, known as Elvis at home. Emily and Elvis won the first ever Pony Club Search for a Star lead rein championship in the main SEIB arena at Your Horse Live last year.

Heather said: “My advice is to never give up. If Search for a Star is something you really want to do you will need to put in plenty of time and dedication. Emily loves her riding and puts a lot of time and effort into it. Secondly, it must be enjoyable for both the rider and the horse or pony. I think this is why we found taking part in

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Pony Club Search for a Star so lovely as it is an extension of the all-round activities that Emily and Elvis have been taking part in. We focus on little and often with plenty of variety when it comes to riding. We change what we are doing – hacking, polework, schooling and we vary between the school and the field.”

Emily and Elvis have also benefitted from attending clinics as part of the road to the Search for a Star finals.

Heather continued: “You can’t do better than to get expert advice. We also found the comments and feedback from the Search for a Star judges in the ring really helpful. The SFAS team in general were amazing. Several times when I had a question, I picked up the phone and there was someone there to help. Particularly for someone new to showing, this was really useful!”

Following their Search for a Star Your Horse Live win in 2022, Emily and Elvis will carry on with Pony Club activities and showing. Heather added: “Emily loves jumping and acrobatics as well so we will look into some mini jumping and having lots of fun.”

Star crown, they qualified for, and were placed in, the ridden Search for a Star HOYS final.

Finn and Port Lou Lou, known as Roxy at home, attended the first Search for a Star qualifier of the season at Vale View in April 2022. Finn explained: “We entered both the ridden riding horse qualifier and the in-hand plaited horse class. The in-hand went great and we earned our Your Horse Live ticket, but the ridden class wasn’t so successful.

We really went to see what it was like and it opened our eyes as to what was needed! Finn’s mum, Jess added: “It is definitely worth not giving up after one try. The judges gave us brilliant feedback after Vale View and Finn and Roxy had plenty to work on, such as getting others to ride Roxy at home in preparation for the ride judge at the show.” Finn and Roxy went to their second Search for a Star qualifier at Stoneleigh Park in July and qualified for HOYS in the Riding Horse class.

Finn continued: “It’s also a good idea to enter the in-hand class for your horse or pony, even if the ridden classes are your ultimate aim. I learned loads from the in-hand that was also beneficial for the 2022 saw the first ever Search for a Star ridden classes, such as making sure the In-Hand championship at Your Horse horse isn’t overbent and is truly going Live. The inaugural winners were Finn forward – along with the all-important Williamson with Kirsty Wilson’s riding standing square! horse mare, Port Lou Lou. Fifteen-yearold Finn and Port Lou Lou had a brilliant “We started off the season having a go 2022 season and not only took the with double reins, but it wasn’t going so in-Hand Your Horse Live Search for a well so we said we’d stick with our wilkie bit with a single rein as that is what

Roxy is happy with. The ride judge at Stoneleigh said, ‘don’t apologise for not being in a double’.”

Jess added: “We felt that it was important for Roxy and Finn to enjoy the experience without stressing about the double reins. Now Finn and Roxy have a bit more experience they are starting to have a few lessons with the double reins.

“Both Finn and I and Roxy’s lovely supportive owner, Kirsty Wilson had the most amazing season with experiences we’d only ever dreamed of; Search for a Star has given Finn so much more belief that he and Roxy can go on to bigger shows and do themselves proud. We’ve also met some lovely people along the way.”

Finn said: “Following some advice from the Search for a Star judges as to what our next step should be, we will be getting Roxy measured in the next few weeks and then entered up for some intermediates. I am looking forward to taking it up a level with Roxy. We owe so much to Kirsty, she has taught me since I was seven and we’ve had Roxy on loan for the past five years and have just now agreed to buy her from Kirsty.”

How to Book a JMB Measurement: A Step by Step Guide To book, you will need:

Membership? Measurements? A double bridle? Stepping up into affiliated competition can seem daunting but very exciting! This issue, Maggie Simons speaks to the JMB to find out how to get your measurement sorted, so you have one less thing to worry about.

• •

Front legs showing correct posture

Your horse or pony’s passport Payment details

Booking Online: The Admin

1.

Homework

5.

You MUST select a Measurer to complete the application.

If at any time you need to change the Measurer selected simply click on View Details of the appropriate application below and scroll down to the bottom of the application and click Change Measurer. You cannot use the same Official Measurer for consecutive Measurements, and for Full Measurements the Official Measurer must also be from a different Vet Practice.

Firstly, do your homework. Check out the list of measurers in your locality and think about when it’s possible for you to take your horse to the measuring pad. Vet practices will ask that you book and pay online before they confirm your booking.

2.

Create an Account To book a measurement for the first time, you will need to create an account on the Joint Measurement Board website.

Once the account is created, subsequent measurements will be able to be booked under this account.

If you have forgotten your password, there is a forgotten password link, and remember to check you junk folder for the response!

3.

Apply for Measurement To apply for a measurement, click the ‘New Measurement Application’ button. You can only book one measurement per pony in one calendar year.

4.

Select a Measurer

If you have a new horse or pony and are not sure whether it has had a previous certificate or where it was done, you can check the JMB Database for proof of the animal’s latest measurement.

6.

Book the appointment with the vet To book an appointment over the phone with your vet, the vet or the Practice Receptionist will ask for a reference number. This will be supplied to you by JMB on your booking confirmation email.

Insert Passport Details Now you will need your horse or pony’s passport. You’ll need the microchip no. (transponder code) AND passport/ unique life no. (UELN) to continue.

Enter your animal’s microchip number (transponder code) below, if the animal has not already been registered with the JMB and it cannot be found then you will need to fill in their details as requested. ****N.B. the chip no. is different from the passport/ UELN no. they are not the same numbers***** The animal’s name must be the name that appears on their passport. Unnamed animals must be named with the Passport issuer before being presented for measurement.

Good stance for JMB Measuring

An Official Measurement

Annual or Full?

Animals that are 4,5 and 6 years old will receive an Annual Measurement as well as animals 7 years old or over receiving their first Measurement. Full Measurements are for those animals 7 years old or over that have had at least one Annual Measurement in a previous year.

The Certificate Even though you might hear someone mention a height certificate no physical certificates are issued.

The Official Measurer submits a Measurement form online and the database is updated with the details.

The JMB aims to update the online database search facility within 3 working days of receiving the form.

How much will it cost?

Measurements currently cost £98.00

Another good example of a pony standing ‘four-square’ for measuring

Preparing the horse for the measurement: Dos and Don’ts DO have your horse’s shoes removed.

DO have their feet trimmed as if ready for re-shoeing DO prepare your horse. If you have a measuring stick, take time to familiarise the horse so that they are not worried when the stick comes close. A long cane or broom handle will do nicely to practice with, if you don’t have a measuring stick.

DO teach the horse to stand still, calmly and correctly, with front feet parallel and hind feet no more than 15 cm (6”) apart.

DO make sure you know what height your horse or pony should be under for class or breed eligibility. You can’t do anything to change the height of your animal but it is best to know beforehand i.e show ponies are measured at 138cm (13.2) or under for their class where as a Welsh Section B and C must not exceed 137.2cm (13.2) to be registered under the Welsh Pony and Cob Society rules.

DO check the rules. By booking a JMB measurement, you are agreeing to their rules and those of your Society or Association. A list of prohibited substances can be found on the website.

DO give your horse travelling experience before the day of measuring and allow plenty of time on the day, especially with a novice.

DO remember that the aim is to measure the horse or pony in a relaxed state DON’T be late and flustered, your horse will know!

DON’T panic, your horse should be given time to relax and familiarise themselves with the measuring pad before the final measurement is taken.

REMEMBER! A measurer is allowed to abandon the measurement if your horse is inadequately prepared for measuring, if hooves are not pared in accordance with the rules or not in the physical state required, or the Official Measuring Vet suspects your horse is under the influence of a prohibited substance.

If the result of a Measurement is not what you expected (e.g. the animal measured “out”) but the measurement was totally in accordance with the JMB rules the only recourse the owner has is to apply for a Re-Measurement. The formal procedure for this can be found on the JMB website.

DON’T take treats in your pocket with you. They become distracted by them and are often less well behaved than if nothing at all is given. If you really need something to keep them occupied, a lick in a tub is a better option.

DON’T ever be tempted to cheat or be caught out! Random blood testing is in operation at JMB measurements. Check the list of prohibited substances on the JMB website.

With grateful thanks to the JMB for their advice and images.

For further advice, visit the JMB website. info@showingworldonline.co.uk | February/March Issue 2023 | Showing World | 95

Roseberry The Politician

In this month’s Breeder’s Digest, British Riding Pony breeder and enthusiast Mark Buckley gives his opinion on its alleged decline.

The British Riding Pony: What Decline?

Mark Buckley “It’s 2:30 in the afternoon, and it’s absolutely throwing it down outside. I have a cup of very weak tea, a sausage sandwich, and I am gently steaming away as I dry out. A quick search on through the font of all knowledge and The Truth – the internet – leads me to conclude that apparently, Elvis is alive and well, and the British Riding Pony is in decline.

The Truth informs me that the problem is twofold. Not only are there less ponies bred causing a decline in numbers, but the quality is also in decline due to reckless independent breeders who are apparently not breeding the right ponies.

Despite investing time, money, and more time and more money, these apparently reckless independent breeders are not breeding ponies equal in quality to those of the rose-tinted generations that no one can really remember, as purported by exgrooms who once worked at a stud no one else can recall, or who rode a pony in the last millennium with some long-forgotten success. All of this is proven on social media – of all places! – by the obligatory grainy photos, as if any proof was indeed needed.

These revered prophets – most of whom have long retired from breeding – extol the virtues of old bloodlines. These old bloodlines are allegedly the way forward.

Disclaimer: I don’t fully understand what the phrase really means.

For starters, all bloodlines trace back to exactly the same genetic evolution. So surely all bloodlines are exactly the same age? Unless, of course, a line of ponies parachuted in from another planet, or travelled through the vortex of time with Doctor Who.

Breeder’s Digest On the other hand, I do understand advice given to me by my father in-law when I started breeding rare-breed poultry and can clearly recall his words now: “Rare breeds are rare breeds because no one wants them.”

Could it be the same reason that these old bloodlines are no longer prevalent?

At this point, I should point out that I am an avid supporter of the British Riding Pony.

I breed and register British Riding Ponies.

I show British Riding Ponies at the highest level. I am one of the ‘reckless independent breeders’ that has slowly created a type of British Riding Pony that I am extremely proud to contribute to.

The truth is, however, that the British Riding Pony is not a breed, but a hybrid construct.

The British Riding Pony has evolved over the past 130-ish years as a combination of native ponies, Thoroughbreds and Arabs. It’s an open stud book which still allows crosses with these foundation breeds. We should never mystify ourselves into believing that we have a breed, or indeed that this breed is at risk. Just like hacks, hunters, riding horses, cobs, intermediates and so on, the British Riding Ponies are a type. It is simply a type that evolves to meet modern demands.

Ask yourself, is this not the joy of the BRP? We have a living, evolving type that progresses and develops. We are not stuck in the straight-jacket of a heritage with no reason for existence other than to preserve a snapshot of the past. It’s surely a strength we should be all embracing, whilst perhaps taking the lead from breeders on the continent who have created and marketed

very successful horse and pony types out of open’ish stud books.

How do I measure my own success as a breeder of BRPs? Simple. I consider the inhand show ring where conformation and type reign supreme, not simply at pony shows, but shows where all breeds and types, big and small, come together to fight it out against each other. The pinnacle of this is without question the Price Family Supreme In-Hand Final at HOYS. At HOYS 2022, I sat at the side of the TopSpec Arena waiting for final to commence, for the finalists to get their fifteen minutes of fame, and for six years of time, work, investment and perseverance to come to fruition as my own home-bred BRP entered the ring. I flicked through the catalogue and notice once again that BRPs outnumber any other breed or type forward, meaning that at those qualifying shows, therefore, the BRP is apparently outperforming all native pony breeds. On reflection, that too was all the fault of those pesky reckless independent breeders.

As for that demise? I believe that BRP breeders are doing their bit to preserve, improve and evolve the BRP. That particular HOYS final certainly seems to corroborate my point of view Then again, if Elvis is still alive, my eyes might deceive me. But for 2023, as ponies once again enter the ring, I know who I’ll be rooting for. Come on, the British Riding Ponies.”

Marcosie The Fourth Dimension

96 | Showing World | February/March Issue 2023 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk Royaloakes Love Scandal

Megland Moonglow

The INSIDE SCOOP with the 2023 HOYS JUDGES As we all go about qualifying, find out what the judges will be looking for this year in our exclusive feature!

KATIE JERRAMHUNNABLE SEIB Search for a Star

Katie’s career in horses began when at seven years old, she attended the local riding school. A year later, her parents purchased her first pony, allrounder, Pip. “Pip did everything,” she explained, “he was Pip-of-all-Trades.”

Pip introduced Katie to the showring. “We were very much local showing people, and we did a bit of everything, but it was in those showing classes that we prevailed, and that’s what took us down the showing route.”

When she was 11 years old, Katie’s parents purchased the then four-year-old Pendley Wizzard, and a few months later, the pair enjoyed their respective first taste of Horse of the Year Show, finishing fourth. “From there, we progressed to show ponies and then to hacks, and then to cobs, riding horses, working hunters and all sorts,” she explained. Nevertheless, the family remained interested in horses across all disciplines. “Along the way we also kept point-topoint horses and all sorts; my parents really gave me a massive all-round experience with horses, and I enjoyed the education in all fields.

“When my boys were little, I decided to go back to some eventing, and my working hunters also evented. Of course, when you have eventers, you must also go show-jumping and to dressage, so I’ve really dipped a finger in each pie!”

something I pride myself on, so even when having light periods, my horses will be hacking and doing road work.”

Katie’s mastery of the showring claimed royal attention, and she spent 20 years producing the late Queen Elizabeth II’s horses. Crowds at Horse of the Year show were treated to a display of the late Her Majesty’s horses and ponies courtesy of Katie and fellow royal producer Lizzie Briant Finlayson, and there was not a dry eye in the house when Katie and First Receiver were pulled forwards as winner of the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse final. “I’m usually a laid back person,” said Katie, “but I put myself under immense pressure when she died just a few days after First Receiver qualified at Burghley Horse Trials. I was desperate for a centre liner as that’s what she really wanted. I made it, albeit too late for her, but a first win for the King. It was very emotional.”

Katie began her judging career at 20 years old, starting with the HIS panel, which is now the SHB (GB) panel. Later in her twenties, Katie progressed to the BSHA panel, before latterly joining the BSPS, CHAPS, R2R and TGCA panels.

She explained that she thoroughly enjoys judging the BSPS and TGCA classes as they are completely different to those she competes in herself. “They’re a different set of riders and ponies and I can judge with a completely fresh eye and mind; I think that’s so important. The same applies when I judge SEIB Search for a Star classes. I absolutely love judging the classes I am not connected with.”

She credits the variety she enjoyed in her own education with helping her in the showring. “It’s helped massively, even with conformation and soundness. People think that you can cover up poor conformation with fat but that’s not the case; What will Katie be looking for? poor conformation is poor conformation so I can’t understand why people think this.”

It goes without saying that Katie will be looking for a fit and healthy animal, but what else?

Her background also very much underpins the experiences and education she now gives “HOYS is a completely different scenario, and an her own horses: “I like a fit horse; I like my incredibly lively ring. SEIB do groom competitors horses looking fit and gleaming with health. It’s to be ready for this as going in blind is not ideal.

“I’ll first and foremost be looking for a horse that walks into the ring and says, ‘look at me,’ and then it must complete a mannerly go round. In the individual show, the ride must be mannerly, educated, forward going, and the horse must cover the ground. If a horse is not educated, it is not ready to win at a big show, and this is the pinnacle.

“I also want to see tack that fits perfectly, and a comfortable saddle for the ride judge.

The turnout must be impeccable; it’s so important.

“For the conformation faze, you can lose marks so easily. You must know how to stand up the horse correctly for the judge to see from the front, each side and from the back.

Make the most of your horse’s good points and stand it appropriately. Get someone else to stand up the horse for you to properly assess how it looks best, and do the same for when it is moving. For example, perhaps if you trot it too fast, the horse will go wide behind.

“I’ll also be looking for a combination who is smiling and enjoying themselves. Smile throughout and if it doesn’t go to plan, don’t look too disgruntled, there will always be another day.”

JOANNE DEAN Children’s Riding Pony of the Year (Ride) Royal International Horse Show, and lots of major county shows.

As home-produced competitors, we were really happy with two second places at HOYS. “As my niece grew up and moved Manchester-based Joanne on from horses, my daughter Ellie, does not come from a ‘horsey’ thankfully became very interested! background. However, she We campaigned with the plaited explains: “I was determined as a ponies once more, but she always young child that I could convince wanted a hairy and finally, when my dad to buy me a pony, which he Ellie was 17, I gave in, and we eventually did. My mum still says went to the dark (and hairy!) side. she’s waiting for me to grow out of We now love our Fells, and this is it, 52 years later!” what we are currently competing.

It’s really exciting and fun to get During her own time in the ring, involved with a very different type.”

Joanne competed in small hack and Partbred Arab classes, but later decided to sell her own gelding and concentrate on the plaited ponies for her niece.

She said: “We enjoyed success from lead rein right through to 148cms, including wins at the

as RIHS, the Royal Welsh, Royal Windsor, Royal Suffolk to name but a few. I have also judged at Barastoc Horse of the Year show in Australia which I will never forget; it was a trip of a lifetime.

This will be my third time judging at HOYS, and I am truly honoured to be asked to return again to the NEC.”

Alongside her day job and judging commitments, Joanne is a BHS Accredited Professional Coach.

“I love helping riders to grow in confidence and unlock the potential for themselves and their horses, it’s so rewarding,” Joanne is a BSPS Star judge, and she said. “I am a big believer in she also sits on a several other wanting to give something back panels including UKP&H, SSADL, to the showing community and NCPA and TSR. for many years I was part of BSPS Area 2A committee including a “I have now been judging for over position as vice-chair. I then was 20 years and have had the privilege asked to take over the role of chief to judge at prestigious shows such

steward for the light horse section at The Royal Cheshire Show after shadowing Christine Newton for a few years. This will be my first-year solo, I have big shoes to fill as she deservedly retires but I am looking forward to the challenge.”

What will Joanne be looking for?

She’ll be searching for presence, and wants to see combinations “walk in that ring like you own it!”

As for the show, she’ll be wanting “a beautiful well executed show,” and urges riders to “allow the pony to move in its natural rhythm.” And lastly, “please look like you are enjoying it!”

EMMA MAXWELL Ridden Arabian of the Year (Conformation)

Emma Maxwell has been working as a specialist in Arabian horses for over 25 years, and has worked with generations of the world’s finest Arabians.

Emma grew up in a horsey family which bred Arabian horses as a business until 2002. Pat, Joanna and Emma of Lodge Farm Arabians bred around 25 Arabians a year from English, Straight Egyptian, Spanish, Russian and Polish lines and made their original combinations.

The family held a holistic view of the ideal Arabian as not just a show horse but one which combined external beauty with athleticism and trainability.

Lodge Farm bred several Halter World Championship winners and countless National and International Champions, plus

Stakes race-winning Arabians and some Halter Champions, which also won on the racetrack.

Some Maxwell mare families are still breeding on for the world’s new breeders six or seven generations on.

Emma was one of the most successful female Arabian horse halter trainers ever in Europe showing 5 Paris World Champions, and many other horses to titles at the Nations Cup, the Qatar International, the Middle East Championships etc.

She also organised and co presented the WAHO Parade for Turkey in 2002, working with a group horses previously unseen to most breeders. She later returned to Turkey to design a protocol for safely introducing horses to the Kurt Equine Training System.

Though she is now London based, she remains hands on, and continues to breed some horses, mostly with a strong

Maxwell connection. HOYS fans may recognise the name Adawy, whom Emma bred and who went on to stand Ridden Arabian of the Year under current owner Louisa Biles, and has also twice stood HOYS Arabian leading sire of the year. Emma also owns the promising young stallion Wakil Aljassimya currently standing in Spain.

As well as being a dab-hand handling and showing the horses, Emma is an accomplished lecturer, photographer and writer.

In 2021, she was awarded the Arabian Horse Times Readers Award for her book, 40 Years of Paris World Champions and has given countless speeches about a variety of topics including Arabian type, temperament, history and bloodlines at National Society meetings, Judges Seminars and was even a guest speaker at the 2011 WAHO Conference in Qatar, 2012 the Pyramid Society Conference in Texas, the 2017

WAHO Conference in Bahrain and the 2018 and 2019 ADIHEX Conference in Abu Dhabi, and the Pride of Poland Sale in 2022.

Judging has also led Emma across the globe. She’s been an Arab Horse Society judge since 2001 and has judged the world over, from the UK to Germany and Australia, New Zealand and Zimbabwe, and she runs a successful consultancy service on the Arabian Horse.

What will Emma be looking for?

“I’ll be looking for a harmonious horse who fits together well.” And rest assured, a true lover of the breed as a whole, she is clear that she does “not have a particular bloodline favourite”.

This will be Lucy’s seventh appointment to judge at Horse of the Year Show, having been a panel judge for over 32 years. However, it will be her first time assessing the conformation phase having sadly had to pull out of riding the hunter weights last year due to having covid badly at HOYS. Lucy’s early riding years were spent hunting and riding with the Pony Club.

“At a young age, the wonderful Pam Tombs came into my life, instilling her passion for correct classical training of both horse and rider, with an emphasis on training the horse’s temperament and understanding conformation in order to improve areas of weakness,” said Lucy. She explained that showing has always been a part of her horses’ education, although, she admits it was “by chance” that she qualified her first hunter for Wembley aged 18. “Several years later, a good pull at HOYS had me standing next to the wonderful Robert Oliver and by the end of the class, I had agreed to go and work for him the following season.

This was a major turning point in my life”.

Through Robert and then wife Ali, Lucy learnt in greater depth the finer points of type, conformation, ride and way of going on some of showing’s greatest horses, naming Super Ted, Kings Warrior and Hobo amongst them.

Shortly afterwards, she was accepted straight on to the Hunter Panel, followed by the Show Hack and Cob panel, and a superb judging

LUCY KILLINGBECK Cob of the Year & Maxi Cob of the Year career ensued. She explained: “Judging has taken me all over the world, to judge at Horse of the Year in South Africa three times, New Zealand once and Australia’s Grand National twice. I have been incredibly lucky to have ridden some wonderful top-class horses including two ladies hunters of the year: Fergie St. George and Bournbrook Golden Law. Alongside the show horses I am involved in the training of event horses which has taken me to places like Thailand for the Asian Championships. Five years ago, I had a major accident that left me with a broken pelvis, sacroiliac joint, internal injuries and three broken vertebrae. Fortunately, the prognosis that I would never walk sound or ride again has not come to fruition, but with this in mind I had decided that last years Ridden Hunters at HOYS would have been my finale ride judging appointment but because of having covid just before and not being able to fur fill this appointment I have put this decision on hold for the moment .”

What will Lucy be looking for?

“It is important to remember when judging what the exhibits were original used for. Precars, cobs were for general use, for example they might be ridden to the meet before

swapping to your hunter, and farmers used them to ride round their farms for , check stock, pull a trap then hunt them as well. Cobs should be of an ergonomic design: short-legged, deep-bodied, weight carrying horses but they should also have plenty of quality. A cob should have a good step but it’s movement should not be too extravagant or too round.

The quality gives athleticism and makes them a comfortable ride, which is so important. Riding a cob with quality versus one without is a bit like driving a Range Rover instead of an old Land Rover; both vehicles do the same job, but one does it with extreme comfort!

In outlook, cobs should be jolly with big characters; a cob can be slightly cheeky, but never rude.

A quality, old-fashioned cob will catch my eye. The fist show cobs I was involved with and had the privilege to ride and look after were the one and only heavyweight Superted and the lightweight Portman, both were prolific winners and gave me a bench mark that I still work to.”

POLLY MALLENDER CHAPS Coloured Horse or Pony of the Year (Ride) the Chase side-saddle race, which is still one of my top life events!”

Polly was born into a family of equestrians.

“Dad is a farrier and he and Mum used to do a lots of breaking, dealing and breeding,” she explained. Nevertheless, Polly explained that she has always “had ‘non-horsey’ jobs with horses being a hobby.” She currently works as a special educational needs teacher at St Giles School, teaching years 12 and thirteen – or sixthform in laymans terms.

As a youngster, Polly enjoyed Pony Club, hunting and the local riding club, and usually had young ponies to bring on. She explained: “I fell lucky with my two 148cm ponies, Merriment William and Simply Charlie. I had them both from four-year-olds and we progressed up the ranks, with Charlie and myself competing at HOYS in the Newcomer final.”

Show jumping formed the next decade’s passion, and Polly enjoyed success in the Young Rider classes, as well as producing a number of youngsters.

Nowadays, Polly is a hunting fan and has earned her collar and hunt buttons with the Readyfield Bloodhounds. She also rides side-saddle: “I have even had many a fun day following hounds aside. My Irish Draft (Sir Pancake) and I were second in the Diana’s of

As well as showjumping and hunting, Polly has enjoyed a number of disciplines from British Eventing and dressage to workers, flat showing and side-saddle “and many others,” she laughed. “I think that this range of experiences has helped me to become a well-rounded horse woman”.

Her judging experience began first of all as a steward. “I started stewarding in my late teens and gained so much knowledge and insight into the world of judging. All the judges who had me as their steward were always happy to explain their thinking to me. I am grateful to those judges who took the time to share their experiences with me. It was a great foundation to my judging career.”

She became a panel judge “as soon as I was old enough to attend the assessment days. I learned a great deal about conformation and way of going from my Mum and Dad, it really helped me come assessment day.

“I’ve been lucky enough to judge at some great places including Ireland, The Isle of Man, Jersey, Gurnsey, Wales and lots of superb shows in England.”

What is Polly looking for?

“As a ride judge, I want a supple, balanced and

responsive ride, which way of going is paired with its type; I expect a hack to be light, agile and elegant while a hunter will be eager to get on with the job. I would rather an animal be a bit too keen that a bit too flat!” Taller exhibitors that don’t know Polly be warned: “I’ve got short legs, so exhibitors need to make sure their stirrups go short enough!”

And in the pony classes? “In the pony ranks I want a balanced and chipper animal which is rhythmical and again goes in a way which is expectant of type; I don’t want a class of ‘robots’ with a fixed heads and no pizazz.

“Across all four sections I will be looking for manners, a typely way of going and for the animal which says, ‘I’m here, look at me.’

“I’m a traditionalist when it comes to bitting, I want to see exhibits in a simple pelham or a standard double bridle with a simple snaffle bridoon.

“I am incredibly privileged to be asked to judge at HOYS. It’s such an honour to be a part of The World’s Greatest Horse Show and I can’t wait for October!”

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