Showing World July 2022 (168)

Showing World Issue 168 July 2022 www.showingworldonline.co.uk

Issue 168 - July 2022

Ten minutes with Kimberly Bates and Rafeekah

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

Show reports

from the Hickstead Derby Meeting, Royal Highland, Cheshire, Three Counties, Stoneleigh Horse Show and more!

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MADE IN OUR OWN

UK MILL

A Note From Our Editor Dear Reader, What a packed few weeks it has been! Show after show after show!

I hope that your season is going well. Please let us know if it is as we’ll try to slot you into the magazine somewhere, and if you spot me at a show, please do introduce yourselves as I’m always thrilled to meet more faces in the showing community, and especially our readers!

Maggie (li’l sis) and I have done a fair few shows this year, with her competing and me reporting. Crucially, our ponies haven’t attended anywhere near as many as we have! Instead, we’re quite careful to make sure it’s only us getting worn out by hours on the road. I’m pleased to see that societies have started to speak out on the potential stress that travelling long distances frequently can have on horses, and it’s something that Vicky Smith has also spoken out about in her column this time. Afterall, sat in the front, we can rely on copious sugar – namely Percy Pigs – and caffeine to power us through, but that’s not the case for the horses on the back!

We take driving in turns, and long hours travelling in the passenger seat used to inevitably mean some time perusing social media. Not so much of late, and I’m sure you don’t need me to spell out why. Besides, I’ll elaborate in my Talking Point and say no more of it here. Let me know your thoughts, but please do so either kindly or after I’ve had a chance to grab my hard hat and body armour!

This issue is pretty packed with show reports and more. I know that a few big shows have passed and have not yet been included – don’t worry, they’re waiting for the next issue! We ran out of space!

And talking of running, I’m leaving it at that, because already we’re running headlong into another spell of intense showing and I have another issue to think about…

In the meantime, the very best of luck to you all at some of our biggest shows of the year. I really hope you come away adorned in red or blue, but if not, I hope you have a lovely time anyway.

- Beth

MEET OUR COVER STAR ON PAGE 41

Sarah Field’s Murvey George (Real Time Imaging)

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | July Issue 2022 | Showing World | 3

Contents 26

Special Seven

34

Life after showing

41

Justine Armstrong Small on RIHS workers

42

Sarah Parrotts top tips for preparing ponies

45 Exclusive insights with the HOYS Judges 49 Royal Highland Show Report 58

Hickstead Derby Meeting

36

Front cover: Justine Armstrong Small and Time Down Under

Editorial: Beth Simons

beth.simons@showingworldonline.co.uk

Why not subscribe and sign up to our free monthly newsletter for yet more content from the Showing World team? www.showingworldonline.co.uk Follow us on Facebook @ShowingWorld

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

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

4 | Showing World | July Issue 2022 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

TALKING POINT:

JUDGES, BIAS AND MARKS

Anyone seriously involved in the industry cannot have missed the current wave of ill-feeling regarding results, marks, biased judging and apparent corruption.

Much of the debate is being played out online with competitors turning to social media to air their complaints. This is worrying. It’s dangerous for the future of our sport, because let’s be honest, if you were new to showing and all you saw were complaints, why would you bother? It’s also divisive, causing an unproductive ‘us and them’ culture. If a competitor makes sweeping, negative statements about judges as a body, their point loses credibility; most judges are good people. When the heckles of those good judges are raised, attempts to ‘bite back’, deny or defend misconduct merely appears to be closing of ranks and even condonement. I’m absolutely not saying we ‘name and shame’, but rather that there needs to be a be a better system for society members to feel their voice is heard and their complaints taken seriously. They want to see change.

When it comes to questionable judging, perhaps intervention could be escalated depending on the number and frequency of complaints. Perhaps repeat ‘offenders’ should be removed from a panel or at least reassessed after some vigorous training. It could, after all, be an honest case of insufficient training, for example in how to judge a jump phase.

I did make a complaint last week, and in fairness, I feel heard. Without going into too much detail, it’s sufficient to say we competed in the same classes across three different shows. In two of the three, we were greeted with smiles from both judges, given plenty of time to show the pony properly and a personal throw-away comment on my sister’s “beautiful hair colour” from a judge made her day. She felt seen. We left those shows feeling disappointed with our placings, but nevertheless feeling like we had had a pleasant day’s showing. Trust me, when you live in Pembrokeshire with the current eyewatering fuel prices, this is essential for morale. A good food hall helps, too!

At the third show, we were made to feel an inconvenience and the judge was nothing short of rude to several competitors. This is wrong. We had paid an expensive entry, driven four hours to be there, paid an extortionate amount for diesel and even more for tea. We deserved at least a smile. We came away feeling uncharacteristically disheartened. Competitors who thought less of our sport might not have returned to it. Please, judges, you have responsibility for more than the results of a class. Remember you can only truly satisfy one competitor - the winner - but your behaviour goes a long way to giving everyone else

a pleasant experience. Remember your conduct is not simply a reflection of you, but of the sport as a whole.

Bias When it comes to bias, the water is murky. If a judge keeps Shetlands, chances are the excellent Fell in the supreme line-up will appeal more than even a prolific hunter such as View Point. The fact that the Fell pony’s breeder bought a Shetland from the judge in 1984 that went on to be Olympia champion is not relevant in this case. Don’t pretend it is.

The problem is when extremely close and public relationships are defined by rosettes exchanged in the eyes of spectators and other competitors. It’s such a small pool of people that it’s impossible to show only under people you do not know, and nearly impossible to avoid friends completely. But it is possible to avoid showing under the closest of friends, if only for the greater good of the sport.

For example, when my good friend Gemma judged the ride at the Royal Welsh, we knew at once that we wouldn’t be entering, even though winning on that hallowed turf for us Welsh breeders gives such a buzz. Had we been tempted, we would have known exactly who to enter, and exactly how to prepare it for just how Gemma likes her rides.

Had we had the highest ride mark, however, it would always have been tainted with scepticism, and the integrity of each of us questioned. If you choose to do it, please refrain from a joyous ringside picnic afterwards. Again, there’s a greater good to consider.

I appreciate that avoiding potentially contentious situations it is more difficult for professionals who are under pressure from clients to show, show, show. So, owners, I beseech you, think about whether playing your hand will be detrimental to the judge’s or your own reputation. There is always another day.

It also strikes me that some competitors don’t help themselves. One young lady recently told countless people she was winning a class way before the show even kicked off. She did. The thing is, I know the judge involved and know that they absolutely love the pony. Had it gone badly, it wouldn’t have won. Still, the young lady riding would have done just as well to keep quiet – such behaviour did nothing for her reputation and less for the judge’s. So, if you know a judge loves your pony and you intend to show, keep quiet.

‘Dodgy’ Marks Before we accuse the judge of an unfair mark, we must shine a light on our own performance.

Often that’s enough. Ask someone to critique your show; get Mum to film it; scrutinise the

photos. The same goes for a conformation mark.

One week, your pony might score 43, whereas another, it might score an average mark of say, 30. If we really think about it, it probably wasn’t because they ‘lost a leg’ but because it’s nothing like the type the judge preferred. Type is open to interpretation. Ask yourself, “is my pony anything like the top marked pony?” We must accept our unicorn is not everyone’s unicorn.

Take a deep breath; I’m about to ‘go rogue’. I hope that in a HOYS class, a judge can find a good animal that looks well, goes well and makes no mistakes. But apparently that’s not always the case, and it’s recently resulted in ‘wrong legs’ winning. For me, this is not a cardinal sin. If a pony completes a sterling go-round, stands like a rock, performs a balanced show, without being overbent or curled sideways like a banana, I don’t believe it should be severely punished for one stride on the wrong leg. Especially as, let’s be honest, most wrong legs in an otherwise spot-on show are rider error – my own included!

Perhaps if judges were asked to justify and explain decisions more often - not as a means to police but as a means of education for competitors - those few guilty of bias might be less tempted. We would better know what each judge likes and maybe what went wrong for us. But I appreciate that articulating this publicly might be a daunting task and potentially off-putting for prospective judges. Features, forums, conferences and clinics are excellent sources of information on preferences, as are other professionals who have been ‘in the game’ for a long time. If you must, it’s possible some judges won’t mind giving feedback, but please, be respectful. Ask in an appropriate tone in an appropriate place. Angrily accosting judges in car parks or in the queue for tea is fundamentally wrong. And remember, you asked for it, so be prepared to smile through uncomfortable feedback. Afterall, there’s always another day and another rosette.

Personally, I’m disappointed that HOYS feels the need to film classes and even more disappointed that it’s deemed necessary by the masses. What a sad state of affairs when we cannot trust in each others’ integrity. It’s certainly not sustainable – HOYS cannot become the showing police; they shouldn’t have to be.

I hear far too much of “going back to the good old days” when folk attended shows for a pleasant day and weren’t worried about HOYS or Hickstead.

It’s unrealistic. We cannot move backwards; forwards is the only way, and we all – each and every one of us - has a collective responsibility to make sure that there’s a sport left to move forwards with.

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | July Issue 2022 | Showing World | 5

SEIB Search for a Star has record breaking entries at Bury Farm SEIB Search for a Star 2022, Bury Farm 22 May 2022 There was an exceptional turnout at Bury Farm for the second SEIB Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifier of 2022 with more than 200 entries forward across the seventeen, providing a wealth of qualifying opportunities for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and Your Horse Live.

First up, was the working pony class, which saw the runners-up from the first qualifier, Leah Edgar and her New Forest pony Muddycreek Milford, go one better to take top spot. Leah’s mum, Michelle Egdar explained that they bought the five-year-old last September. “After they came second at their first SFAS qualifier, we had to come back,” said Michelle. “Milford is an absolute treasure. They will do everything over the summer, including cross country”.

Perseverance paid off for the working horse winners, Rebekah Young and her own, Pferde Stud Cezanne [Cez], whom she has owned since a foal. A thrilled Rebekah said: “As soon as I realised we had won, I couldn’t help but burst into tears. It has been such a long journey, but we have got there”. She explained that they have encountered a catalogue of health issues but have worked hard to overcome them. “I bought him with my savings and couldn’t afford another one so we have

kept at it,” said Rebekah who is a full time career for her mum, who has suffered two horrific car crashes. “Mum is so excited that we have qualified for HOYS. She burst into tears too; I just hope she makes it to see us at HOYS.” Jacob’s Finn earned a ticket in the hunter class under Karen Shutler. Police community support officer Karen has owned the five-yearold since he was an untouched three-year-old after her horse of 16 years died. Karen said: “I am shocked that we won. I am no show rider, but he is still only five and so I don’t want to jump him too soon and he seems to have taken to the ring like a duck to water.” The pair have also qualified for the SEIB Trailblazers dressage championships this summer.

Clare Sender and her own Layballands Royal Pageant [Flo] won the riding horse hack class.

Clare has owned the 10-year-old for the last five years. She said said: “We are quite new to proper showing and it is great that we have qualified. We have taken things slowly and in 2021 started going to some proper shows, being placed a few times, including standing fourth in the amateur class at Royal Windsor.

It has been a great learning curve.”

Zara Thain’s homebred riding horse, Sir Altinkum took runner up spot. Zara bred him

as a showjumper. “I competed his dam in international jumping classes on the Sunshine Tour, she is a warmblood by Contender,” Zara explained. However, finding he didn’t enjoy jumping, she decided to try showing. “What a result at our first ever Search for a Star qualifier – and second ever showing show,” she exclaimed.

Felicity Benton and Dali Havidson [Hughie] won the cob and maxi cob class, smashing their 2022 goal. Felicity said: “We are over the moon! I’ve had horses and ponies for a long time and HOYS has always been something that I would love to do.” The pair also compete at elementary level in dressage, combining dressage with showing. They won the amateur maxi cob class last year at the Festival of Showing and are headed to the RIHS in the amateur maxi cob class.

Irish Draught, Arthur’s Knight and Charlotte Creton took second place on their debut showing attempt. Charlotte explained: “We compete in dressage and several people have said we should do showing so here we are! We will go out for a few more practices in the show ring between now and HOYS.” Charlotte purchased 13-year-old Arthur as a three-year-old and broke him in herself. They are competing at elementary level in dressage

World Horse Welfare Paolo handled by Grace Willis

6 | Showing World | July IssueRich 2022 info@showingworldonline.co.uk Man |Poor Man ridden by Kirstine Douglas Pferde Stud Cezanne ridden by Rebekah Young

Layballands Royal Pageant ridden by Clare Sender

Mr Grey ridden by Lucy Burton

Highstell Alpha ridden

by Kirsty Lewis

Thistledown Elpaso ridden by Emily Hiscox and led by Heather Hiscox

and Charlotte hopes to move up to medium this year. Charlotte works as a groom at a private yard. “Arthur lives at the yard too, it is so helpful and I have time to concentrate on him,” she said.

The middleweight, Rich Man Poor Man took the Racehorse to Riding Horse class ridden

by Kirstine Douglas. Owned by Morean Hamilton, he was formerly in training with Philip Kirby. Kirstine said: “He is such a proper old-fashioned thoroughbred, an unbelievably attractive horse and a nice person too”. He came out of racing as a four-year-old and Kirstine has taken her time to establish a new routine with him. Nevertheless, the pair have enjoyed two top three finishes in the RoR class at the Great Yorkshire show, and won the 2021 Scottish Tattersalls Supreme championship as well as reserve supreme of show at Aintree. Kirstine continued: “He is qualified for RIHS this year and Royal Highland 2023.”

Racehorse to Riding Horse runner-up, Lucy Burton’s Mr Grey is also a first-time qualifier for the HOYS final. A delighted Lucy said: “We went to a few qualifiers in 2021, having been out of it for a long time we hadn’t realised quite how high the standard now is in the

Racehorse to Riding Horse classes”. Mr Grey spent last winter whipping in for the Bicester with Lucy’s father, Ben Burton. She explained that he was originally in training with Ben Case but was “no good as a racehorse”. The pair did however win the sidesaddle dash at Larkhill point to point earlier this year. Mr Grey and Lucy have also taken second place twice in the racehorse class at Royal Windsor Horse Show. Lucy added: “I did quite a bit of showing until I was 16 or 17 and then point to pointing took over. I’ve had three winners so far.”

In the traditional cob class, Kirsty Sheath and Hermits Golden Safari took the top spot.

Kirsty said: “I am delighted, we have owned him for the last two years but he has had severe ulcers and travelling has been a big issue. We now seem to have the ulcers under control, but I didn’t think he would win here today.” Hermits Golden Safari is the first traditional cob that Kirsty and her mum Jean Sheath have owned. Kirsty continued: “My mum always wanted a traditional and he was our lockdown purchase – I think mum had pretty much bought him before she’d even seen him. He loves life though and hacks, jumps and has the best attitude.”

SFAS has significantly helped runner-up in

Randall IV handled by Lucy Ashworth

Arthur’s Knight ridden by Charlotte Creton

the traditional cob class, Tara Kingston-Smith allowing her to realise her HOYS dream with Valiant Soldier. “I’ve had a really tough time with post-natal depression and was rushed into hospital just before the qualifier,” said Tara. “It has really given me something to look forward to. Having a focus is helping my mental health problems.” Tara has owned Soldier since he was a foal. She continued: “I was working away from home in an event yard and my unhorsey mum rang to say she’d just bought a traditional cob! I wasn’t sure what we would do with him, but I had a few falls and having lost confidence moved back home. I’d never done showing before – and we went to our first in-hand show where he took the championship and it’s all gone on from there.”

Tara and Soldier also compete in affiliated dressage to novice level, hunt, and showjump.

The first SFAS Your Horse Live qualifying class of the day, the mountain and moorland, saw Kirsty Lewis and her partner Ashton Eyre’s Fell pony Highstell Alpha take the win.

Kirsty explained that farrier Ashton had been given Alpha as he’d always had a soft spot for him. “We have also competed in BSPS classes and go out jumping and on sponsored rides too,” said Kirsty. “We don’t have a school so he doesn’t get ridden much in the winter. It’s a

Hermits Golden Safari ridden by Kirsty Sheath

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | July IssueCavan 2022Mick | Showing World |7 ridden by Helena Kitchener

real team effort with plenty of early mornings and late evenings!”

Addien Toy Soldier ridden by Helen Jackson from Yorkshire

Valiant Soldier ridden by Tara Kingston-Smith

Desarbre Sparrow Hawk ridden by Lucia Cable

Millie Bowles, 19, her mother Selina’s 25-year-old, Welsh Section B, Cottrell Riverdance [Ronnie] followed up their 2021 SFAS double victories with a win in the open veteran class. The pair won the in-hand veteran and amateur ridden veteran Search for a Star final in 2021. A former games pony, Ronnie came to the Bowles’ at 18 yearsold for a quieter life. Selina said: “Millie and Ronnie really enjoyed the qualifier, and Ronnie simply loves being in the ring with others – he is showing no signs of slowing down!

Millie is so lucky she never outgrew him”.

The part-bred traditional class was won by mounted police officer Helen Jackson and her own Addien Toy Soldier. Helen had known the part-bred Welsh x traditional cob since he was six months old and helped with backing him before buying him shortly after. The win was extra special as Helen feared the season was over before it had really gotten underway as he suffered pneumonia. “Luckily he is now fully recovered and looking and going great,” she said. Helen now plans on contending some more SFAS qualifiers – she would love to get to HOYS in the working pony championship.

Plenty of entries came forward in the new SFAS Pony Club classes.

In the lead rein class, six-yearold Emily Hiscox and her mother Heather Hiscox’s pony, Thistledown Elpaso [Elivs] won first place. Elvis has been owned by the Hiscoxs and ridden by Emily for four years.

Heather said: “This is our first SFAS show and it couldn’t have gone better, we are delighted! Emily and Elvis do everything together – Emily would ride Elvis all day, every day if she could. They have done farm rides, tetrathlon, shows and pony club camp together.” North Warwickshire Pony Club member Emily and Elvis won the Pretty Polly championship at the RIHS. Puckeridge Hunt branch member Lucia Cable, 9, and her mother Victoria’s Desabre Sparrow Hawk won the Pony Club first ridden class. Victoria said: “The moment we heard there would be a Pony Club SFAS championship, we knew we had to give it a go. Sparrow

Jacob’s Finn ridden by Karen Shutler

Hawk is the best pony, he is quality, bombproof and won’t let you down.

They also compete in hunter trials, camp, dressage and tetrathlon”.

Their 2022 goals were to qualify for SFAS and qualify for the RIHS, and they have achieved both having also qualified for the Pretty Polly final.

Helena Kitchener and her mother, Naomi Kitchener’s Connemara pony, Cavan Mick won the Open Pony Club SFAS qualifier. Naomi said: “Helena and Mickey have also had great success recently in Tetrathlon for the Southern England team at the Pony Club International Regional Pony Club Tetrathlon competition.

Helena is a member of the Mid Surry branch of the Pony Club.

Welsh part-bred, Ryehall Petit Ami [Alan] and his owner and handler, Lisa Hayyez won the in-hand plaited pony class on their first attempt. A thrilled Lisa said: “Alan was owned by a friend and she wanted to sell him, I fell in love with him. I got him on loan last September and now have just bought him. I’m still in shock that we won and have qualified!” Lisa has been showing for 43 years, and got her first taste of success in the ring when showing Percheron horses with her father at the county shows aged five. She plans in time to produce Alan for first ridden and lead rein showing, and feels that the SFAS experience is “just great for him to help get out and about.”

Grace Willis and her rescue pony, World Horse Welfare Paolo won the in-hand traditional native class at Bury Farm. Grace said: “A friend suggested we give Search for a Star a go and here we are! It is great that it went so well, especially as this was our first big show”. Paolo’s mum was rescued by World Horse Welfare when she was in foal with him and he arrived at Writtle College where I was studying as a yearling.

“I fell in love with him then and he is now nine so we have known each other for a while!” Grace plans to try and compete in the ridden traditional class at a few more SFAS qualifiers this season. Grace works on a farm, and added: “Paolo loves coming up to the farm and seeing the lambs and goats and their kids.”

Following up a win in the in-hand plaited pony class at the Vale View qualifier, Gemma Viles and Peter Pan [Harvey] won the in-hand

Ryehill Petit Ami handled by Lisa Hayyez

Dali Havidson ridden by Felicity Benton

Cottrell Riverdance ridden by Millie Bowles

veteran class. Gemma said: “We do quite a few veteran classes and knew several of the people in the qualifier. We mainly compete in-hand, he can get quite excited when he is ridden! I can’t wait for Your Horse Live!” Gemma has owned Harvey for the last 18 years having bought him from Endon Riding School.

Michelle Prentice and her good friend’s Jo Stewart’s Welsh section A, Amilas Slumberdown won the in-hand mountain and moorland. Michelle said: “Amilas Slumberdown was gelded late as a 10-year-old, I backed him then too and fell in love with him. Jo has owned him since he was a yearling.

We are so far unbeaten in-hand in our three shows we have been to this year. We will do some mountain and moorland classes and Equifest in the run up to Your Horse Live.”

SEIB’s Marketing Manager, Nicolina MacKenzie said: “We are delighted to see plenty of people coming forward to have a go at Search for a Star this year. Our new classes have been so well supported. We’ve listened to our competitors and taken the cost of living crisis seriously. We have done what we can with the new classes, to offer competitors travelling to one of our shows the opportunity to compete – and maybe qualify – in two or more classes. The Stoneleigh Search for a Star qualifier will run again this year at the same time as the SEIB Trailblazers Championship to provide multiple competition opportunities for riders, with just the one journey.”

Amilas Slumberdown handled by Michelle Prentice Muddycreek Milford ridden by Leah Edgar

For all Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse information, including further dates and how to enter, please see www.seib.co.uk/competitions.

Report by Jenny Viner

Sir Altinkum ridden by Zara Thain

Peter Pan handled by Gemma Viles

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | July Issue 2022 | Showing World | 9

A Little Bit of Magic

Native Breeds Festival, Carmarthen

By Beth Simons Photos by Equine Pix “I am on cloud 9! It’s actually a bit unreal, I was not expecting it so I still can’t quite believe it,” said Danielle Everitt of her HOYS-bound Welsh section D and section champion Monahawk Magic [Bond]. “I bought Bond in the cob sales as a four-year-old and haven’t looked back. He was quickly named Bond as he was so cool just like James Bond. Bond loves being out grazing but loves his home comforts, too,” said Danny of her former Royal Welsh ridden winner. Competing from her West Wales home, Danny was determined she would make the show. “When we first heard that there was going to be a HOYS qualifier at the Carmarthen showground, a 40 minute drive from home it was amazing, as I normally have to travel three hours and only ever do around six a year. I was a little unsure how he would be as he had been covering mares for the two week run-up to the show, but I should have known that he wouldn’t let me down. He felt amazing in the go round and to be pulled top was nerve-wracking.” Qualifying for HOYS was a dream made extra special with so many friends and family present, especially given the terrible run-up to HOYS she had in 2019 having secured her first ever ticket. With just a few weeks to go, she broke her leg and was unable to ride until the very last minute, with friends and family keeping him ticking over on her behalf. “I really wanted to qualify him again; I’m hoping for a less stressful run-up to the final and hope to be able to enjoy the whole experience. I’m already busy planning it all and cannot wait for October”.

Monahawk Magic ridden by Danny Everitt

Claiming a first ever HOYS ticket was Jemma Atkinson’s daughter, Esme, whose dreams of qualification came true in the mountain and moorland first ridden class riding her

Weydown Royal Consort ridden by Esme Atkinson 10 | Showing World | July Issue 2022 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

mum’s Welsh section B, Weydown Royal Consort [Marv]. Esme and Marv are a new combination this year. He is produced by Katy Marriott-Payne who spotted Marv at a show last year and thought he’d be perfect for nine-year-old Esme. They have enjoyed a fantastic season, qualifying for the RIHS at the BSPS Winter Championships. They also went on to stand reserve champion mini mountain and moorland. “I was deliberating on whether to go at all, but I’m so glad I did now,” said Jemma. “As I was watching them I realised how much their little partnership had blossomed, and they had become the perfect little team. When the judges announced that she won I just burst into tears as Esme has worked so hard for this moment. After a few unlucky years, everything has worked out perfectly, thanks to Katy and her team”. A thrilled Esme was on cloud nine, and even slept in her sash that night!

Also qualifying for the first time was Paula Davies’ New Forest gelding, Cuffnells Golden Rod winning the mountain and moorland working hunter pony not exceeding 133cm class under local rider, Millie Davies.

Millie competes him in open classes whilst Paula’s daughter Tali rides him in the Nursery Stakes and plaited 133cm classes. Paula, who also deliberated whether to attend the show having got back from a family holiday at 2am that morning, was “over the moon”. It was the team’s first HOYS qualifier of the season having been achingly close last season on a few attempts. “Having a qualifier so close to home was absolutely amazing, thank God we went!”

SHOWING

NEWS

IRISH

July August 2022

SOCIETY All Roads lead to Castle Irvine, Necarne for The Irish Pony Society Championship Show The Irish Pony Society are hosting their Summer Championships at the picturesque Castle Irvine, Necarne, Co. Fermanagh on the 3rd & 4th of August. Alongside the schedule of IPS classes there are also eleven Horse Of The Year Show Golden Tickets on offer.

These include small, light, medium, heavy weight Show Hunters, Ridden Connemara’s and a place in The Price Family In-Hand Final.

The ever popular M&M Working Hunter Pony HOYS Qualifiers are back again this year with the exciting addition of the M&M Junior WHP for riders under 12 and ponies 122cm and under. Last year Alicia Devlin Byrne and the legendary Blackwood Fernando picked up their qualification at the IPS Championships and went on to win at HOYS!!

The IPS have also added a number of unaffiliated classes to the schedule and there really is something for everyone, including performance WH, ROR, Cob, Hack, Coloured, Lead Rein, Tiny

THE

BSHA

We are well into the Summer and after a busy month of HOYS qualifiers in June, we want to wish all our members competing at the Royal International Horse Show at the end of the month, the very best of luck. The Amateur classes were well supported and we hope you have fantastic time competing at the show.

The ‘Nat Champs’ schedule will be out very soon and available for entries through our Entrymaster page. This year we introduce the Irish Draught classes into our timetable and we hope they are well supported. For everyone who has qualified for the Rising Star Finals please do enter and come along, we plan to support you at the show with opportunities to get help

from our professionals in the Association, and don’t forget you can enter other amateur and home produced classes at the show too. Have you qualified for your section in the BSHA Supreme Finals?

Check the website to see if your combination appears!

Dont forget to book your stables for the duration and stay for our showdown party and tribute act, a party to definitely stay for!!! Sponsorship is available and a list will be on the website, so do call the office to see what’s available if you wish to support the Assocation.

It’s been a hot couple of weeks, and I am sure the weather will continue to shine, so please remember to keep your horses and yourselves hydrated whilst travelling and at shows.

Tots and First Ridden. Hayley Patterson, Show Director has also included a full and fun packed entertainment programme starting on Tuesday evening with Fancy Dress, a welcome reception followed by ‘Necarne’s Got Talent’. With trade stands and glittering evening performances it promises to be a fun filled two days. For full schedule and details please email info@irishponysociety.ie or visit www.irishponysociety.ie The Irish Pony society are looking forward to welcoming all, to a spectacular two days of showing.

Spotlight: Hannah Mackey had a very fruitful trip across the Irish Sea to Ayr show, picking up two R.I.H.S tickets with Wycroft Gatsby in the Show Hunter and Ella’s Melody in the 153cm WHP. Hannah then continued her great to form back in Ireland to qualify Ella’s Melody for the Royal Dublin Horse Show in the Connemara Performance Class. Other notable performances from IPS members include Carla Williamson, Kirsty Greene and Jessica Murphy all picking up HOYS WH tickets. Charlotte Goor picking up two R.I.H.S with the home produced DJP Secret Agent.

BRITISH SHOW PONY

SOCIETY

I hope that all our members have received our latest newsletter highlighting the work that the BSPS and our Dope Testing Chairman, Dawn Christie have been doing regarding dope testing during the first half of the season. We are very pleased to report that all tests have come back negative and let’s hope that this continues for the rest of the year.

I know that members have had a very busy June and I do hope that some of you have managed to qualify for the Horse of the Year Show which is, as always, a wonderful achievement and not easy to do!

We are now gearing up for the Royal International Horse Show and entries are looking good with classes well filled. I do hope to see some of our members there and wish you all the very best of luck. Win or lose, just enjoy the wonderful atmosphere and be kind to each other.

At Head Office, we are busy gearing up for our Summer Championships which we hope will be bigger and better than last year. We certainly have some great new initiatives with the Breeders Challenge for mares, the Grange Bank Stud Awards in the Lead Rein, First Ridden, Cradle and Nursery Stakes as well as the Robert Oliver Awards for specially selected riders. All of these awards are free of charge together with free Children’s Entertainment this year including a football competition, Gaming Van, Playbus, football pitch, Craft Tent and much more….

We have also a very new competition with large prize money for 4,5 and 6 year old ponies sponsored by Mr Anthony Gribben which I am sure will prove very popular.

Please support all the shows locally and national and enjoy your showing!

Karen Ward

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | July Issue 2022 | Showing World | 11

THE

SIDE SADDLE ASSOCIATION

Side saddle – style and tradition for the 21st century rider National Side Saddle Show The National Side Saddle Show is to be held at Bury Farm from 5th - 7th August.

Stable, hook up and hay/haylage bookings must be made in advance and are to be made directly with Bury Farm: www.buryfarmestates.co.uk The SSA Council has voted to reduce the points required to enter the Equitation Championship classes at the 2022 National Side Saddle Show from 10 to 4 points having taken into account the reduced number of shows in some areas, distances involved and the rising costs of travelling to compete. We hope this will help more members to compete in the classes at the National Show.

The show includes qualifiers for the BSHA Ladies Show Horse Championship, CHAPS (UK) Championship Show, Horse of the Year Show Ladies’ Side Saddle Horse of the Year and the Veteran Horse Society Supreme Final Show.

All competitors must be adult or junior members of the Side Saddle Association to compete at the show. Day tickets will only be available for competitors in the Ladies HOYS Qualifier.

Don’t forget tickets for the Carvery on the Saturday night have to be purchased 2 weeks in advance of the show. Tickets are £20 each. Please note there is an error on the hard copy entry form, the price for carvery tickets should read £20 NOT £25.

Further details about the show can be found on the National Side Saddle Show website: www.nationalsidesaddleshow. co.uk Website: www.sidesaddleassociation.co.uk Business page: www.facebook.com/sidesaddleassociation Group page: www.facebook.com/groups/764823307610056

Millie Bowles and Cottrell Riverdance

VETERAN HORSE SOCIETY M&M Chaz and Preston Michelle Cuerden & Del Boy V 2

We would like to begin in thanking everyone for all their support this season, as we have seen such wonderful entries in some of our affiliated classes. It appears to be yet another difficult season for many people with such a huge increase in living costs for many, so the support our members and supports have shown has been incredible.

As our entries are now open for the National Veteran Championship (30th September-2nd October at Arena UK. Lincs), we are again becoming extremely busy. Some classes do have restricted numbers, to ensure the show runs as close to time as possible.

We are again excepting huge numbers to attend, as some

stable blocks sold out within 20 minutes of opening.

Anyone and everyone is very welcome to spectate at the event and we welcome entries from non-members too. Online entries and the full schedule are currently on our website.

Our Anniversary Ball and Awards evening in November has a few tickets still available and will certainly be a night to remember. Our performance awards finalists (1st - 4th) will be announced prior to the evening and winners of each category will be able to receive their award during the evening. If anyone would like to requests tickets (1 table of 10 is still available, at the time of going to press) please do drop us an email.

We would like to congratulate all the Supreme Finalists who have gained their place from our Regional/Direct and Golden ticket qualifications. We are now accepting affiliation for 2023 and many of the Regional Finals have been allocated, but we do have a small number of Regional places still available.

Have a wonderful summer season and look forward to meeting everyone at the Championships this year.

Julianne Aston Founder info@veteran-horse-society. co.uk www.veteran-horse-society. co.uk

NATIONAL PONY SOCIETY Summer is always a busy time of year for the Society with preparations for the Summer Championship show in full swing. Entries remain open online until 13th July so take advantage of reduced entry fees by sending in your entry before the deadline.

Promotion of the sensible breeding and use of our native breeds and the British Riding Pony is the cornerstone of the NPS’s charitable objectives. For this reason the middle day of show is famous for the breadth of in hand classes showcasing these wonderful ponies. As well as many breed classes, there are also sections for home produced M&Ms and riding ponies, plus hack, riding horse, sport pony with part bred and rare breed ponies also catered for on the first day of the show.

The Price Family championship is one of the spectacles of the season with so many magnificent ponies coming forward under the spotlights of the evening performance.

The NPS Summer Champs is also well known for it’s friendly atmosphere and the range of classes on offer. The Junior ring on the Tuesday of the show really encourages our less experienced combinations which the top ten from every class going forward to the evening performance. The Assendons Area Final is also popular with combinations who have qualified at NPS Area shows getting the chance to showcase their creative talents by performing a freestyle to music.

There are a range of classes and Finals for novice ponies through to the most experienced and in addition we hold qualifiers and Finals for Young Riders, Amateurs and Home Produced.

For more information on the show and to download a schedule or enter please go to https://www.nationalponysociety.com/ summer-championship/

We are also working towards our two important Autumn events. The Autumn Performance show is being held this year at Aston-Le-Walls on 17th September and will see the national finals of the Anthony Evans Arena Eventing Challenge take place in the wonderful huge arena.

There are still a few qualifying rounds taking place this season, details of which can be found on the NPS website. There will also be a last chance qualifier at the performance show itself. The show will also see the first M&M WHP qualifier for the 2023 RIHS as well as a number of other WHP sections.

On 24th September the Great British In Hand Show returns at the new central location of Onley Grounds EC. This incredible event showcases the very best native pony breeds and the British Riding Pony, hacks and riding horses. With multiple routes into the final breed judging in the evening performance, our esteemed panel of judges will select their supreme breed champions who will then go head to head to find the supreme of show. With valuable supporting championships for home produced and owner bred ponies, the whole day is a wonderful finale to the in hand season with excellent prize money and prizes across the board.

For anyone looking for a good novice prospect for the 2023 season, the Great British In Hand Show is also the place to come and view top quality youngstock who will be top ridden ponies of the future.

If you are interested in sponsoring any classes at the Great British In Hand Show, please contact the NPS Office on 01420 88333 or email admin@nationalponyspciety.com for more information.

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www.lebeaucheval.com info@showingworldonline.co.uk | July Issue 2022 | Showing World | 13

Flash is the height of fashion!

BSPS Wales Spring Show Pencoed College, Bridgend Nynwoods Fashionable [Flash] proved bang on trend to take the supreme accolade for owner Donna Tilbury under her daughter, Esther Tilbury. The pair won the RIHS mountain and moorland qualifier and mini champion en route to the supreme, led by Flash’s producer Carl Owen. Donna bought Flash directly from his breeder, Terry Wall in November 2021. “He was my 40th birthday present to myself! He was unbroken and had been castrated just a month beforehand,” said Donna, who broke him herself before he was sent to Carl to produce for the season. They had a super debut at the NCPA Spring Spectacular, being mini open mountain and moorland champion and has gone from strength to strength, and have since claimed a HOYS ticket at Cheshire on his first attempt.

Ann Nicholls’ champion and reserve mini mountain and moorlands would have made a super pair, both being flashy, chestnut five-year-old Welsh section As! The reserve was Grace Davies,11, riding her mum, Melanie Davies’ winner of the RIHS first ridden class, Nantfforchog Blue Tweed. Initially, Melanie had planned for the pair to stay in novice classes as it is their first season together, but she explained that “he has come on so much” that he has stepped up into open classes. Bred by Tracy Jones, Blue Tweed is a half-brother to 2019 HOYS mountain and moorland champion, Nantfforchog Blue Moondust.

Poppy and Olivia Davies stood champion and reserve Pretty Polly home produced respectively. Poppy took the championship with 17-year-old winning show pony Sharlen Gone With The Wind, who is on loan from Nicole Gaskin, on only their second outing of the year.

Olivia rode her grandmother, Joyce Canton’s 15-year-old home bred Havens Louis Louis to win the Pretty Polly show hunter pony class, having previously secured a show pony ticket.

It was a busy show for mum, Kate Canton, who also led youngest daughter Georgia, 6, to win the Pretty Polly mountain and moorland lead rein class and reserve mini champion with Shetland Helawi Capricious [Pixie].

Nynwoods Fashionable ridden by Esther Tilbury and led by Carl Owen The family have owned 12-year-old Pixie for ten years. Kate explained that Pixie, who has already been to the RIHS with Poppy in the saddle, has been a “fantastic pony” for the girls and is “a real part” of the family. Georgia, who also hunted Pixie last season, usually prefers to ride solo, so Kate was somewhat surprised when she announced that “she wanted to do some big ‘stay away shows’ like her sisters this year and agreed to give leading rein a go! All three girls are very excited to have qualified for RI and be able to compete and support each other there.”

The Pretty Polly mini championship was taken

by Scarlet Sharp and on her grandmother, Megan Halsall’s Broadspring Tango. Scarlet and Shetland gelding Tango topped the PP first ridden class. The pair are former visitors to the RIHS, and focus predominantly on showing, although they also enjoy Pony Club, jumping and beach rides. The family have owned Tango since a yearling, and Scarlet’s mum and uncle rode him before her. Scarlet, who turned 9 years old a few days later, shares her birthday with 18-year-old Tango, and the mini championship was the icing on the cake, as they had already stood open RIHS mountain and moorland champions earlier that morning!

Scarlet and Tango, being the smallest in the open championship by far, cut a comical picture alongside the reserves, who were the largest. This was Kate Williams and her winning Swelsh section D, Ringside Zorba.

The Trevallion Troy seven-year-old is out of

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Broadspring Tango ridden by Scarlet Sharp

Gwerthfythan Melody, and having had a run of four seconds in last season’s HOYS classes, decided to try his luck at a RIHS ticket only to clinch it on his first attempt.

Ruby Murfitt and Excelcis Omnia Ducem [Monty] made the long journey out to BSPS Wales well worth it for Kevin Cousins, who produces the 148cm on behalf of his breeder-owner, George Morgan. Monty and Ruby topped both the RIHS show pony and part bred championships. He is in his first season and is produced by Christina Gillet and Kevin Cousins. “He is low on milage but it’s all starting to fall into place now,” said Christina.

Both champion and reserve intermediates came from Welsh producer Sophie Curry’s yard. Beverley Moore’s homebred novice Baylew Tiger Lily belied a lack of milage to claim a first RIHS small intermediate ticket under Megan May-Davies on the pair’s debut attempt. The Tiger Attack mare has also started competing in novice hack classes under Sophie. In reserve was Ffion Jones and her own Church Rock Cashel having won the RIHS intermediate hunter class for the second year consecutively.

Excelcis Omnia Ducem ridden by Ruby Murfitt

Rhian Jones was delighted when Colour Impact won his BSPA RIHS cob or native type horse qualifier and took champion over Sophia Chambers with her six-year-old native type pony, Champagne Charlotte. “She lived approximately three miles down the road, and I spotted her in a field,” said Sophia, “and then the rest is history”.

Charlotte had mainly been a driving horse with the odd hack, but has taken to showing with ease.

“She is made for the showing job; she absolutely loves it.”

Report by Beth Simons Photos by Jade Bissmire Nantfforchog Blue Tweed ridden by Grace Davies

Sharlen Gone With The Wind ridden by Poppy Davies

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | JulyColour Issue Impact 2022 |ridden Showing World Baylew Tiger Lily ridden by Megan-May Davies

by Rhian Jones| 15

rd

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

Introducing the

British Showing

AWARDS 22 ®

Brought to you by Showing World Magazine

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

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

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

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

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TICKETS ON SALE SOON! “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

• Show Handler of the Year

• Junior of the Year

• Show Team of the Year

• Pony of the Year

• Coloured Show Horse or Pony

• Show Horse of the Year

of the Year

• Veteran Horse Society Horse or Pony of the Year • Groom of the Year • Show Rider of the Year

• Show Area of the Year • Show Personality of the Year • SEIB Outstanding Achievement Award

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

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

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.

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

Fronarth Moriarty

Lampeter Stallion Show 2022 Report by Owen Griffiths

enthusiasts from overseas.

Photos by Equine Pix

A major spectacle at the show is the afternoon’s Welsh cob stallion classes. The classes still follow the same format as when premiums were awarded, with classes divided into North, Mid, South and outside Wales.

The perimeter of the ring was packed with spectators, both local and from further afield, to witness this pinnacle of the show.

The Lampeter Stallion Show saw competitors and spectators return to at a new site located in Talsarn, Ceredigion. This unique event was making a comeback from the Covid-19 pandemic for the 59th annual show.

Out of 367 entries, Show President Geraint Davies, Rhyd-Ddu stud, awarded supreme in-hand and supreme of show to the Jones family’s homebred five-year-old black stallion, Fronarth Moriarty, by their well-known stallion, Fronarth Robben. Moriarty’s win is the latest in a successful streak going back to his last visit here to Lampeter in 2019 and then clinching supreme equine at Aberystwyth show the same year. His sire, Fronarth Robben, has been Champion section C at the Royal Welsh show for three years in succession (2007-2009). The 2008 championship was coincidentally also awarded by Mr Geraint Davies. Moriarty’s dam Menai Cadence was the highest-priced section C filly at the 2006 Menai stud reduction sale, purchased for £1200.

Historically this was known as ‘the first show of the season’ and a favourite stomping ground to parade stallions in the hope of gaining revenue from the premiums awarded and from covering mares, the show continues in its ability to draw out a dying breed of small-scale farmers from their rural holdings, as well as spectators from the city and

The Welsh cob classes were judged by Sarah Hamer, Cwmhir stud. Winning the Mid Wales class and overall section D champion was Elgan Evans’ Eglwysfach Royal Flyer, sired

by Geler Glyndwr and out of Eglwysfach Corisma. Triumphant in the outside Wales class and reserve section D was Kent-based Tony Lee and family’s flashy chestnut stallion, Drogeda The Outlaw, being a son of Danaway Tango and out of Trefaes Golden Pearl who is by the 1993 Royal Welsh champion Horeb Euros. As well as being a Royal Welsh winner herself in 1999, Golden Pearl is also the dam of twice Royal Welsh winner, Drogeda Stormy Tempest. The Outlaw was purchased as a four-year-old from the 2011 Brightwells Autumn sale from his breeders Messrs Peaty and Deabill. The North Wales class was won by Gwilym Howatson’s 5-year-old bay stallion, Sangrug Sam I Am. He is sired by Pentrefelin Jake and out of Haighmoor Seren Wen. South Wales-based Mickey Morris’ 13-year-old black stallion, Thorneyside The High Flyer, a son of Thorneyside Flyer and out of Thorneyside Milk Maid, topped the South

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Wales class. Kevin Walker of the Brynoffa stud awarded the section B championship to Lynne Wilson and the family’s three-year-old chestnut colt, Walseker Roca Roja. Roca Roja is out of one of Walseker stud’s best mares, Westaire Chantilly Lace, who passed away a week before the show on what would have been her birthday. Produced by Colin Tibbey, he is sired by three times Cuddy in-hand qualifier (2016, 2017 and 2019) and Royal Welsh Male Champion and gold medallist (2017), Paddock Rio. His name comes from the Spanish meaning ‘red rock’ which is a theme adopted by Walseker stud for all of Rio’s sons. In reserve was the closely related Paddock Chelsea Girl (Skellorn Bronze Soldier x Paddock Alesha), a chestnut roan threeyear-old filly from the same production yard of Colin and Sarah Tibbey. Chelsea Girl remains under the ownership of breeders Bernard and Maureen Butterworth from West Yorkshire.

The Welsh Mountain Ponies were judged

by Roland Michell, Senny stud. Champion was awarded to Ceri and Nick Fell’s roan stallion, Heniarth Showbiz (Blanche Montana x Heniarth Yipee-aye-Yeah by Roseisle Panty Tudyr). Showbiz is no stranger to Lampeter Stallion Show, having stood youngstock champion and reserve section A champion here in 2017. This championship adds to previous wins at Glanusk and the Royal Welsh show, and he continues to fly the flag for his sire, Blanche Montana, who left Wales for the USA in 2018. Reserve went to the grey

yearling filly, Rhesfair Dangerous Lady, owned by Steven Williams and produced by Derrick Dykes and Joanne Nicholson. This charismatic grey filly comes from a line of winners, being sired by Crossfield Cock Robin and out of Caerheulog Lady Jane, and her grand-dam being Fronbach Dangerous Lady.

Judging the section Cs was Anthony McDonald, Troedymynydd stud. Both his champion and reserve had the commonality of being descended from Synod lines.

He also had a clear penchant for Fronarth Robben lines, with the champion, Fronarth Moriarty, and reserve, Elgan Evans’ three-year-old filly Eglwysfach Rosemary (Fronarth Robben x Laurtom Glamour Girl by Parc Hebog), both sired by him.

The driving class, judged by Barry Hall, Murrayhall stud, was won by a staunch Lampeter stallion show supporter, Mr Steve Watts from Essex, with his homebred bay roan mare, Trixies Duchess.

Medi Lloyd who was led by mum, Michelle on section A pony, Heniarth Willy Wagtail, yet another son of Blanche Montana and out of Henairth Chiff Chaff. Medi and Willy Wagtail triumphed at the Royal Welsh Autumn show in 2021 and have recently secured a HOYS ticket.

The junior Welsh championship was Niamh Evans astride the grey section A, Glebedale Rock and Roll, with Rhiannon Evans’ chestnut section D mare, Edmar Manon Haf, in reserve. Taking the novice championship was Abbie Dark’s now HOYS-bound section C mare Blaencila Penny, claiming victory over Steph and Janet Mansfield’s Cadlanvalley Masterclass [Max], who has returned to his birth-place to be shown under saddle by Libby Grota. Nevertheless, Max went on to stand overall supreme ridden. He will now return to the Janpete stud in Manchester to fulfil stud duties.

Eglwysfach Royal Flyer

The Welsh ridden section was judged by Kathleen Scott of the Bryndefaid stud in Aberdeenshire. Current WPCS young ambassador, Hannah Atkison judged the junior ridden Welsh, and Lorraine Partridge judged the Novice Welsh classes.

Lampeter “born and bred” 11-year-old Annie Dilcock Thomas was thrilled to land the open section C ridden and overall Welsh ridden title with her bay section C mare, Wyken Sweet Silhouette (Wyken Rob Roy x Bwllfa Seren). Annie also stood reserve mini champion on the Dutch-bred Ysselhofs Hallmark, by Heniarth Quinnell.

She was, however, pipped to the mini championship by

Trixies Duchess

Heniarth Willy Wagtail

Walseker Roca Roja

Heniarth Showbiz info@showingworldonline.co.uk | July Issue 2022 | Showing World | 19

Cadlanvalley Masterclass

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Results: The Geraint Jones Nebo Memorial Perpetual Trophy for the Overall Supreme of Show Winner: Fronarth Moriarty (C)

Sec C Champion: Jones family’s Fronarth Moriarty; reserve E Evans’ Eglwysfach Rosemary Youngstock Champion: Eglwysfach Rosemary; reserve: Corstan Royal Addition

The John Evans Castle Hotel Perpetual Trophy for the In Hand Supreme Champion Winner: Fronarth Moriarty (C)

Sec D Champion: E Evan’s Eglwysfach Royal Flyer; reserve: Lee family’s Drogeda The Outlaw Section D Youngstock Champion: Brynnant Seren Mai

The Ceredigion Centenary Committee Trophy for the Supreme Youngstock Champion Winner: Rhesfair Dangerous Lady (A)

Driving:

Perpetual Challenge Trophy for the Best Overall Gelding Winner: Immybrook the Baron (A)

Ridden: Welsh Ridden Classes Champion: Wyken Sweet Silhouette; reserve: Cadlanvalley Total Elation

The Joe Giles Perpetual Challenge Memorial Trophy for the Best Yearling Winner: Rhesfair Dangerous Lady (A) The Fronarth Stud Perpetual Challenge Memorial Cup For the Best Overall Colt Winner: Walseker Roca Roja (B) The Steffan Stud Perpetual Challenge Memorial Cup for the Best Overall Filly Winner: Brynnant Seren Mai (D) Sec A Champion: C & N Fell’s Heniarth Showbiz; reserve: S Williams’ Rhesfair Dangerous Lady Youngstock Champion: Rhesfair Dangerous Lady; reserve: Pinewell Harrison

Champion: S Watts’ Trixies Duchess

Novice Welsh Ridden Classes Champion: Blaencila Penny; reserve: Cadlanvalley Masterclass Junior Welsh Ridden Champion: Glebedale Rock and Roll; reserve: Edmar Manon Haf Lead Rein and First Ridden Mini Champion: Heniarth Willy Wagtail; reserve: Ysselhofs Hallmark

Sec B Champion: L Wilson’s Walseker Roca Roja; reserve: M Butterworth’s Paddock Chelsea Girl Youngstock Champion: Walseker Roca Roja; reserve: M Butterworth’s Paddock Chelsea Girl

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

Spruced Up For Supreme Suffolk County Show Trinity Park, Suffolk

Report by Beth Simons. Photos by Real Time Imaging Julie Barton’s Highland stallion Ellister Islay Spruce stood supreme in-hand, shown by Ross Keys. The nine-yearold has been very successful, having competed successfully under saddle at HOYS, Olympia and the RIHS, and stood reserve for the prestigious Price Family Supreme In-hand final at HOYS in 2021.

Julie first encountered Spruce when he was sent to her by a client for breaking in and producing as a four year old. When the same client decided to part with him, Julie decided to take up his ownership herself. “Our season isn’t as busy as usual because we’re in the middle of a house build,” Julie explained, “but he looks better even than last year; he’s in his prime”. He’s also been competing in novice workers with Sarah Parker as well as the flat ridden classes this year. “He has a lot of personality – sometimes too much,” Julie laughed, with evident affection,

nevertheless agreeing wholeheartedly that he “certainly was a good buy”!

Sarah-Ann Gunn’s Killcarna Brilliant [Chubbs] is having a brilliant run.

The seven-year-old topped the HOYS lightweights under Essex-based producer Will Morton before going on to take the ridden hunter tricolour, hunter supreme and overall supreme. Sarah bought Chubbs from hunter afficionado Jill Day Will during lockdown. Rob Walker had ridden him successfully in the small hunter classes as a four year old, finishing third at both the RIHS and HOYS. Since then, he has moved up into the lightweight classes with considerable success. Sarah herself rode him to win the amateur hunters at BSPS Area 16, where Will was ride judging. She approached him a few days later to take over the ride. Will and Chubbs debuted together at South

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Suffolk where they took the hunter title, and he’s since taken the HOYS hunter championship at Lincolnshire County Show meaning it’s three championships of three outings for them.

It was the icing on a successful cake for Will at Suffolk County. Will also produced Ellie Just’s middleweight Stop Talking to win the amateur hunter championship.

Having previously hunted for five seasons, the ten-year-old has had a career change and has managed the shift with aplomb.

Lastly, he was reacquainted with Sophie O’Keefe’s Rosemore Midnight Rendezvous – with whom he took the intermediate reserve at Windsor – to win the riding horse championship for producer Justine Armstrong Small whilst she was judging in South Africa and Sophie was in Marbella.

Killcarna Brilliant and Will Morton

Nipna Midnight Rambler and Sarah Parker

Ellister Islay Spruce and Ross Keys

Julie Pennell and the Pennell family’s winner of the Highland, Fells and Dales ridden class, Nipna Midnight Rambler [Rambo] took the BSPS London International Horse Show ticket under his producer, Sarah Parker. By Nipna Invictus, Rambo is the first foal out of Nipna Damask Rose [Rosie] who stood second under Julie’s daughter, Anna Pennell at HOYS. 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 has booked his RIHS open and Intermediate tickets, a HOYS qualification and the LIHS qualification on his first attempts.

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t s e g i D

BREEDER’S

In May the Setvalley stud welcomed a very flashy filly foal. Hanah Turnock explained: “It is rare we say the word ‘filly’ as she will be only our third ever filly in twelve years of breeding! We have named her Settvalley Temptation. We were expecting two foals this year, but our other mare miscarried her foal early on in her pregnancy, which was sad and disappointing. But if there’s one thing we’ve learnt over the years, it’s that with breeding highs come breeding lows.”

With the show season well underway, Settvalley ponies have been doing Hannah and her mum, Sarah proud.

“We have been cheering them on with their owners. Settvalley The Titan has continued his run of good luck and has qualified for both the Royal International and HOYS for his owner Aimee Rogers.

Settvalley The Gladiator and Settvalley the Scientist continue to give their young jockeys, Scarlett Marshall and Anya Potter, confidence as they step up to the open classes this term. Settvalley The Alchemist is clocking up many novice WHP championships for his owner Caroline Cook. Settvalley The Mistress, owned by Myfi Reed, has been taking her tiny jockeys off the lead rein for the first time, and Settvalley The Aristocat has also been winning red rosettes for his owner Lorna Keay.”

Dunmere stud have introduced a full brother for Dunmere Playful [Toby]. By supreme champion Dunmere Glayvar, he is out of Cayberry Sugarplum, and was born on May 20th and has been registered as Dunmere Jubilant [Geffrey]. Another of Glayvar’s offspring, Dunmere Astra Nova [Eric] is having a fabulous season under saddle and breeder Jo Green is really enjoying following his progress with Helen Clubley and Frankie Clubley, 6. “He is lightly shown and at only six himself, he looks after Frankie so well,” said Jo. Eric has open ridden and junior small breeds tickets under Lexi Barfield, and has qualified for the RIHS in the mountain and moorland lead rein class with Frankie.

The pair have also been mini champion at BSPS Areas 15 and 16, Staffordshire County Show and Midland Counties where they picked up a HOYS ticket.

Frankie used to ride another very successful Dunmere pony, Dunmere Charlock owned by Kerinda Bhogal.

Jo explained she also has two more purebreds and a third partbred yet to arrive.

Hannah Crisp has had some fun with Dunmere Aberfeldy [Glen] whom she bought as an unbroken four-year-old and broke in herself along with three-yearold Emily, who enjoys taking Glen to PC and aims to show on the lead later in the season. Jo explained: “Hannah has never done any serious showing before and last year she mentioned having a go at a show or two. Glen had been shown as a youngster with success, so with a bit of help from me she took him to three shows in 2021. They were second at Bath and West, first at Devon County and gained many rosettes at the breed show”.

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July 2022

Kay Russell’s Allice’s Wish is a homebred Warmblood gelding. His breeding includes Cruising, Le Mexico and Alme Z bloodlines. Kay sadly lost his mother, Alice Z when he was just a few months old. Now thirteen, Kay started showing Alice’s Wish last year with great success after previously being a successful jumping and event horse. He is shown in hand by Kay’s good friend Jack Mills as she is “pinned and plated” after a knee injury, but Kay rides him herself. They’ve enjoyed great success, with wins and tricolours at many county level shows. “He is a super versatile horse with a great attitude,” said Kay. “He can be nervous and anxious but Jack does fab job.

Hopefully we have many more happy memories to be made.”

t s e Dig

BREEDER’S

July 2022

Hanovarian filly Westoak Wish was born to Northumberland based Susan Simmons’ Westoak Stud in mid-April.

Sue Palmer reports she has had both her broodmares scanned in foal for 2023. 128cm mare Stanley Grange Just So, who is herself by Cusop Jigsaw, has been scanned in foal to Moor Hall Peter Pan. Meanwhile Sarason Precious Silk, who is Sue’s 148cm riding pony mare by Kilvington Scoundrel has been scanned in foal to Alonby Artisan.

Sue’s homebred Palmfields Silk Topper, a 148cm riding pony two-year-old gelding by Anton Scandal out of Sarason Precious Silk has been out competing. He won and was champion at Notts County Show and at Derbyshire Festival, shown by Simon Charlesworth.

Breeder Jennifer Bernard reports her British Riding Pony gelding Becca Biddy’s Glee (Wenden Glory x Becca Biddy Blue by Stanley Grange Cocktail) has just won his first outdoor two-day driven event, showing how versatile the British Riding Pony can be for owners and competitors.

The Marbeth stud have welcomed two foals this year. As a small stud focused on breeding future performance natives, two in one year has been a big deal! Welsh section C mare, Marbeth Brenhines – so named because she was born on the morning their section C stallion was invited to meet The Queen – has foaled a colt by Tyreos Aragorn, and Welsh section D mare, Abergavenny Boneddiges has foaled a filly by Ringside Game Over. They are delighted by both and hope they’ll follow in their parents and siblings’ footsteps to be excellent ridden ponies with the temperament to tackle any discipline.

Do you have your own breeding news to share?

Get in touch with us at

info@showingworldonline.co.uk or with the NPS at

admin@nationalponysociety.com

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | July Issue 2022 | Showing World | 25

S

pecial Seven

By Stuart Hollings Sion Brian ridden by Peter Thomas – the 1993 show hunter pony champion at RIHS in the Hickstead main arena.

I couldn’t understand the logic when a well-known showing figure recently complained that they were fed up of seeing black and white photos of past champions in the media when we should be moving forward.

My response was, as always, that sometimes we need to look back to make sure that the future follows the correct path.

Surely examples such as the history of the hack classes and the traditional attire worn in evening performances prove that the past is still relevant in showing?

Besides, such photos provide modern day exhibitors with a golden opportunity to appreciate and admire former equine super stars! They automatically radiate fond memories and that feel good factor just as when hearing a classic song on the radio. In the case of the horses or ponies, the photos also take us back to a seemingly simpler and more sophisticated time in showing.

Consequently, I do not apologise at all for sharing some of my favourite plaited champions - an eclectic mix going back in one case, 50 years.

Some of the photos are even in colour and I don’t mean sepia!

1. Sion Brian

2. Downland Smuggler

He was, for me, the epitome of a classic show hunter pony; a mini version of a top-class quality middleweight or heavyweight hunter. He is always at the forefront of my mind when considering what we should be looking for when judging these classes.

There aren’t many ponies that have had a competition named after them, which is the case with this legendary dun 143cm working hunter pony.

We tried, unsuccessfully, to buy him from Ron Thomas when sourcing a show hunter pony for Anna Evans. Instead, we purchased Sandpiper Bay who was bred by Robert Lemieux. He wasn’t a bad second choice looking back, finishing champion at RIHS with Anna and reserve at HOYS with another Tem Hollings pupil, Natalie Reynolds (nee Moore).

My brother, Nigel, enjoyed two highly successful seasons with him in 1975 and 76, and we leased him back in 1978 for one of our jockeys Nicola Godfrey.

Owned by the Woodley family, he won three times at Royal Windsor in a record thirteen-year period, taking champion and reserve during that time. In 1978, he also won the show pony pairs class with another dun stable mate, Sinbad of Pendle, but was denied the chance of another crack at the working hunter pony title when the show was cancelled due to bad weather minutes before the championship in the main ring. It would have been an exciting clash of the titans as Rusty and Coalport had won the other two classes with the Dallimore sisters.

In 1975, he jumped clear after clear until August Bank Holiday Monday when the ringside even cheered after he rolled a pole.

However, he still finished second and reserve champion that day under Lady Anne Bowlby.

That year, he was the first working hunter pony I can ever remember to stand supreme over all the other section champions at a notable show under Ailsa Pease.

Nowadays, people still come up to us to say how they remember competing against him back in the day including owner Guy Mears recently at Royal Windsor – the sign of a much admired and true icon.

Downland Smuggler and Nigel Hollings competing for the Hindley Cup (for the Supreme of Show title, which was won by Holly of Spring) at Ponies of Britain show 1976 in the East of England main ring, having earlier won the working hunter pony championship and prestigious Bombay Hunt cup.

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3. Deaconwood Gold Print My love of dun ponies is down to Smuggler and the main reason that Gold Print (by Cusop Fingerprint) is probably my favourite show pony of all time. We produced him throughout his successful ridden career which included two HOYS 138cm wins in 1998 and 2000, and two RIHS championships in 1999 and 2002.

Funnily enough someone came up with an interesting theory last year, suggesting that the reason that he did not feature in the two championships at Wembley could have been that he blended with the light sand surface in the main ring?

I first admired him on a visit to the Rotherwood stud when he was a foal with his dam Cratfield Fairy Gold who herself won the 148cm show pony class at HOYS in 1987.

Interestingly, I showed Fairy Gold years later to win her brood mare class at the Royal show, and keeping it in the family so to speak, the last pony I ever produced was the 148cm show pony Crafton Touch of Gold (by Strinesdale Matador) who also won both HOYS and RIHS twice like her half-brother - Deaconwood Gold Print.

When judging, I’m always looking for animals with scope, which Fairy Gold had in abundance, and she passed this on to her progeny. In fact, the first time I spotted her was when Davina Whiteman was hacking her around Stafford County Show for a school and I was convinced that she was a small hack in the distance until Davina told me otherwise.

Deaconwood Goldprint, bred by Judge Clare Dew, in the 1998 HOYS show pony championship at Wembley, ridden by Camilla Stewart Wood.

4. Solway Camelia She was another winning mare of the same cut. She was by Rosslyn Sandalwood out of Rosevean Fern, who was Holly of Spring’s half-sister with both being out of Penhill Finola. I first became involved with Camelia quite by accident: I was walking past a hugely supported riding pony breeding ring at the Northern Horse Show at Wetherby, when I was recruited to show her in the championship after she had won the 13.2hh yearling class with her owner David Parkinson who wanted to show the on form two year old 12.2hh winner Keston Music instead.

The judge Tom Watchorn asked a select group of us to trot around the ring like a ridden class during his final deliberation. Luckily for me, a shy Camelia found an extra gear, courtesy of Colin Rose who was behind me clicking away to sharpen his own charge, and duly recorded her first of many major successes, beating stable mate Keston Music, who incidentally went on to capture the RIHS ridden championship in 1982, into reserve.

Solway Camelia – Riding Pony Breeding champion at Royal Norfolk show 1989

Our paths crossed again when I showed Camelia as a 14-year-old brood mare in 1989. I also won the supreme light horse breeding championship at the Royal Show the same year with her three-year-old daughter Toccotas Spring Classic.

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5. Right Royal I remember arriving in the afternoon of the first day of the Shropshire and West Midlands show in May 1971 and being captivated by this stunning looking horse, festooned in rosettes, emerging from an adjacent trailer before going into the Grand Parade.

He had won the hack championship that day with his owner Vicky Spencer Cox and was called Right Royal.

The next time I saw them was in October at the Horse of the Year Show at Wembley when he notched up his first of four consecutive hack titles there - still a record today - with four different riders.

In 1972 he was piloted by Vera Holden for the Ramsays and by Marjorie herself the year after. He was sold to his next rider Fiona O’Neil the following season but remained produced from the Ramsay yard.

Right Royal by V Ray – Hack of the Year a record four times from 1971 to 1974 – on his lap of honour in 1971 with Vicky Spencer Cox.

5. Sporting Print When I was based with Davina Whiteman, I was allowed to stay all week at Wembley to watch and film the show horse classes in return for preparing the stables for our ponies when they arrived there on Friday afternoon.

A particular horse which caught my eye in 1973 was the HOYS winning small hunter, Sporting Print, shown by Vin Toulson who won again there in 1975 with the Toulson’s dedicated head girl Jean Andrews. Like many of the horses in this class at the time, he was a proper scaled-down middleweight hunter which we seldom see today.

One of the highlights of my riding career was when I won a twenty-fiveplus-strong small hunter class in the Great Yorkshire Show’s main ring on my Cheshire and Stafford County winner, Pendle Atalanta, beating no less than the great Sporting Print with Mr Toulson aboard into second place with another good stamp, Crown of Crowns, ridden by David Tatlow in third.

My mare was a lighter type altogether and probably more of what we would now describe as a riding horse stamp. She went on to breed Agar Heir Apparent – Hack of the Year in 1989 – and was the grand-dam of Jennifers Diary, champion hack at Wembley in 2001.

Sporting Print by Little Cloud -Small Hunter of the Year 1973 with Vin Toulson and again in 1975 with Jean Andrews in the Great Yorkshire collecting ring.

6. Just William The first show cob I ever admired was a grey called Johnathon who was ridden and produced by the legendary Roy Trigg. He won the HOYS title no less than four times starting in 1969 when there was only one class.

However, my favourite of all time has to be another from the Trigg stable which produced many top winning cobs over the years – the aptly named Just William who won the HOYS lightweight class four times and the championship twice in 1988 and 1991.

He was such a favourite that he appeared on the front jacket of my book ‘Successful Showing’, cantering on his lap of honour after taking the cob championship at South of England show in 1989.

Happy days and wonderful memories!

Just William at Royal Windsor ridden by Roy Trigg who said, ‘’He is outstanding because he always pulls out bright and is a super ride’’

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

LAP OF HONOUR

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 | July Issue 2022 | Showing World | 29

Floating On Air Ella has Kellythorpes Milly-On-Air [Bunny] on loan from her owner, Berri Moore. “Our start to the season has been a dream and she’s living up to all expectations,” said Ella. Bunny hadn’t been shown since 2019 but according to Ella, she “has absolutely loved getting back into the ring”. At the pair’s first outing, they won their show hunter pony class and went champion and won their hack/ riding horse class. “She’s only improved since then,’” said Ella and the pair have gone from strength to strength, qualifying for RIHS as a hack and winning intermediate championships. “I’m so proud of her coming back into the job so well and she’s loving every second.

I’m excited for the future with her this year and can’t wait to get her out to bigger shows!”

Kellythorpes Milly-On-Air

Amber Thorpe and Marksman of Mendick

Carwyn Claims Supreme Ashley Peers Dawson and six-year-old Welsh cob stallion Erwfforch Carwyn have now won four of four outings together, including standing supreme at the Clwyd WPCA show and gaining both a silver and bronze medal. Carwyn is by Perthhog John Terry out of Tysilio Lili Lon, who is by the famous stallion Gwenllan Deio.

Ashley explained that he was shown only once as a three-year-old with his breeders gaining a bronze medal and has some beautiful foals on the ground. “He is a super stallion with amazing manners and personality; I can’t wate for our future together,” said Ashley.

Amber and her own Highland stallion Marksman of Mendick have had a brilliant start to his showing career. At Area 15, where he is pictured, the pair won the NPS Picton and reserve champion, NPS 6-year-old Dargaval class and section champion, and later went on to collect the NPS Silver Medal ridden championship, the NPS Area 15 members supreme. They have most recently been champion novice at Midland Counties at Arena Uk.

Marksman of Mendick

Brilliant Ballafadda Paddy Abigail Staff and nine-year-old Connemara pony Ballafadda Paddy attended Leicestershire County Show enjoying a superb day despite the wet, miserable weather. Paddy topped the open New Forest and Connemara class before going on to stand open mountain and moorland champion and supreme mountain and moorland. “We had a lovely day with friendly organisers and fellow competitors at a show I hope will grow over time as the going was great and very spacious,” said Abigail. The former RIHS contender narrowly missed out on his HOYS prepandemic, but has since restarted his campaign for this year with strong placings.

“He’s just a lovely pony to have around, whether it’s hacking or in the ring. He gives such a good ride every time out and and enjoy ourselves so much, which to me is the most important thing as at end of the day, it’s a hobby for me.

Ballafadda Paddy

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The Gangster Grabs Golden Ticket

Jumping To It

Ben and Rachel Dewhurst’s The Gangster is off to HOYS under producer Amy Smith having won at the Festival of Hunting. Gangster has been “waiting in the wings” explained Amy, as COVID and her own pregnancy meant he has had less milage. However, taking their time has paid off, and he’s come out to gain strong placings before claiming his ticket.

The couple purchased The Gangster from Appleby Fair with the intention of seeing him shown. We think Rachel deserves an extra special mention as she travelled to watch Amy and The Gangster grab their ticket despite being scheduled to give birth to her baby twins the following day! That’s commitment!

The Gangster

A Diamond Dales Christy Seaman’s Griseburn Orla has had a phenomenal spring. The three-year-old Dales filly attended Welshmoor of the Year Show where she is photographed and had a fantastic day. She shone throughout to be supreme mountain and moorland, supreme open, and overall supreme. This follows successes at Derbyshire Festival and the Derbyshire Dales show, NPS Area 20, Royal Windsor Horse show and Royal Norfolk. She is shown by Philip Ward Burton, who meets Christy and Orla at shows.

Steph Peto and her native team had a good week, securing two HOYS tickets within two weeks. The first came courtesy of Cwmmawr Liberty [Libby]. The Welsh section C former broodmare mare gave Steph something of a challenge during breaking and in her early career, but took to the workers like a duck to water. In her first season, she has qualified for the RIHS, took her HOYS ticket at the Royal Highland Show, and narrowly missed out on a ridden qualification at Royal Norfolk in second. Steph’s super-consistent former HOYS and RIHS winning 143cm worker, New Forest Bisterne Diva went on to collect a return ticket at the NCPA Staffs summer show. This will be Diva’s first visit since 2018. She suffered with laminitis in 2019, and Steph was unsure whether she would ever jump again. “It as been a long road back to full fitness but I’m so proud to have her back out doing what she loves again,” said Steph.

Bisterne Liberty

Cwmmawr Liberty

First HOYS ticket!

David and Connemara pony Rockfield Blackthorn [Conrad] qualified for HOYS at the Northern Ireland Festival.

Conrad was breed by Colin Comiskey in Co Armagh and sold to Penny Campbell, Penanns Stud Co Down as a youngster. He is by Canal Fred out of a Matchmakers Lad mare, Wood hill Pride.

David’s partner Malachy Casement picked him from a field full of young stock from Penny as a two-year-old. “He was so small and raw when we went to collect him that when he wouldn’t load into the trailer, we just picked him up and carried him in,” said David. He was broken in by David as a three-year-old, hunted a few occasions at four and then competed in some Derbys and two phases at five before being left for a few years to mature.

After being brought back into work, David and Conrad focused on competing successfully in workers, winning many accolades at county level. Being just 143cm and dark bay, Conrad isn’t the typical Connemara.

Consequently, David explained that “in the show ring, he’s either loved or loathed!”

David explained that he was going to give the HOYS qualifier as miss but was entered by his friend, Janice Ready.

Even having done a pleasing show, David said: “I still didn’t expect to get placed as there was so many other lovely ponies in the class. When they announced that we’d won I nearly fell off in shock; I’ve never been so happy and yet surprised. It’s a dream come true.

He’s definitely my pony of a lifetime and I’d be lost without him.

Rockfield Blackthorn

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Perseverance Pays!

Daisy Hughes bags an incredible cache of tickets!

Daisy earned her first ridden ticket to the RIHS at NPS Area 29, then went on to take a whopping four more tickets at BSPS 9A. “With a house move imminent, we decided that after gaining our first Royal International ticket at Royal Windsor Horse Show, the ponies would be put on the back burner for a few weeks,” said Gemma Hale, “but due to unforeseen delays, we had a few weeks’ grace and decided to go full throttle.

the open 122cm and 133 show hunter pony classes Wellesbourne Prince Charming and Captin Everything respectively.

“Thinking we had ‘lucked out’ we then went on to gain another two tickets in the Pretty Polly mountain and moorland first ridden on Wellesbourne Prince Charming and Pretty Polly show hunter pony on Captin Everything.

“After a few years of understandable disruption due to Covid-19 it’s lovely to get the girls back out doing what we all love!”

“We gained our second ticket in the Pretty Polly heritage first ridden with Fouroaks Carlos. Absolutely overjoyed, we set off for 9A at Malvern thinking anything more would be a bonus.

We love this photo of young rider Lilly Rose Holford-Griffin, 7, riding her pony Nice With Ice. Four-year-old Ice and Lilly have now been out a handful of times competing in dressage and showing. The problem was that Lilly seemed to have a case of ‘third-itis’, which is nevertheless a great result, especially as Lilly and Ice are often competing against adults. However, having tried her very best, this photo shows just how pleased Lilly was to claim a second, their best result yet, showing just how perseverance pays.

Leanne Holford’s daughter

Daisy Hughes

“We could not have predicted what was to come. We gained the next two tickets in

Alice And Her WonderPonies Many of us love watching young rider Alice Hertnefeld’s antics with her team of ponies on social media, but Alice has also been proving herself something of a force to be reckoned with in the showring. She had a particularly successful day at Aintree where she won the open heritage lead rein class with former HOYS contender Sharptor Keepsake, whom Alice and her mother Katherine have on long-term loan from owner Debbie Spears. Alice also won the open heritage first ridden on Welsh section A Thistledown Special VIP. “I usually always make her ride on the lead in the championship, but she got her own way

and stood champion on her first ridden pony,” said Katherine. Alice went on to stand reserve in the open ridden section and later won the show pony lead rein and mini show pony championship with Ducketts Dragonfly.

Following a successful season in 2021 with Jessica Talbot which included eighth place at Olympia and a HOYS ticket, Sharptor Tricolore [Troy] has been gelded and has joined Alice’s team. Seven-year-old Troy is a son of twice Cuddy finalist, Sharptor Trinity, and left three foals on the ground himself before his change in career. “Troy’s been with us since Alice’s fifth birthday at the end of January,” said Alice’s mum, Kathryn Hertenfeld. They have successfully hit the show ring, and Katherine told us that Alice “loves Troy

to bits and has also been enjoying doing jumps on him at home, so perhaps workers in the long-term.”

Alice Hartenfeld and Tricolore Troy

Have you been out competing recently?

Get in touch at beth@showingworldonline.co.uk

and let us know!

Sharptor Keepsake

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Maisie On Song Laura kenyon-brodie’s Maysong [Maisie] is without doubt her veteran of a lifetime! 25-year-old Maisie has been in Laura’s ownership for the last 11 years. Before turning to veteran showing, Irish Sports Horse Maisie enjoyed a full and fruitful career as an eventer and all-round riding club horse. “She’s turned her hoof to every job I’ve asked of her: riding club, eventing, showing, workers and dressage,” explained Laura, “she has taught me all I need to know, being as brave as a lion she has given me the confidence to do things I could of only ever dreamed off.”

Now that she’s in her senior years, Laura explained that Maisie is loving veteran showing, beach rides and teaching the youngsters the ropes. Although she jokes, “I sometimes wonder who is being the better behaved – the young ones or her?” Maisie particularly enjoys an evening performance at a show, and especially when “she is centre of attention!”

Last year, whilst enjoying herself a bit too much in the field, Maisie sustained an injury. Rehabilitation was difficult work and saw Laura walking her come rain, hail, sun or snow. Laura said: “We walked her for miles to build her back up. She got a little to fit by the end of it; I think she thought she was getting ready for the up-coming eventing season!”

The careful rehab paid off and meant that Maisie’s comeback has seen her as enthusiastic as ever. Laura and Maisie’s first show back was the VHS Spring Festival where she won her in hand class and stood reserve champion. Next up was Hambleton show where she won her ridden class and again stood reserve champion, with both classes giving her direct qualification to the exciting VHS Supreme Championships later this year.

“From the foot stamping to the cuddles, she really is my best friend. She helps me through all the good and bad times. She owes me nothing and I owe her everything.”.

A great start to the season with my horse of a lifetime.

A Tale of Triumph For Mighty Mouse!

Lynda Hardstone and Mouse RSPCA rescued pony, five-year-old Mouse was rescued as a foal and has been with owner Lynda Hardstone for the past four years. Despite this, Mouse remains nervous around other horses and ponies, and we can’t say we blame her!

Mighty Mouse

As a foal, she was left in a field without her dam for protection, and a stallion attacked and tried to kill her. Mouse was left with horrific wounds to her head and neck, with her little body already battling a heavy worm burden. After a great deal of treatment, she made a recovery.

“When she came to us, she was scared of other horses which was very sad. Our old mare took her under her wing and kept her safe,” said Lynda.

“She is a lot better now with other horses but still finds if difficult when she is in close proximity to horses she doesn’t know. So, in the ring she is very nervous.”

Nevertheless, Mouse has come on leaps and bounds in the past years. She was formerly shown in hand by Lynda’s daughter, Clare, who will continue to show her in hand, and has recently started her ridden career under friend Helen Richards. Having been broken in just a few months, she was entered into the CHAPS SE Regional show where she finished a very respectable third in an open class.

“She also took part at Royal Windsor but nerves took over,” said Lynda. “She was a super star and we are so lucky she has come into our lives. She is such a kind and loving pony and has a great following. She loves the children and is now enjoying life.”

Carrowgar Herald

Herald Proclaims Victory Raine Harthen’s Carrowgar Herald cut an impressive figure to stand hunter champion and reserve supreme at Aintree under Freya Metters. They purchased the six-year-old from his breeder Gina Heaps as a three-year-old having seen him take supreme young horse at Dublin Horse Show. Due to COVID, he missed his four-year-old season and the majority of the 2021 season, too. He has nevertheless made his impact known this year having qualified for the RIHS and was reserve champion hunter at Cheshire Premiere before going on to claim the Aintree tricolour.

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Life Beyond the Show Ring

By Samantha Osborne The addition of veteran classes to most showing schedules means the show horse’s competition life span does not have to be cut short.

However, some show animals prosper from a varied career alongside showing. Many of our show ring super stars retire from the discipline to explore new paths – riders as well as horses – with showing acting as a springboard for many of our Olympic riders.

Showing has always been my primary discipline but because of lockdown, I was marshalled toward my childhood dream of registering with British Showjumping. After gaining some experience up to Discovery level on a range of horses in 2020, I became obsessed with the buzz of showjumping. In 2021, my paths crossed with Leyward Diamond Jubilee, bred by Shelley Hollins. I first met Jubilee when riding for Paul Langrick, who produced and led the mare to qualify for the Cuddy HOYS final as a 3-year-old. I began to school the 15.1hh chestnut mare at home and soon discovered she had a big engine and huge enthusiasm for jumping. We won at her first unaffiliated show so I decided to register her with BS. I have produced the nine-year-old with expert tuition from Geoff Billington, Peter Allen and Paul Barker, to qualify for the 85cm and British Novice second rounds in the first few months of her show horse to show jumper transition. With several top three placings and a few wins under her belt at British Novice, we are going to move up to Discovery classes in 2022. Our main goals are to compete at Stoneleigh BS National Championships this season. As a pair we are thoroughly enjoying learning a new discipline away from the show ring.

Jubilee Showjumping at Spooktacular Arena UK in October 2021.

Photo by Equipics

following several wins from British Novice to 1.05m amateur level.

Further displaying his boldness and versatility, Peanut has also proven to be ‘an absolute machine on the cross-country course’ too.

Alicia Thomas and Legoland Cross Country Schooling

Alicia describes her gelding as, ‘rather special’ and she hopes for a ‘successful 2022’ both in the show ring as well as the showjumping world.

Georgia Darlington is also no stranger to success in both working hunter, showjumping and eventing classes. Lisa’s Dream was selected for the England WH BSPS team three times – winning on two of those occasions. The mare has been placed third twice in the 153cm WHP class at Horse of the Year Show but as well as this she events to Novice level and jumped a double clear at Badminton in the BE100 section. Georgia explained: “She is hugely successful at showjumping and usually comes home with a win. She won the Discovery Second Round at Cherwell to qualify for the Discovery Final in 2020 and has won classes at Hickstead and RIHS – most recently winning the 1m open class by two seconds of 170 starters at the Hickstead Derby meeting!”

I believe showjumping training and competitions strengthen working hunter class performance. Alicia Thomas’ Legoland (Peanut) began Intermediate WHP classes in 2021 after she purchased the bay gelding from Gorsebridge Sales, Ireland. Alicia said: “Just backed and in a bit of a mess, he was lean, and so we’ve taken lots of time to get where we are today”. Alicia began by campaigning in novice classes but by June the pair qualified for RIHS. The combination continued to add several titles to their winning list, including Champion WHP at Royal Cheshire.

They also represented Wales at BSPS Summer Championships and were placed in every class they entered. As part of Peanut’s jumping education, Alicia registered him with British Showjumping. New to showjumping, Alicia was thrilled to qualify for the Bronze League Semi Finals at South View. Alicia hopes to qualify for this again next year

Photo by Spidge

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Georgia also owns eight-year-old intermediate working hunter pony, Jara [Fiona]. Fiona was sixth at RIHS and HOYS in 2021. This season she won a whopping Gold Cup class at the 2022 BSPS Winter Championships, booked return tickets to RIHS as an intermediate and working hunter, and has won both her intermediate working hunter pony qualifiers. Fiona also showjumps. She qualified for the Newcomer Second Rounds in both 2020 and 2021, has qualified for the Foxhunter second rounds this year, and will be stepping up to jump 1m30 classes having recently jumped double clears in her three classes at the Hickstead Derby Meeting.

Jenni and Dewi winning the novice Dressage Final at the ROR Championship Show 2021

Jara and Georgia Showjumping Photo by Spidge Photography

Whalton Extravaganza (Charlie) was produced by Jasean Spraggett as an ISRT until 2019 when Hannah Reilley purchased the seven year old gelding. The former Great Yorkshire Show winner turned his hoof to dressage during the Covid lockdown, and now the pair have the dressage bug! Hannah trains regularly with trainer, Daryl Ware. At the Summer Area Festival, the pair finished second and secured a place at the Area Festival Championships at Arena UK, where they went on to finish in the top ten.

Show rider, Bronte Hatton Ritchie, also believes in using hunting as a training tool to “enhance mindset, improve balance and encourage a forward ride”. Bronte hunts with Holcombe Harriers and Benson, who is a seasoned HOYS Large Hack, is allowed to “enjoy himself” taking on big hedges and galloping through the colder months after finishing the summer showing season. The stunning grey gelding does a ‘minimal amount of schooling’. Bronte is passionate about giving her horses, ‘different routines’ and treating them as ‘individuals’.

Hannah and Charlie by Emmpix

Bronte and Benson on the hunting field Photo by Chris Knoblet

Another rider who has captured my attention recently is Jenni Savolainen. Jenni has retrained her racehorse gelding, Dewi, for both the show ring as well as the dressage arena. Dewi’s Mate started dressage at Intro level in 2019. Jenni shared: “I introduced him to dressage tests as a means of getting him used to competitions without it being too exciting, following his racing experiences.” We concentrated on training throughout lockdown, and as a result, we are now competing at Novice level. 2021 was his first showing season under saddle and as a result of his dressage training, we won the TSR Amateur Rider of the Year as well as a win in the ROR Novice Dressage Championship at Aintree. I am aiming to move up to Elementary level soon and I hope to continue to show alongside campaigning Dewi in the SEIB HOYS qualifiers in 2022.

Jenni believes that dressage training, “is helpful to get horses out to their first few ‘parties’. It improves their way of going too as the focuses are: obedience, flexibility and balance.” Jenni also teaches Dewi lateral work from the floor. Their close connection and relationship gained when learning dressage has contributed to their polished performances in the ROR inhand showing classes also.

Not all of our show animals turn to another ridden role; some of our mares become broodmares and continue to breed the next generation of champions – some of which return to the show ring with foal at foot.

Others are retired from competition but earn their corn by nannying the novices and breakers back at the yard or being beautiful friends and field ornaments. It is clear to see that the demands of the show horse stretch beyond beauty and movement; the modern day show horse is often an athlete, capable of excelling in a variety of spheres. Stallions not only boast impressive conformation but many show horse sires attract breeders based on their performance record too. Tiger Attack is a popular sire who has proven to be successful in the show ring and beyond.

Although many of us metaphorically wrap our show animals in bubble wrap and cotton wool, it is clear that the benefits of a varied education outweigh the potential risks, and that show horses have the brains and beauty to fulfil a diverse lifestyle.

- Samantha Osborne

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | July Issue 2022 | Showing World | 35

10 Minutes with…

Kimberly Bates and Rafeekah Kimberly and her Arab gelding Rafeekah have just booked their third ticket to HOYS at the HoCon Arab Show at Bury Farm, returning as defending champions having taken the title an impressive twice consecutively. In fact, the partnership has been an incredibly successful one in the relatively short time they have been together. We caught up with Kim and Rafeekah to find out more…

Showing World: Kim, where does the interest in horses come from?

My mum, Kerry, taught me to ride when I was about four or five years old. We then got my first pony, Briars Amarula - Piggy or Piglet, - a Dartmoor pony and I learnt a lot from showing her. She took me from our local show to eventually competing at top level showing, including HOYS and RIHS. Showing World: You now work with producer Katy MarriottPayne. Did you always want to work with ponies?

Showing Piggy led to me meeting Katy Marriott-Payne as I had some lessons with her when I was in first ridden classes - probably around 2010 or 2011ish! Fast forwards to 2018 and Katy and I were talking at a show and I agreed to help ride some

How to celebrate a third HOYS ticket!

ponies for her over the summer and go to some shows... Four years later I’m still here doing the exact same thing and loving every minute of it. I’ve had some incredible experiences competing at RIHS, HOYS and Olympia with Team KMP. I love being part of a dedicated and supportive team. We have a very good team dynamic which definitely helps when we’re very busy and working long days.

Showing World: How did Rafeekah come into your lives?

We bought Rafeekah in 2017, but we didn’t have the intention of specifically buying an Arab. Mum and I went to view a part-bred Arab, but while we were there we saw Rafeekah in the field showing off and we just fell in love with him there and then! We backed and broke him between us, and we show him from home.

Showing World: And then took to the ring…?

2019 was Rafeekah’s first open season, and I’ll admit we weren’t completely clued up on the subtle turn out details. Our first HOYS Qualifier I had no idea what to expect as I’ve never had to prepare a horse for a ride judge. He was very well behaved and gave a mannerly ride but we finished last due to him still being a bit green. That year

we stood the eventual champions at the final. It’s a feeling I’ll never forget as it was my first big win at a show like that, on a horse I’ve produced myself from home completely. He means the world to me, and I wouldn’t change anything about him.

Showing World: And you’ve gone from strength to strength…?

2021 was an incredible year for us as we were Royal Windsor Champion, won at the RIHS, stood supreme champion at the National Arab Show and won again at HOYS for the second time.

Showing World: What makes Rafeekah so special?

Each time he goes in the ring, I know he’ll do what I ask of him; he loves to do it just as much as me. His only downfall is that he refuses to stay clean, so I spend the majority of the time before and during a show, cleaning him...He enjoys hacking and loves to jump – he’ll really do anything I ask of him. He has a big character and he makes me laugh daily. He’s very easy to have around, and I love that I can enjoy the big shows as he loves to show off to a crowd.

Photos provided by Kerry Bates and 1st Class Images

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | July Issue 2022 | Showing World | 37

Royal Cornwall Show A Royal Victory David Hodge had his first taste of victory in the Price Family supreme at Royal Cornwall with homebred standard Shetland stallion Sharptor Kinsman. Owned by David and Julian Walters, the six-year-old is the second Sharptor-bred pony to qualify for the coveted final, following in the footsteps of the stud’s illustrious mare Sharptor Trinity.

9 -11 June 2022

Buriana Larkrise ridden by Hannah Horton

Kinsman has both foals and yearlings on the ground already and in March he competed at the National stallion show in Glasgow, standing Shetland breed champion and reserve overall supreme. “David showed Kinsman at the stallion show and they have a good rapport.

We are thrilled to have qualified again and in such good company and on home soil,” said Launceston-born Julian, who watched from within the ring leading their miniature Shetland champion Halstock Annie.

Judge Stephanie Hill had an arduous task narrowing down the 15 champions forward to her final five, which included the Welsh section A champion Thistledown Ellen Dugh; the Welsh section C champion Synod Miss Judy and the riding pony breeding champion Moor Hall Peter Pan, as well as Sharptor Kinsman and the overall reserve supreme, the Dartmoor stallion Moortown Crusader. Owned and shown by David Jordan, the 14-year-old bay stallion is a previous HOYS in-hand finalist.

“I was very torn between both the Shetland and the Dartmoor as they both caught my eye straightaway; they travelled beautifully and floated across the ground,” said judge Stephanie Hill. “The Shetland, however, just had that edge with tremendous good clean limb and bone with a beautiful tiny head and good feet. It also had an abundance of mane and tail, giving it all the right attributes to be a correct stamp of a Shetland.”

Three out of three Team Horton clinched a tricolour of championships here with Hannah Horton steering last season’s RIHS and HOYS riding horse winner, Buriana Larkrise [Ralph], to clinch the riding horse title. Owned and bred by Eileen Jenkin, the nine-year-old didn’t miss a beat.

“Ralph just keeps on giving. The more we ask the more we get,” said Hannah.

Due to a clashing of classes, Jack Moore stepped into the saddle aboard the Burley’s lightweight cob winner Bankers Draught, whilst Hannah rode the Burley’s other charge, the exquisite grey hack Imagine FW. Found at Magnus Nicholson’s yard by Hannah’s mentors

Sharptor Kinsman and David Hodge with judge Stephanie Hill

Marjorie and Richard Ramsay, the nine-yearold joined the yard at the end of March and is in his first showing season, having previously competed in the dressage arena.

Another rising star galloped their way to the hunter championship with Jess Cronk at the helm. Quality Control, a seven-yearold heavyweight hunter produced by Brett McKinnon and owned by Suzanne Burns, topped the novice hunter class, their section championship and the overall hunter supreme.

“He was novice champion at Royal Bath and West too,” said Brett, who added: “We are going to keep him as a novice this year and just take him to RIHS; that will then hopefully set him up for the open classes next season.”

Christa Davis secured a double win aboard Lisa Davey’s treasured heavyweight hunter Redemption Ground, heading both the heavyweight class and the ladies hunter. “We waited three years to compete him here,” said Lisa, “He had a leg injury in 2019 and then Covid put paid to the last two years! We’ve qualified him in both sections for RIHS and we are hoping to qualify for HOYS too.”

Jumping the only clear round in the RIHS working hunter qualifier was Kate Gason’s smart homebred King Harry, ridden by Adrian Brannelly. The bay Irish Draught gelding has had many riders over the years and competes in both showjumping and eventing as well; finishing just outside of the top 20 at both Port Eliot and Pontispool events this season with Sophie Clarke. “I just like to dip in and

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Diptford Graceful ridden by Tori Dymond

Dunkery Shrike ridden by Lowenna Payne

ride him using him as a nanny for my youngsters,” said Kate, who was recommended Adrian to help start a youngster. “I asked if he would have a school on Harry and the rest is history!

They get on so well and I love watching Adrian jump him,” added Kate. Irish-born Adrian ticked off a triple of firsts: he was competing here for the first time, as well as contesting his first ever working hunter class in England and qualifying for RIHS for the first time.

Youth triumphs

Quality Control ridden by Jess Cronk

Redemption Ground ridden by Christa Davis Moortown Crusader shown by David Jordan

One of the youngest competitors in the NPS open mountain and moorland classes, 12-year-old Lowenna Payne, secured the championship with a blistering gallop on her family’s 19-yearold Exmoor gelding Dunkery Shrike.

Lowenna was going up against her mother Jenna in the championship, who had headed the Welsh section D class on their own and Becky Bragg’s Blaengwen Lampard. However it was Sue Smith and the RIHS-bound Fell winner Skennerskeurgh Harvey who took the reserve and the Silver medal.

Lowenna, a member of the Cury Hunt Pony Club, regularly attends rallies with Shrike and has taken championships on the flat and in working hunter classes this season, as well as achieving a placing at their first British Riding Clubs hunter trail. Previously ridden by her mother Jenna, who competed him successfully in British Dressage as well, Shrike is a real all-rounder and family pony. “This is our first county show championship under saddle and we couldn’t be more delighted. He is such a special pony to us and such a fantastic ambassador for the breed and to have achieved this on home turf just makes it even more magical,” said Jenna.

Locally-based young rider Tori Dymond, who turned 17 just days after the show

made her final appearance in show pony classes here a winning one with her mother Fiona’s exquisite five-yearold Diptford Graceful [April]. Purchased from her breeder Sue Freeth as a three-year-old in 2020, Tori has carefully broken and produced April, qualifying for both RIHS and HOYS already this year.

Here, the pair headed both the show pony and intermediate championships.

“As it is my last year in the 148cm show pony class, I will be hoping to contest the intermediate and part bred Arab classes with her next season,” said Tori.

Keeping it in the family, Tori’s 13-yearold cousin Sam Laity jumped a beautiful clear in the 133cm working hunter pony class to land the section championship on the 16-year-old grey gelding Barney IX. Last season the pair finished third in the nursery stakes at RIHS and eighth in the 133cm working hunter pony class at HOYS. This year they secured their 133cm RIHS ticket on their first attempt and are now directing their focus on HOYS qualifiers.

As a busy mum of five children, including two sets of twins, Charlotte Rogers clinched the RIHS coloured championship with the piebald gelding Cerrighedd More Magic. “This was our first RIHS qualifier so to win and take the championship was just absolutely amazing,” said Charlotte, who was delighted to be back in the ring here with her family and Aunt and mentor Sally Carpenter watching. “He’s very low mileage, but he gives us so much pleasure. I will aim to do some HOYS qualifiers as and when I can and hopefully do the championship shows, but mainly just enjoying every moment win or lose.”

Report by Celeste Gall Photos by Jay Photos

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | July Issue 2022 | Showing World | 39

A Red Knight ridden by Phoebe Price

A Shining Knight!

Midlands Counties, Arena UK, Grantham 4-5th June 2022 Report by Ami Miller. Photos by Equinational.

The two-day show held at Arena UK included some of the final Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) qualifiers of the year and some of the earliest Horse of The Year Show (HOYS) qualifiers.

The prestigious Price Family Supreme in hand ticket went to a prolific winning riding horse mare Lovestruck, shown by Steve Pitt, this time with her foal at foot. This was the 12-year old mare’s fourth ticket to HOYS. She was bred by Gail Burrough and is owned and produced by Steve Pitt and Vicky Smith.

Vicky has also ridden Lovestruck at HOYS as a riding horse before she retired to broodmare duties. “Every time she wins it’s so special. She has the most amazing presence and is a wonderful mother; we have never had a horse like her,” said Vicky.

The reserve spot went to the Welsh section C champion, Donys Dick Turpin. The nine-year-old stallion shown and produced by Richard Pittman has been lightly shown due to mainly being used for stud duties. Some of his successes include supreme at Towerlands Welsh Silver Medal Show last year. Richard said: “He has sired some super stock including Royal Welsh winners and a Winter Fair champion. We haven’t broken him to ride but my partner Kate Williams of the Ringside stud keeps nagging me for him as he has the right attitude for the ridden, but I’m being selfish and keeping him for myself. He’s a privilege to have around and it’s an honour to show a horse of such quality.”

Entries in the Horse of the Year Show qualifying classes did not disappoint. The first ticket of the show went to the ladies side saddle winner Phoebe Price and her own maxi cob A Red Knight. This was only Phoebe’s second show riding sideways, having finished second at her first attempt at the Festival of Showing. Scott Dixon, who produces Phoebe’s horses said, “I’m very excited for Phoebe’s future riding sidesaddle. A Red Knight is doing a fabulous job giving Phoebe experience; he is totally safe and a great type - those two things don’t usually come as a package.”

The HOYS hunter championship was an exciting one for young rider Alice Homer who claimed the victory aboard Liz Prowting’s middleweight, Bloomfield Eloquence [James]. The pair pipped the reigning HOYS supreme, lightweight View Point with Rob Walker to the title. The duo then went on to claim the ridden hunter Jubilee Supreme. Alice, 20, has to manage her time between riding and studying at University. Her mum, Lorraine Homer said, “It was a great thrill for us all. To win a well-supported prestigious show and to triumph over top-class contenders means a lot to the owner, rider and producer”.

The final ridden HOYS qualifying classes of Day 1 were the mountain and moorland junior classes.

These classes are always popular with a wide range of breeds forwards with their junior jockeys. It

was nine-year-old Welsh section A Amilas Clicquot [Colin] that bagged the small breeds ticket with 14-year-old Lilly Walker holding the reins. The pair were second and reserve champion in the juniors at Birmingham last year. Lilly’s mum, Samantha Walker who owns Colin said, “He is absolutely our pony of a lifetime; he is known as perfect Colin as he is just perfect, everyone loves him.” Bryncarreg The Bandit won the HOYS junior large breeds class and took the championship with Demi Appleton for owners Charlotte Laurens and Chris Phillips. The seven-yearold Welsh section c stallion was bred by Gary Watson of the Bryncarreg stud and is produced by Katie Marriott Payne who has also qualified Bandit for HOYS in the open section C class.

The jubilee supreme horse championship went to the RIHS hack champion of the show, Dare to Dream and Amanda Picillo. The six-year-old gelding by Up With The Lark is in his first full open season after attaining second place at HOYS in the small hack class last year. The pair are produced by Jerome Harforth and Emmerson’s show team. It was their second outing of the season. Amanda said: “Dee is very special to us as my mum bred him. Every time we step into the ring on him, he gives me his all, I’m very excited about his future.” Taking the RIHS large hack ticket was Lucy Glover aboard 12-year-old Runnon Watergate.

Amilas Clicquot ridden by Lilly Walker

Day two of the show was very wet, yet the rain didn’t put off competitors with strong class numbers especially in the Horse of the Year Show qualifiers.

The HOYS show pony championship went to the 2021 RIHS pony supreme and established 148cm winner Wilderness Early Bird [Birdie] under Mia Donaldson.

Birdie is owned by Mia’s mum Nicol Donaldson together with Yvonne Selby of the Archwood stud.

She is produced by Team Ahern. and are no stranger to the limelight having won many championships including victory of the supreme pony title at the RIHS last year. Mia said, “This pony just gets better and better. It will be our fourth Horse of the Year Show together; she really is a pony of a lifetime.”

The duo were also second in the HOYS part bred class, pipped to the post by Matilda Holmes riding Ecclesbourne Byron Bay, who is produced by Craig Elenor and Sara Parrot. This was the pair’s first HOYS qualifier of the season. Matilda’s mum Zoe Holmes said: “After reading an article on showmanship, Matilda decided to put the advice into practice. They were initially pulled sixth, but after coming out and performing a three-loop canter serpentine, a walk to canter and a one-handed extension, they were pulled right up to first place!” After the duo’s sterling performance in the part-breds, they then went on to win the Jubilee ridden supreme.

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Bloomfield Eloquence ridden by Alice Homer

Donys Dick Turpin shown by Richard Pittman

Lovestruck shown by Steve Pitt

Justine Armstrong talks about the season so far Justine Armstrong Small has over 35 years of experience producing a variety of types, including working hunters and working hunter ponies. In fact, Justine is a formidable opponent in the worker ring. She has claimed the RIHS reserve champion working hunter spot three times – once riding Pipers Ovation and twice with Zin Zan, whom she also steered to the working hunter of the year title and supreme champion at HOYS in 2003. This issue she talks about the upcoming RIHS final.

The season so far…

The worker classes this year seem to offer lots of variety for people to practice as they go about qualifying. Technically, the courses have all been rather different, which has certainly been something of a challenge for ponies, horses and riders, but nevertheless good training. I’ve seen quite a few off-set doubles and some looked really big! Casting my mind back, I think Royal Three Counties had two along with a few other tricky elements to negotiate. I was rather impressed when one or two fairly novice ponies jumped round with just one unlucky pole!

RIHS preparation It’s getting close to the RIHS finals – they really are just around the corner.

The RIHS course is different to any other. It’s what I call a ‘rider frightener’.

Firstly, it’s final that people have qualified for, so there’s already an inevitable feeling of heightened anticipation and possibly, nerves.

It’s also a big ring that’s on a slope. You’re jumping up and down the slope over fences that are quite different to anything else that you have seen so far in the season. Then there’s the spectators. With so many people watching, you’re bound to feel pressure.

So if you haven’t been already, it’s time to get practicing! You need to practice ditches and water in particular. The ditch was included in the course at the Hickstead Derby Meeting and it did catch a few out. The water element wasn’t present at the Derby Meeting, but could well be included at the RIHS. Practice similar elements if you can so that you and your pony are well prepared.

The terrain can also catch out some combinations. Like I said, you’re having to jump up and down the slope, which can be tricky.

Jumping downhill, you need to keep the front end up and stay balanced. Jumping uphill, you’ll need more power to get over the fences. At the Derby Meeting, we jumped a hedge uphill but with a rail in front of it. That meant that you couldn’t approach it as you would out hunting because the rail needed to stay up. Riders will need to watch out for similar ‘problems’ as they power uphill to fences.

The RIHS also often includes a bullfinch.

It’s also often thick, sometimes narrow, and sometimes it’s approached going downhill.

Altogether that’s quite difficult!

Whether you’re RIHS bound or thinking about stepping up into opens, a bullfinch is a fence you absolutely must prepare for and practice at home, starting off small with a thin brush at the top so that ponies – or horses – get to understand it. It your pony doesn’t know what it is, they’re unlikely to go through it.

I’m judging the working hunter ponies this year at RIHS and am really looking forward to it. I’m hoping to see combinations who are confident, go forwards and keep a rhythm. If things go wrong, don’t panic, just keep moving forwards.

Most of all, try to enjoy it. Best of luck!

Cadlanvalley Super Ted books yet another trip to the NEC

Sarah Parrotts top tips for preparing ponies for the leid rein show hunter pony class Sara Parrott and her partner Craig Eleanor produce a range of horses and ponies from their Yorkshire base. This issue, Sara takes us through her tips for preparing ponies for an increasingly popular class – the lead rein show hunter pony class.

This is a favourite class of ours and we have been lucky to produce some really lovely ponies for it, most recently winning a lovely class at the Royal Three Counties show with our former HOYS winner, Cadlanvalley Super Ted. All our lead reins are backed and ridden away off the rein. For this class, I think this is especially important. The show hunter pony lead rein needs to go ‘independently’ from the leader. Although, many start in this class with a tiny tott on board and the leader needs to be close to steady the child, it’s the perfect class for preparing the child for first ridden. As their riding comes together, they can ride this class at the end of the lead, steer through the obstacles, and really begin to ride the pony around the course. In this way, it serves as a great bridge onto first ridden classes.

Cadlanvalley Super Ted wonders whether swimming is next on his regime

1

Variation for Preparation As with any pony, the more obstacles they see the better.

But with the show hunter pony lead rein, they need to learn to work around different things on a daily basis, which generally means a lot of time out of the menage.

We are lucky to have a small wood adjacent to our yard which is ideal for training them; it’s all about making your surroundings work for you. We walk them through small gaps where bushes have grown over so that they feel the branches brush over them and pop them over logs, both in hand and under saddle. The show hunter pony lead rein often has to work around a working hunter course so if you don’t have jumps, hire a course. It’s quite hard to get the ponies close enough to the jumps for little arms to reach the poles to touch so requires practice, time and paientence.

2 A Tight Squeeze!

One of the greatest obstacles for catching ponies out at shows is when they’re requires to trot in and out of obstacles. These are often quite tight so the pony must be able to ‘sit’ on his hind quarters and shorten his trot to get through them in a balanced and rhythmic way. This is why we think it’s important to work the ponies under saddle and train them to work correctly. Ponies that are worked constantly in side reins do not have the self-carriage to do this part of the course correctly as they are generally behind the leg. As the jockey is older, you can get them to steer in and out the obstacles.

3 Stop and Go: Do it Properly!

As with all of our ponies, we are particularly strict with standing still. When the ponies are groomed or being tacked up, for example, we stand them on pillar reins and they must stand like rocks while they are mounted. We’ll also often stand them when training out on a hack. The same goes when walking. They must walk out properly to, for example, the field; never jogging on walking behind the leader. If you bring this training into everyday life, it makes the show ring so much easier.

4 Nurture That Special Something

As with any show animal, the show hunter pony lead rein must have that something special, and ultimately, they must want to win. Our best show hunter pony lead reins have all been cheeky characters, who definitely bring their own personality into the ring. We want them to look through the bridle, smile and work as one with us, so time needs to be spent building that bond between pony, leader and rider.

5 Know Your Strengths

Our final tip would be to work out your pony’s strengths and weaknesses and utilise them to their best. When you find out the course that is set or which obstacles you will be tackling, decide how you can make the most of your pony, adding flare. For example, if our pony was brilliant, and bomb proof around the obstacles, we would take more risks than with a younger pony that may have a look.

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The INSIDE SCOOP with the 2022

HOYS JUDGES

As we all go about qualifying, find out what the judges will be looking for this year in our exclusive feature! info@showingworldonline.co.uk | July Issue 2022 | Showing World | 45

FINA HOLTON Working Hunter Ponies (Jump)

Despite being from what she describes as a “nonhorsey” family, Fiona claims that she always has, and still does “eat,sleep and dream” horses! Fiona explained: “I competed at all levels as a child and young adult, slashing my parent’s dreams of a ‘normal job’ by training at the wonderful Crabbet Park to gain my BHS qualifications. I taught for many years in all disciplines of competitions, whilst my children competed. Furthering my desire in the horse world, my husband and I built Barleyfields Equestrian Centre, starting from a green field site with not even any water or electricity, and finishing with indoor and outdoor schools, stabling for 55 horses, cross country and working hunter courses and a lovely house. Gosh! We worked hard running a very large riding school, livery yard and competition centre. BSPS, BD and BS competitions nearly every week!” Of course, when there were no competitions at Barleyfields, Fiona wasn’t resting. Instead, she was out judging or course building before the couple eventually retired three years ago after 35 years of building, during which Fiona “thoroughly enjoyed setting a challenge for the competitors, building qualifiers for HOYS, RIHS and built at the old Royal Show, as well as many years of BSPS championship shows, until the judging took over!”

Fiona began judging working hunter ponies and mountain and moorlands approximately 30 years ago, and continues to thoroughly enjoy it. “I never lose my desire to give a 20 mark for

performance-although it has only happened twice in my judging career, and both times I felt like I had gone to heaven to watch those perfect rounds and they have remained my favourite shows - so far! I love a challenging course that makes the riders think and focuses the minds of both rider and pony!”

A number of top class working hunter ponies have also passed through Barleyfields being produced by Fiona. The most notable was the outstanding 143cm pony John’s Choice, whom was originally bought as a four-year-old for the riding school originally. However, his talent over fences was apparent immediately.

“His flair for jumping was obvious from Day 1, helped by a talented young rider who rode all our working hunter ponies for us. Needless to say, he never worked a single day in the riding school,” said Fiona.

What will Fiona be looking for?

This will be Fiona’s first time judging at HOYS. “I am honoured and excited to be doing this! I will be looking for a forward but mannerly round; some ‘flair’ - which I can barely define - but some ponies ‘smile’ all the way round and say, ‘look at me’ at every fence. I love a nice clean shape over a fence and both pony and rider focused on the job in hand! Naturally, they should be able to gallop, and a smiling jockey is always a bonus. Most of all it must be enjoyed by competitor and judge alike! I am really looking forward to this day and hope it is memorable for all of us!”

KATHY BOWDLER Ladies’ Side Saddle Horse of the Year (Conformation) Swansea has been home to Kathy for all of her life and, hailing from a non-horsey family, riding lessons began at a local riding school at the age of nine, when she was given one lesson as a birthday present. The rest, as they say, is history. It started what has become a consuming passion for her and husband, Peter.

It wasn’t until they met that Kathy ventured into the world of affiliated showing and was immediately bitten by the bug. They continue to produce some horses from home, both in-hand and ridden for showing, and also have horses professionally produced. Several horses in their ownership have qualified for HOYS in hunter and riding horse classes.

Kathy first qualified a Hunter for HOYS in 1998 and “will never forget the feeling of that first qualification”. She did not think that the elated feeling of qualification could be beaten until the invitation came to judge at HOYS. “That was

on another level,” she said! “I feel so honoured and privileged to have been invited to judge although, being so excited and having to keep the secret from February 2020 until December 2021 was not easy; it somehow didn’t seem real until it was announced”.

Kathy is on the BSHA, SHB(GB), CHAPS, BSPA, BHCGB and TSR judging panels and has officiated at many major shows throughout the UK including Royal Windsor and has also judged in Ireland. She runs her own business as an IFA, holds her BHSAI and sits on the Board of BSHA and The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society for whom she chairs the Finance Committee.

What will Kathy be looking for?

“The ladies’ show horse is an unusual class in many ways as there will be four distinct types to assess – hunters, cobs, riding horses and hacks. Initially, I will look for a horse who is true

to its type and also, one who travels in a light, responsive, elegant manner, and who looks as though they are a pleasure to ride. Manners in a ladies horse need to be exemplary. I like a horse that ‘meets you well’ and has that extra ‘look at me’ as it enters the ring; a showman with quality.”

It goes without saying that correct conformation will be high on my agenda and will be assessed accordingly, The overall picture of elegance is paramount and, I will be considering correctness of the turnout of the ladies competing in addition to the above.

When I rode at HOYS for the first time, someone commented that I looked as though I was really enjoying myself – they were correct, I was. It makes such a difference if competitors smile and my advice to anyone competing would be, enjoy and savour every minute of your time in that arena, I certainly intend to……..

LOUISE GAUNT Children’s Riding Pony of the Year Louise was born and brought up in Buckinghamshire, the daughter of Veterinary Surgeon, Stewart Hastie. At a very early age, riding became her love. A member of the Grafton Pony Club, Louise loved her hunting; sent out every Saturday with a pocket full of sandwiches and a bar of chocolate under the watchful eye of “Biddy” Bailey, Anne Hawkins and Colonel Foster, to name a few.

Louise formed a close friendship with near neighbour, the late Carola Williams. Very envious of her beautiful show ponies - all with the “Pendley” prefix - Statuette, Rhythm and Model, and fell in love with showing. She was lucky enough to have served her time with Guy and Hilary Wathen (Le Moignan now) who were, at the time, leading amateurs with a team of top class show hunters. Hilary suggested that she buy a small hunter to add to the team and Ruth McMullen had the answer in Blue Boy, showing alongside legends in Vin Toulson, Robert Oliver, David Tatlow and Allister Hood. She was excited to be asked to ride Hillary’s horses in ladies classes. A great time to be showing, she was accepted onto the HIS panel as a judge.

A change ensued and Louise switched to Thoroughbreds, working with then both here in the UK, and for 10 years split between Ireland and Kentucky with bloodstock agents including the late

Joss Collins (BBA), working the yearling and NH store sales.

When her son Harry was four years old, she jumped back into showing as member of the BSPS and BSHA with a variety of ponies and cobs. Louise has been Chairman of BSPS Area 7 for nearly twenty years and a judge for many years. Honoured to have been asked to judge at prestigious shows, the highlights so far include Dublin and the Royal International Horse Show. She is “thrilled to have been asked to judge at the best of all shows, at HOYS” and is “really looking forward to judging the cream of the show ponies”.

What will she be looking for?

Louise will be searching for “a forward going, accurate and mannerly show, with the head ‘up and forward’.” With her bloodstock background, she is hoping that riders don’t forget that very important walk.

LUCY KILLINGBECK Show Hunter of the Year

Lucy has been a panel judge for over 30 years and this will be her sixth appointment as a ride judge at the Horse of the Year Show. Her 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, adding, “by chance I qualified my 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 great

horses like Super Ted, Kings Warrior and Hobo.

Shortly afterwards, she was accepted straight on to the Hunter Panel, followed by the Show Hack and Cob panel, and a superb judging 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 have decided that the Ridden Hunters of The Year will be fitting finale to my a ride judging career.”

What will Lucy be looking for?

“Having enjoyed some fantastic hunting over the years, I will be looking for a horse that carries its self with an active hind leg and great front to sit behind, taking a good length of rein with its poll the highest point and ideally its nose just in front of the vertical. To ride I want a responsive, balanced, supple, athletic ride that takes me.

With regards to paces, a ground covering walk is a must, the trot needs to easy and smooth, the canter like any armchair, and taking in to consideration the constrictions of the size of the arena, the gallop will be more of a lower and lengthen with an emphasis on how balanced and responsive they are coming back to me. They need to look like a lion but ride like a lamb! The horse that gets my top mark will be light off the leg and soft in my hand and make me feel like I am good at my job!”

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Nicholas rode before he could walk. His parents both accomplished riders.

NICHOLAS COLLINS

Showing ponies started at the earliest Working Hunter (Ride) and Small Hunter (Ride) opportunity, with his mother Clare encouraging him and his twin brother Andrew.

They competed in their first Royal Windsor Horse Show at the aged of three in the Five-time RDS Supreme Hunter Championship leading rein class. for BSHA, ROR and The Burghley Young Event winner. “We had ponies from Frances over Horse series.

In the early years, Nicholas competed many the years, Forest Flame being one, he took successful show hunter and working hunter The Late Andy Crofts and Roger Stack, great me to my first ride at Horse of the Year Show ponies with championship wins. “One of my producers of their day deepened Nicholas’ at Wembley back in the early 90s. I was a earliest championship memories was riding knowledge on conformation. “Correct young green boy from England and Frances Mrs Jackson’s Cusop Gold lace to win the conformation is such a vital part, not just for was a stickler for correct etiquette both on show pony championship at The Greater showing but any discipline. Andy and Roger the hunting field and in the showring, she London Horse Show on Hyde Park. Riding both had a fantastic eye for a horse, and I feel taught me a lot, Hunting in Ireland was a around Rotton Row installed in me my first very privileged to have had their guidance”. great education, riding young horses certainty feeling of showmanship, showing your animal made you have your wits about you and “I have been honoured to judge at some of to its best and rising to the occasion.”. installed a discipline for effective riding”. the best shows on the circuit, on several Showing provided a good foundation when in his early teens he progressed to the sport of Eventing. He represented Great Britain at Junior and Young rider level – he was a team member at the European Young Rider Championships in 2000 - and he competed successfully internationally at senior level.

Alongside producing event horses, he was keen advocate of the working hunter classes and educated his young horses in these classes. He had many successes in working hunters and claimed the Working Hunter title at The Royal International Horse show in 2001 riding the athletic Rubicon. During this period, he spent some months in Ireland with family friend The Late Frances Cash,

Nicholas feels very fortunate to have had the help and guidance of some very wellrespected people.

“The Late Richard Stillwell was the greatest influence on my riding career, he was a perfectionist, straight talking and took my riding to a different level”.

In 2005, when commitments in the family business (surface manufacturer Martin Collins Enterprises) increased, a decision was made to cease Eventing and concentrate his efforts in the business.

Judging proved to be the natural progression when asked to join the ride panel of SHB (GB) back in 2009. Nicholas is also a panel judge

occasions The Royal International Horse Show and The Royal Windsor Horse Show but this will be my first appointment at The Horse of The Year Show”.

What will I be looking for?

In both classes I want to see correctly ridden horses that work from behind, confidentially into a forward contact. Horses should be well muscled and not fat. I like quality and athleticism. In the working hunter class, I want to see horses that naturally jump out of a forward rhythm and not interfered with by backward riding jockeys. Make sure you use the arena and maximise the space available to show you and your horses to their best.

PHILLIP COOPER Children’s Riding Pony of the Year (Show)

Philip has been involved with horses and ponies for as long as he can remember. He explained: “My mother, Carole Hillyard, ran her yard from Essex for more decades than she’d thank me for sharing. She knows more about equestrianism than anyone I have ever come across and continues to be source of great wisdom for me and others. Now my sister, Lindsey Hillyard, alongside my niece Katie White continue producing from the family yard in Suffolk. Indeed, my daughter Emily Cooper will be competing in the mountain and moorland lead reins this year at Royal International and HOYS led by Katie.

I even met my wife, Natasha Cooper, at a horse show. It truly is a family affair!”

Growing up, Philip rode “all manner of show ponies, show hunters, mountain and moorlands and workers, winning at all the major shows including the RIHS. My biggest win, however, was in 1993 when my pony Cringle Laughter won the Show Pony of the

Year at HOYS. I am therefore excited to be judging the show ponies this year at HOYS some 29 years later!”

Having now hung up the riding boots, Philip now works as a family and divorce lawyer in the City, and much of his work has a farming or equestrian connection. “I have still spent many years on the end of a lead rein leading winners at Royal International and HOYS. I was proud to be able to lead both my nieces, Charlotte Tuck and Katie White, to wins in the show pony lead reins at HOYS.” Philip has been judging for over twenty years, and has been “lucky enough to judge at some of the biggest shows including the Royal International and Royal Windsor. I have also judged abroad in South Africa and in Ireland. It will however be a huge honour to be able to judge the conformation section of the Children’s Riding Pony of the Year this year at HOYS alongside Louise Gaunt.”

What will Philip be looking for?

“I have always looked for quality when judging conformation. The pony needs to be true to type and eye catching. It is always refreshing when judging the conformation section to see the rider present the pony properly. An animal stood correctly looking through its bridle with a smile on its face and saying, ‘look at me’ and exuding presence is always a pleasure to judge. Too often both rider and animal look like they would rather be somewhere else which is disappointing. A purposeful walk away then a free moving trot back straight at me is the order of the day… happy rider and pony: happy judge.

Finally, and the late great Colin Rose would have had words with me if I didn’t, please say ‘good morning’ or ‘good afternoon’ to the judge!”

Fandango Na Dailach shown by Virginia Osborne

Royal Highland Horse Show The Royal Highland welcomed the public back for its 200th show, the first one run with spectators since the pandemic. Competitors flocked to its Edinburgh home, enjoying the festive atmosphere.

Dr Aylwin Pillai’s Fandango na Dailach delighted his connections when he took the Highland in-hand championship, shown by Aylwin’s sister Virgina Osborne. The six-yearold stallion was bred by the sisters’ mum, Marguerite Osborne, and is produced at home on the family’s livestock farm of 20 years, Kinclune. Breeding Highlands is woven into the family’s DNA, with Marguerite brought up by breeder James McIntosh before adopting her own Na Dailach prefix. However, they have recently changed their prefix to Kinclune, meaning Fandango is one of the last Na Dailach ponies. Fandango is the fifth generation of their breeding of on the dam side, going back to Marguerite’s foundation mare, Rosebush of Knocknagael, bought after the department of agriculture ponies were dispersed. “The ponies are very much a family affair and we have been showing or judging at the Highland Show pretty well every year for my whole life,” explained Virginia. During that time, they won the female, gelding and junior male championships, stood reserve overall

Highland and taken the ridden Clydesdale championship. However, the overall Highland inhand title had eluded them. “The Highland Show main ring really is hallowed ground for us and the Highland is “The Show” to win for Highland Pony breeders. We have always felt that being so good and a stallion, Fandango is the most beautiful pony we’ve ever bred, so it was fitting that he was the pony to do it”.

This isn’t Fandango’s first moment in the limelight, as he did appear on Countryfile riding around the 1100 acre estate on the edge of the Cairngorms to check the cattle

and sheep, and he’s recently debuted in the ridden ring.

In a twist of fate, the girls decided to stand down from the Sanderson Trophy between the Clydesdale, Shetland and Highland Champion because Marguerite was judging this. “She enjoyed her day, and we were thrilled with our result so were happy to stand down,” explained Virginia. Marguerite chose the Black family’s homebred Collessie Jennifer, overall Clydesdale champion to take the trophy over Shetland champion, Wells Legend.

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This was the second time that the Redcastle Brelee Majestic daughter had taken the breed champion, matching her grandmother Ormister Mains Amelie’s record. “She is lovely mare, full of the character of the breed and she moved beautifully,” said Marguerite of her champion. The family were also victorious with two-year-old Collessie Alanna, yearling Collessie Honeysuckle, and second placed Lutterinton won his colt foal class.

Katie Common didn’t think she could top the 2021 RHS but nevertheless went on to have a fantastic show scoring the Highland ridden championship with Dunedin Mascot.

Katie has the 10-year-old Dunedin Marksman gelding on loan from Jane McNaught. Katie, who last won this championship in 2018 with another of Jane’s ponies, said, “He’s just an amazing pony who loves the ring and thinks everybody is there to watch him!”

Taking home the Waxwing trophy for the overall mountain and moorland in hand championship was, quite fittingly, David Blair and Tom Best’s Welsh section B champion, Waxwing Perlena. It was an entirely appropriate retirement for the Fife based breeders, who have shown at the Highland show since 1970, and have helped behind the scenes for many years – regular competitors will be familiar with seeing David in particular in his capacity as steward in the main ring.

A former Ayr County supreme champion, five-year-old Perlena cut an exquisite picture in the championship. She is by the stud’s own prolific stockgetter, Eyarth Beau Geste.

A long trip north for a first foray at the Highland was more than worth it for an “over the moon” Lisha Leeman, whose champion riding pony Roseberry The Politician [Boris] headed the Price Family Supreme in hand.

He was shown by Lisha’s son-in-law, Frazer Atherden, who also showed him to take champion riding pony at Herts County on

Roseberry The Politician shown by Frazer Atherden

his debut for the family. This was the quality two-year-old colt’s second outing, and his Price Family Supreme ticket is the second of the season for the Leeman-Atherden team.

Boris is out of Roseberry Celebration, and Lisha purchased him directly from Tammy Heathcote at the Roseberry stud last year with the intention of introducing new blood at Kellythorpes. “I always wanted to use his grandsire, Llanarth Aristocat, but couldn’t,” explained Lisha, who has also used his sire, Ian Boylan’s Alonby Chardonnier this time.

“Now I have the bloodlines just I’ve used the son and have the grandson instead.”

A blowout on the way home could not dampen Leah Cassell and family’s spirits after they had a most memorable show, returning home with three HOYS tickets.

“It was definitely a Carlsberg weekend! We celebrated in style and have memories that will last a lifetime,” said Leah. Her sister Hollie McGauley, 15, headed the 153cm show hunter pony and took section reserve riding Master Jack. Leah explained that Jack “is

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an absolute gent” and took Hollie up from Dartmoor into the 153cm classes to stand sixth last year at HOYS. Hollie’s former junior ride, Pumphill Rasputin [Razz] has swapped flat for fences under Aliya Khan to take the 122cm mountain and moorland working hunter pony class and section championship. Leah and her mother, Lindsay have owned Razz for eight years, and he’s been a prolific winner including topping the junior final at the RIHS and thrice winning at the Royal Highland Show. He’s qualified for HOYS as a first ridden, junior, open and working hunter pony, proving himself to be extremely versatile. Aliya and Razz had a promising start to the season winning the novice 122cm working hunter pony at the BSPS Winter Championships, and this was their first attempt at a HOYS track. “He just loves a big stage and jumped a mega round,” said Leah. “It was definitely an emotional win and he certainly rose to the occasion.”

Hollie works Jack, Razz, and their third ticketholder, Fell gelding Rundales Trooper [Willie]

Dunedin Mascot ridden by Katie Common

herself. He was, however ridden by Aliya Khan, who also scored a hattrick of tickets and two section championships.

Her second championship of the week came on the show’s last day having made the most of the opportunity to pull off a super show in the championship with Clare Connor’s Shetland stallion, Latijn V.d. Helling [Latz]. Claire imported the charming five-year-old from the Lap family’s Helling Stud in the Netherlands when he was a two-year-old. He is by threetimes National Champion of Honour, Caz V. Stal Nieuwemoed and out of 1st Premium Evaluated mare Rylanda V.D. Helling. “I imported in December 2019 having flown over to the watch the young stallion evaluations in the hope of purchasing a future stallion for the stud,” said Claire. Aliya leased Latz from Claire in January 2022 and Aliya and her mother have since broken him in herself. Despite originally intending to contend novice classes this year, Latz has taken to showing and has also qualified for the RIHS. Juliette Tully’s Arawa Sirocco claimed a first HOYS ticket under producer Emma Burrow – formerly Boardman. Juliet has owned 11-year-old Sirocco since a yearling, but he’s nevertheless in his first season at with Emma and at this level. Julia sent him to Emma in January aiming to realise her lifetime dream of qualifying for HOYS. Emma and Sirocco got off to a great start, winning the novice at the BSPS Winter Championships. He went on to collect an RIHS ticket at North of England Spring and then their HOYS at the Royal Highland Show. “It was so lovely that Juliet was with us to see him realise her dream.

Briarhill Buddy Bolden performed beyond his years to claim a second HOYS ticket under

Wellbank Gabrielle ridden by Lexi Brash

- she cried all day!” said Emma, adding, “he’s the kindest most lovely stallion”.

The Brash family had reason to celebrate when Tom Brash’s HOYS 2021 junior mountain and moorland champion Wellbank Gabrielle [Harry] won the junior mountain and moorland working hunter pony class under his grand-daughter Lexi Brash. The 13-year-old Welsh section A is co-produced between Tom and his daughter, Diane Brash, who is Lexi’s aunt. This is the second consecutive year for Harry and Lexi to win and qualify for HOYS at the Highland having done so last year for the junior small breeds.

Bridget Edmonson’s novice small hunter

Bridget’s daughter, Meg. He is produced

by Rachael Helliwell and has contended intermediate hunter classes under Harriet Dennison, winning both the novice and intermediate reserve at the BSPS Winter Championships and a HOYS ticket at Stoneleigh Horse Show.

Home-produced lightweight hunter Double Mocha did the double to win a second HOYS ticket under owner Olivia Edmonson. The pair won both the HOYS lightweights and the ladies side saddle class. Olivia has owned Double Mocha since a four-year-old and she explained that she had always wanted him to be her next ladies horse, waiting until March

Arawa Sirocco ridden by Emma Burrow Double Mocha

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this year for him to be ready. Her patience paid dividends when they topped their first ladies class at the Cheshire Premier show, adding a third RIHS ticket to their lightweight and amateur qualification, and headed their second ladies class at Staffordshire County to pick up a HOYS ticket. “He absolutely loved the big ring and the atmosphere,” said Olivia.

“He’s a showman and loves a big occasion.

He gave me his everything and didn’t put a foot wrong all day”. He certainly lapped up the vast main ring at the Highland to take ridden hunter champion and later, supreme hunter champion.

Mia Sarginson and Linsfort Rowan [Rolo] won their first ever HOYS class in the 143cm show hunter pony class. The Sarginson family purchased the 12-year-old Connemara unseen from Ireland. He has participated in a range of disciplines from showing to show jumping and PC mounted games with Mia, and won the plaited pony in-hand final at the 2019 STARS with Mia’s older sister Shannon. Mia and Rolo had already qualified at the Royal Cheshire County show on the previous Wednesday in second place but went on to win a class at the Highland. This is the first year that the Preston-based family have attempted affiliated competition, making their qualification on their third attempt and a subsequent win even more remarkable.

Yorkshire based sister production duo Alex Ahern and Kirsty Pickles made it a successful trip north. Helen Davies’ 138cm show pony Landemann Bird of Paradise picked up her HOYS ticket under Samantha Taylor who was deputising for usual rider Cate Kerr as she couldn’t make it. The six-year-old is in her first season but is nevertheless making her impact known with some strong results including

Linsfort Rowan ridden by Mia Sarginson

standing champion at North of England Spring show and they went on to take the tricolour at the Highland. Team-mate and former RIHS pony supreme Wilderness Early Bird and Mia Donaldson stood reserve having won their second HOYS class of the season, and they also added a second part-bred class to their tally for good measure.

Kirsty’s daughter Arabella, 5, also took home a championship rosette with Rosedew After Eight. The pair were reserve mini show hunter pony champions having stood second in the HOYS hunter pony lead rein class. Winning the class and tricolour was Harriet Walsh-White riding Sarah Walsh and Anna

Landemann Bird of Paradise ridden

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White’s Thistledown Lawman [Max] led by his producer of several seasons, Julie Templeton.

The former BSPS supreme mini and HOYS finalist is in his first season for the WhiteWalsh family. Anna and Sarah bought the nineyear-old gelding last year with the intention that Harriet would take the reins after Hattie Mustoe’s final ride on him at HOYS. They qualified for the RIHS on their debut together at Area 17, and the HOYS ticket landed just a few weeks after mum, Anna claimed hers at Royal Three Counties with home-produced riding horse, Firecrest C. Report by Beth Simons Photos by Sinclair Photography

Latijn V.d. Helling and Aliya Khan with judge Richard Miller

Royaloakes Love Scandal shown by Jerome Harforth

Love Scandal All The Talk Royal Three Counties, Three Counties Showground, Malvern 17-19 June 2022 Jerome Harforth’s long journey home after the show’s conclusion was eased considerably having taken the Price Family Supreme championship with Alan Dillingham’s Royaloaks Love Scandal [Pearl]. The two-year-old 138cm British Riding Pony filly is by Anton Scandal and out of Royaloakes Love Affair (by Royalwood Boy Soprano) who was imported from Australia. With Alan himself hailing from Australia, this is the second pony that Jerome has qualified for the HOYS final on his behalf.

The first was Rotherwood Spring Parade whom Alan purchased directly from Liz Mansfield Parnell before he was shown by Jerome and subsequently exported to Alan’s Aussie base.

Fast forwards a few seasons, and Alan spent some time working at Stanley Grange and a few months in, decided to emigrate and relocate his stud permanently to the UK. This is the first filly Alan bred on UK soil, and the first homebred to be HOYS bound. “All being well,” the filly is destined for a career in 138cm show pony classes, explained Jerome, who also mentioned that her mother has been covered again by Anton Scandal this year. Alan was present to witness Pearl’s initial win, but was absent for the supreme, and was understandably grateful, therefore, that he was able to witness the supreme being streamed live by Sue Palmer!

The Harforth/ Emmerson production team’s success did not end there. Sarah Emmerson

also led and qualified the Lindsay family’s show pony lead rein, Litton Samara under Posy Lyndsay. In her first season, Samara was also RIHS champion at Area 7, belying her lack of experience. She qualified from second place, with Penny Richardson and Cosford Glamorize winning the class led by Kevin Cousins. Dad Mark Richardson swapped places with Kevin for the overall ridden championship later in the day and did so with aplomb, leading Penny to the reserve supreme spot. This was the second win in HOYS qualifiers for Penny and Glamorize within a week, having also stood top at Derbyshire festival. An established due, they won the RIHS in 2019 and were runners up and reserve at HOYS last year.

The supreme ridden was, however, secured

by Harrison Taylor riding Amanda and Gillian Torres’ winner of the HOYS part-bred class, Highmead To Be Or Not To Be. Bred by Jane Mabbet, the quality gelding had competed in a clutch of shows in Ireland before arriving with Harrison in January. The pair subsequently qualified for the RIHS in the small intermediate show riding type class and stood champion on their debut together at BSPS Area 3A, before going on to get his RIHS part-bred ticket on his second appearance at BSPS Area 2B. He has also qualified in the 148cm show pony class under Molly Rice.

The mountain and moorland open ridden, junior and mini classes were as strong as ever. The Three Counties team responded sympathetically to the sweltering heat as ever, allowing competitors to compete without jackets should they please, and several in the mammoth native classes did.

The mini mountain and moorland tricolour was eventually awarded to the winner of the first ridden class, Diana Leeming’s uber-consistent Welsh section A, Thistledown San Siro [Rocky] under Diana’s son, William. This was Rocky’s second HOYS ticket of the season, having already bagged his HOYS junior ticket at the Spring Festival, the very first qualifier of the year with William’s older sister Lucinda, 13.

He’s also since claimed a third ticket at the Royal Cheshire County Show in the open Welsh section A ridden, where he also won a second junior class before winning a second first ridden class at Lincolnshire County show. Rocky and his young riders have also secured a clutch of RIHS tickets, hoping no doubt for a final as successful 2021 where they won the junior small breeds, junior open championship and Pretty Polly home-produced mini championship at the RIHS last season before standing supreme home-produced at the BSPS Summer Championships as well as gaining three placings at HOYS. Proving himself to be not only able to step up and down gears

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for his riders, but also extra versatile, Rocky has also started competing in working hunter pony classes and has also enjoyed a foray into PC games!

Harry Joslin was absolutely delighted to be awarded his very first HOYS ticket, riding his mother Lara Joslin and grandmother, Anna Stevens’ Toby of Catchpool. Homebred Standard Shetland Toby is sired by Anna’s Brinleyview Camanchee, who was multigarlanded in the showring, including a win at the RIHS. Toby and Harry have worked hard over the winter with regular lessons from Debbie Thomas in order to achieve qualification, something Harry had his sights firmly set on after watching Anna judging the native working hunter pony final at the 2021 HOYS. Harry and Toby also have a ball at Pony Club together, as well as riding on the beach near the family’s Gower base. He has since declared an ambition to follow in mum Lara’s footsteps competing at HOYS in the workers!

Jodie Haywood and her own Lantau Supernova [Novi] stood mountain and moorland open ridden champions in the gruelling heat of the first day. Jodie and the nine-year-old Wyken Rob Roy Welsh section C are on something of a roll, having already qualified a fortnight earlier with a win at Midland Counties. They’re no strangers to success. The pair are also RIHS bound, no doubt with fingers crossed for a repeat of 2019 when they won the open Welsh sections C and D final before standing second in the breed final at HOYS a few months later.

Taking the ticket in the section Cs, therefore, was Carla Fall with her own seven-year-old Lantau Supernova ridden by Jodie Haywood

the lorry for the show’s final day. Edward won

Toby of Catchpool ridden by Harry Joslin and led by Lara Joslin stallion, Courtyard Cab Calloway, who is by former HOYS and Olympia contended, Popsters Tommy Cockles. In his first season, this was his second shot at goal, making it even more pleasing for Carla.

the first ridden class and mini championship under Jemma’s daughter, Esme, 9. This will be Esme’s first trip to HOYS, where she has now qualified for both the plaited and mountain and moorland first ridden classes.

Katy Marriott Payne’s Northamptonshire team were delighted to secure three HOYS tickets during the course of the show. Katy claimed a ticket in the Dartmoor breed class and champion small breeds with Felicity Thompson’s homebred Salcombe Starehole Bay, who once again proved himself deserving of his nickname, Special Cecil. The pair, who were champion mountain and moorland at the RIHS in 2021 and reserve at the London International Horse Show last December recently booked their return ticket to London by taking champion at Windsor Horse Show. Team KMP member, Alice Tomlinson took to the ring on Christine Phillips’ Edda Chilles, for the first time since the LIHS, and claimed the Exmoor breed class for the second year running and then stood reserve small breeds behind Katy.

The team’s third ticket came, unusually since Katy tends to focus more on native ponies in recent years, via the plaited ranks. Jemma Atkinson’s Stockhill Prince Edward is the only plaited pony on Katy’s yard and the only one on

In the hunter pony lead rein class, Craig Eleanor led the super Cadlanvalley Superted to secure a HOYS ticket under Finlay Clay. Ted is now owned by Finlay’s mum, Heather, has surely been one of Craig and partner Sara’s most consistent little stars in recent years, winning supreme mini show hunter pony at the 2021 BSPS Summer Championships with Finlay last year on top of countless former wins including topping the class at HOYS under Cate Kerr.

Winner of the junior large breeds class for the second year consecutively was Lucy Boddy, 15, with her own 11-year-old Connemara gelding, Gloves Blakehill William [Will] produced by Oliver and Jo Burchell. This year, they also went one better than last to stand champion. He was bought from Elle Kivlochlan by Lucy’s mother, Kay Bodyy for Lucy’s thirteenth birthday shortly before the pandemic struck, making this Lucy and Will’s second season together.

Winning the junior small breeds class was Tabitha Hughes and her mum, Miranda’s Churchill II ridden by Claire Oliver

Highmead To Be Or Not To Be ridden

by Harrison Taylor Copybush Angelina ridden by Alex Longstaff

Cadlanvalley Superted ridden by Finlay Clay Cosford Glamorize ridden by Penny Richardson and led

by Kevin Cousins

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Finchcroft Mabel shown by Jen Mclaren

Patric’s Choice ridden by Sophie Curry

Thistledown San Siro ridden by William Leeming

Islyn Priodfab handled by Tom Clark

Gloves Blakehill William ridden by Lucy Boddy

Towergate First Impression [Cracker]. This was Tabitha, 10, and Cracker’s first ever HOYS ticket.

Miranda has owned the 11-year-old section A for five years. Last season, they enjoyed considerable success, finishing second and seventh in the Pretty Polly and open mountain and moorland first ridden classes respectively at the RIHS. They also stood mini supreme at the Heritage championships having won the cradle stakes. This year, they have had a super season so far, securing a RIHS Pretty Polly mountain and moorland first ridden tickets at BSPS Area 6 and open RIHS first ridden class the following day at Area 17 where they went on to stand supreme.

Anna White was delighted to take the small riding horse and reserve champion. Family barrister Anna had taken a five-year break from the ring to concentrate on being mum to pony-mad daughters Harriet and Matilda WalshWhite. However, this season has seen her make a stylish comeback, securing RIHS amateur and open riding horse tickets. It was an extra special win as Anna’s partner Sarah Walsh had taken the children to the BSPS Mid-summer show meaning that the team were short of a groom. Therefore, Anna took her 83-year-old Grandad “who is obviously a lucky charm as he went with her when she won the hacks at the Royal Three Counties Show in 2008. “We are delighted,” Sarah said later. She joked, “Now that Mama is going to HOYS, the children need to shape up! One down, two to go!”

Taking champion riding horse was Katie Dashwood’s Minella Rebellion [Reg] after he stood second to Katie Jerram-Hunnable riding Bowerhall Blue Moon, who won their third qualifier. Reg has proven himself a formidable contended in the classes for former racehorses, winning supreme at the Tattersalls ROR championships at Aintree and the HOYS final last season, and standing ROR champion at Windsor in May. Katie’s good friend Henrietta Knight tipped her off about Reg, and she promptly fell in love upon seeing him. He is now produced by Jo Bates on Katie’s behalf.

His graduation to the open riding horse classes with such panache just goes to show the value

of the retraining series’ with him truly finding his form in the showring.

Showing World columnist Vicky Smith ticked a Three Counties tricolour off her list when she claimed the cob championship with partner Alan Marnie’s lightweight cob, Toberpatrick Boss. The eight-year-old was lightly but successfully shown last season, winning the novice at Dublin, open at Midland Counties, and standing champion at BSHA Spring and Lincolnshire Spring show before picking up at HOYS ticket at the Great Yorkshire show. This season, he’s come further into his own, winning at all four of his appearances, including at Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Charlotte Caulfield stood champion show pony with Gillian and Ammanda Torrens’ winner of the 148cm class, Laybalands Fly By Night, who is produced by David Jinx and Adam Forster.

This is an established pony with an excellent career to date. He was supreme champion at the BSPS summer championships as a four year old, and second at HOYS and RIHS in 2019 under Reise Shakespeare. Post-pandemic, his reins have been taken up successfully by Charlotte, and the pair have stood champion every time out: at NCPA Lancashire, BSPS Area 1B and at Royal Three Counties.

Daisy Trebble, who won the RIHS 2021 first ridden final with Hilin Hynod, looked super comfortable with her step up to open 128cm classes, topping the line-up and securing her HOYS ticket with Barkway Fascination [Delilah].

Delilah is owned by Daisy’s mum, Emma Trebble, and is produced by Gill Thompson.

However, the reserve spot was taken by the second placed 138cm show pony, Maria Rodgers’ consistent Cusop Dimension 10-yearold, Wycroft Forget Me Not, ridden by Ruby Rodgers.

Liz Prowting’s lightweight Bloomfield President took the hunter honours under Alice Homer.

The five-year-old Emperor Augustus first announced himself as one to watch winning Dublin Horse Show as a two-year-old and the four-year-olds at Windsor last season before returning to Ireland. He then rejoined

Toberpatrick Boss ridden by Vicky Smith the team after he was purchased by Liz at the beginning of the season from his breeder Daphne Tierney. This season, he took the novice hunter championship at Windsor. The reserve was the second placed lightweight, Harbour Master, who was ridden by Jayne Ross for the class, but Olivia Minihane for the championship while Jayne partnered second placed middleweight, Bloomfield Greystones.

They were joined in the championship by the winners of the middleweights, Willie Reardon’s Churchill II under Claire Oliver, and the winning heavyweight, Patric’s Choice, ridden by Sophie Curry. The West Coast Cavalier 12-year-old was purchased by Wayne Tucker for his wife, Angela, last December and arrived with Sophie in January. She promptly fell in love with this “gentle giant,” stating, “he is an absolute dude who is adored by everyone on the yard, and a pleasure to do in all ways”. This season, they qualified for the RIHS at Wiltshire. It will be the first time Angela will ever have a horse at either the RIHS or HOYS, making the tickets extra special, and a timely, much-needed boost as Wayne is currently suffering with illness.

The working hunter classes saw a glut of younger riders come to the fore, and especially ten-year-old boys! Oscar Elcock – 10 – and his mother, Cheryl Elcock’s 10-year-old Welsh section C mare Brynithon Poachers Gold [Ruby] were novice mountain and moorland champions having topped the not exceeding 133cm section. Oscar and Ruby hunted every Saturday over the Winter with the Old Berks Hunt jumping rails, ditches and hedges in preparation for the workers this summer, explained a delighted Cheryl. Meanwhile, Alex Longstaff and Henry Belton, both 10, secured a HOYS ticket.

Alex rode Welsh section A Copybush Angelina, [Annie] to win the first of the mountain and moorland working hunter pony classes, the 122cm. This is their first season together and Alex’s first season in the workers. His mum, Lisa explained, “Alex is ASD and has a diagnosis of autism and ADHD so everything is that little bit harder for him except jumping a pony around a course of jumps. The flat and

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in hand doesn’t always go to plan as he finds that a bit more tricky, but they both love the jumping bit! They fly round and they both have the time of their lives”. Meanwhile, Henry Belton rode his mother Fiona Cork’s Welsh section C, Rivervalley Romance to qualify for HOYS for the first time ever in the junior working hunter pony class.

Silver Medal, holding his own against quality, more mature ponies. The mother-daughter combination purchased Priodfab from his breeders, the Wyn Jones family having only seen photos of him. The gamble paid off as so far he has been successfully shown by Tom Clark to take two wins, a champion and a second from three outings.

The mountain and moorland working hunter pony championship was, however, taken by an established and formidable combination.

This was Emma James and her winner of the exceeding 143cm section, Connemara pony Glenmore Gwennic. Bred by the O’Reilley family in Co.Louth, 15-year-old Gwennic has been home-produced by the Warwickshire-based James family for ten years. This will be the pair’s sixth visit to HOYS as a working hunter pony, although they have long combined workers with open flat classes at the highest level being an Olympia finalist, a former winner of the RIHS, and thrice supreme at the Connemara Breed Show. It was, however, Gwennic’s first win at Three Counties, and Emma thoroughly enjoyed it. “It was a really fun track with lots of questions and he loved it, scoring 97/100: 19 for style, 10 for show, and 18 for conformation!”

Jen Mclaren was also delighted to take a breed championship with her Exmoor mare, Finchcroft Mabel. Jen has owned nine-yearold Mabel since she was a foal and juggles producing her from home alongside her job as a project manager in the financial services sector.

This season has been a special one for the pair as it is their first since 2018 after a series of setbacks; 2019 saw Mabel need surgery on her leg, 2020 was written off through Covid, and Jen underwent spinal surgery in 2021. “So getting back out showing this season has been an absolute dream come true,” said Bristolbased Jen. The pair were also pulled forwards in the final five for the Price Family Supreme ticket, meaning Jen “was absolutely over the moon and on cloud 9 now”. Prior to Three Counties, they have secured a cache of NPS qualifications including the Gold Medal, British Isles and Picton novice finals, won at Bath and West and stood champion at NPS Area 29.

At home, Jen and Mabel are working towards their first one day event in July and Mabel is also used as a therapy pony for a local Equine Facilitated Learning charity helping children with trauma and learning difficulties. “She’s one in a million and I could not be more proud of her”.

A second Connemara, Lisnadrisha Tic Tac [Tickers] and Izzy Collier, 13, are a new combination hitting the workers ring this season with panache in the 153cm section.

Tickers, 13, is already a familiar face in the mountain and moorland working hunter section and won the RIHS exceeding 143cm mountain and moorland working hunter pony final last year under owner Aimee White. However, this season she has donned plaits to qualify for the RIHS at Area 7, win a second RIHS qualifier at Staffordshire County, and claim a ticket for HOYS. The pair also won the formidable Gold Cup at the BSPS Winter Championships.

Sue Kernan and her daughter Aimee Stunt’s yearling Welsh section A colt, Islyn Priodfab, stood section champion and taking the WPCS

broken-in previously, Lucy restarted her and this is her first season hitting the show ring.

“She’s a pleasure to do in all ways and I adore her temperament and personality,” said Lucy, adding “we aim to keep enjoying her”. Though only lightly shown, she has met considerable success and has taken four championships and won three RIHS qualifiers, qualifying for both the ridden non-native coloured horse and the amateur large riding horse finals.

Report by Beth Simons Photos by 1st Class Images

Touch of Luck ridden by Lucy Parr

Lucy Parr’s Touch of Luck [Candy] proved a lucky find for her and her mother, Judith Parr winning both her coloured in-hand and ridden classes. Judith and Lucy first tired to purchase the six-year-old non-native coloured mare as a three-year-old after Judith had seen her shown in-hand locally. Last August, they managed to acquire her and named her Touch of Luck, “hoping she would be exactly that,” explained Lucy. Though Candy had been

Firecrest C ridden by Anna White

Towergate First Impression ridden by Tabitha Hughes Stockhill Prince Edward ridden by Esme Atkinson

Minella Rebellion ridden by Katie Dashwood

56 | Showing World | July Issue 2022 James | info@showingworldonline.co.uk Glenmore Gwennic ridden

by Emma

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Hickstead Derby Meeting

Renaissance Jack ridden by Laura Juniper

Hickstead, Sussex 23- 26 June 2022 A new face in the working hunter ring jumped one of only three clears to book their first ticket to the Horse of the Year Show together.

Renaissance Jack [Rodney], a nine-year-old roan gelding by Jack Of Diamonds, was ridden

by Laura Juniper and is owned by her stepdad Derek Ricketts. “He bought Rodney three years ago from Ireland as a hunter for himself,” explained Laura, for whom this will be a third trip to HOYS, having last competed there in 2012 and 2013. “He had only ever hunted and been a hireling and Derek has field mastered off him with the Bicester and Warden Hill hounds for two seasons.”

Laura only started jumping him last year as she had nothing to ride and they won their first working hunter class at Wiltshire show last season, with Rodney having never set foot in the show ring before then. “He is so incredibly generous and fun, but seriously talented – he has more scope than anything I have ever sat on before,” gushed Laura, who is looking forward to jumping in the main arena at HOYS. “He jumps really well indoors and the bigger the jumps the better for him. The arena and jumps

really suited him at Hickstead too so I’m really looking forward to RIHS. I think Derek will be glad to have him back to hunt after HOYS!” Jayne Ross ruled the hunter championship with Rose Bailey’s 10-year-old heavyweight winner Twinshock Warrior. The 2019 HOYS supreme ate up the hallowed turf in the main ring with ease to get the nod from judge Rosemary Connors. “My champion was a lovely balanced ride with correct conformation and covered the ground effortlessly,” said Rosemary. Jayne also fielded the reserve, the lightweight winner Harbour Master, ridden by Charlotte Clark, who co-owns the six-year-old with her mother Liz Trembath. Whilst Jayne also collected the HOYS ticket on offer in the middleweights, she had to settle for second place with Sam Powell’s Bloomfield Greystone as it was Katie Jerram-Hunnable riding Ruth Flack’s Castle Howard Legacy who clinched the top spot. The seven-year-old is a half brother to Katie’s prolific ride Azarax, a former RIHS winner in 2010, and is clearly following in his footsteps.

Katie also scooped the supreme coloured horse ridden championship aboard the striking

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five-year-old Sunbeam, owned by Her Majesty the Queen. “It’s so lovely to have a win for HM the Queen in her jubilee year. He’s a homebred of hers and the Queen is over the moon,” said Katie.

Rising to the occasion “She really rose to the big occasion and gave me the most beautiful ride for such a young mare. I feel she has a very exciting future ahead of her,” said Jo Bates, who piloted Ami Miller’s large hack Ballinclare to take the supreme hack championship. “We were absolutely over the moon for her to win at such a prestigious show at only six-years-old,” said Ami, who purchased her from Lorraine Homer in February.

Eileen Jenkin’s 2021 RIHS riding horse supreme Buriana Larkrise [Ralph] clearly relishes the going at the showground as he repeated his victory here too, with Hannah Horton in the saddle. Ralph was making it three out of three championships this season, having taken the tricolour at both Wiltshire and Royal Cornwall show and collecting their HOYS ticket here.

“He’ll do Devon County too as it is Eileen’s

local show then we’ll do RIHS, but we haven’t planned anything after that,” said Hannah, who will defend the small riding horse title at HOYS on Ralph.

Despite being a seasoned professional, Justine Armstrong-Small gained her first ever Hickstead championship on her own ex racehorse Time Down Under, winning a strong RoR open ridden show series final. The eight-year-old by Aussie Rules finished last in all three of his starts in 2016 under trainer Mark Tompkins, but has blossomed in the show ring. “My little lockdown purchase came up trumps and was a star in the main ring,” said Justine. “All of the RoR’s had impeccable manners and never turned a hair. My champion was a mannerly, correct horse and a super ride,” said judge Rosemary Connors.

Rowfantina rules Rowfantina ponies dominated the mini mountain and moorland HOYS qualifiers on offer here. Mandy Burchell-Small, who breeds Welsh section A ponies under the Rowfantina prefix, was delighted when her 10-year-old grandson James Burchell headed the first ridden class with the homebred Rowfantina Orlando Bloom. “It is James’s lucky showground. He qualified Orlando for HOYS here last year too, as well as going on to win the RIHS mini mountain and moorland final and the championship. They just love these rings,” said Mandy. Orlando is by Broekland Allesandro – a big winner under saddle including at the RIHS and HOYS – and out of the studs’ best broodmare Rowfantina Old Times, who in turn is out of the 2000 HOYS mountain and moorland mini champion Rowfantina Old Fashioned.

“We also bred the winner of the lead rein HOYS qualifier, as well as the third placed pony in each class. It was a great day for our breeding programme of children’s ponies,” added a proud Mandy. The HOYS mountain and moorland lead rein qualification went to Rowfantina Hideaway Harry, owned by Phillip and Natasha Cooper and beautifully ridden by their daughter Emily. Produced by Team Hillyard, Emily was led to victory by her cousin Katie White. “It was a very special day and Harry is an absolute pleasure to lead. It will be my first time leading them together at HOYS,” said Katie.

Time Down Under ridden by Justine Armstrong Small

Report by Celeste Gall Photos by Spidge Photography Rowfantina Orlando Bloom ridden by James Burchell and Rowfantina

Hideaway Harry ridden

by Emily Cooper led|by Katie WhiteWorld | 59 info@showingworldonline.co.uk | July Issue 2022 Showing

Ballinclare ridden by Jo Bates

Sunbeam ridden by Katie Jerram-Hunnable 60 | Showing World | July Issue 2022 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

#TheWeighToWin Hickstead Showing Producers are “Weight Aware” The Horse Trust is ramping up their Healthy Body Condition Awards with many Showing Shows signing up to be ‘Weight-Aware’.

This recently included the Derby Meeting.

These coveted awards recognise and reward horses in the best condition as well as providing support and advice. The British Equine Veterinary Association considers equine obesity to be one of the highestranking health risks today. The Sussex Equine Hospital supported and carried out the assessments alongside the showing judges.

The Horse Trust delights in sharing the success stories of professionals and amateurs alike in their quest to see more healthy-weight horses.

Lynn Russell, a leading show cob producer, came a very close second with Talos for the award having previously received it at Herts County Show in May. Speaking at Hickstead, Lynn said, “The Awards are a good idea and horses should carry less condition. Some of the Judges may need some adjustment on how they take this into account when judging.” Lynn’s regime is to keep the horses out 24/7 and to harrow their fields regularly “They seem to regulate their intake of forage and consequently their condition. For feeding, I use straights, rather than mixes and cubes - they’re looking fabulous on it!”

programme and is in favour of the health benefits it promotes.

Master of the House, or Big Tom, won on a score of almost 20% better than the others in the Heavyweight Cob Class. Ridden and owned by Kate Barber-Lomax, it’s Kate’s mother who is doing the day-to-day care and overseeing Big Tom’s four days a week exercise regime. They were thrilled to be placed second in the class and be first for the Healthiest Body Condition. They’re new to the awards and think they’re a brilliant idea. “Tom is a bit of a character and likes to gallop up to horses on the horse-walker, then halt at the very last minute thus spooking them somewhat! He’s now 16 and has had a successful showing career and it looks like he’ll continue to do so. He’s pretty good at regulating his own weight in that he isn’t greedy - in fact gets four small feeds a day whilst at grass.”

assessed giving the Rosette to Legend in Manhattan exhibited by a clearly delighted Victoria Hersford. Owned by James Woodington, Legend was placed second in the class of six.

We also caught up with well-known Showing Producer Val Sheehan at Hickstead to chat about being presented with the award at Herts County 28/5 for six-year-old heavyweight hunter Red Rumour. Val hadn’t heard of the awards before winning but agrees enthusiastically with the concept.

Val finds it easier to keep the younger ones to a trim. All his horses go out and get lots of exercise. They’re all fed for the work done. Val acknowledges that “you can’t feed to build fitness”. With regards to showing, Val’s observations were that Judges needed to be educated but it can be seen that things are slowly changing.

Although not so susceptible to being overweight, the large riding horse class was

Dream on Harry, owned and exhibited by Siobhan Dalloway, won the award in the maxi cob class and was delighted by the recognition. Siobhan wasn’t previously aware of it, but thought it was a very nice incentive. “Harry was a rescue case from Ireland, taking nine months to get fit for today. We let him be a horse and have a natural lifestyle with regular exercise to keep him in today’s good condition.”

We started the day with the Lightweight Cobs and Bankers Draught winning The Horse Trust’s Award. Known as Todd, his body condition score was 30% better than the top placed horses in the Class. Exhibited

by Hannah Horton she told us that Todd goes hunting all winter which keeps him very fit and obviously in a great condition.

Hannah had previously heard about the

Warrior ridden by World Jayne Ross info@showingworldonline.co.uk | JulyTwinshock Issue 2022 | Showing | 61

Harmony On Song Royal Cheshire County Show 21-22 June 2022 Intensely hot weather met hot competition at the Royal Cheshire County show, and quality was plentiful across both days.

The Bigley family, whose past tally of qualifications for the in-hand final at HOYS is nothing short of impressive, added another to their tally. This time, it was Catryn Bigley’s homebred Welsh section B mare, Llanarth Harmony’s turn to head to the NEC. By Breeton Dai, this young mare is out of Stockham Georgina. Harmony was youngstock champion and reserve overall at Cheshire in 2019, and this was her debut appearance as a mare.

Unfortunately, Catryn diced with disaster just two days before, and an altercation with the quad bike at home meant that she struggled physically, and entrusted showing Harmony in the overall supreme to her brother, Simon.

In reserve was Julie Evans’ Welsh section D mare, Haighmoor Gemma, shown by CeriAnn Bennet. Gemma is out of Royal Welsh supreme champion and Cuddy Supreme finalist Haighmoor Glain, and is by HOYS ridden champion, Menai Sparkling Imperial. Having bred two foals, she was purchased by Maggie Simons to pursue a ridden career before she returned home to Julie’s Powys base last autumn and will once again be placed in foal.

Camilla Davies’ Glenkeernan Dance In The Deep [Fintan] looked extremely proud of himself when he took the lightweight hunter class and later, the hunter championship ridden by Camilla herself. By Lord of the Dance, Fintan clearly thoroughly enjoys his job, and he and

and Camilla have enjoyed notable success over the years, including standing second at HOYS, and most recently, champion amateur hunter at Royal Windsor Horse Show. In reserve to the pair were the winners of the middleweight class, Robert Walker with Jill Day’s Mardi Gras.

Sandbach based Danielle Heath fielded a formidable team as ever for her local county, taking two championships. She took the cob championships with Bobbi Dazzler, owned

by Anne Leigh, who’s recently turned 80. A super-consistent contender in the cob ranks, this was the pair’s fourth championship in as many outings. Guy Mears’ reigning HOYS and Windsor champion riding horse, Times Square III has been equally consistent, and scored his fifth championship of five appearances this season.

In contrast, the winners of the working hunter class had made a lengthy journey in pursuit of a HOYS ticket. This was Ellie Hirst and her own Lord Domino, who had made the long trip from Great Yarmouth. In second was LVS Finnegan, owned and ridden by Becky Hartley, who also took the novice working hunter title riding Ruth and Simon Crank’s homebred Casanova Duke.

He is affectionately known at home as ‘The Class Clown’ as he hasn’t been the most straightforward of youngsters even though Becky assures us they “love him to bits”!

Though he may be something of a clown at home, he’s nevertheless competed as an eventer to up to BE novice level. However, Becky said that “he’s such a beautiful model

Simon Bigley with Llanarth Harmony 62 | Showing World | July Issue 2022 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Lily Ahern-Lee and Barossa Royalist of a horse, and certainly knows it,” they plan on focusing more on working hunter classes with him. So far, the pair have attempted two classes, one last season and Cheshire, and have won both. Becky said: “I do love the working hunter classes; they give horses such a great experience jumping round proper tracks,” and she hopes to “have a bash at a few HOYS qualifiers” with him.

Donna Tilbury was overjoyed with excitement to claim the mountain and moorland lead rein qualifier with Nynwoods Fashionable [Flash], ridden by her daughter Esther and led by Carl Owen. This will be the North Wales based mother-daughter duo’s first trip to the NEC with a pony in tow. Donna bought Flash directly from his breeder, Terry Wall in November 2021.

Donna broke him in herself before he was sent to Carl to produce for the season. They had a super debut at the NCPA Spring Spectacular, being mini open mountain and moorland champion and has gone frome strength to strength, taking an RIHS ticket and the supreme title at the BSPS Wales Spring Show, and his HOYS ticket at Cheshire on his first attempt.

Donna said: “Cheshire was his first ever big county show. My hopes were for him to cope well in the buzzy atmosphere, to be a good boy and to look after Esther in such a huge class!

That would have been more than enough! A ticket was never on the radar! I just can’t believe that our little Flash topped that huge line up - a huge achievement for a novice little fella and he has no idea what he’s done”. She went on to explain that Flash “totally loves life; he’s just always the same cool little dude that he is, whether he’s in the ring, stable or ridden on the beach! He’s made Esther’s dreams come true and I am an immensely proud Mammy!”

Rushill Diplomat stole the show for Sarah Parker’s team. The Welsh section B took the mountain and moorland working hunter pony 133cm class and section reserve, before standing second in the open ridden Welsh section B class and take the HOYS ticket. This means that the Janpete Tom Thumb gelding

Camilla Davies Stowell and Gelnkeernan Dance In The Deep

has three HOYS qualifications as he had already secured his junior ticket at Royal Bath and West under Maisie Dunrose. The champion mountain and mountain and moorland working hunter pony, however, was Vikki Smith riding Penny Sutton and Peter Rowe’s versatile New Forest stallion, Lovelyhill Folklore, winner of the not exceeding 143cm class. Not to be left out, Vikki’s sister Amy also took home a tricolour: the novice mountain and moorland working hunter pony title with 133cm Fell pony, Dalefoot Amber.

Enormous native ridden classes meant that judges Helen Starkie and Stephanie Turner had their work truly cut out. After a gruelling day in the sun, they awarded the small breeds championship to Samantha Roberts’ Treworgan Commodore, ridden for the small breeds championship by Sarah Parker due to Samantha piloting Jo Filmer’s Longhalves Renoir, the winning Welsh section B. Samantha was also connected to a third winner in the championship: Diana Leeming’s winning section A, Thisteldown San Siro [Rocky], whose ridden career was begun

by Samantha on behalf of his previous owners, although he’s now produced from home by Diana and his young rider, Lucinda and William Leeming.

The large breeds championship saw the Connemara come to the fore. This was Susan Pool’s Eastlands Dunedin ridden by producer Lauren Beaumont. Susan bought him directly from Dianna Staveley of the Eastlands stud unbroken and lightly handled and he was sent directly to Lauren to be broken-in and shown.

This is his second season and it will be his second trip to the NEC, as he qualified at Stoneleigh Horse Show and stood champion at the Great Yorkshire show last year.

Sisters Alex Ahern and Kirsty Pickles were delighted with their day’s spoils. Alex’s daughter Lilly Ahern-Lee and six-year-old Barossa Royalist [Gorgeous George] belied his lack of milage and, despite only being in his first season and at his first county show, pulled off a complex set show to win the 128cm show pony class, booking their spot at HOYS, before taking the section championship. “He’s proving to be a real showman and loved the atmosphere of the county show,” said Kirsty. Lilly, 10, also won the HOYS mountain and moorland first ridden class with Rachel Brightmore’s charming Shetland gelding, Lotuspoint Casiuss, a pony Kirsty describes as “basically the best pony to walk the planet!” Lilly and Cassius enjoyed a superb 2021 season which included placings in all four of his RIHS finals and carried a tiny nine-year-old Lilly to a fifth, best of breed and highest placed junior at the London International Horse Show. Not to

Gill Cowell and Warrackston Bemused be left out, Kirsty’s daughter, 5, has taken over the reins from her older cousin Lilly on Barkway Sweet William. The pair were second and reserve mini champions led by Aunty Alex, maintaining a record that has seen them stand champion or reserve every time out this year. Interestingly, Will took the same placings at Cheshire with Lilly in the saddle when she was also five years old.

“We just feel really lucky that he is giving Bella as much fun as Lilly,” said Kirsty.

Danielle Heath and Bobbi Dazzler

In the in-hand ring, Gill Cowell was delighted when her own Shetland mare. Warrackston Bemused won and stood breed champion on her first showring appearance since Gill purchased her at the end of last season. The ten-year-old mare was bred by Ian and Sue Spence. She is sired by Strauss of Auckhorn and is out of Warrackston Bewitched.

The Hampson family’s homebred Trindod Celtic Lord claimed the Welsh part-bred championship.

The two-year-old colt is produced by Matthew Everitt and Adrian Chapman of the Saltre stud, and was shown by Adrian. He won the class for two-year-olds en route to the championship and all connections were delighted when he was pulled forwards into the top six in the Price Family Supreme Qualifier. He is by Matthew and Adrian’s Royal Welsh champion, Brookvale Celtic Isle, and last winter won the Welsh part-bred pony yearling class at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair.

Photos by Equine Pix and Equinational

Ceri Ann Bennet with Haighmoor Gemma Adrian Chapman and Trindod Celtic Lord

Amy Smith and Dalefoot Amber

Becky Hartley and Cassanova Duke Robert Walker and Mardi Gras

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | July Issue 2022 | Showing World | 63

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An update on the season from...

VICKY SMITH Now the season is well underway, it’s nice to sit back and reflect on the last month.

We’re very lucky to have a fantastic team of horses, owners, sponsors and staff which makes this busy time so much easier.

Girl Power With the HOYS qualifiers in full swing, it’s great to see so many people’s success shared on social media.

Amateurs are excelling and it’s great to see a bit of inspirational girl power in the hunter classes. Camilla Stowell-Davies won a strong HOYS championship at Cheshire County. She produces her horse between working at two different jobs as an accountant and fashion adviser whilst a few days later Olivia Edmondson, who works full time as head of furniture for Oka, took the hunter tricolour up at the Royal Highland Show. I don’t miss the return to work after being a show but days like that make it worthwhile and both girls have had their hard work rewarded!

Showing compassion Sadly, there is also a lot of ‘judge bashing’ on social media.

Please remember these judges stand in the ring for hours on end and are lucky if their fuel costs are covered. We all have frustrating days, and you have to pay your money and take your chance. Remember, whether professional or amateur, everyone has feelings, so a ‘well done’ and a smile goes a long way even if it’s not your day.

Showing Up I have watched several championships with interest this year. Too often, second placed competitors are not coming forward, which to me is bad manners. The championship is judged as a separate class and a second placed exhibit can outperform the winner and take the title. I’ve seen this a number of times recently when the top horse doesn’t perform. It’s a privilege to ride in a main ring championship and we should all enjoy the opportunities. Making excuses isn’t good enough.

With rising fuel costs, the attendance at shows is still impressive, with Great Yorkshire Show displaying great entries despite the whisker debate threatening the show’s popularity amongst competitors.

Vicky and Freckleton High Flyer win at Stoneleigh Horse Show

Welfare June had a hectic calendar with five major shows happening in one week. Let’s hope the organisers make it easier next year. I did notice one pony do four qualifiers during the week, which is a lot of travelling for what was a hot week weather-wise.

Please remember to keep your horses and ponies rehydrated with plenty of water and seek out some shade if you can. It’s really worrying to see competitors sat on horses’ backs in the heat waiting around.

Be kind With lots of shows remaining please remember to be kind to each other and to the committee members who work tirelessly to organise these shows for us to enjoy!

Vicky info@showingworldonline.co.uk | July Issue 2022 | Showing World | 65

HORSES VS

HUMANS

66 | Showing World | July Issue 2022 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Ever heard someone tell you that pets are like your owners?

Maggie Simons tacks down the truth of the matter, and runs through the differences between us humans and our horses…

It doesn’t come as a surprise to many of us that a horse’s heart is quite extraordinary. Weighing a massive 8-10 lbs, it’s 16 times the weight of an average human heart, pumping 35 litres of blood per minute at rest. Not only this, but when a horse is galloping, its heart can beat up to 240 times per minute, whereas at rest it can go down to 28 beats per minute. Humans, on the other hand, have a far narrower range of beats per minute: 60 at rest to 170 at exercise.

We’ve all heard the old adage that a horse needs to eat for 23 hours a day, and yes, some of our greedy natives would love to, but here is the real reason: a horse, unlike a human, doesn’t have a gall bladder to regulate the release of digestive fluids. Therefore, a horse’s digestive tract is continually releasing these fluids. As a result, if the horse doesn’t have anything to digest, this fluid will start to digest the digestive tract itself. In turn, this can lead to the development of ulcers.

On the other hand, a horse does still have a functioning appendix. It’s used in the digestion of grass and hay, a process which creates a lot of heat.

So, the appendix is essentially an internal hot water bottle for the horse.

If you’re already starting to think the horse is remarkable, their eyes have almost a 360° field of vision, their only blind spots are directly under their noses and directly behind them. They also have a built-in pair of sunglasses.

Have you ever wondered why your horse may pass something 100 times on one rein and then behave as if they’ve never seen it before on the other rein? Well, the truth of the matter is, even if the right eye saw it the first time around, the connective tissue between the two lobes of their brain is so underdeveloped that, chances are, the left eye won’t know anything about what the right eye has seen. A human’s corpus callosum, on the other hand, is very well developed, making it hard to even contemplate one eye seeing something and not letting the other eye know!

The horse’s eye does not recognise the colour red or any related colours on the spectrum, instead these are all see as shades of green. But, they can see in far lower levels of light than humans. Who knows?

Those demons in the dark corners of the school may be real after all, we just can’t see them!

When it comes to ears, horses beat us humans’ hands down once again, having 16 muscles allowing them to turn 180° verses a meagre three muscles in the virtually static human ear.

A horse’s mouth isn’t without its differences either, possessing more teeth than humans and interestingly, only the males will have canine teeth.

The teeth can also be used to age a horse, but they can’t burp, vomit or breathe through their mouths.

When it comes to foals and foaling, everything happens at speed. A foal should be born within 20 minutes of the onset of labour, and within two hours, the foal will be standing and feeding. After only ten days or so, foals will start to eat a little bit of grass or hay, in comparison to babies who are only introduced to hard feed at five months old.

Although their legs look all bunched up when they first emerge, a foal’s leg will very rarely change in length through their lives. The foal’s birth size is also entirely dependent upon the size of the mare’s uterus.

Have you ever despaired at how sprightly your horse is at a show when you’ve struggled to catch an hour of sleep through the murmurs of lorry parties all night? A horse can survive on as little as 20 minutes REM – or deep – sleep, whereas humans need 90 minutes, which may require 7-8 hours of sleeping to achieve. They can also sleep standing up, thanks to the ‘stay apparatus’, a collection of ligaments, tendons and muscles, allowing their legs to lock and for them to enter a phase of exaggerated relaxation or light sleep while standing up.

From the head down there are both differences and similarities in humans and their steeds, and the feet are no exception. Having derived from 5-digit ancestors, the horse’s feet have evolved for speed in escaping predators, predominantly using just the one middle toe/finger. This so-called toe will also grow in relation to the weight of the horse, where as in humans there is no know correlation between weight and toe length. A horse’s feet will continue to grow until they are six years old (roughly 33 in human years), but a human’s foot will stop growing, as the growth plates fuse, aged 18-20. In contrast, the hoof of a horse will lose water continually and a good soak will help restore this loss, where as the human foot will often become drier if soaked unless some form of skin softener is used. They do both, however, crucially need their feet for shock absorbency and stability in movement and life.

So next time someone tells you that pets are like their owners, you can tell them that, actually, they’re not! At least, not physically…

Somerford Park, Cheshire 11-12 June 2022

It was a ‘pinch-me’ sort of show for Ami Miller, whose horses scored a hattrick of HOYS tickets, including the coveted Price Family Supreme ticket with DPUK Night Dancer [Bubbles] on her in-hand debut. The 13-yearold took the hack breeding champion en route to the supreme title shown by James Knight, who has been co-producing her with her once ridden producer, Jerome Harforth, who took charge of her foal during the initial class and championship. Bubbles is no stranger to success, having won HOYS a cool three times across the hack and intermediate sections, and having previously qualified for the intermediates twice at Derbyshire Festival, including with Ami in 2018. During her last season under saddle in 2019, Ami made the decision to take embryos from her using recipient mares at Emma Blundell’s St John stud, meaning that although the colt foal at foot is the first for her to carry, Ami has three more special youngsters waiting in the wings born during the pandemic. Ami’s second ticket came via her Jo Bates produced small hack, Shildons Plan B, ridden by Ami herself. Meanwhile Jo partnered Awesome II to secure his qualification in the non-native coloured horse class.

The reserve supreme was awarded to Mark Buckley’s home-bred champion riding pony, Marcosie The Fourth Dimension [Spider], shown by Simon Charlesworth. The four-yearold by Turberrry Top Cat was shown twice as a two-year-old by Jerome Harforth and stood a frustrating reserve for the Cuddy Supreme at Notts County. Since then, he has been at home with the Buckleys building something of a dynasty. The stud have welcomed three foals

by Spider this year, including out of twice HOYS winning 148cm Crafton Touch of Gold and Cuddy Supreme Pony Champion, Kellythorpes Strike a Pose, two mares with different bloodlines but nevertheless with “exceptional foals” explained Mark. He is currently being produced by Simon Charlesworth alongside his half-sister Marcosie Spirits Dream, and the pair were champion and reserve part-bred Arab at Cheshire County a few weeks later.

The Supreme ridden title went to Jayne Ross with her champion riding horse, King of Clubs.

This was the second championship within a fortnight for the five-year-old, having also stood champion riding horse at the Royal Bath and West, coping admirably with the buzzy atmosphere despite his youth. The small riding

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horse class was won by Zara Owen with her own Caereini Voulez Vous, who, having already qualified for the RIHS at Staffordshire County, has since also clinched a HOYS ladies show horse ticket at the Royal Highland Horse Show.

Caitlin Hamilton was utterly delighted to win the intermediate championship astride her mum, Kirsty Hamilton’s Mountstephan Hidden Gem. The Kilvington Scoundrel 12-year-old is out of Catherston DC and joined Caitlin’s Shropshire home in February. Caitlin and Kirsty had discussed acquiring a horse to take Caitlin into horse classes with trainer Sarah Parker, but Caitlin happened to be away when she saw an advert posted on Facebook by former owner Mel McCluskey, who stood second at HOYS and won the RIHS amateur hack class with Gem. Having always admired the mare, she screenshot it, and sent it to Sarah. Within the hour, Sarah rang Caitlin to tell her that she was hers. They were champion RIHS intermediate on their debut and second and reserve amateur hack on their second outing, taking a second RIHS qualification. “It was our first HOYS qualifier at Derbyshire and she can be a bit of a diva – a typical mare – so I thought we would just go in for practice. She went champion

James Knight and DPUK Night Dancer

Derbyshire Festival

there the year before with Mel, who said, ‘go and get that trophy,’ and we did,” said a shocked Caitlin.

Amazingly, it was the mare’s fourth win at Derbyshire Festival. She will now have a break from shows to practice for hacks – “a completely different ball game” according to Caitlin – and will be continuing her lessons with Sarah and Stuart Mason. This was Caitlin’s second HOYS ticket, having won her class with Dales gelding Nipna Invictus at Royal Three Counties.

Not to be left out, Mel also won her first HOYS ticket with her new large hack, Ballarin Rosabella, produced

by Rachel Helliwell. She was purchased from Jayne Ross last year, who was second on her at the 2021 RIHS. Although the pair are in their first season, they have hit the ground running with four wins of four appearances, and Mel intends to continue campaigning her in both open and amateur hack ranks.

Having never previously ridden at the RIHS or HOYS, 12-year-old Ollie Rowlands has found himself with a ticket to each within a week! Ollie won the 122cm mountain and moorland working hunter pony qualifier at Derbyshire with his mum, Fiona Aston’s Delami Bravado [Benny]. Fiona purchased seven-year-old Benny two years ago from Hannah Turnock when she was pregnant with her young son. Ollie and Benny’s partnership has flourished, and although they were champion working hunter pony at STARS last autumn, this is their first season attempting open tracks, meaning it was an even sweeter surprise for the family. “It was totally unexpected as they have so little mileage at that level,” said Fiona, “and to go champion was the icing on the cake! The classes were huge, with over twenty entries in each section so to stand champion as well was amazing. We were the last ones on the show ground and left the ring at 7pm but it was definitely worth the wait! Luckily, Derbyshire Festival is our nearest qualifier so we didn’t have a long journey home afterwards. It literally was one of those days you dream about!”

Jayne Ross and King of Clubs Ballerin Rosabella ridden by Mel McCluskey

Report by Beth Simons Photos by Equinational

Ollie Rowlands and Delami Bravado

Caitlin Hamilton and Mountstephan Hidden Gem

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Castlecroft Teddy handled by Lilly Forsyth

Dunaskin Gamlie ridden by Dana Simpson

Abbas Blue Rainbow ridden by Ella Dunn

Paddy shown by Leanne Wright

SEIB Search for a Star’s Return to Scotland Netherton Equestrian Centre, Perthshire 11-12 June 2022 SEIB Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse headed to Scotland for the first time in over 20 years for both a Search for a Star workshop and show, having received countless requests for them to return north of the border for the first time since 1996.

Senior Search for a Star judge, Mr Richard Ramsay said: “The atmosphere at Netherton was simply fantastic. We had many competitors that are new to the series and they were genuinely grateful for the opportunity.

The competitors that came to the workshop on the preceding day, listened, took note and we saw many improvements on the Sunday.”

The Saturday SFAS workshop at Netherton provided a busy day including turnout advice and demonstrations, SFAS ride judges, Hannah Horton and Nicola Taylor rode each horse that would be in a class going under a ride judge and Richard Ramsay and Louise Gaunt gave advice on different aspects of showing from way of going right through to helping learn a set show. Helen Dunwell advised and helped the traditional cobs on the day and former Racehorse to Riding Horse champion, Rebecca Court gave a plaiting masterclass.

SEIB Insurance Brokers brand ambassadors, Craig McLelland and Alex Osborne shared their expertise in trimming and tail pulling.

A variety of ponies, including plaited, mountain and moorland and traditional came forward for the working pony class at Netherton.

Judge Hannah Horton commented: “All the competitors had done their homework and it was a lovely class to judge.” Eleanor Crate’s homebred Welsh section B pony, Dunaskin Gimlie won the class with his rider Dana Simpson, 16. Gimlie has been ridden by Dana for three seasons.

Dana, an aspiring veterinary nurse said she would also “love to try to get a HOYS ticket in the workers with him”, having been on the Scottish pony showjumping team for the last three years.

At their first ever showing show, Emily Mcquillian and her own Graffite V took top spot in the working horse class. Emily said: “I’ve always wanted to go to HOYS and as soon as we saw that SFAS was coming to Scotland we decided to give it a go! We went to the workshop yesterday which was invaluable.” Emily has owned Graffite for just over a year. The pair have been competing in dressage and BE90 level eventing. Emily continued: “He was bred as an eventer, I’ve already got two horses, but they were both off work so I’d gone down the road to my friend’s to ride him few times and then ended up buying him!”

realise it was a HOYS qualifier and never expected to have the opportunity to go to HOYS, it is a dream come true. I was meant to be going to Hopetoun Horse Trials today with a different horse and owing to a slight injury, I had to withdraw so we decided to come here with my mare instead!” Shona and Diamond normally compete in working hunter and showjumping classes up to newcomers level, and won at a BS show the previous weekend. Shona purchased the Irish Sports Horse x Irish Draught mare unseen from Ireland. “She has a big heart,” Shona said, adding, “We will carry on as normal between now and HOYS, playing about and going to shows and jumping.”

Eyebrook Mardale ridden by Abbie Haley

Taking runner-up spot in the hunters was wedding co-ordinator Abbie Haley riding Fiona Haley’s Eyebrook Mardale. Abbie explained that her mum purchased the Clydesdale cross Thoroughbred as a hacking horse, but they have previously qualified and competed at the RIHS in the non-native horse coloured class. “She was just amazing today and gave a mega ride. She was so chilled; she was falling asleep in the line-up. He does absolutely everything and is a delight to have around.”

Shona Wallace and her mare Tooreeny Diamond won the hunter class. Shona said: “I didn’t even

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Malibu Dancer ridden by Ben Ferris

Farm SFAS qualifier last month, finishing third. Laura said: “We have made so much progress in a month! The judges comments were so helpful, we then decided we would practice hard and travel the 370 or so miles up to Netherton. The workshop yesterday was great; having the judge, Nicola ride him and her explanation made all the difference. We will aim to carry on progressing.” It was also Laura’s wedding anniversary. “It’s a double celebration,” she said Will I Am handled by Emma Watson

Part bred Arab gelding West Country Samurai [Sonny], ridden by Suzi Ayres won a competitive twelve-strong riding horse hack class. “I am just blown away with this result!

I’m so glad we came, we’ve never done SFAS – you have to be in it to win it though,” said Suzy. Suzy and five-year-old Sonny attended the workshop the previous day and made the most of the excellent advice on offer. She purchased Sonny in January as it was her birthday and having recently lost her previous horse. Suzi and Sonny also competed in the in-hand plaited horse class later in the day and rounded off a great day with a win in this class too, earning them a ticket to the November SFAS Your Horse Live finals Carly Sneddon and Leap of Faith took runner-up spot in the riding horse hack class.

Carly said: “I’m over the moon; I couldn’t be more delighted with him”. She purchased the piebald gelding as an unbroken three-yearold with the aim of eventually competing in dressage, but went in-hand showing and won at the Royal Highland kickstarting a showing career, although she maintains that the dressage arena still beckons at some point in the future.

Determination to improve paid off for the cob winner, Laura Dobson and Irish Draught Rhythm and Jazz. This pair went to the Bury

Graffite V ridden by Emily Quillian

The Racehorse to Riding Horse class saw 15 Thoroughbreds come forward for judging with a HOYS regular taking top spot. Golden Bird [Charlie], ridden by Richard Telford and owned by Lindsay McCulloch has qualified for HOYS in the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse championship four times now, each time on his first qualifier of the season.

Lindsay said: “He is a fantastic horse and owes us absolutely nothing. It is all down to Richard; I have to say the biggest thank-you to him for what he has done with Charlie.”

Charlie also competed at HOYS in the large hack championship in 2019, and finished seventh in the large hacks at RIHS in 2021 as the only ex-racehorse in the class. Charlie was formerly trained by Andrew Hamilton.

Richard’s partner, farrier Stuart Ashton saw him at Andrew’s yard and liked the look of him. Andrew said if Charlie didn’t run very well the next time out, he would be available and he didn’t, and so arrived with Richard.

Ben Ferris riding best friend Katie Atkinson’s Malibu Dancer took the runner-up spot and his first ever HOYS ticket. Malibu is a former SFAS HOYS finalist, but is contesting his first season in Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifiers. Ben said: “We’ve always known he was good enough but it’s trying to get it all together at the right time. I am so made up that we have done it”. Malibu was sold to America as a yearling for $120,000 but returned to run over hurdles, getting placed fourth once. Katie has owned Malibu for 10

years. Back in 2016, Katie qualified him for the Search for a Star riding horse hack final at HOYS where they finished in fourth. Ben continued: “We have worked so hard with him, he can be stubborn and we do plenty of hacking and fun things to keep him on side, he doesn’t really like the school. It’s been a long journey and I am so delighted to have qualified.”

Class judge, Kirsty Aird said: “It was a lovely class, the top two rode beautifully – you would never know they were ex-racehorses,” and added, “all the horses in the class were nice, of the ones that had done a bit less I could feel from riding them that there is improvement to come and glimpses of their true potential.”

The traditional cob class saw a strong contingent come forward. Debbie Wright’s Paddy took first place under Leanne Wright.

Paddy has been with the Wrights for six years. Leanne said: “It is what I have always dreamed of! My mum bought Paddy as her happy hacker and he has gone on and done so much more; he is way better than we had hoped!” The pair attended the Vale View qualifier only to be unplaced, making victory all the sweeter. They have also competed at STARS and stood reserve supreme at the Ulverston District Show. “We go hacking and jumping and general all-round activities for fun,” said mental health practitioner Leanne, adding, “It’s a real team effort and we will all be going to HOYS – even my dad!” Leanne and Paddy pipped The General II, owned by Lancashire-based Alice Geldeard and ridden

by Hollie Atkinson to the post.

In the first Your Horse Live qualifying class of the day, the in-hand veteran, 22-year-old Castlecroft Teddy and Lilly Forsyth, 10, took first place. Class judge, Richard Ramsay remarked that Teddy didn’t have “any lumps or bumps.” Lilly’s mother, Frances Moore said: “They have been to a few shows now; Teddy is exceptional. He was in my mum’s

Leap of Faith ridden by Carly Sneddon Lachlann of Croila Croft riddenWorld

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riding school for several years and when it closed down, he came to Lilly. We came down to Netherton from Lossiemouth last night, going to Your Horse Live is going to be some journey!”

Amy had hoped to compete in the class last season but couldn’t due to pregnancy. She and her carer mum first saw Blueberry Muffin as a two-year-old and returned to get him two years later.

Fittingly, a Highland pony won the mountain and moorland class. This was gundog trainer Judith Hogg’s five-year-old, Lachlann of Croila Croft. Remarkably, it’s a comeback tale for both. Judith broke her back out hunting seven years ago and it has taken until now for her to recover and regain her confidence. Meanwhile, Judith feared she would lose Lachlan to colic last winter, when he was hospitalized for six days. Judith, who has owned Lachlan since he was two, explained that he is also “broken to the hill and does the traditional work he was bred for and carries the deer down”. This summer, they will continue to show before he returns to the hill to work in the winter.

Ianna Grant, 5, from Fortrose near Inverness won the Pony Club lead rein class with her mother, Mary-Jo Grant’s Welsh section A pony, Thistledown Honkey Tonk. Ianna is a member of Ross-Shire Pony Club and the pair have competed up to county level in lead-rein classes. Mary-Jo said: “Honkey Tonk and Ianna do everything, they will also be going to the Pony Club show and camp, they have competed in side-saddle, too.

He is also broken to driving so when the children outgrow him he still has a job to do.”

The Grant’s live on the Black Isle north of Inverness.

Rosedust Class Act took runner up spot, kickstarting a very successful day for his rider, Aaliyah Watson. The pair went on to also win the open Pony Club SFAS qualifier for Your Horse Live. The Welsh section B is owned by Aaliyah’s mother, Karen Watson, and has been with the family for three years. Deveron Pony Club member Aaliyah explained that the pair attended the 2021 RIHS for the Pretty Polly championship and won the best condition prize. Later in the day, Aaliyah won the in-hand plaited pony class with her new pony, Romano Small Talk. Aaliyah said: “She is only four, so we are going to take it slowly and I’m so pleased we brought her today to compete in the in-hand class. She is just broken in and it will be great as she gets more established and we plan to compete in ridden classes.”

In the ridden part-bred traditional class, first prize went to Amy McIntyre and her Welsh Section D cross traditional cob, Blueberry Muffin, whom she has owned since a fouryear-old. Amy said: “Muffin is my pride and joy; he tries so hard and to have done so well at our first stay away show is amazing. Nurse

The open veteran class saw Dundee-based Ella Dunn riding her mother Anna Dunn’s 19-year-old chestnut gelding Abbas Blue Rainbow take first place. Ella said: “I am just delighted! He’s been showing his whole life.

He competed in all the open classes until last year including taking second place at the RIHS in the home produced show pony championship”. The Dunns have owned him for eight years and have to be very careful managing his routine as he has EMS. “We are from Dundee and it is so nice to have the qualifier in Scotland, we don’t want to be constantly travelling an older horse over long distances. He does workers too and really enjoys galloping and hacking in the stubble fields”.

Report by Jenny Viner

Another Welsh section A triumphed in the Pony Club first ridden class. Nerwyn Leonardo was ridden to the win by his ten-year-old jockey, Annabel Fraser. Annabel’s mother, Sarah Fraser has owned Leonardo for ten years. “My sister lives near Edinburgh so we came up from Cumbria and stayed last night there. We are all so excited!” Annabel is a member of the Cumberland Farmers Hunt North Pony Club branch.

The in-hand traditional cob class was won

by Emma Watson and her own Will I Am. Emma and Will attended the workshop the previous day. They’re in their second season showing, having tried some TGCA and CHAPS showing classes last year. “I broke Will in myself; he had been used as a stallion before I bought him,” said Emma. “He has the best temperament and in the five years I’ve owned him, we have done plenty of hacking. We enjoy going out to look at castles and recently went on the Balmoral BHS jubilee ride.” Emma works as a pre-school gymnastics coach.

Emma and Will also finished sixth in the ridden traditional gypsy cob class.

Blueberry World Muffin ridden Amy McIntyre Golden Bird ridden by Richard Telford 72 | Showing | JulybyIssue 2022 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Thistledown Honkey Tonk ridden by Ianna Grant and led by Mary-Jo Grant

West Country Samurai ridden by Suzy Ayres

“

Marketing Manager at SEIB, Nicolina MacKenzie said: We regularly hold Northern qualifiers for SFAS and have often debated coming to Scotland. We feel it is only fair for SFAS to be inclusive and to give as many competitors as possible the opportunity to compete for the chance to qualify for Horse of the Year show and Your Horse Live. Plenty of people said they wanted a qualifier in Scotland and many of these entered, came along and have supported our decision. It was a really enjoyable day for everyone on our team too.

”

Alex Osborn, Lois Taylor, John Foster, Marianne Foster, Nicola Taylor, Hannah Horton, Louise Gaunt, Rebecca Court, Helen Dunwell, Craig McLelland and Richard Ramsay.

Nerwyn Leonardo ridden by Annabel Fraser

The General II ridden by Hollie Atkinson

Tooreeny Diamond ridden by Shona Wallace

Rhythmn and Jazz ridden by Laura Dobson

Rosedust Class Act ridden by Aaliyah Watson Romano Small Talk| handled

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Elberry Suillen ridden by Lilly Richardson

A Fabulous Five Stoneleigh Horse Show Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire The first of three Stoneleigh Horse Shows saw a clutch of old and new faces come to the fore, claiming what was for some classes, the very first HOYS tickets of the year. Competition was fierce yet friendly, and a team of smiling yet highly efficient stewards kept competitors informed, organised, and satisfied.

There was a significant amount of excitement amongst the working hunter pony ranks when the introduction of a junior mountain and moorland working hunter pony class was announced, and the class proved popular, with young riders tackling a tricky course with great enthusiasm. Stealing the first of the tickets and making history was the super-consistent Elberry Suilen. The 13-year-old Welsh section A gelding, owned

by Lucy Richardson and piloted this time

by Lily Richardson, has also qualified for the Royal International Horse Show in July.

Pipped to the post in this strong class was Wellbank Gabriel ridden by Lexi Brash in second.

Lily’s ticket was the first of a whopping five for the family. Lily also partnered Shetland gelding Briar Snow Fox to take the mini mountain and moorland tricolour, having won the first ridden class, where she was joined in reserve by her younger sister Penny, riding the accomplished lead rein pony Thistledown Van-Der-Vaart, who is now home produced and led by ‘Dad’, Mark.

Not to be outdone by her older sister, Penny also took a second lead rein ticket, this time aboard Gwyrddparc Torres winning the show hunter pony lead rein class, again ably led

by Dad.

her daughter, Katie Parker, 11. The Parkers bought Mario at the conclusion of last season, but decided that he should remain produced by Sharn Linney. They have since also won at Royal Three Counties.

The fifth and final golden ticket heading home with the Richardson family was Barrdene Romeo’s, who won the first ridden class under Lily, produced by Michaela Jones. However claiming the championship in the mini show pony classes was lead rein afficionado, Sharn Linney with Anna Dewey Clarke’s Barkway Takethat ridden by Anya Dewey Clarke. Meanwhile in the open show pony ranks, Sarah Drake’s Stanley Grange Gilt Edge claimed both the 148cm class and the section championship, ridden by Sarah’s daughter, Anabel Drake.

Danielle Heath and team continued their incredible run of success this season, firstly with small riding horse, Times Square II [Monkey], owned by Guy Mears.

The open show hunter pony title went to the winner of the 153cm class, Merrycorner Mister Bui (Buttons), under Zara Brookes.

Owned by Nick Brookes and produced by Team Walker this isn’t Buttons’ first foray with the limelight. He stood champion show hunter pony at RIHS in 2018 before the repeating the feat with Zara in 2021, and the pair have booked a spot to defend their title again this year. Interestingly, the show hunter pony championship North of England Spring show saw the same two ponies feature as at Stoneleigh, albeit in reverse. In reserve this time was Lesley Parker’s 133cm Thistledown Sea Mariner [Mario], ridden by

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Times Square III ridden by Danielle Heath

The duo looked fresh from their recent section championship at Windsor Horse Show, a title they also claimed in 2019, having won the novice riding horse class.

Danielle also partnered another of Guy Mears’ formidable team, Brookdale Limited Edition [Archie] to land the ladies show horse title, and Forgeland Hyde Park [Will] provided Danielle and the Mears with her third championship of the show. The 11-year-old is in his first full season with team Heath after Guy Mears bought him for daughter Isabella, who accompanied him to top the large intermediate show riding type class and book a return ticket to the NEC to defend their 2021 title.

The intermediate tricolour was claimed by Jane Bennison’s Roseberry Fascinator, ridden

by Jane’s granddaughter Alice Binks. As Alice has made the leap from a 138cm show pony to intermediates this year, producer Sara Parrot said they were “hoping for a quiet, educational year”, for both Alice and the five-year-old mare whom Jane bought directly from the breeder. However, “she rose to the occasion and loved the ring at Stoneleigh,” said Sara of this promising youngster.

Bridget Edmonson’s Briarhill Buddy Bolden gave Harriet Dennison a win in the intermediate show hunter class. This young horse is having a cracking first season. He qualified for the RIHS and stood champion intermediate at North of England Spring Show before standing both novice and restricted intermediate champion at the BSPS Winter Championships. At that point, it was intended that Meg Edmonson would be competing him in some small hunter classes this year, and the pair have taken to the ring with style, winning the HOYS small hunter class at the Royal Highland Show.

Rob Walker steered Jill Day’s lightweight winner, MHS Morning Master, to the hunter championship. A previous contender at HOYS in the Cuddy in hand final as a three-yearold, he won the four-year-old hunter class at Windsor in 2019 and followed this with multiple championships in 2021, including at Staffs and at the Great Yorkshire Show.

He will compete at HOYS this year for the first time as a ridden horse. “He’s a lovely horse, and goes with a great rhythm and great outlook,” said Rob. Reserve champion was another of Team Walker and Jill Day’s contenders: the heavyweight, Crown Star.

He was supreme champion in Dublin as a four-year-old. Having hunted all winter to “get back to enjoying life,” said Rob, following an unfortunate dice with ulcers. Fully recovered and looking a picture of health, he got this season off to a flying start being champion at NCPA Lancashire Spring Show.

Briarhill Buddy Bolden ridden by Harriet Dennison

Samantha Roberts and Lledrith Nemesis, Sue Kernan’s Welsh section A stallion, has once again proven his versatility. A former HOYS, RIHS and Olympia finalist, he’s enjoyed a superb spring. Within 24 hours of qualifying for the BD Winter championships, he also qualified for the RIHS 122cm mountain and moorland working hunter pony final. He also has an open ridden flat qualification for the RIHS and has since turned his attention to HOYS classes, attacking these with equal gusto. He took the first HOYS Welsh section A ridden ticket at Stoneleigh Horse Show and a week later, he secured his HOYS 122cm working hunter pony qualification.

Samantha also had the first HOYS Welsh section B ticket and small breeds championship with Jo Filmer’s homebred Longhalves Renoir [Levi] who is by HOYS finalist Lemonshill Falcon.

Gwerniago Gethin ridden by Liam Priestley

info@showingworldonline.co.ukWillmont | July Issue 2022ridden | Showing World Boraceforshort ridden by Vicky Smith Braveheart

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Thistledown Sea Mariner ridden by Katie Parker They have also been successfully hitting the dressage arena, again qualifying for the BD Winter championships and have since been spotted exercising his love of jumping.

The large breed champion went to Emma Burrow with Antonia Mitchell’s Willmont Braveheart, over Tammy Heathcote’s Connemara gelding, Eastlands Dunknowe, who was ridden by Sarah Parker in the class and by Tammy’s daughter Chloe in the championship.

Taking the mountain and moorland working hunter pony exceeding 143cm class was Vikki Smith riding her own JP Corbally. The 11-year-old Connemara booked the pair’s fifth consecutive ticket to HOYS where they have been in the top placings every year. They were, nevertheless pipped to the tricolour by Liam Priestly riding his own Gwerniago Gethin. Also contending the championship were Frankie Currell riding Jacqueline Wharton’s Exmoor stallion Dunkery Black Grouse, winner of the 122cm class. South Wales based Frankie and Grouse enjoyed an incredible run of luck whereby shortly after Stoneleigh, they later went on to collect an RIHS mountain and moorland working hunter pony qualification at NPS Area 29 and a flat open ridden Dartmoor, Exmoor and Shetland qualification at Hereford Marches. The final championship contender was Angela Pallett’s reigning Windsor champion, young Welsh section C mare Dycott Sparkling Lady ridden by Gemma Pallett, the winners of the 133cms class.

Freckleton High Flyer topped the non-native horse class, but it was another Windsor winner, Boraceforshort who claimed the championship having won the cob type class, with the second placed non-native horse, Sian Elphick’s Vicarage Spirit in reserve ridden by Michaela Bowling.

Catherine Hodge’s 10-year-old Clydesdale mare Doura Oakely [Annie] took the heavy horse qualifier. Annie announced herself as one to watch last season - her first under saddle - when she won her debut under saddle at the Highland show, qualifying for HOYS, and also stood supreme champion at the Lancashire Heavy Horse Show.

This season, she gained a whopping 48 for ride at Nottingham County, missing out on a ticket by just one mark, but went on to clinch it on her second attempt. “We’ve worked hard through the winter season keeping her fit and introducing her to different environments, like the beach and farm rides,” said Catherine.

Annie, who lives at home with her daughter Florence, has also been seen out and about promoting Clydesdales on behalf of the Rare Breed Survival Tust. “She truly is a horse of a lifetime and has taught me so much,” said Catherine. “She has bred me two beautiful foals but certainly has turned her hoof from motherhood to a riding horse”.

Dunkery Black Grouse ridden by Frankie Currel

Report by Maggie Simons Photos by 1st Class Images

Showing World’s own columnist, Vicky Smith won two of the four coloured classes, with both horses owned by Hayley Sankey.

Ledrith Nemesis ridden

by Samantha Roberts

JP Corbally ridden by Vikki Smith

Vicarage Spirit ridden by Michaela Bowling

MHS Morning Master ridden by Rob Walker

Stanley Grange Gilt Edge ridden by Anabel Drake Barkway Takethat ridden by Anya Dewey Clarke and led by Sharn Linney

Longhalves Renoir ridden

by Samantha Roberts 76 | Showing World | July Issue 2022 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Christina Knipe’s Bronheulog God Dust takes the 122cm show hunter pony ticket

Chrystia Reynolds rides Denise Reynolds’ Fantastic Jack to win the working hunter ticket Ruth Flack’s Bowerhall Blue Moon takes the reserve riding horse spot ridden by Katie Jerram-Hunnable

Diane Atkins’ Arabian gelding Forever Spririt of Versace is headed to HOYS under Kirsty Nelson

Julie Rucklidge’s Jackets Dynasty heads the partbred lineup ridden by Mille Davies

Paul Davis’ Nipna Lavender and Imogen Davis take the junior large breeds ticket

Katie Marks and her Welsh section D Sharon Harrison’s Sarison Heavenly Silk claims info@showingworldonline.co.uk July Issue 2022ridden | Showing World Thorneyside Guardsman bagged an early ticket a|small hack ticket

by Lucy Glover| 77

A Highlight from…

Notts County The first native to gain a place in the 2022 final line-up was Vanessa Compton’s exquisite Connemara mare, Skaergaardens Delicious Love.

The ten-year-old Connemara mare is no stranger to the limelight having stood 2017 mountain and moorland ridden champion at Horse of the Year Show under her previous owner, Kelly Jones, and RIHS overall reserve champion mountain and moorland at the RIHS last season under Jo Jack. She was also crowned supreme champion mountain-and-moorland in-hand at Windsor last season year, shown by Henry Hird.

Although we expect to see Connemaras in the final lineup, she is actually just the fifth mare to do so following Rosenaharley Laurin (1983), Chiltern Lara (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!

Delicious was bred in Denmark by Brigitte Gotske and imported as a youngster by Kelly. While Vanessa purchased the nine-year-old for breeding purposes, she initially chose to use flushed embryos so that the mare herself could continue to be ridden before carrying a foal of her own.

It was a case of history repeating itself as Delicious was shown by Scott Dixon, who showed Vanessa’s five times Price Supreme contender, Castle Emperor to the supreme championship at Notts County in 2019. Jo Jack took charge of her colt foal by Cathy Wood’s Clover Hill Magic, who in a fateful twist, was the second native to take a Price Supreme 2022 ticket at Bath and West Show.

Photo by Mountain Media

A Highlight from…

Hertfordshire County Show Kellythorpes Ladies Day [Ruby] exceeded all expectations to take the Price Family Supreme In-Hand ticket for breeder Lisha Leeman and family on the threeyear-old hack filly’s season debut. A graceful, uphill mover full of presence, Ruby commanded attention. Making the win all the more special was the fact that she is the first for the family to qualify by their own homebred stallion, Kellythorpes Addiction. She is out of 2019 HOYS Cuddy Supreme finalist Burlesque [Roxy], who incidentally, qualified with Ruby at foot. Since then, she was shown once as a yearling to stand supreme, but has otherwise been left to mature.

Ruby was shown by Lisha’s son-in-law Frazer Atherden. “What a great day – albeit a very long day! It was great to have the family there, and the boys were there to see, too,” said Frazer. A thoroughly family affair, Lisha’s two-yearold colt, Roseberry The Politician [Boris], was also in the supreme championship having stood riding pony champion, and was shown by Frazer’s twin brother Dain.

Frazer said: “I wanted to lead Ruby as it was her first outing of the year and I wasn’t too sure how she would be in the atmosphere. She preformed brilliantly, and I had a job keeping up!”

However, judge Carolyn Whiteley chose Marney Dell’s New Forest stallion, Peronne Notorious as her reserve supreme.

Kellythorpes Ladies Day

Horsmans Landlord

A Highlight from…

CHAPS UK Midlands Kayleigh Catton won the native, traditional and cob type coloured horse class at the CHAPS UK Midlands show with her own Horsmans Landlord [Barry].

make the show, but thankfully, yard owners and “great friends” Joyce Russell and Karen Lamont kindly lent Kayleigh their wheels for the day.

Kayleigh has owned 12-year-old stallion Barry for almost a year. “It was the best decision I made after buying him with the inheritance money my grandma left me,” said Kayleigh. The pair qualified for the RIHS on their debut appearance together and haven’t been out the top five in the five HOYS qualifiers that they have attempted, including two seconds. A broken down lorry that morning meant that they almost didn’t

Kayleigh and her mum produce Barry from home, both juggling showing with “full time ‘normal’ jobs.” As well as Joyce and Karen, Kayleigh’s “brilliant support team” includes her Dad, “an old horseman who had HOYS success himself when he was younger,” and her partner James, on whom she can rely to support her “every step of the way in [her] passion for showing”.

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | July Issue 2022 | Showing World | 81

Kieran Baslington and Whixall’s Candy Boy

SWEET

SUCCESS FOR CANDY BOY Staffordshire County Show - Staffordshire County Showground Report by Beth Simons. Photos by 1st Class Images Jeannie Barton’s Whixall’s Candy Boy [Sligo] jumped his way to the HOYS working hunter final under Kieran Baslington. The seven-yearold was originally purchased at three from the Cavan sales by Jeannie’s husband, Don, who sadly passed away in February. After import, Kieran subsequently broke him in, and he has stayed with Kieran ever since. Last season was his first competing in the working hunter classes. Kieran explained that he jumped a handful of novice classes before aiming straight for open classes. Sligo managed the step up and jumped clear around the two HOYS qualifiers he entered at the end of last season.

This year, he announced himself as one to watch jumping a lovely round and standing champion on his season debut at the Wiltshire Spring Show, qualifying for the RIHS in doing so. Kieran, who previously told us that Sligo was “a saint of a horse”, said, “Don told me this was his HOYS horse back when he bought him as a three-year-old. I only wish he could’ve been there to see him qualify”.

It was a case of dreams come true for Chantelle Joslin when her own small hunter Carnsdale Let It Be (Bee) clinched his first ever HOYS ticket on his season debut. Chantelle has owned Bee, who is in his second season, since a two-year-old having purchased him directly

from the Carnsdale stud. “I knew he was a superstar from the moment I saw him in the field,” said Chantelle. The pair made a very successful start to their journey together by standing PP supreme champion at the RIHS last season. The victory at Staffordshire County was extra special as it marks Chantelle’s first HOYS ticket as a home-produced. “It’s been my absolute dream to go back to HOYS after a few years away from showing, and as a home produced, and I couldn’t ask for a better boy. I’m completely over the moon with him and I can’t quite believe we qualified on our first go at it this year,” said an elated Chantelle.

Team Walker once again proved themselves to be formidable opponents in the hunter weight ranks. Their successes started by repeating last year’s victory with Jill Day’s middleweight Crystal Cove in the novice hunter class, ridden

by Rob Walker. Rob also partnered another of Jill Day’s, Somerville Lad to the championship.

The Emperor Augustus eight-year-old was bred in Ireland by John Simpson, and was supreme four-year-old and supreme hunter at Dublin under PJ Casey before joining the Day-Walker team, and has been successfully shown on British soil since. Wins include standing novice champion at Royal Windsor champion at North of England Spring, Cheshire County and

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Lincolnshire County show. In fact, he took four HOYS qualifying championships last season alone, but it was decided that he would not make an appearance at the final. “He’s a proper lightweight with a lot of elegance and he’s a hell of a galloper; a little horse but really good horse in a big ring,” said Rob. Amy Cook’s Crosstown Dancer ten-year-old, Mr Darcy Dancer looked on fine form following his Royal Windsor Horse Show amateurs victory to win the middleweights and stand reserve champion.

Second in the lightweights, Olivia Edmonson and her own Double Mocha had their own moment of glory when they clinched the ladies side saddle horse of the year qualifier

Chantelle Joslin and Carnsdale Let It Be

Robert Walker and Somerville Lad on their first attempt. The eight-year-old is by Willowcroft Regal Bronze, out of Trevaylor Wood Nymph, and was bred by Joanne Rooke. He has been owned by Olivia since a four-year-old and Olivia explained that she had always wanted him to be her next ladies horse. “But I wanted to wait till he was really ready to have the saddle on which wasn’t easy for me to be so patient,” said Olivia. In March this year he was finally ready, and they contested their first ladies class at the Cheshire Premier show, adding a ladies RIHS ticket to their lightweight and amateur qualification, and meaning that Staffordshire was their second time in the ring together sideways. Consequently, Olivia was “delighted with a win and to pick up his HOYS ticket. He loves a big ring and carries the side saddle so elegantly”.

In the working hunter pony ranks, Milly Gilbert was overjoyed to take the 133cm class and section championship on Megan Gilbert’s Llanarth Alis, which is especially impressive as this is Milly’s first season in the worker ranks. Mum Megan explained that although Milly, 13, had ridden at HOYS since she was seven on mini show ponies and a 128cm show pony last season, “this year is a big change”.

The Gilberts purchased eight-year-old Alis last year from Abbi Vaughn, whose daughter Grace had finished fifth at HOYS with Alis. “Alis is being produced by Lucy Greenwood and Dev Farrell and they have put so much time into Milly and Alis,” said Megan. Milly ad Alis will now attempt some HOYS tracks during their RIHS preparation, and later this year, Milly will take Alis to her new boarding school in Stowe in Buckingham where they will hopefully try eventing with the school team.

Libby James and Glebedale Sugar Babe took the won the cradle stakes class and mini working hunter pony champion. This is eightyear-old Libby’s first season with the Welsh section A mare, Sugar. “Libby was so thrilled to win and could not believe it when she went champion at such a big show,” said Libby’s mum, Rachel James. Libby is an active member of Bridgewater and Caverswall Ridin Club, competing in PC showjumping, dressage and tetrathlon. She dreams of riding at HOYS and has worked hard over the winter with trainers Sarah Parker and Rachel Turner. Libby and Sugar, whom Libby describes as “just the best”, were also champion mini working hunter pony at Area 2A. Libby James and Glebedale Sugar Babe

Amy Cook and Mr Darcy Dancer

Olivia Edmonson and Double Mocha season, having picked up a reserve youngstock championship at Severn Valley Spring Show, and a very credible second at Glanusk Stallion Show in a huge class of yearling fillies. The Jones’ were, however, pipped to the post in the championship by Gwilym Howaston’s winner of the mare and gelding class, Sangrug Gwenllian shown by Tomos Howaston.

Milly Gilbert and Llanarth Alis Veteran Shetland stallion Kerloch Rupert secured the Shetland in-hand championship.

The 16-year-old is owned by John Watson of the Abbotsrule Stud in Scotland and has enjoyed an extremely successful showing career. This season he has been lightly but successfully shown having stood supreme at the Scottish Friends Open Show prior to his trip to Staffordshire.

The Welsh and supreme mountain and moorland in hand tricolours were awarded to the champion Welsh section A and winner of the mare class, Amilas Marinera, shown by Dora Wyn Jones on behalf of the mare’s owner, Dora’s mum Shan Islyn Powell Jones. The eight-year-old was bred by Sal Keswani, and

John Watson and Kerloch Rupert was purchased for Shan as a birthday present and outcross mare at the family’s Islyn stud in north Wales. Proving that the cross has been successful, both her colt foal and yearling son Islyn Ringo won their classes at Staffordshire.

Reserve Welsh section A was awarded to the second placed mare, Jan Harries’ Drumaddie Hannah. A further section A, Hope Madoc took the gelding championship with his young handler, ‘Little’ Dean Smith.

In the section Ds, Amy and Bryn Jones were delighted to stand reserve with their own homebred winner of the yearling class, Brynnant Charm. Out of Dylsau Rhiannon, Charm is by Royal Welsh winning stallion, Gwynfaes Seren Wledig. This was her third and final show of this

Georgie Lewis Roberts was delighted to take the UKP&H amateur class with her own Dales gelding, Fulford Micky. Five-year-old Micky is

by Carrock Glen out of Fulford Faye. supreme in-hand title with her own Fulford Micky.

Georgie has given him something of varied and rounded education with workers, show jumping, hunting and a bit of dressage. However, she took her time enjoying showing Micky in-hand before taking to the ring under saddle. The paid were supreme in-hand champions at NPS Area 13 and champion mountain and moorland at UKP&H spring classic show. Her patience obviously paid dividends as this was Micky’s first qualifier and first county show.

Jordan Cook and small hack Sutton Grange Lady Eleanor [Ellie] gave the mare’s owner breeders Andre and Cindy Dilasser reason to celebrate when they took the hack championship for the second time in two Staffordshire County appearances. “She loves info@showingworldonline.co.uk | July Issue 2022 | Showing World | 83

this show ground and the atmosphere,” said Jordan who went on to explain that Ellie is in her final year of ridden showing before she will retire to the Sutton Grange stud and carry on her legacy as a brood mare for the stud”.

Dena King’s maxi cob, The Pattern Master gave Jordan his second championship of the show. The nine-year-old gelding has scored a hattrick of tricolours this season having also been champion at White Rose County Show and the BSPA Festival of Showing. “He just loves his jobs and rises to the occasion every time he sets foot in the ring,” said Jordan of the 2021 BSHA National Championships supreme champion. Reserve cob was the winner of the amateur class, Herbert Park, owned and ridden by Kathryn Riddle. Joining them in the championship was Leanne Richardson’s heavyweight, Top Hatt ridden by Bobi Richardson, and Thomas Jackson’s Ranchella Rolex, ridden by Megan Hewitt.

Jill Wormall’s rode her own Sovereign Debt to stand at the top of the Tattersalls RoR open ridden show series qualifier. The Dark Angel x Kelsey Rose 12-year-old was run by his racing owners Lady O’Reilly and John Hames and was trained initially by Michael Bell, then later Dandy Nicholls, before finally, by Ruth Carr.

He enjoyed a successful racing career with 15 wins, 19 seconds and 5 thirds of 63 runs and amassed £812,278 in winnings. Following his retirement from the track in 2018, he has had an extremely positive transition to the show ring. Last season, he stood champion ROR at the Great Yorkshire Show, Derbyshire Festival, and in the Goffs at Aintree.

The riding horse championship was awarded to Zara Owen and her own winner of the small riding horse class, Caereini Voulez Vous. Zara bought her as an unbroken three-year-old from her breeder and hasn’t been disappointed.

“She’s everyone’s favourite at home and so

easy to do,” said Zara. Last season, the pair qualified for HOYS last season in both the ladies horse class and the riding horses as well as winning the La Liga table for consistency.

This year, she has hit the road running taking reserve champion at Cheshire Horse Show on her season debut and the championship at Staffordshire the following week.

Julie Templeton produced 138cm mare Whiteleaze Debutante [Ruby] to win and stand champion show pony ridden by Millie Davies.

Six-year-old Ruby is by Cusop Dimension out of Wynnmere Milly Molly Mandy and has been a consistent contender since making her showring ridden debut in 2020. This year, she is already RIHS bound having stood champion at Herts County. In reserve was Susan Burgess’ winner of the 148cm class, Roseberry Jubilation ridden by Grace Sidebotham. They were joined in the championship by Emma Trebble’s Emma Trebble’s 128cm , Barkway Fascination, ridden by Emma’s daughter Daisy Trebble, who after winning the first ridden RIHS final last season, has stepped up to the open 128cm ranks this season under Gill Thompson’s careful tutelage.

Liz Bradley was delighted to take the miniature stallion class and champion, qualifying for HOYS with her own and Hannah Bradley’s Ujenik Extasys Fine Design on his second attempt. In reserve was Jill Rushton with her own two-year-old, Blackspirits Southern Belle.

Jill and her daughter Lucy also produced Lousie Shafar’s Connemara Carlingford Enchantment to win the RIHS New Forest and Connemara class under by Evie Daniel. Lucy explained that Evie, whom Jill led on the lead rein, has leased Enchantment for a comeback to showing. Their main focus for this season will be the HOYS junior qualifiers.

The champion, however, in the mountain and moorland RIHS classes came from the

Zara Owen and Caereini Voulez Vous

Dora Wyn Jones and Amilas Marinera

Dean Smith and Hope Madoc

Jordan Cook and Sutton Grange Lady Eleanor winner of the Highland, Fell and Dales class, Bev Mccormick’s Highland mare, Cora of Over Langshaw under Aliya Khan. Although Danielle Garner’s Thorneyside The Bizzess won the Welsh C and D class, it was the second placed exhibit, Lisa O’Rourke’s Steppers Relight My Fire who took the reserve champion spot under Aimee Devane.

Evie Daniel and Carlingford Enchantment

Jordan Cook and The Master Pattern

Aliya Khan and Cora of Over Langshaw

| Showing WorldDebutante | July Issue 2022 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk Liz Bradley and Ujenik Extasys Fine Design Millie84 Daview and Whiteleaze

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Book now at www.hoys.co.uk/mountain-and-moorland-package/ info@showingworldonline.co.uk | July Issue 2022 | Showing World | 85

EJL Azhars Apollo

Coloured Connections Compiled by Bronwyn Ward We cannot get enough of your coloured foals!

How adorable are these?

Havenbeech Walk on the Wylde Side

Breeding: HB Platinum x Chaceside Cascade Havenbeech Walk on the Wylde Side is a striking, minimally marked tobiano show colt to make 12.2hh. He is the full sibling to HB Catwalk, Boardwalk and Moonwalk. He is a future pony stallion for Wyldestyle stud, and has an in hand career ahead of him.

Willowsway Lady Liberty

Stable name: Lilibet Born: 22nd May 2022 Breeding: Freckleton Royal Affair x Private Aspiration Lilibet is destined for the show ring, with her dam Private Aspiration being a beautiful non-native show horse, and sire Freckleton Royal Affair being one of the top stallions at Willowsway Stud, who is just starting a career in dressage too.

This is Lydia Moss’ third Willowsway filly, and she is excited to bring her home once she is weaned

EJL Azhars Apollo

Stable name: Apollo Born: 9th June 2022 Breeding: VMP Azhar x Splash Apollo’s unusual chestnut sabino colouring for a part bred Arab has really caught the eye of many on social media. Part bred foals are a new venture for breeder Eleanor Lancaster at EJL Stud, who has bred traditional cobs and Arabs for many years but had never crossed

the two until now. The stud are very pleased with the results and have confirmed a repeat breeding for next year.

Apollo’s sire Azhar was bred by Ms Payne and has some of the worlds most desired Arab bloodlines including Padron, Cumbria Shamari and Malabar Duke.

Beryl VI

Stable name: Valentina Born: 24th May 2022 Breeding: Hermits All That Jazz x Beryl III Olivia Crawen is very excited about Valentina, who is the first filly by Hermits All That Jazz. Olivia plans to show Valentina over winter before she is turned away to mature ready for backing in a few years.

Murraybrook Graffiti

Stable name: Felix Born: 9th March 2022 Breeding: Murraybrook Moriarty x Okehurst in Colour Felix is bred to show, but also to be a versatile sports horse. His dam is an Irish sports horse that successfully evented. He is being retained to compete in the show ring, plus dressage and jumping. Breeder Pam Steed is looking forward to showing him and hopes that he will follow in the footsteps of other stock from the stud.

Ryehall Flames & Fire

Stable name: Moses Born: 3rd May 2022 Breeding: Ryehall Tate Modern x Trellech Victoria Plum Moses is by Barbra and Martin Surman’s

86 | Showing World | July Issue 2022 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Poakabeck Impulsive Decision

homebred show hunter pony, three-yearold WPCS silver medal winner Ryehall Tate Modern, who is by TLH Candyman. Moses is expected to make 12hh and is both part bred Welsh and part bred Arab.

Moses is going to a lovely new showing home on weaning where he will compete in youngstock classes and then hopefully go on as a ridden pony. Moses is described as an incredibly cheeky, funny foal who already shows great potential, and seems to love life.

Heathwell Jubilee Rose

Stable name: Rosie Born: 3rd May 2022 Breeding: The Scoundrel x Blaenmorlais Lily Rose Breeder Sarah Friswell is over the moon with her filly foal, and is aiming to take her to the foal futurity at CHAPS championship show in August, as well as a couple of foal shows in the winter. Rosie is being retained by Sarah to be her next ridden prospect.

Willowsway Lady Liberty

Beryl VI

Burghwallis Midsummer Magic

Dolly

Breeding: Moorfarm Bandsman x Ringlands Rosie May Owned and bred by the Tamrik Stud near Chichester, Dolly is by CHAPS graded stallion Moorfarm Bandsman, out of a riding pony mare Ringlands Rosie May. Breeders Richard and Tammy Burge plan to show Dolly in hand as soon as she is weaned.

Poakabeck Impulsive Decision Stable name: Burty Born: 10th May 2022 Breeding: Mixology x Cassie

Breeder Melynda Phillips bought Burty’s dam at 18 months old, who is a cob type of unknown breeding. She was crossed with a thoroughbred to add some blood and produce a foal with a sports horse stamp. Burty is the first foal bred by Melynda and is described as a real character.

Burghwallis Limited Edition Stable name: Eddie Born: 22nd April 2022

Eddie is Burghwallis Stud’s exciting first venture into the non-native pony section. Eddie is out of a skewbald mare with unknown breeding, by the prolific Acado. The team at Burghwallis are really excited what the future holds for him.

Burghwallis Midsomer Magic Stable name: Norman Born: 21st June 2022

Striking piebald colt Norman is out of a homozygous traditional cob, and is by the stud’s own Burghwallis Moonlight, a perlino Welsh Section C stallion.

This stunning colt is hopefully going to follow in the footsteps of his full brother Burghwallis

Stormchaser, who has so far been unbeaten shown in hand. Norman has found himself the perfect home with Michelle Pickford and his brother Noah, Burghwallis Stormchaser.

Hollyland Mayberry

Breeding: Strinesdale Mastermind x Hollyland Snowberry Breeder Wendy Campbell is thrilled with this colt foal, whose dam is half-sister to the in hand supreme champion at HOYS 2019.

He is by Mastermind, who needs no introduction. Now aged 31, he is back at Strinesdale Stud where he has another foal and has also has a mare scanned in foal for 2023.

Burghwallis Limited Edition

Hollyland Goldsmith

Breeding: Hollyland Quentin x Goldstream Hollyland Goldsmith is the second and final Hollyland foal to be born this year. His dam is

by Carl Hester’s first Olympic ride, Giorgione.

Goldsmith is brother to prolific winner Hollyland Gold Quest and will be heading for outings in hand, with a view to eventually being shown under saddle or competing in dressage.

Callunars Picture Perfect

Stable name: Pablo Born: 23rd June 2022 Breeding: Fidertanz x Heather

Heathwell Jubilee Rose

Named by his breeder Izzy Walker after Pablo Picasso, this colt is by the top dressage stallion Fidertanz, who was named Hanoverian stallion of the year in 2021.

Pablo is out of Heather, who although has no special breeding, has gone on to successfully compete in county level showing qualifying for RIHS on many occasions.

Murraybrook Graffiti Callunars Picture Perfect

Dolly

Havenbeech Walk On The Wylde Side

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | July Issue 2022 |Hollyland Showing World | 87 Mayberrys Goldsmith 2

Magic’s Moment

Clover Hill Magic shown by Jamie Forst receives a the supreme inhand accolade

The Royal Bath and West Show, Somerset 2-5 June 2022 Cathy Wood’s Clover Hill Magic gave her and handler Jamie Frost a second reason to raise a toast over the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend. The five-year-old Connemara stallion lifted the coveted Price Supreme championship qualifying for the HOYS final in October. Magic was bred by the Lee family just outside Clifden. Cathy first spotted the Glencarrig Knight son at Clifden, county Connemara at the annual show. “I was queuing for coffee with half an eye on the colt foal class. When I saw him move, coffee was abandoned and I ran up the road to buy him,” said Cathy.

“I remember ringing Jamie and saying I’ve just found us the pony of a lifetime”. Magic was shown a handful of times during the 2021. Nevertheless, he made a significant impact, standing champion at Devon County, Bath and West, the NPS Spring Festival, Three Counties and supreme champion at the Connemara breed show. This season, he repeated his Bath and West championship before going on to clinch the supreme. “He settled into a super rhythm and went beautifully in both the pre and final judging,” said Jamie, “He has the loveliest temperament to deal with and showing him is a pleasure. Bath and West is one of our local County Shows so it’s special to qualify there.” Cathy was quick to credit Jamie and his commitment to their showing aspirations: “Getting to HOYs in-hand is a tall order for amateurs like us with busy, full-time jobs and I could not do it without Jamie’s unending, commitment, support and friendship”. Magic has given yet more reasons to celebrate as his first crop of foals have landed at Cathy’s:

six pure-breds and a part-bred. “It’s so nerve wracking waiting for a rookie stallion’s first foals. Had they been moderate, Magic would have been cut and sold but they are breath-taking and I could not be happier.” Interestingly, Vanessa Clark’s Skaergaarden’s Delicious Love had a Magic colt foal at foot when she qualified for the Price supreme at Notts County the previous weekend.

In reserve supreme was Sandy Anderson’s Thistledown Harper Royale, shown by his producer, Craig Eleanor.

The three-year-old colt secured the part-bred Welsh championship en route to the supreme. He is by Craig’s own former Cuddy Supreme winner, Rendene Royal Charm, and out of Thistedown Harper.

“So close but so far” were Kitty Bodily and her own and her mum, Gill Williams’ homebred Welsh section A champion, Glebedale Jubilee, standing second reserve supreme.

10-year-old Jubilee is by Pendock Jingle out of Ringsted Cadi, and is no stranger to success both under saddle.

After being successfully shown as a junior in-hand with wins including at Lampeter Stallion show, Jubilee pursued a ridden career which saw her stand reserve mini mountain and moorland pony of the year under Libby Grota. She has since resumed her career in-hand as a senior mare successfully, with tricolours at the Great Yorkshire Show and supreme at Worsley Gala. Jubilee and Kitty were also reserve for the hotly contested overall NPS silver medal championship.

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Treetops Minuette ridden by Daniel Ayling

Thistledown Harper Royale shown by Craig Eleanor Glebedale Jubilee shown by Kitty Bodily with judge, Lesley Hillard

Her Majesty the Queen added a Bath and West breed championship and the NPS Silver Medal championship to her jubilee celebrations with Highland pony mare, Balmoral Leia. Produced by Lizzie Briant and shown by Henry Hird, Leia catapulted herself into the limelight when she secured the overall mountain and moorland championship at Royal Windsor this year, much to the delight of the crowd. In reserve for the Highland tricolour was the second placed Highland over four years old, Kate Heywood’s Carlung Valiant, shown by Beth Simons.

Sarah Russell triumphed with yet another bestowed with a royal name: Bryngwennol Princess Charlotte.

The three-year-old Welsh section B filly won her class and stood section reserve. She is by Moelview Chester, who has since been exported to France, and she is out of Millcroft Bollywood. She was pipped to the tricolour by the winner of the mare class, Sandy Anderson’s Thistledown Sheer Bliss.

Daniel Ayling’s Treetops Minuette won the Miniature Shetland mare class, was champion Miniature Shetland and supreme Shetland. Meanwhile the Standard Shetland tricolour was awarded to Amanda Paddock and her mother Lynda Motton’s homebred three-year-old filly, Brynley Clio, Clio is the second successful daughter from Oxendale Kayman and Horninglow Catstycam Fell, following in her 2018 Royal Welsh winning Brynley Chloe’s footsteps. Clio was very successful last year and has thus far secured a win every time out this season.

She started her season campaign with a tricolour at Cothi Bridge show before her triumph at Bath and West and overall junior champion at South and West Wales Shetland Group summer show where she was shown by Amanda’s son Elliott, 11.

Tayla Lewis and her own Lostock Uptown Funk [Steve] looked fresh from their recent Windsor victory and continued their winning ways to take the ridden nonnative pony class qualifying for HOYS. Although just seven years old, Steve (Lostock Huntsman x Up-To-D) has had an incredible career already. He is the only horse or pony to have stood supreme in-hand at the CHAPS championships three times consecutively, shown by John Cutts, and Steve and Tayla also stood

Balmoral Leia shown by Henry Hird

Brynley Clio shown by Amanda Paddock

Littlecourt Peter Perfect ridden by Mali Reed and led by Cath Hughes-Jones

Shemika Snip ridden by Kelsey Bishop

second on his first visit to HOYS in 2021 whilst still very low on milage in ridden classes.

The native and traditional type pony class was topped by Gill Meek’s Supernova, ridden by Jessica Williams, whilst the native and cob type horse class was won by Janay Atherden and her mum, Lisha Leeman’s Red Rock. This is a hot new combination, as the former Windsor champion, HOYS and RIHS winner joined the Leeman/ Atherden family just a few months ago.

The fourth HOYS coloured ticket on offer was secured by Hazel Sleight’s Castiel in the non-native horse class, ridden

by Peter Green, who, according to Hazel, “rides him at the odd show that he fancies doing!” She explained that “Bath and West was on his bucket list and he made sure it was a memorable one! We had such a lovely day; it was such a lovely atmosphere around the ring – really supportive and fun”. Peter and Castiel’s ticket was actually secured from second place, as winning the class was Jayne Ross and Michael Cook and Tony Reynolds’ uber consistent KBF Crescendo [Daphne], who also won her second ladies hunter class within a week. Bred by Michael, nine-year-old Daphne is by Free Spirit out of Ocarino. Jayne and the former Great Yorkshire champion and RIHS and Hickstead Derby supreme coloured, are the reigning coloured champions at Windsor, and looked the absolute picture of elegance to pick up the coloured championship at Bath and West over Janay and Red in reserve.

Jayne Ross also secured the riding horse championship with large riding horse, King of Clubs, as well as the cob championship riding Hayley Hyde Andrews and her father, Brian Andrews’ lightweight cob, Bombadier. In reserve was Lynn Russell and her own reigning Windsor heavyweight, Starfall Sue Hookham was delighted to see her own Moylough Michael D joining them in the championship having won a 12-strong novice cob class under producer Matt Ainsworth.

Michael is a pure Irish Draught maxi cob by Creggan Emperor. Sue explained that they “competed him very

sparingly last year, but after a season hunting with the Ledbury, he has really got his act together and although still a novice qualified for the RIHS first time out at the Wiltshire Show. We have great hopes for him.”

Also delighted with her novice was Suzanne Burns, whose heavyweight hunter, Quality Control, headed a strong novice hunter class. He is produced by Brett Mckinnon and was ridden by Jess Cronk. Quality Control was bred in Ireland by Nigel O’Connor is by O.B.O.S Quality out of Cahercon Lass. “He is already proving a yard favourite as this mannerly gentle giant is anyones hack and enjoys helping out with yard duties by being able to remove rugs, boots and opening doors without the need of supervision,” said Suzanne. Despite being just a novice, Quality Control bagged an RIHS ticket at Leyland Court and a week later stood champion hunter at the Royal Cornwall Show. The hunter championship at Bath and West was, however, secured by Gemma Lovick and Victoria Tate’s winner of the open heavyweights, Isle Bright, under producer Claire Oliver, after the Aveia ten-year-old pulled out the stops giving a beautiful display of manners and a cracking gallop.

The win came after Claire had a run of seconds – albeit very credible ones – with a second in the novices astride Emma Gibson’s lightweight, Greenhall All Business and second in the middleweights with Willie Reardon’s Churchill II. In reserve for the tricolour was Vincent Seddon with his own winning open lightweight, Loughanboy.

Kelsey Bishop was deligted to secure reserve champion in the SSADL RIHS qualifiers with Shemika Snip [Snippy], just missing out on a ticket. 22-year-old Snippy had been a brood mare before arriving with Kelsey aged ten.

“She’s amazing,” said Kelsey of the former Olympia senior contender and ridden veteran of the year. Taking the ticket was Daisy Conibear and Thistledown Americano, however Kelsey and Snippy have also since qualified at Three Counties show.

A beaming Mali Reed,6, won the RIHS mini championship riding Myfi Reed’s Littlecourt Peter Perfect having already

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won the lead rein class led by producer Cath HughesJones. The pair are in their first season together but have belied their lack of milage together with an impressive five championships and one reserve out of six outings with three being RIHS qualifying sections, including at BSPS Areas 9B and 13B. The mini show hunter pony championship was won

by Naomi Bradwell’s winning lead rein of hunter type, Newoak Midnight Blue, ridden by Scarlett Smith, securing their spot at HOYS. In reserve was Jane Linsday’s Rowfantina Millionaire, who made the long journey south from Scotland worthwhile for the family when he won the first pony of show hunter type under Rocco Lindsay, 9. Five-year-old Millionaire is produced by Emma Holder, and usually contends the lead rein classes with Rocco’s younger sister, Posy.

This season, he’s had an excellent spring with wins including at the BSPS Winter championships and supreme at BSPS Area 15A.

Isle Bright ridden by Claire Oliver Jamie’s Lad riden by Charlotte Tuck

Lily Morgan was also delighted to return home with a win and a reserve championship. She won the mountain and moorland lead rein class with Caebanadl Red Admiral, led by Holly Morgan. Taking the tricolour was Indie Kolwicz who headed a Sharptor one-two with Kim Alway’s Sharptor Vintage Black ahead of Molly Hendy and Sharptor Butterfly in second.

Sydney Head topped the mountain and moorland working hunter pony not exceeding 143cm class with her own Menai The Curator [Bailey]. Seven-year-old Bailey had never jumped a track until last season, explained Sydney. Nevertheless, the pair are headed to the RIHS having won a strong qualifier at the BSPS Winter Championships, something Sydney hadn’t envisaged when, a few months into the partnership, she was hitting the ground regularly! They are also being consistently placed in HOYS qualifiers, her next goal.

However, Charlotte Tuck and her mother, Lulu Hillyard’s Jamie’s Lad were on fine form to take the exceeding 143cm mountain and moorland working hunter pony class and section championship.

Charlotte and the 10-year-old Connemara gelding are no strangers to success, having stood a commendable fourth at HOYS last year. A second grey, 133cm Corries Jack In A Box [Doc] leapt to the plaited working hunter pony championship under owner Chloe Chan. Chloe and Doc formerly stood second in the nursery stakes at the RIHS, but mum, Sarah Chan explained that “he’s a fabulous, versatile kids pony, stepping down to nursery stakes beautifully” despite being “a true open 133 who loves his job”.

Report by Beth Simons Photos by Jay Photos

KBF Cresendo ridden by Jayne Ross

Sarah Russel and Bryngwennol Princess Charlotte

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New classes, new venues and training!

Ridden, In-hand and an introduction to showing for Pony Club members of all ages.

seib.co.uk/competitions

SEIB judges will be on hand to help and mentor competitors. There are also two weekenders planned for 2022, which include a day of training and preparation.

SEARCH FOR A STAR PONY CLUB YOUR HORSE LIVE CHAMPIONSHIP We are proud to announce that we have joined with the Pony Club to offer a Lead Rein and First Ridden Championship for children 10 and under.

In addition, there will be an open class for the older children that will judge horses and ponies as suitable for all round Pony Club activities, conformation, way of going and temperament will also be important (no jumping).

These classes are open to any child or young person who is a member of the Pony Club and any type of horse or pony that is athletic enough to be an all-rounder but correct enough to be a show horse.

There will be extra awards for the best riders.

THE ALL NEW SEIB SEARCH FOR A STAR WEEKENDER Taking place in both Scotland and England, competitors will have the opportunity to come the day before the competitions and learn from the judges. They will be helped with way of going, turnout, trot-up and taught how to stand the horse or pony up for the judges.

SEIB HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW SEARCH FOR A STAR Amateur only ridden classes for Working Horse, Working Pony, Show Hunters, Riding Horse and Hacks, Show and Maxi Cobs, Traditional Gypsy Cobs (all colours).

Qualify for Horse of the Year Show.

SEIB RACEHORSE TO RIDING HORSE Open ridden class that qualifies for Horse of the Year Show.

SEIB YOUR HORSE LIVE RIDDEN SEARCH FOR A STAR Amateur ridden classes for Mountain and Moorlands and Part-bred Traditional Gypsy Cobs. Qualify for Your Horse Live. The winning Part-Bred Traditional will also receive a wild card to the Traditional of the Year Show (TOYS).

Open ridden class for Veterans any horse or pony aged 16 or over irrespective of experience and any rider professional or amateur. We are searching for an older star that will qualify for Your Horse Live.

SEIB YOUR HORSE LIVE IN-HAND SEARCH FOR A STAR

Competition Dates 2022 QUALIFIERS: 24th April 2022 at Vale View Equestrian Centre, Vale View Equestrian, Old Dalby, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE14 3LX. 22nd May 2022 at Bury Farm Equestrian Village, New Bury, Farm, Mill Road, Slapton, Buckinghamshire LU7 9BT. 11th & 12th June 2022 at Netherton Equestrian Centre, Netherton Farm, Aberargie, Perthshire, PH2 9NE, Perth, Scotland.

Search for a Star Weekender including training, competition on Sunday 12th June.

23rd & 24th July 2022 during SEIB Trailblazers Championships at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry CV8 2LZ. Search for a Star Weekender, competition on 24th July (Stabling will be available via a link that will be published in due course).

15th July 2022 at the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) National Championships at Hartpury College, Hartpury GL19 3BE (RDA Riders Only).

7th August 2022 at Science Supplements Onley Grounds Equestrian Centre, Willoughby, Rugby CV23 8AJ. 13th August 2022 NAF Five Star International Horse Trials, Hartpury College, Hartpury GL19 3BE. (SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse only).

4th September 2022 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, Burghley House, Burghley Park, Stamford PE9 3JY. (SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse only).

Classes for amateur handlers with horses and ponies in these sections: Veteran, Mountain and Moorland, Traditional and Native Types, Plaited Horses and hogged Show Cobs and Plaited Ponies. Qualify for Your Horse Live.

SEIB SEARCH FOR A STAR RDA CHAMPIONSHIP Only open to members of an RDA Group. Prizes for Best Rider, Best Horse or Pony and Best Combination.

SCAN HERE TO VISIT COMPETITION HUB

To enter online or for more information please visit: www.seib.co.uk/competitions or email: competitions@seib.co.uk

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