Showing World July 2023 (174)

Showing World

Issue 174 - July 2023

Issue 174 July 2023 www.showingworldonline.co.uk

How to Show a Mare and Foal

Reports from Royal Windsor, NPS Spring Festival, Staffordshire County, Midland Counties and many more!

In Focus: The Heavy Horse info@showingworldonline.co.uk | July Issue 2023 | Showing World | 1

Tickets on sale now!

Horse of the Year Show 4th - 8th OCTOBER 2023 W W W. H OY S .C O. U K

2 | Showing World | July Issue 2023 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

British RAISING THE BAR

A Note From Our Editor Dear Reader, How on earth is it July?!

In my last letter, I noted the shows cancelling due to poor weather. Last weekend, we nearly baked at Derbyshire Festival. It seems the pendulum has swung, and there are whispers of ‘needing rain! ‘ and grumbles about the hard ground.

HOYS qualifiers are well under way and we’re just weeks from the RIHS. I can’t wait to see what it brings if Windsor is anything to go by. Other than being cold, I thoroughly enjoyed Windsor. Of course, my own tricolur aside, a highlight was watching Aimee Stunt take the hunter championship. There are so many talented young people in the sport and it’s fantastic to see one have her moment in the limelight despite usually working behind the scenes.

Similarly, Olivia Minihane securing the working hunter pony championship seemed just reward to me after all of the hard work I know she will have put in behind the secens at Team Ross during the week.

It’s always nice to see such a host of amateur classes at Windsor, too. I look forwards to seeing if the same horses and ponies stay at the tops of lineups at the RIHS next month. As much as I feel that producers have an extremely tough job and come under immense pressure, it’s wonderful to see more opportunities fo amateur and home-produced combinations to strut their stuff and show what they can do with more limited time and resources. After all, some sections are seeing worryingly low numbers coming forwards for judging, suggesting that we need new blood in the sport, and what better way to encourage it?

Talking of dire numbers, I have recently been alerted to the plight of the heavy horse, and so two features are dedicated to them. It seems that even as they enjoy increased popularity and opportunities in the show ring, numbers bred are worryingly low. Please do read, they make for a fascinating problem. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts. Find out more about our gorgeous cover star below.

Whatever your goals this season, from stepping up to your first affiliated show to bagging your tenth golden ticket or breeding the next star, good luck!

Don’t forget to keep us in the loop...

Happy reading and happy showing!

Beth

Cover Star!

Doura Oakley (Annie) claimed her third HOYS ticket under owner Catherine Hodge, heading a field of 17 heavies with an impressive ride mark of 47.

The 11-year-old was Catherine’s broodmare and Catherine has a daughter retained out of her: Stanleyfields Florence Nightingale. Annie then had a change of career, joining the ridden ranks three years ago. She qualified first time out in 2021 at the Royal Highland Show, and bagged an early ticket last year at the May Stoneleigh Horse Show before going on to be the highest placed Clydesdale at the final.

“She is the sweetest mare and truly a giant pet,” said Catherine. “Don’t get me wrong she has spirit, but I’m a good way! Her daughter has some very big shoes to fill.”

Photo by 1st Class Images

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | July Issue 2023 | Showing World | 3

Contents 12

Sport Horse Breeding GB North West

24

North of England Spring

20

Behind the Brand: Smart Grooming

28

Bath and West Show

38

The Resurrection of the Heavy Horses

44 BSPS Winter Championships 50

COLOURED CONNECTIONS: Appleton Grange Stud

38

62

Royal Windsor Horse Show

14

Editorial: Beth Simons

62

beth.simons@showingworldonline.co.uk

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

Showing World Ltd 2023. All rights reserved. No part of Showing World may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, transmitted or shared in any form or by any means, including but not limited to: electronic, mechanical, digital, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior written permission of Showing World Ltd.

4 | Showing World | July Issue 2023 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Rotherwood Grace Darling shown by Luke Gardner

GERTRUDE GRACES THE RING MIDLAND COUNTIES SHOW | ARENA UK | 3RD & 4TH JUNE 2023 Report by Celeste Gall | Photos by Equinational “She had a bit of attitude, but I think that will give her the star quality needed to catch the eye in the ridden classes eventually, and put the ‘show’ back into show pony,” remarked David Puttock, who judged the Price family supreme in-hand qualifier, on his overall champion, the two-year-old filly Rotherwood Grace Darling (Gertrude). “The filly caught my eye as soon as she came in the ring; something totally fresh, unknown and full of presence with that ‘look at me’ quality.

I believe she will be equally successful under saddle,” added David. Gertrude is owned by Jane Laffey, who reserved her at just three-weeks-old as she thought she was special and is by Rotherwood Fancy That – now gelded and shown under saddle by the Till family who booked his return ticket to HOYS the following day for the 148cm ridden show pony final – and out of Diptford Morning Grace. Jane also had her part-bred Arab stallion Rotherwood Jubilee Diamond in the supreme and was also pulled forward into the final six, shown here by Abigail Staff.

Rotherwood Fancy That ridden by India Till

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Gertrude was attending only her third ever show and is produced at home with Jane and shown here by Luke Gardner, for whom this was a first HOYS ticket. Luke, who works full time in construction, is helped with the horses by his partner Amy-April Ashworth. “Gertrude will now have some time out and come out later in the summer and then go on to be a ridden pony and eventually a broodmare,” said Amy, who was delighted that Liz Mansfield of Rotherwood Stud was ringside to celebrate their success.

The reserve went to Ann Jones’s quality three-year-old homebred filly Friarly Sophia, shown on this occasion by Shane Rogers. “My reserve was also a new face; a lovely Welsh Mountain filly with plenty of scope and movement to make a very nice show mare. Both my champion and reserve stood out to me from the outset,” commented David. “This was just her second ever show having taken the Welsh section A championship at Glanusk stallion show on her debut a few weeks ago,” said Ann’s son Thomas. By Three-B Birthday Boy, Sophia is out of Cwmmeudwy Sonato, whom Ann and Thomas purchased at Fayre Oaks a few years ago. “She will do a few more shows and then we will retain her as a broodmare. She will be covered in the next few weeks and then next year she can enjoy being out with the rest of the herd with hopefully a nice foal at foot,” shared Thomas, who added: “Royal Welsh is always the climax of our showing year and I am sure she will relish the atmosphere in that main ring.”

Welsh section A Thistledown Vodka Soda (Theo) in the lead rein M&M ranks, who also clinched the mini M&M championship here. “We had a run of seconds last year in the HOYS qualifiers, so it was a massive relief getting it so early this year,” said Mia’s mother Laura-Paige Long, who purchased Theo in 2021. “It was my dream to buy him for Mia as soon as I saw him when we first started showing. Mia calls him her unicorn and I believe this year is their time to shine; he just looks on top form and gave the most beautiful show,” added Laura-Paige.

Last season the pair finished fourth at HOYS and were supreme champion at BSPS Area 17 earlier this season, where they also earned their pass to RIHS.

It was a Thistledown whitewash in the mini M&M championship with first ridden winner Alice Bowling-Hartenfeld, 6, and the 14-year-old Thistledown Special VIP taking reserve. Having finished in the runner-up spot in the HOYS final last season with Alice only being five-years-old, the pair have had a flying start to their season this year with several championships under their belt and will now turn their attention to RIHS, where they have qualified in the M&M first ridden and junior finals.

The HOYS junior M&M qualifiers were brimming with quality, but it was Emily Morris and the Dales gelding Tarbarl Luke At Me (Fluffy) who booked their first ticket to HOYS together and clinched the

Mia’s ‘unicorn’ sparkles Mia-Bella Long, 6, claimed her return pass to HOYS aboard the Sharn Linney-produced

Thistledown Vodka Soda ridden by Mia-Bella Long and led by Sharn Linney Tarbarl Luke At Me ridden by Emily Morris

Firarly Sophia shown by Shane Rogers

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section championship. Emily last rode in the show ring aged 10 and now 16-yearsold, she decided she would like to return after concentrating on show jumping. “I wasn’t enjoying show jumping anymore so I decided to go back showing as I love HOYS and there is just something special about the atmosphere there,” explained Emily, who is in the midst of exam season.

10-year-old Fluffy is owned by Emily’s aunt Ella Morris and has been produced throughout his career by Sarah Parker, qualifying for all the major finals. Emily and Fluffy are RIHS-bound in the UKPH junior intermediate and large breeds finals and, due to school commitments, hadn’t ridden him since April. “We went with zero expectations and he felt absolutely amazing and we were pulled top. I have always suffered with my nerves in the ring but decided now was the time to hold it together. I couldn’t believe it when I heard my number called out in first place, but to go champion as well was the best feeling ever,” said an elated Emily.

11-year-old Henry Belton secured his first flat ticket to HOYS on his first attempt with the Welsh section B Moelview Orlando (Lando) in the junior small breeds qualifier, also taking the reserve championship.

Lando, an 11-year-old by Moelview Prince Charming, who himself was a Royal Welsh winner and HOYS finalist, was previously campaigned in the working hunter classes and was only purchased by Henry’s mother Fiona Cork in March. “Our friends asked us to meet them so she could take a video of Lando with a child on to advertise for sale and when I saw Henry on board they just looked lovely together so he joined the team although we weren’t quite sure what to aim for!” explained Fiona, who added: “Very soon after they qualified for Manor Willow ridden by Kirsty Aird

Moelview Orlando ridden by Henry Belton

RIHS in the open Welsh A and B class and then a junior M&M ticket followed, as well as winning at Royal Windsor. We will try some HOYS open M&M qualifiers now as I think it is really good for Henry’s riding and to help him improve his ringcraft.”

Double celebration for Kirsty Kirsty Aird landed two tickets in the final RIHS M&M WHP qualifier, as well as the championship. She produced a confident round aboard the nine-year-old Connemara mare Manor Willow, owned by Winsome Aird (no relation) and is in her first season in the open classes. “She missed out over Covid as Scotland didn’t run as many qualifiers as the South so I always feel she is a few years behind and I’ve always had Woodbank

Smokey Sam in these classes,” explained Kirsty, who won the not exceeding 143cm M&M WHP final at HOYS on Sam last year. Winsome purchased Willow as a two-year-old direct from Manor stud and has previously competed successfully on the flat including standing supreme ridden M&M at Blair in 2021. “I feel very lucky that I have another that is going to be just as good as Sam. She has twice just missed qualifying for RIHS this year, being on equal marks, as her jumping rounds just showed that she was still a novice, but I felt today she really showed how much her confidence jumping these tracks has come on in the last few months,” said Kirsty, who also piloted Violet Legge’s Brynithon Imperial Commander to earn his Hickstead pass. “Violet was in Brazil, so it was a lovely surprise for her,” added Kirsty. Reserve went to Georgia Darlington who rode Sophie Bettison’s Welsh section C Glynceirch Endeavour (Eddie); the pair headed the not exceeding 133cm qualifier. Sophie purchased Eddie from the cob sales as a foal and the now seven-year-old gelding has been with Georgia since the winter.

“We contested a few novices and then stepped up to the opens; this will be his first trip to RIHS,” said Georgia.

BSPS Area 13a – 1st April 2023

Report by Celeste Gall | Photos by Abi Stuart Photography A Family Affair Pria-Dora Horseman, six, followed in the footsteps of her mother Yasmin Burrows and Aunt Sophie Burrows by clinching her first ever Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) tickets on both of her rides.

Pria-Dora and her exquisite five-yearold Welsh section A Lacy Summer Be (Flossy), who boasts the super sire Blackhill Picalo on both sides of her pedigree, battled through the relentless morning rain to secure their pass to Hickstead in the Pretty Polly mountain and moorland (M&M) lead rein qualifier.

Flossy was purchased from the Lacy stud as a foal and has been carefully produced by beauty therapist Yasmin. “She is the kindest little pony and has looked after Pria-Dora since day one,” said Yasmin, who led them to win on home turf at Devon County last year in their novice season, before heading a huge M&M lead rein line-up at Equifest and taking the reserve supreme championship. PriaDora’s winning streak continued with her novice five-year-old lead rein show pony, Barkway Arabella, who also secured her ticket to RIHS. Dual Site Practice Manager Sophie Burrows and her home-produced small hack mare Penharver Bright Light (Grace) landed both the amateur horse championship and the hack championship, collecting both of her tickets for RIHS. Sophie, who has owned Grace since she was two-years-old, SCT Le Bijou De Reve ridden by Lauren Berridge

Lacy Summer Be ridden by Pria-Dora Horseman and led by Yasmin Burrows

enjoyed a successful novice season with her, qualifying for RIHS. “We then had Covid, so she was off for a year and then I was pregnant, so she went on lease for two seasons to Kimberley Wright (Minchin) where she qualified RIHS and the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and was placed in both the open and amateur ranks at Hickstead. I would love to try some HOYS qualifiers with her if I can fit them around my work,” said Sophie.

Lauren Berridge and her cousin Tori Dymond (Diptford Graceful) battled it out in the intermediate championship with Lauren eventually coming up trumps

on her classy show hunter SCT Le Bijou De Reve. The 10-year-old gelding also competes successfully as a small hunter and in local working hunter classes.

“We qualified for RIHS last season in the intermediates, smalls and amateurs but were unable to go as I had no holiday left to take sadly. Hopefully we can go this year,” said Lauren, who also collected a second ticket in the Pretty Polly intermediate qualifier before clinching the overall Pretty Polly championship. Intermediate championship judge Jane Hoskin said: “My champion is very true to type for an intermediate hunter; a quality, workmanlike horse that really performed.”

Tori piloted her six-year-old small intermediate Diptford Graceful (April) to earn their RIHS ticket, as well as securing the small part bred Arab qualifier and part bred championship. Last season, in her final year in the show pony classes, Tori qualified April for the 148cm show pony final at HOYS. “She’s so levelheaded,” said Tori, who works locally for NFU Mutual.

Sisters Ottie (10) and Darcii (5) Simmonds took a RIHS ticket each. Ottie piloted the newly acquired Welsh section A Pinewell Ivo to win the open M&M first ridden qualifier, going on to stand reserve mini open champion. Darcii rode the lead rein show hunter pony Trehelig Maximus to earn their Hickstead pass, led by aunt Ellie Simmonds. The open mini championship went to the striking palomino mare Danash Polly’s Promise (Ysbryd), led by producer

headed the open Welsh section C and D on the 13-year-old Welsh Cob mare Kensa Desert Rose (Rosie), as well as taking the Pretty Polly mixed breeds ticket and the reserve Pretty Polly championship. Owned and bred by Kate Lutey, Rosie was broken to ride by Zoe’s sister Lilian, but a clash at a show in 2019 meant Zoe was asked to ride her and the pair haven’t looked back since. “We only decided to enter Rosie last minute and only became BSPS members the week before and never thought we would qualify for one class, let alone two!

She is such a versatile mare, we have mainly focused on dressage and endurance hacking over the winter, but have also begun learning

Sophie Curry and ridden by Jessie Evans.

Ysbryd is on lease to Chris Holt from Francesca Meli and will be partnered by his daughter Olivia, but they were unable to make the long journey from Blackpool to compete. “We watched Ysbryd at HOYS last season and knew she was something special so jumped at the chance to run her this season. I asked Jessie, who rode her last season, if she would ride her here for us and were delighted to get the call from Sophie to tell us she had qualified at her first show of the season,” said Chris.

Truly keeping it in the family was primary school teacher Jenna Zorab, who proudly watched on as her 10-year-old daughter Lilia booked her first ever RIHS ticket in the Pretty Polly M&M first ridden qualifier with the Exmoor Ilkerton Little Owl (Teddy). By the prolific stallion

Pinewell Ivo and Ottie Simmonds

Kensa Desert Rose ridden by Zoe Skyrme

side saddle and driving together,” said Zoe, for whom competing at RIHS will be a first.

Danash Polly’s Promise ridden by Jessie Evans and led by Sophie Curry

Dunkery Tawny Owl and bred by Victoria Everleigh, the six-year-old gelding was only purchased the week before the show, having been with the Zorab family for a year. “Teddy is an absolute dream of a pony and was ridden on the day by my son Hugo in the lead rein qualifier, as well as myself in the open ridden qualifier. I gave a little leap of joy when they were pulled in first as Lilia has dreamt of riding at Hickstead since she was little. We are delighted to be able to promote the breed in the class as he is a super all-rounder that jumps and enjoys Pony Club with my children too,” said Jenna.

“A whole new attitude” Hollie Ennor, 16, collected two RIHS tickets and the show pony championship on the 148cm show pony Valentina’s Heiress (Mabel), whom she has on loan from breeder Fae Dilks. Mabel is by Llanarth Aristocrat out of Fae’s mare Faranella Valentina and was shown successfully as a youngster. “She is very intelligent and confident and was quite challenging when I first got her but with the help of Katherine Carne (nee Pitt), she

has really helped to get Mabel to focus in our lessons,” said Hollie, who enjoyed a successful novice year last season. “She had the winter off and has come back this year with a whole new attitude and is really enjoying her work. I try to keep things varied with hacking and popping over some jumps,” added Hollie, who will contest the open 148cm show pony final and the Pretty Polly mixed height show pony final at Hickstead.

A shocked and delighted Zoe Skyrme also enjoyed a double celebration when she Ilkerton Little Owl ridden by Lillia Zorab

Lucy Thirlby ended the day adorned with sashes aboard her promising six-yearold Connemara gelding Cashelbay Toby.

Purchased as an unbroken three-year-old from Jo Shaw, the pair have enjoyed two quiet, yet successful novice seasons, with wins at the National Pony Society (NPS) summer championships and at Equifest. Lucy, who is head of PE at a secondary school, was delighted to pick up tickets to RIHS in the UKHP RIHS amateur M&M class and the open RIHS Connemara and New Forest qualifier, before standing section champion, members supreme and overall supreme of show. “It’s been a really great start to the year, even though I juggle working full time, competing Toby and my four-year-old daughter Darcy who rides her own ponies on the lead.

Thankfully, I have very supportive parents, especially my mum Val who helps muck out and gets everything prepared for the shows,” said Lucy.

Valentina’s Heiress ridden by Hollie Ennor

Showing a Brood Mare and Foal Article supplied by the National Pony Society, custodian of the British Riding Pony Studbook Showing a brood mare and foal is quite an art. There is so much to consider for a successful outcome This includes welfare of mare and foal, production and results. In this issue, we speak to two successful breeders, one mountain and moorland and one riding pony, to ask …. ‘What is your best advice for anyone thinking of showing their mare and foal?’

Julian Walters and David Hodge of the Blackertor and Sharptor Studs are extremely successful native pony breeders who regularly show their mares and foals. Julian was kind enough to give up his time to answer a few of our questions…

Q How soon do you start to produce a brood mare and foal for the show ring?

Q. How many times would you show a mare and foal during the year?

A. Well, as soon as they foal really, we slowly increase the hard feed intake of the mare to get her in show condition.

Mares with foals at foot will quickly melt at shows, so you need to have them with just a little bit extra on to compensate for this.

A. We wouldn’t show the same mare and foal that often in the season, you don’t want the mare and foal to get stale from over showing. We pretty much produce our mares and foals from the field.

Q. Although most rules state three weeks, how old would you recommend a foal should be before taking it to a show?

A. We are always very cautious about showing foals at three weeks of age, as we prefer them a bit older. Showing can be very stressful for foals and can occasionally cause them to scour with stress, so we would much rather have a foal around five weeks old if possible.

Q. How soon do you start to practice with a mare and foal, and what does the practise consist of?

A. We practise walking the foal with the mare and practise trotting the mare away from the foal. We often bath the foal and rug the foal in the same way as the mare, this just helps the foal get used to the whole show routine.

Q. How would you say is the best way to travel a mare and foal?

A. We always travel the mare tied and the foal loose with no head collar on so that it can’t get caught.

Q. What advice would you give for showing a mare and foal in the ring?

A There are the two ways of showing mares and foals really, you can either trot around the ring with foal following or, as we prefer, you can leave the foal in the opposite corner for the trot out. You then trot the mare to the foal, trying to keep the foal ahead of the mare as she trots towards them. It’s whichever works best for your mare and foal and which way you get the best from your mare. The good thing with showing a foal at foot, is that a foal will often help keep a mare alert.

If you have a barren mare that is stale with showing in-hand then often putting that mare in foal and showing them with foal at foot will help freshen them up.

ES Photography

Liz Mansfield-Parnell of the famous Rotherwood Stud needs no introduction. Liz kindly gave us tips and advice on the showing of riding pony mares and foals.

Q. How do you go about selecting and preparing a broodmare to show?

A. The mare you have chosen to show must be a deep bodied mare of good conformation, quality, good limbs and correct movement.

Hopefully you will have had the excitement of the safe arrival of your foal. The preparation of deciding to show your mare and foal must begin weeks before the date of the show. To some it is a bit daunting to think of having to prepare two together (broodmare and foal) to load up with the necessary helpers and handlers to go to a show. Usually those

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classes are at 8am, or certainly early , and if successful staying till the end of the day for the championship.

Q. How do you feel about the best age to show a foal?

A. Rules state that the foal must be three weeks old before allowed to accompany the mare to a show.

I personally think that mostly, after foaling, a mare will take at least a month to maintain her shape and condition anyway. It is best to have the mare in really good condition before foaling, as it is very difficult to make up condition after foaling as you will be competing with the mare feeding her foal.

www.nationalponysociety.com

judge’s view of the mare. When for both M&M and RP/ the Great British In Hand it is time for your individual SHP and the NPS caters show in September, which show, try and keep the mare for these as well. Most gives breeders a fantastic opportunity to show their settled and have the foal near NPS area shows host A. The other preparation, animals. In addition to a to her. However, as they get breed classes and of as well as condition, is the more experienced the mare course the NPS Summer broad range of classes to handling. This will include enjoy, this year the GBIHS and foal could be parted to championship show presuming the mare has will host the semi-final of get the mare to give an extra has a huge range of herself been bitted and well the Price Family Supreme performance. For the judge classes suitable for handled. Problems arrive championship, so it’s sure to see the foal it needs to be mares and foals of all particularly with a first foal.

Q. So practice at home has to be a very exciting event! on the inside of the mare, types and breeds, and When eventually at the show, gone well, but what about probably at first on a long we also include home For show dates and in the brood mare class, when you are actually in the rein. As the foal gains more produced in hand and and information practising at home will pay ring? novice classes as well. experience the handler can please visit www. dividends. At home run the In addition, the NPS A. When it is your turn to lead the foal more closely. nationalponysociety.com mare with the foal at the side summer championships show your mare and foal ,the Always wait for each other of her, eventually holding the is a Price Family qualifier We would like to thank the handlers of both need to be in to start slowly together. You foal back so that she can learn ,so is always popular for NPS for their contribution unison and to help each other can trot on when both settled. to give a mannerly show and and breeders that gave up breeders to showcase this is really important. When How many times do we see not spoil it by being stressed, the valuable time to help their stock.

A great walking round the ring take care the show totally spoilt by a and not giving a stressed recent NPS innovation is with this article. not to let the foal obstruct the stressed mare bouncing up and down worried she cannot see her foal. It is best then to even bring the foal back and go together. I hope plenty of practice at home will make your days showing your mare and foal enjoyable.

Q. What is your advice on early handling and show preparation?

appearance by not settling.

Regarding the foal’s show, this is where again practising at home is so essential, having been taught to trot with the handler on asking. It goes without saying, also teach the foal to stand still when it is time to be judged.

So now you are ready to show your brood mare and foal, Showing World asked the NPS, where do you go to find breeding classes?

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A. County shows nearly always have in hand breed classes

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Absolutely Lovely ridden by Laura Nicholson

‘Darling Danny’ is a Diamond Sport Horse Breeding GB NW | 1st April 2023

Report by Celeste Gall | Photos by Real Time Imaging year in the classes and it would be great to compete him in the intermediate final one more time before purely doing the hack classes. It will be extra difficult now with the rule changes as you have to take the intermediate championship to qualify,” said Laura, who works in sales for a software company.

Morning Master makes his move

Amateur competitors put their best foot forward to clinch championship titles, whilst Robert Walker lands the first Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifier and section title.

Senior wedding manager Floriann Gilston posted a victorious win at her first show of the season with her own middleweight hunter Killea Silver Diamond (Danny). The Irish-bred 10-year-old by Killea Hill View was purchased last summer and as well as standing fifth in a strong first HOYS qualifier of the year, they took both the Irish Draught and amateur hunter championship titles, booking their amateur hunter ticket to Hickstead. “I lose a lot of weekends working, so our main plans for the season are to have fun,” said Floriann, who added: “He’s such a lovely person; we usually call him ‘Darling Danny’ at home.

We got to know each other over the winter by doing fun rides, gallops, grid work and pole lessons and it really helped cement our partnership,” added Floriann.

Robert Walker clinched the first HOYS qualifier and section championship with Jill Day’s lightweight MHS Morning Master, who looks set to fill the hooves of Robert’s previous lightweight hunter victor, the 2022 HOYS supreme View Point, who has now been retired from the show ring. The Quidam eight-year-old is a previous in-hand winner at HOYS, and won the four-year-old hunter class at Royal Windsor in 2019, as well as being a successful novice hunter winner whilst waiting in the wings for his time to shine; his only other outing this season saw him book his ticket to Hickstead.

Reserve in the hunter championship went to the Helliwell-produced Briarhill Buddy Bolden, who headed the HOYS small hunter class on his first outing of the year. Owned

by Bridget and Meg Edmondson and ridden here by Meg, the seven-year-old bay gelding landed the HOYS intermediate show hunter title at HOYS last season, ridden by Harriet Dennison. The Helliwell show team also fielded the riding horse champion, Legacy, owned and ridden by Mel McCluskey-Fedo.

MHS Morning Master ridden by Robert Walker

The pair booked their ticket to RIHS here in the large riding horse section.

The RIHS ridden cob championship went to a new face on the circuit, the 15-year-old maxi cob Bastille, owned by Stella Chetcuti and

Laura Nicholson, 24, is in her final year of intermediate classes with her 10-year-old small hack Absolutely Lovely (Jim) and despite finishing second in their small hack class, they took the hack championship.

“Jim was pulled top in the class, but dropped to second after jumping a wee on the floor whilst the judge rode him. He really does demand attention and has such a cheeky personality and sometimes that is what makes him stand out and sometimes it’s his downfall,” explained Laura, who added: “At the end of the day, he is not a machine, but he loves his job and really lights up in the ring.”

Bred by Vicki Keen and produced by the Walker Show Team, Laura has owned Jim for six years and is hoping to qualify for the intermediate final at HOYS. “It’s my final Kilea Silver Diamond ridden by Floriann Gilston

ridden by Kieran Baslington. “He came to me on sales livery and Stella, who already has a few horses with us, decided to buy him, so he was just an amateur’s fun horse previously and never been a show horse until now.

This was his first show and Stella is aiming to run him in the amateur and veteran classes herself,” explained Kieran. Matt Cooper picked up his return ticket to HOYS on his classy bay gelding Bellevue Tomboy in the open working hunter qualifier, as well as taking the working hunter championship.

Promising youngsters “I think she’s a really special horse,” said Ian Boylan, who produced the light horse in-hand champion and overall supreme in-hand Bombay Regal Reflection. Bred by Liz Simpson of Ribble View stud, where Ian produces from, and owned by Charlotte Steer, the three-year old riding horse has never been off the yard but displayed exemplary manners and movement to get the supreme nod. By Bombay La Gram out of Stanley Grange Regal Reflection, she will aimed at the HOYS Price Family in-hand qualifiers, with the aim of going under saddle next season. “Liz rode her dam and has expressed an interest in riding her too,” said Ian, who unfortunately got injured in the car park on the morning of the show. “Bradley Greave did a fantastic job of showing her for me,” added Ian, who has since

Bastille ridden by Kieran Baslington

made a full recovery.

The reserve in-hand championship went to the sports horse in-hand champion, Golden Hour, a homebred by D’egalite out of Gold Dust X, owned by Stephanie and Karen Neild and shown here by Chris Davidson. “We will hopefully get him out once more this summer, but our main focus is backing him ourselves as he will hopefully be my next dressage horse. His dam competed up to advanced medium and I am hoping to be able to get my tailcoat with him,” said Stephanie.

Briarhill Buddy Bolden ridden by Meg Edmonson

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | July Issue 2023 Golden | Showing World 13 Bombay Regal Reflection shown by Bradley Greave Hour shown

by Chris|Davidson

Hett Tudor King, Dales champion and Battle of the breeds supreme

South West Hairy Pony Fest 26th March 2023 | Report by Suzy Mckirgan | Photos by Nick Pound Badgworth Arena in Somerset was the venue for the second South West Hairy Pony Fest show, and this year the show opened up to include all native breeds along with the dedicated classes for Highland, Dales and Fell ponies.

Quality rather than quantity was the order of the day, with both judges commenting on the superb standard of the ponies forward. Many of the native ponies that took top honours also compete and participate in a range of other disciplines, which is a testament to their versatility outside of the show ring.

The day commenced with the individual breed in hand classes, and judge Hannah Brock chose Sonyarisa Duckhouse’s six-yearold stallion Hett Tudor King as her Dales champion. Sonyarisa bought Tudor King as a foal, and as well as competing with him under saddle, he has also been broken to vault, and his training currently comprises of canter mounts, cartwheels and forward rolls.

Second to Tudor King in his class, and Dales reserve champion was the eye-catching mare, Roandale Amy Rose owned by Lindsey Tropman. This mare garnered much ringside admiration for her expressive movement and ring presence.

Sally O’Connor’s stallion Murthwaite Alfie took the Fell championship, ably shown by her daughter Amelia. The O’Connors have owned the 14-year-old Alfie for five years, and he is no stranger to show ring success, having made numerous appearances at HOYS over the years. He now enjoys a varied

life being hacked out by Sally, and competing in jumping classes with Amelia.

Taking the Highland championship was Karen Fuller with the mare Whitefield Princess Una, who is another very versatile pony who has also been broken to drive.

In the Battle of the Breeds supreme championship, it was declared the day of the Dales, with Hett Tudor King being awarded the supreme sash, and Roandale Amy Rose in reserve The in hand classes continued with qualifiers for the NPS Spring Festival, and judge Malcolm Fry chose his champion and silver medal winner from the large breed youngstock class, Katie Bennett’s two-year-old Connemara filly Cregduff Cranberry, who was attending only her second show.

Taking reserve champion in a high-class field was Lizzie Houghton’s Dartmoor Durnass Sweet Dreams The day then continued with the ridden classes, and in the unaffiliated section there was more championship success for Amelia O’Connor, this time with her Connemara stallion Donaghpatrick Black Smoke, who has also begun a promising WHP career this year.

The dedicated Highland, Dales and Fell ridden classes then followed on, and repeating their success at the previous year’s show where they took the battle of the breeds ridden championship were Jessica Talbot and Marie Booth’s grand Highland gelding Holmedown Wisconsin who was competing at his first show of the year. Reserve to Wisconsin was the winner of the Fell ridden class, Murthwaite Alfie The final classes of the day were qualifiers for the ridden classes at the NPS Spring Festival. Taking both the lead rein and first ridden classes, and the mini championship was the lovely partnership of Ruby Beach Uphill The Bugler, mini champion

and Uphill the Bugler. “Jack” was purchased as a three-year-old colt from his breeder, and since being cut has had a successful season on the lead rein, with the pair now moving into first ridden classes.

The ridden silver medal championship was the final event of the day, and this was an allHighland affair, with the winner of the Confined Novice large breeds class, Pottertonpark Mulreesh taking the coveted silver medal rosette. “Soup” as he is known at home is owned by Lesley Gambling, and was well ridden by Janine Paterson. Lesley bought the seven-year-old stallion as a weanling, and a Picton ticket is the next aim for the pair. Soup is also proving to be very adept in the dressage arena, having qualified

Pottertonpark Mulreesh, NPS silver medal ridden champion

Holmedown Wisconsin, Battle of the Breeds ridden champion

for the Trailblazers second round.

Reserve champion was the open large breeds winner, Holmedown Wisconsin and Jessica Talbot.

A special “Sportsmanship Award” was given out at the show, and this was awarded to Molly Hendy. Although Molly was not competing herself, she was seen helping people from start to finish, and congratulated those that were competing, however they did. Molly was awarded a special rosette and a hamper that was kindly donated by MP Gloss Products

Whitefield Princess Una

The show was very much enjoyed by all who attended, and prizes of chocolate, pony treats, easter eggs and cash, along with super rosettes and sashes were much appreciated by competitors. A fun, welcoming and friendly atmosphere prevailed, and the organisers are already in the planning stages for next year’s show.

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | July Issue 2023 | Showing World | 15 Cregduff Cranberry

Donaghpatrick Black Smoke, open ridden champion

Our Heavy Horses: Endangered and In Need The UK is home to a diverse range of native breeds.

From Shetlands to Shire, there are 14 breeds of horses and ponies that are native to Britain. However, 6 of these breeds are now critically endangered, with a further 6 classed as ‘at risk’. Among these critically endangered and at-risk breeds are heavy horses, including the Suffolk Punch, Shire Horse and Clydesdale Horse. For some heavy horse breeds, the future is bleak. The Suffolk Punch horse, for example, could be extinct by 2027 – a breed that came to our rescue during the war and post war agricultural period, irreversibly lost from existence. With this in mind, we must act now, to preserve, recover and ensure a sustainable future for our native equines, including the heavy horse.

What can be done to help?

To sustain a small population, and ensure a healthy future, our rare breeds, including heavy horses, firstly need a secure and sustainable use – diversified roles within the equine sector which are now increasingly becoming apparent. Responsible breeding is also key, with not only being fully aware of mate choices in terms of genetics (see Sparks section), but also using a diverse range of technologies, to help with global transfer and exchange of genetics, breed gender balance and the capture and recall of essential population lines.

Why are our heavy horses at risk?

Our heavy horses fought for us and fed us during and after the world wars. However, upon mechanisation and change in the horse from agricultural to sport, our heavy breeds experienced notable population declines.

More diversified uses are now becoming apparent for heavy breeds, and their versatility is meaning they can now be seen with increasing applications in the sporting sector. However, the problem for our heavy breeds is the small populations that they come from and are currently existing from. Small populations are more vulnerable to inbreeding and the associated detrimental effects of this. Indeed, some heavy breeds have an inbreeding coefficient almost equivalent to brother sister mating. This level of inbreeding is not sustainable. Continued existence in this manner will lead to the extinction vortex – an irreversible loss of population fitness, reproductive ability and overall existence.

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We can no longer breed blindly in terms of genetics and individual relatedness. Small population breeders must know how related their horses are to others in their breed and to the general population as a whole before breeding, so they can avoid close mating and breed with acceptable kinship. Only upon knowing this, can breeders ensure they are not producing offspring of detrimental and declining genetic diversity to the breed.

Maintaining as much genetic diversity as possible is essential to continuation of a small and closed population and this is why SPARKS must be the go to starting point for all of the UK native rare and endangered breeds, including our heavy horses.

Semen freezing As well as mate choices, rare and heavy breeds also need to think about preserving valuable genetics for the future, and having the means by which geographically separated horses can breed, to allow for optimum mate choices and spread of genetics. Semen freezing is one of the most effective ways of both preserving male lines, and also allowing breeding beyond the geographical limit of natural cover. Semen freezing also allows for breeding from deceased stallions, increasing the mate choices available for the living mare population.

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | July Issue 2023 | Showing World | 17

Native and heavy horse semen can sometimes be a challenge for AI, with heavy horses often producing large volumes of seminal plasma.

These plasma rich ejaculates often don’t lend themselves easily to frozen semen processing.

However, at Stallion AI Services, we have been working with rare and endangered horses since our conception and have a proven track record and award-winning status for frozen semen quality in heavy horses. This makes us the go to place for the freezing of what can literally be breed defining semen - in a small population, each and every single ejaculate matters, and counts towards the breed survival.

Semen Sexing Recent advances in semen sexing technologies have resulted in a novel approach to rare breed management. Using flow cytometry and cell sorting, semen can now be separated into ‘female’ and ‘male’ sperm based on differences in DNA content between X and Y chromosome bearing spermatozoa. This is made possible since the X chromosome contain 3-4.2% more DNA than a Y chromosome bearing sperm cell. This technology enables breeders to effectively manage and control the gender balance for future generations of rare breed populations. Once separated, the semen can be used on a fresh semen basis or loaded into straws and frozen as ‘sexed semen straws’.

If the latter, the semen can currently only be used in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) programmes due to the current limits of sexed semen post thaw quality.

In 2017, Stallion AI Services, alongside Cogent Breeding technologies and Nottingham Trent University, pioneered the birth of the worlds first rare breed sexed semen filly foal. A beautiful Suffolk Punch filly who will become a critical breeding mare for the Suffolk Punch breed. Five years later in 2023, and we now have the world’s first equine foal born via frozen sexed semen.

The latter holds much hope for rare breeds,

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allowing more stallions and mares to breed via sexed semen, and also allowing the creation of frozen sexed embryo banks.

Genetic Preservation Via Skin Samples & Rare Breed Cloning In a similar concept to semen freezing, skin tissue samples from rare breeds can now be preserved for future use in the battle to save our breeds. This involves taking a small biopsy of skin tissue from the neck (live sample taking) or ear, chest and neck (post mortem sampling). A skin sample contains the whole genetic profile of the animal donor and can be taken and preserved indefinitely from all genders and all ages – mares, geldings, stallions, young and old.

One way of utilizing a preserved tissue sample is to use it to clone the preserved animal.

Cloning is the process of creating a genetically identical copy of an individual, enabling us to recall these preserved genetics. Cloning is a valuable technique that allows us to increase genetic diversity within a population by reintroducing genetics from previous generations which could benefit the current population.

This approach was recently used to create the world’s first successfully cloned Przewalski’s horse in 2020 from tissue samples that had been preserved since 1980 at the San Diego Zoo. The Przewalski’s breed faces the same struggle that many endangered species face – recovering from a severe historic genetic bottleneck. Cloning here has been used to recover this lost genetic diversity and reintroduce it to the surviving population. This is the hope for the new foal ‘Kurt’, who will become the first cloned animal to restore the genetics of previous generations to its species.

There are also aspirations for these frozen tissue samples to be used to create sperm and egg cells in the future, allowing us to generate fresh genetic sets. This would be invaluable as it would enable the preservation of the female germline in rare breed populations, a concept which is currently unachievable.

At Stallion AI Services, we are now sister company to the UK’s first dedicated animal genetic preservation lab for cloning; Gemini Genetics. Gemini Genetics follows world leading protocols to ensure the very highest standards of genetic preservation. Providing skin samples are taken correctly, kept chilled and arrive within 5 days of the sample taking / the animal passing away, the samples will have a 96% chance of being viable for future regenerative technologies. The initial preservation also costs

just £500 + VAT, making it an affordable way to preserve whole breed genetics for the future.

Conclusion Our rare breeds and heavy horses are in crisis and need our help NOW! Finding sustainable and diversified uses is one key element of their survival and revival. Of equal importance is responsible breeding. SPARKS is an essential programme for any small population, allowing breeders to pick safe and beneficial mate choices. Alongside SPARKS, technologies such as semen freezing, semen sexing and skin tissue preservation, allow for preservation of breeding potential and breed genetics, for current and future use, increasing the resources and resilience of our important and iconic native breeds.

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Behind the brand: Smart Grooming In this issue, Smart Grooming and Showing World meet up with Smart Grooming brand ambassador Danielle Heath.

Danielle is on top of her game. She has a string of accolades to her name including multiple championships at the RIHS and HOYS, and has recently claimed the hack championship astride Forgeland Hyde Park for the second year consecutively. Still, she’s far from resting on her laurels and continues to strive for her ultimate goals: to “be supreme at the RIHS and at HOYS. “I’ve had equal marks with the supreme at the RIHS twice and ended up reserve, so it’s something I need to achieve. I love the competition aspect of showing and still have a drive to win. I love making my horses shine and standout in their way of going when they get in the ring.”

There’s no doubt that Danielle’s horses are beautifully presented, and her performances are often copybook even when the pressure is on. In short, she’s an inspiration for many aspiring showing competitors. But what of her own inspirations? Who inspired Danielle? “The late Robert Oliver,” she says without hesitation, adding, “he was an absolute showman and owned a ring and his horses were just spectacular.”

What makes a show horse ‘spectacular’? “Correct conformation, good movement and that ‘look at me’ quality,” she said, without hesitation.

“But you don’t know until they get in the ring and then they’ll either rise to the occasion or not. They have to be like super models – stunning to look at and divas; they have to stand out in that ring.”

Just as she would watch the likes of Oliver and showing’s other greats, Danielle urges amateur and grassroots competitors to “take as much advice from the professionals as often as you can”.

With this in mind, we asked our readers for their questions and threw the most frequently asked ones at Danielle! Here’s what she said…

FAQ 1: How do I prepare my horse for a ride judge?

Danielle: Don’t over ride when schooling they have to learn to carry themselves get as many jockeys to ride them as you can before their first show so they get use to different riders.

FAQ 2: When is a young horse ready for the show ring? How will I know?

Danielle: A novice is ready when it’s settled with other jockeys and has been ridden around at a few shows to get used to a show atmosphere.

FAQ 3: I would like to try side-saddle. When is the right time to introduce the side-saddle?

Danielle: A horse should be well schooled astride light in your hand and very responsive before you introduce a side-saddle.

FAQ 4: My horse gets very excited at shows even though he is not very fit. What can I do to make him more rideable at a show?

Danielle: If he’s not too fit and working him doesn’t help, you could try plugging their ears and giving him a “calmer” paste such as you can buy at a tack store.

FAQ 5: I’ve been showing my horse as a small hunter but my friend says he’s a cob. What’s the difference between the two?

Danielle: Limb, size, movement and bone determine the difference in cobs and small hunters. A cob should be a maximum of 155cm

with short cannons and a minimum of 9.5” bone. They should also be be short legged and close to the ground. On the other hand, a small hunter should be a maximum of 158cm with a minimum of 9” of good, flat, quality bone.

They should be a good mover and be quality through the head and neck.

FAQ 6: How do I keep plaits looking fresh and tidy all day long?

Danielle: Since becoming sponsored by Smart Grooming, along with ensuring the mane is damp, we also apply their plaiting wax. This is such an easy product to use and really helps to keep the wispy bits of hair neat and smooth, giving the top line a defined finish. We have also found giving the plaits a final spray over with Smart Grooming’s Perfect Plait spray, holds everything in place for the duration of the day.

FAQ 7: How do you keep coats looking tip top from day to day?

Danielle: Our horses are groomed daily, which ensures their skin and coat is kept in great condition. We do apply finishing sprays to the coat prior to going in the ring, and having the choice of products from Smart Grooming, we have found their Coat Sheen is great to buff in for a dry high shine, as well as using their Super Shine lotion for the final finish. We also turn out in light cotton sheets even in the height of summer to ensure that coats don’t become bleached in the sun.

FAQ 8: On show days, I have found that grease lifts from my horse’s coat and spoils my quarter marks. Do you have any tips to prevent this?

Danielle: This usually happens if the coat is not entirely clean, or the products are oil based, which will leave an unsightly residue on the top of the coat, this attracts the dust and pollen causing the problem you are describing.

FAQ 9: What have you found best in the way of products from Smart Grooming.

All the show prep products we use from Smart Grooming are oil free, these give a high shine, and dry finish. The essential oils and the beeswax skin care products for enhancing and lip care are fabulous to use. It’s important to have finishing products that are as good to look at as well as ensuring they condition the skin and hooves, and their range really does cater for this.

We have also found their plaiting and quarter marking range, literally covers every need from a very handy plaiting apron, to keep all the plaiting needles, scissors, thread and combs in one place, to the Quarter Marking gel, combs and amazing quarter marking brush that can’t fail to give crisp, precise markings.

Despite her continued love of the sport, we asked her how she has seen the industry change.

“Social media has made more knowledge of showing available to more people, but it’s also brought a lot of negativity to the industry by giving a platform to the keyboard warriors.” So, what would Danielle change? “I’d obviously like to see more positivity on social media, and I’d like to see that social media is used more constructively; to give more opportunities for people to learn in the correct way, for example.” For Danielle, it’s important that as we go forwards, that we don’t, however, lose showing’s roots and the “traditions” that are woven into the sport.

To read a full interview with Danielle conducted last autumn, scan the QR code…

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | July Issue 2023 | Showing World | 21

Royal Welsh Smallholding and Countryside Festival 20th - 21st May 2023 | Report by Celeste Gall | Photos by EquinePix Photography “He was wild when he came to us,” said Jimmy Hooker, who lifted the supreme on the novice middleweight hunter Cummano Cassini (Fergal). “We bought him as an untouched three-year-old from Ireland and his owner Rob Scrine did an amazing job on the ground with him. Since then, we have just taken our time with him doing small shows just so he can see the world,” said Jimmy, who was shocked to get the supreme championship nod from a field of seven worthy champions. The pair headed the novice hunter class and the hunter championship and will be aimed at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifiers this season. “There was plenty of buzz to get the young horses used to the big show atmosphere and riding in the main ring at the Royal Welsh showground made it all the better,” added Jimmy, who credits his instructor Vikki Pengilly with helping Fergal’s way of going. “He’s the king pin of the yard and the hard work with him is paying off now,” said Jimmy.

Taking the reserve supreme spot was Allana Green and her homebred pure Irish Draught Greenview Sheer Imagination. The smart yearling by Avanti Amorous Archie was making her show ring debut winning her pure bred Irish Draught youngstock class and the section championship, and only went into the supreme to gain valuable experience. “I couldn’t believe it when she was pulled forward as reserve supreme, there were definitely a few tears of happiness and we had some fantastic feedback from the judges.

I’m absolutely honoured to have bred her and she gave me her all that day,” said Allana, who aims to show her in-hand and then break her to ride in the future.

Cummano Cassini ridden by Jimmy Hooker

An emotional win Lucinda Dargavel landed the overall mountain and moorland (M&M) championship on her own six-year-old Highland stallion Strathmore Majestic. The pair won both the in-hand and ridden large breed Greenview Sheer Imagination shown by Allana Green Strathmore Majestic ridden by Lucinda Dargavel

classes, but opted to ride him in the championship. “I was really emotional as my Dad always wanted me to go champion in the main ring at the Royal Welsh. I just don’t think he thought it would be on a highland,” said Lucinda, who has owned the son of Noah of Meggernie since he was a foal. “He started his education with Aimee Devane and I have lessons with Jimmy Hooker at home on him now. My aim for him this year will be the Picton final at the National Pony Society championships,” added Lucinda. “My champion had a lovely way of going with plenty of bone and feather. He made me want to jump on and have a ride myself,” said M&M judge Danielle Waller.

Another with the aim of winning the Royal Welsh was seven-year-old Harry Joslin, who rode his mother Lara’s homebred Shetland Toby of Catchpool to win the ridden

Shetland class, led by Lara, and take the overall Shetland championship. “Harry’s main aim this year was to win Royal Welsh, but the main show doesn’t have a ridden Shetland class so I told him this was his chance,” explained Lara, who gelded Toby for Harry to ride and the pair have grown up together. Last season, they qualified for HOYS and the pair are active members of the Swansea Pony Club. “I don’t think he is going to do any qualifiers this year as Harry just wants to have fun on him. He is currently planning to do the working hunter pony class at the Shetland performance show – most definitely on his own!” laughed Lara.

Three years in a row The Coloured Horse and Pony Society (CHAPS) also held their Welsh regional show here and it was Sophia Chambers and her evergreen non-native pony Roquefort Papillon who captured the CHAPS ridden supreme, for the third consecutive time. Sophia, a sheep farmer from Builth Wells, has owned him for four years and has won at all of the major shows and championships including a HOYS win in 2019 and supreme coloured pony at Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) in 2021. “I’m just enjoying him now as he is my absolute best friend and his ride is out of this world. He absolutely loves the show ring so I can’t leave him at home as he always wants to be out in the ring,” said Sophia of the 11-year-old gelding.

Thomas Jones from the Menai and Friarly stud got their show season underway in fine style taking the overall Welsh supreme with his mother Ann’s yearling Welsh section A filly Friarly Fendi, making her show ring debut.

By Friarly Sensation out of Friarly Height of Fashion, Fendi headed a strong yearling filly class before taking the Welsh section A championship en route to the Welsh supreme.

Thomas also enjoyed success with another yearling filly making her debut, the Menai Cardi Llwyd daughter Menai Just Imagine, who went on to stand reserve Welsh Cob in-hand champion.

Toby of Catchpool ridden by Harry Joslin

Roquefort Papillon ridden by Sophia Chambers

Friarly Fendi ridden by Thomas Jones

Lowlandview James Bond ridden by Harriet Loman and led by Lynsey Lomas.

Mission Accomplished North of England Spring | 8-9th April 2023

Report by Celeste Gall | Photos by Real Time Imaging It was mission accomplished for seven-year-old Harriet Lomas and the Dartmoor gelding Lowlandview James Bond when they took the open M&M Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) mini championship here, after securing their ticket to Hickstead in the lead rein qualifier. Led by her mother Lynsey, this was their third win on the bounce, having also won two Pretty Polly (home produced) qualifiers already this season. “He is having a break from the show ring now until the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifiers start and has been enjoying some down time doing Pony Club games with the Cheshire Hunt North,” said Lynsey, who qualified the pair for HOYS last season where they finished 11th.

Showing the ponies is a real family affair with the help of Lynsey’s mum and dad Julie and Ed Massey, as well as her husband Andrew who drives the lorry.

“Andrew sometimes does the leading too, but he has broken his toe which is one way to get out of it!” quipped Lynsey. The North of England shows are a happy hunting ground for them as last season they claimed the £1000 home produced supreme and also took the supreme mini championship at Derbyshire Festival. “James is such a fabulous allrounder and he is so easy to do at shows and at home that we wish we could clone him. Harriet’s riding has really come on in leaps and bounds since we’ve had him,” added Lynsey.

The reserve championship went to the first ridden winner, six-year-old Alice Bowling-Hartenfeld and Thistledown Special VIP. The 14-yearold Welsh section A by Blackhill Picalo finished the 2022 season in spectacular style standing second at HOYS, despite Alice being only five-years-old then. The diminutive duo have already had a super start to their season clinching championships at NCPA spring, BSPS Area 2b and NCPA Lancashire, where they also added a RIHS junior M&M ticket to their collection. “Unfortunately Alice cannot compete in the junior M&M class at HOYS until she is 10, so we’re focusing on qualifying for the HOYS first ridden again,” said Alice’s mother Katherine.

“I have to pinch myself” Another who found favour with the North of England shows is the Dales stallion Griseburn Major and Joe Watson. At the summer show last year, the pair booked their ticket to HOYS, where they ended up winning their Dales final and clinching the M&M championship on their Griseburn Major ridden by Joe Watson

first visit to Birmingham. Here, on their first outing this year, the pair made a promising start to the 2023 season collecting their ticket to Hickstead in the open Fell, Dales and Highland qualifier before taking the section championship. Owned jointly by Joe and his partner Rob McIvor, the six-year-old by Wolsey Viking will be aimed at the London International Horse Show. “Deciding what to do with Major this year has been tough as how can you possibly top being HOYS M&M Champion?” said Joe,

Rotherwood Fantasia ridden by Emma Harker

Glenkeeran Dance In The Deep ridden by Camilla Stowell-Davies

at HOYS. The open RIHS show pony championship here went to the 148cm winner Rotherwood Fantasia (Flossy) and Emma Harker. Second at HOYS last season, Flossy is produced by her sister Victoria and owned by their mother Jenny Harker and the pair are already RIHS-bound in both the show pony and part bred Arab classes. “Flossy is Emma’s pride and joy and always gives such a beautiful ride,” said Victoria.

Gleaan Rua Da Vinci ridden by Robert Walker

who works full time as a retail manager. “He has such a great work ethic and we are fortunate that some of our favourite shows are our local ones so we will attend these as we enjoy competing there and he loves to be in the ring. I have to pinch myself that he’s ours,” added Joe. Taking reserve was April Gilmartin’s Welsh section C stallion Gems Malt Whiskey (Malty), who has had a run of seconds at championship shows having finished in the runner up spot at HOYS in both 2021 and 2022 and at RIHS last season too, as well as taking the reserve championship at Royal Windsor.

“I’d love for him to have his time in the spotlight and not be the bridesmaid. Malty is so consistent and just such a pleasure to own; he is a pony with such a big personality,” said April.

The 2022 HOYS and RIHS winning Welsh section A Thistledown San Siro was on top form for the brother-sister team of William and Lucinda Leeming, who won a class each: the UKPH M&M small breeds with William and the open Welsh A and B with Lucinda. William and San Siro then dominated the UKPH championship, whilst Lucinda

partnered Susan Pool’s Connemara Eastlands Dunedin to take the reserve. San Siro’s impeccable show record includes a double victory at Hickstead, where he won the Welsh A and B final with 14-year-old Lucinda and the M&M first ridden final with William and will be defending his title in both classes later this season.

The amateur hunter classes saw the reigning RIHS supreme amateur champion Camilla Stowell-Davies and her classy 10-year-old lightweight hunter Glenkeeran Dance In The Deep take the championship. “My

Thistledown VIP ridden by Alice Hertenfeld

champion is a very good sort who gave an exceptional ride that was incredibly light in your hand and responsive off the leg; it went around the ring with its ears pricked forward looking through its bridle,” said judge Nathan Arnold. It was a clean sweep for Robert Walker in the open hunter weight qualifiers, taking a win in each class – all owned by Jill Day and the championship with the middleweight Gleann Rua Da Vinci and the reserve with the lightweight Somerville Lad.

New beginnings Victoria Whalley posted a double victory with her new ride for the season, the 12-year-old Lindeth Seclusion, who is on lease from Hollie Baker and produced by Edward Young. On their first outing together they stood top of the line in the small intermediate show riding type class to book their Hickstead ticket, as well as securing their place in the large part bred Arab final and the reserve championship.

“Two wins is lovely, but when they are two RIHS tickets too it’s all a bit surreal,” said Victoria. The part bred Arab championship went to the small winner, last year’s 138cm HOYS show pony victor Copybush Time Lord ridden by Harriet Storey. Owned by Emma Andrews and produced by Karl Morris and Liam Glynn, the six-year-old by Small-Land Maytino was enjoying his first outing since landing the reserve show pony championship

Copybush Time Lord ridden by Harriet Storey L-R Thistledown San Siro ridden by William Leeming and Eastlands Dunedin ridden by Lucinda Leeming

Devon County Show

Tawstock Delilah shown by Stephen Davey

Delilah Makes Her Starring Role

18th – 20th May 2023 | Report by Celeste Gall | Photos by Jays Photos Di Sexon’s exquisite three-year-old riding horse breeding champion Tawstock Delilah clinched the Price Family in-hand supreme ticket to HOYS, led by Stephen Davey. Produced by locally-based Charles Upham, the chestnut filly is by Langaller Starring Role out of Tawstock Fedora - herself a previous HOYS in-hand finalist - and is a third generation homebred. “It is always special to qualify for HOYS, but to do so at our local show makes it extra special and to have Di ringside to see her lovely filly claim the title was the icing on the cake,” said Charles.

Delilah finished as first reserve here in the in-hand supreme last season and was tipped then as “one for the future” by last year’s judge Cindy Sims, whose prophecy came true when the elegant filly trotted her way to victory this year, on her first outing of the season. Matthew Ainsworth, a last minute stand-in for an injured Billy Moran, who judged the riding horse breeding classes and the hack breeding classes, said: “It was a lovely pattern of a horse that covered the ground and the makings to become a true ridden horse. I was confident that I had sent two worthy champions to the battle.”

Reserve went to the evergreen Dartmoor stallion Moortown Crusader – who qualified for the then Cuddy supreme here in 2018 – shown by ownerbreeder David Jordan. The 15-year-old by the prolific Hisley Craftsman also finished runner-up in the Price Family supreme qualifier at Royal Cornwall last season, before collecting his ticket at the National Pony Society championships later in the year. David also fielded the Dartmoor in-hand reserve champion, Crusader’s daughter Moortown Honeymoon. “He is such a showman with a natural show ring presence and flair,” said David.

Moortown Crusader shown by David Jordan

“What dreams are made of”

unbroken three-year-old, has produced him herself from home. “I am still in shock and can’t quite believe that we have actually got a ‘golden ticket.’ It’s what dreams are made of, he is like With over 25 starters in the open working hunter a real life rocking horse with his dapples,” said qualifier, no clears were forthcoming owing Emily, who just had an unlucky pole and went to testing jumping conditions with several on to explain the challenges of the course. “The seasoned campaigners making mistakes. ground in the ring was very testing with some It was Emily Proud and the six-year-old HSF surface being excellent going and the other Lobo Royale (Lobo) who headed their first ever half of the ring being very soft, leading to lots qualifier together to book their ticket to HOYS. of jumping faults. Being only a novice, I was Physiotherapist Emily, who bought Lobo as an unsure how Lobo would cope, but he kept trying

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Crystal Cove ridden by Robert Walker

for me with a smile on his face.”

Emily credits her supportive parents and her instructors Alice Peternell and Dani Evans in achieving this result. “I nearly gave up showing at the beginning of the season as I received some nasty comments towards me on social media.

However, my horses have continued to do me ‘Proud’ and I am pleased I carried on regardless!” said Emily, who has competed in combined training and jumped up to Newcomers over the winter. The pair are also RIHS-bound in the open working hunter final, having won the working show horse final there last season. “We had a lovely quality winner, who gave me a fabulous ride and jumped the best round over a testing course. Perhaps too many are used to jumping on surfaces and being on grass with holding ground caught a lot out,” mused judge Mathew Lawrence.

Emily also enjoyed success with Sue and Grahame Phillips’ maxi cob Randalstown Time Piece, who not only won the maxi cob qualifier, but also stood second in the amateur cob class and took the reserve amateur championship.

It was the amateur cob winner, Master of the House (Tom) and Amanda Marfleet, who took the title. Amanda is sharing the ride on Tom this year with her daughter Kate Barber-Lomax, who rode him to win the amateur cob title at RIHS last season and stood second in the open heavyweight final there too. Here he also won the open heavyweight cob RIHS qualifier, as well as standing reserve cob champion to Robert Walker and the lightweight victor Red Butler, owned

by Lisa Davey. Stephanie Hill, who judged the amateur light horse classes alongside Clare Poole, said: “It was a shame the amateur classes weren’t better supported, but we felt that the two cobs would stand up in their own class.”

Crystal Cove triumphs The reigning HOYS middleweight hunter of the year Crystal Cove dazzled in the main ring to book his return ticket and take the section title with Robert Walker in the saddle. The seven-year-old grey gelding relished the good going in the huge arena, giving heavyweight winner and eventual reserve Twinshock Warrior and Jayne Ross a run for their money in the championship gallop. Robert also clinched a win the lightweight section on Jill Day’s Somerville Lad.

HSF Lobo Royale ridden by Emily Proud

Jemima Perham. “He is the first horse I have ever owned and ridden,” admitted Leon, who has won every time out this season with Bazil. “He has quite a following now due to his spots, which are developing more and more as he gets older – he was bay all over! Luckily the judges are able to look past his colour and judge him as a small hunter; he is a real old fashioned quality model. The buzzier the ring, the better he performs,” added Leon.

Leon King rode his own Constantine (Bazil) to head the small hunter HOYS qualifier.

The nine-year-old gelding turned many heads with his unusual and distinctive spots and has also been successful in the intermediate show hunter classes with Twinshock Warrior ridden by Jayne Ross

Master of the House and Amanda Marfleet

Constantineridden by Leon King

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Bath and West Show

Royal Stage shown by Jeff Grace alongside her foal handled by Simon Luck

Queenie Takes Centre Stage

The Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset | 2-4 June 2023 Report by Beth Simons | Photos by Jays Photos Virginia-Russell-Wood’s exquisite tenyear-old hack breeding champion Royal Stage [Queenie] landed a Price Family supreme sash under judge Jamie Mead.

She gave a stunning account of herself, brimming with presence and moving beautifully to bag the prize. Queenie is by the prolific stock-getter Kilvington Scoundrel out of the uber successful Stage Whisper, herself a Price Family supreme contender twice. Earlier in the week, she had stood extremely close to the ticket in reserve at Herts County.

Prior to breeding, Queenie enjoyed a successful ridden career winning at Royal International as a small intermediate and taking several championships as a small hack based with Team Holder. She made her first Price appearance last year having qualified at Devon County. She was shown

by Jeff Grace with her Leander foal at foot, handled by Simon Luck.

“Bath and West has always been one of my favourite shows and the quality was exceptional. My queen does seem to be able to raise her game in the main arena which is paramount in catching the judge’s eye. But of course, on the day it is subjective which makes it more nail biting as to who the judge will crown their winner. It is a wonderful inhand championship which we must thank the Price family for sponsoring and encouraging breeding of the highest standards.”

Clover Hill Magic shown by Jamie Frost

Reserve went to local Jamie Frost with last year’s supreme, Clover Hill Magic, owned by Cathy Wood. The six-year-old Connemara stallion is by Glencarrig Knight and was bred by the Lee family just outside Clifden. Cathy first spotted him at the annual show while queuing for coffee. “When I saw him move, coffee was abandoned and I ran up the road to buy him,” said Cathy. He was shown

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a handful of times during 2021 albeit successfully, standing champion at Devon County, Bath and West, the NPS Spring Festival, Three Counties and supreme champion at the Connemara breed show.

Last season he repeated his Bath and West championship before going on to clinch the supreme. Taking that same Connemara breeding championship for the third time, Magic looked a picture and

moved fantastically. He will surely be one to watch in future supremes as the season unfolds. Magic has also been delivering the goods as a stallion, and interestingly, Vanessa Clark’s Skaergaarden’s Delicious Love had a Magic colt foal at foot when she won the Price supreme final at HOYS in 2022.

Rising to the Challenge Sarah Gwilliam and her own Deep Challenger (George) lifted the RoR championship having won the Tattersall open ridden qualifier.

George was sourced from Jamie Osborne via Sara Thorman, whom Sarah was riding for at the time. He is from sterling racing stock,

by Galileo and his full brother At First Sight finished second in the Derby. George also won two races during his career. “He took a while to adapt to life as an ROR,” explained Sarah.

However, patience paid, as they won their first in hand show class at Bath and West in 2021 before going on to win the overall in hand Deep Challenger ridden by Sarah Gwilliam

mum, Emma Edwards and was shown as a hunter pony until this season as Harry is now out of the 122cm class. Billy first competed at the RIHS and HOYS as a show hunter pony lead rein in 2013 when Harry was just three, and the pair gained fame when Harry was captured waving at crowds. Billy has qualified every year since and has won the 122cm show hunter pony at HOYS twice and at RIHS once.

He has also won at all major shows including Windsor and the Royal Welsh several times. As Billy seems to have a spring in his step and an evergreen attitude to his work, he will now be shown by Harry as a native until outgrown.

Evergreen Peter Pan BRP stallion Moorhall Peter Pan added yet another section championship to his name, shown by producer Alan Charlesworth on behalf of his owner-breeder Mandy Godden.

The Stanley Grange Cocksure x Moorhall Tinkerbelle seven-year-old has already had an Gryngallt Page Too ridden by Harry Edwards Brady

final at Aintree. He also won the RoR novice qualifier at Aintree in 2021 before going on to win the open at Barbury in 2022. “He has been lightly shown to date, but he is my main focus for the season,” said Sarah, who is enjoying a relatively pressure free series having already landed a major title at Windsor with usual ride Imperial Ruby. “He has the most amazing temperament, and I absolutely adore him. He is the kindest horse I have ever met, and my nieces adore him,” said Sarah. The pair are next headed to Hickstead for the Tattersalls “Flat” final. With her upcoming marriage to trainer Robbie Llewellyn just around the corner, will we be celebrating Sarah Llewellyn’s success in the next issue?

2022 Showing World awards finalist Gryngallt Page Too (Billy), now free of his usual plaited guise, won the UKP&H junior small breeds class and section championship under Harry Edwards Brady. Billy is owned by Harry’s Moorhall Peter Pan shown by Alan Charlesworth

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Exmoor, Shetland and Dartmoor HOYS qualifier.

They stood reserve, and Julian also led another of Jess’ regular rides, Shetland stallion Sharptor Kingpin to stand champion Standard Shetland.

The Jordan family’s Moortown Dartmoor stud had yet another triumphant show. Just weeks after their mare Moortown Honeymoon, her foal, two-year-old filly Moortown Midnight Magic, and the multi-garlanded stallion Moortown Crusader won their classes at Devon County Show, all four repeated their class wins. However, at Devon, it was Crusader who went on to stand champion and reserve supreme wheras it was his daughter, Honeymoon’s turn to take the tricolour at Bath and West over Nicola Tyler’s three-year-old filly Springwater Mia in reserve.

Peasedown Maddison ridden by Jessica Talbot

incredible career despite his young age, most recently standing champion at Herts County just a week before Bath and West.

His accolades include former tricolours at Bath and West, at the Great Yorkshire Show, Pembrokeshire County, the Royal Welsh show, NPS Spring Festival and the NPS championships. He’s also a clutch of reserves to his name in Price Family Supreme qualifiers, but as yet, a ticket has unfortunately eluded him, despite the impressive number of times he has been eligible for qualification. Perhaps now he is matured as a stallion, he’ll finally be given the nod this season? Alan was also responsible for the reserve, Diptford Simply Amazing, owned by Joanna Adams. The quality mare enjoyed a successful career under saddle prior to becoming a broodmare. This was her debut in hand, and she was shown with her colt foal Tandridge Royal Celebration at foot. He also won his foal class.

Talbot Triple Kingsbury Episcopy-based producer Jessica Talbot had nothing short of a fantastic show, heading home with a hattrick of wins. She claimed two of the RIHS mountain and moorland classes, making the most of a local qualifier for a practice for her team despite having already qualified. She kicked off with a win on Caroline Sutton’s exceeding 143cm contender, Clyard Duke, followed shortly afterwards by a win on Caroline’s Welsh section C Peasdown Maddison (Pinky). Something of a favourite by Jess’ own admission, Pinky is a multiple HOYS and RIHS finalist and also competes in a range of other disciplines and carries side saddle. The pair went on to clinch the section championship ahead of the winners of the 133cm class, Nebo Thomas Jones and Ruby Woodman. Jess’ final win was on David Hodge and Julian Walters’ Exmoor pony stallion, Blackthorn Poldark, with the pair claiming the 30 | Showing World | July Issue 2023 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Moortown Honey Moon shown by Charlotte Jordan

Sharptor Kingpin shown by Julian Walters

Saturday 2nd December 2023 Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire Brought to you by Showing World Magazine

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A Buzz About Bizzie B Staffordshire County Show 31st May – 1st June 2023

Report by Celeste Gall Photos by 1st Class Images Xanthe Banks, 12, landed the Senior Showing and Dressage League (SSADL) championship to book her first ticket to London International Horse Show (LIHS) riding the 27-year-old gelding Bizzie B (BB) side saddle. Owned by her mother Jackie, who has owned BB for 25 years and qualified him for LIHS last season where they won the oldest ridden horse award, handed the reins to Xanthe this season.

“Unfortunately Xanthe’s own pony had an injury over the winter, so BB has stepped up and it is amazing to watch them together. She came to watch me in London last year and it is totally brilliant that she now gets a chance to go herself and I have been demoted to groom!” said Jackie, who usually rides BB side saddle and taught Xanthe herself.

Last season Xanthe took the novice young rider title at the National Side Saddle championships on BB and has had an extremely successful season so far, also qualifying on their first attempt for the SSADL final at Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) and for the SEIB Search for a Star veteran final. “Xanthe hadn’t ridden her at a county show on grass before and it is an honour to have such a wonderful kind and genuine mare that can look after my little girl and help her achieve her dreams,” added Jackie, who noted that Xanthe’s biggest obstacle was her apron when doing her trot up. “We had a wardrobe malfunction last year where the apron fell down, so she has had to learn from that.

It is quite hard for her little legs, double reins and a big horse to do a trot up but they have had to practice. We also worked on the braking system over the winter, so I was confident that she could cope here.”

The open cob classes saw some the last of RIHS qualifiers on offer and one of the strongest championships this season with two previous

Bizzie B ridden by Xanthe Banks Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) winners and a runner up going up against each other.

It was Sarah Walker, who took the ride on Lisa Davey’s 2021 HOYS cob champion Red Butler that clinched the title; his second county championship this year having also taken the cob championship at Devon County with Robert earlier this season. “This season we are doing the shows we enjoy and the plan for next year is to bring him out sideways, and possibly have a go in the workers too,” said Lisa of her eight-year-old bay gelding.

Polly Coles enjoyed a double win with two of her mother Debbie Harrod’s charges; she headed the maxi cob class with the 2022 HOYS winner Boheradurrow Fred whilst long-term groom Nathan Arnold partnered the heavyweight winner Randalstown Cromwell, who went on to stand reserve. “He is an absolute delight to ride and knows his job inside out,” said Nathan.

Robert Walker made it three out three HOYS championship titles – with two different horses – having also taken the hunter championship at Devon County with the middleweight Crystal Cove and at the Sport Horse Breeding North West show with the lightweight MHS Morning Master, who was also victorious at Royal Windsor and triumphed here. Standing second in the lightweight section, booking their return ticket to HOYS where they finished third last season, was the home produced combination of Glenkeeran Dance in the Deep and Camilla Davies, who was also celebrating her birthday. “HOYS is the only chance we get to see his breeders John and Maria Melvin,” said Camilla, who took the amateur hunter championship at Royal Windsor. “He felt fabulous in the big grass ring at Stafford, and to qualify for HOYS on my birthday was extra special,” added Camilla.

Red Butler ridden by Sarah Walker

New combination rocks The weeks-old combination of the Welsh section C Thistledown Rockin Robin (Custard) and Daisy May Allen impressed to collect their UKPH RIHS junior M&M ticket and the section title under judge Hayley Reynolds. “My champion was the stand out winner as soon as they walked into the ring. They were in perfect harmony with each other and performed a faultless show and the pony did not disappoint when stripped either. For me, they were the epitome of a junior partnership,” said Hayley. Custard was recently purchased from Tom Wood and was the open Welsh C and D winner at RIHS in 2021 partnered by Chloe Chubb; Daisy booked their RIHS ticket for the same final only the week before at NPS Area 29.

The UKPH RIHS amateur M&M ticket went to Emma James riding her sister Sophie’s dun Connemara gelding Glenmore Gwennic (Glen). Emma, a driving experiences manager at Aston Martin has also qualified 16-year-old Glen for the open ridden M&M final and the M&M WHP final; over the last decade he has qualified for RIHS on 22 occasions across four different classes. “My amateur winner was on older pony, but he impressed me on his true to type way of going, exceptionally clean limbs and was beautifully ridden,” said judge Hayley Reynolds.

Thistledown Rockin Robin ridden by Daisy May Allen

Locally-based Courtney Harvey landed the open M&M RIHS championship on her Welsh Cob winner Llanarth Steptoe (Albert), sired by Penlangrug Deio, whom she won this exact championship on five years ago. Courtney purchased Albert four years ago as an eight-year-old stallion that had been covering all his life and broke him to ride and produces him herself. “We were so lucky to be able to purchase Albert without him even being put up for sale; his sire was the apple of my eye. Albert has been rather challenging over the years and has definitely taken him time to mature but he is so worth it. We spend our days hacking and rounding cows up – what more does a Welsh Cob want in life?” laughed Courtney, who works on her parents farm and helps manage their livery yard. In his first season under saddle last year, Albert finished sixth in both the open M&M final and the intermediate junior final at RIHS, as well as fourth place at HOYS. Llanarth Steptoe ridden by Courtney Harvey

Bassymoor Distant Land ridden by Zara Owen As Courtney and Albert had already qualified for RIHS earlier in the season, the ticket was passed to runner-up Zara Owen and Sally Bartley Forsyth’s Welsh Cob Fairgrove Tiger Bay, a six-year-old novice gelding - this will be Sally’s first horse to have ever qualified for RIHS. Zara also picked up a ticket with Jacqueline Heath’s novice Highland Tam O Shanter O The Glens. The seven-year-old stallion won at the Royal Highland and was then turned away for the summer to mature and will now be aimed at HOYS qualifiers. Zara’s winning streak continued with the four-year-old riding horse Bassymoor Distant Land won the large riding horse RIHS qualifier and section championship.

Owned by Adrianne Crawford, this was his first open class and Zara said: “We are very excited about his bright future.”

The 11-year-old Dartmoor gelding Treworgan Sealord (Seal) landed the RIHS M&M mini championship with his six-year-old jockey Heidi Hughes. Owned by her mother Beth, Seal is produced and led by Carl Owen and this will be Seal’s first time at RIHS on the lead as he has previously competed there in the junior class and will also be Heidi’s first time riding there too. “He is Heidi’s best friend and their favourite thing to do is hacking to the pub for an ice cream! He tends to stay at Carl’s for a few weeks at a time as we all think it is so important for him to come home and be a true child’s pony,” said Beth.

Also heading to Hickstead for the first time is five-year-old Isla Bate, who rode Thistledown Ellie Goulding to the reserve spot, led by Sharn Linney. The trio had already secured their ticket at Area 9B. Isla, who has been riding

Treworgan Sealord ridden by Heidi Hughes and led by Carl Owen

for just two years, was spotted at a clinic

by Sharn and invited to ride her ponies for the season. “We’re a home produced family with two ponies,” explained mum, Jodie, who recently led Isla to a victory in the winter final at NPS on their own section A, Thistledown Pear Drop. “It’s a huge opportunity for Isla. This will be her first time riding at the RIHS and if she qualifies for HOYS that will be a dream for Isla as she loves and breaths ponies.”

Diminutive duos deliver The diminutive duo of 10-year-old Rose Cassapi and her skewbald Shetland Blackertor Mustang booked their Hickstead pass in the BSPA RIHS small native pony qualifier. “Rose picked him as a foal, and they have grown up together.

She is so excited to gallop him up the hill at RIHS,” said Rose’s mother Tracey.

Rose, a member of Atherstone Pony Club, will also compete in the open M&M final at Hickstead and, having attended the Shetland Grand National trials and passed, will also be racing Mustang this year.

Despite finishing second in the RIHS 128cm show pony class, where they also took the ticket, Charlotte Wilson

Thistledown Ellie Goulding ridden by Isla Bate and led by Sharn Linney

Blackertor Mustang ridden by Rose Cassapi impressed with Andrea Roberts’ Royalview Charisma to take the section championship. 12-year-old Charlotte rode Charisma to placings in the final at both RIHS and HOYS, but has also qualified her full sister Royalview Chanel for RIHS too; both ponies are produced by Charlotte and Ellie Pendlebury for the Royalview stud.

“Charlotte has decided she will ride Chanel at the final as she is her favourite,” explained Charlotte’s mother Kim. The 148cm ticket went to Anna Wharton and the nine-year-old gelding Stretcholt About Time, who has had limited outings due to Anna concentrating on her GCSE’s. Produced by Charlotte Prosser, this was their final opportunity to qualify for Hickstead. “It’s taken Anna a while to step up to the 148cm class, but she wanted to ride him at RIHS if possible. He seems to like the county show atmosphere and went beautifully here,” said Anna’s mother Kate.

Royalview Charisma ridden by Charlotte Wilson

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4A Jumps Ahead!

By Beth Simons BSPS Area 4A demonstrated they knew a thing or two about tackling a fence, dominating the RIHS plaited and mini working hunter pony sections.

The championship stayed local, falling into the hands of 143cm winners, Matilda Alexander, 12, and Emlaughmore Briar. Though the family have owned him for two years, this is Matilda’s first season with the Castleside JJ Junior sevenyear-old. They’ve had a super spring, qualifying at BSPS Wales Spring Show in the pouring rain and mud – which he apparently loved – and also stood RIHS worker section champion at the White Rose Show. The ticket was handed down to yet another 4A member: Eva Gould, 15, and Rosscon Bianca, who was purchased by the Goulds unbroken from Ireland as a four-year-old as they had previously owned her sire. Fifteenyear-old Eva has produced the seven-year-old Bianca herself.

Stuart Shaw’s eight-year-old Connemara gelding Lios Na Tulcha L’aubier (Zebadee) took home the 153cm ticket under Darcy Shaw before going on to stand section reserves after only five weeks together. “We put a wanted advert out in March and had only 1 reply which was from a lady in Cornwall called Fiona Dod. ‘I might have what you are looking for,’ was the response to the ad, so you could say he found us!” explained Darcy.

Zebadee had previously been evented by Fiona.

It was a case of ‘third time lucky’ for Darcy and Zebadee, this being their third attempt at qualification. It was an especially sweet victory as Stafford is their local County show and Darcy’s late grandfather, George Shaw, was chief horse steward for 40 years before going on to be president.

Emlaughmore Briar ridden by Matilda Alexander A truly versatile little horse, Red Jazz claimed the intermediate ticket for her owner Lucy Robinson, 24. Lucy has purchased the 13-yearold as her first horse from his breeder. They have since evented to 3* level and hunted with the Meynell before turning a hoof to the workers early last season, going on to qualify at Staffordshire County and impressing to win the Hickstead final.

Showing there’s also plenty of strength coming through the ranks at 4A, the tiny tots winners were also members.

Martha Nicklin has been riding Grandma, Sue Nicklin’s Amilas Hurricane (Harry) for just four weeks but the pair are blossoming already. On the lead rein they have qualified for both Burghley and LIHS in the sports pony classes. At Staffordshire, Martha and Harry jumped the 50cm training stakes to come second against some much more experienced partnerships before winning the Tiny Tots out of some seriously tough competition.

“We were overwhelmed, delighted and just couldn’t believe it, being such an incredible achievement at 6 years old to win the tiny tots at Stafford county,” said Sue. Adding, “Martha then insisted she helped the whipper in, in parading the moorland hounds with her daddy in the main ring in the afternoon which was a lovely sight.”

Meanwhile producer Michaela Jones’ daughter Lara-Rae, 8, secured the mini working hunter pony championship riding Milo IX. Milo is loaned to Michaela by the Shaw family and the pair enjoyed success earlier in the season where they won the tiny tots working hunter pony at the BSPS winter championships. Michaela described the 16-year-old Milo as “a pony in the million and we are so lucky to have him.”

Milo IX ridden by Lara-Rae Jones

Stay Calm…. And Breathe!

Combating competition nerves and overcoming negative experiences We have all been there, where Mum, Dad, supportive O.H., sibling or non-horsey bestie say, “don’t put so much pressure on yourself, it’s only a rosette”. But we all know it’s so much more. Or at least, it feels like it at the time. So your stomach is lurching, your heart is pounding, hands are sweaty and sometimes can’t for the life of you remember where fence 7 is! Keep reading and hopefully with a little bit of experience, a pinch of perspective and a dollop of expert advice, we may be able to help you fry off those negative thoughts and cook up a storm this season.

The most important thing to remember is nerves and anxieties are totally normal, and to think that we can rid ourselves of them is unrealistic. The challenge is to accept our anxieties and learn to work with them. Sport is designed to test us. In every sport, an objective is set, and individuals are then encouraged to really want to achieve that objective, with not only rules to contend with, but also opponents.

Sports psychologist Janet Edgette believes that recognizing how your show nerves affect your riding can be key to managing them, and essentially limiting their negative impact on your performance. Ring freeze may cause you to under-ride, go too slowly, become indecisive and ultimately give your horse or pony a reason to doubt itself. On the flip side, anxious overriders can become more aggressive riders and give their horses exaggerated aids leading to confusion and misunderstanding. Knowing which type of anxious rider you are allows you to control your actions, whether it be slowing down your reactions or practicing being more decisive.

It is also useful to acknowledge that not all negative thoughts are unfounded, and neither are they all to be ignored. Thinking to yourself, “my horse is too fresh today; I should give him a lunge before getting on,” is not a negative thought or wobble in confidence that you should necessarily ignore, as doing so could leave you

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feeling vulnerable to panic and potentially even injury. On the other hand, it is worth overriding or learning to manage worry if, for example, you worry about a certain show or results, as these are negative thoughts that won’t compromise safety.

Being able to accept negative experiences, take on board the lessons learnt and move on is of greater importance to development than blocking out the negative experience all together.

Comparing yourself to others is another, perfectly natural, and totally unavoidable, phenomenon that has both pros and cons.

Using comparisons to degrade yourself is unhealthy, and will only fuel nerves, whereas comparing yourself to others in order to strive for better performance or to take a small reality check is useful. For example, instead of thinking, “she jumped clear because she’s better than me,” try to think, “her horse’s flatwork is better established in the approach than mine; I need to work on elasticity in my canter.”

not too rigid. Creating a routine to ensure you have everything you need packed and your preparation is thorough will take away some stress. But you do not want to allow a hole in your lucky socks for example, to upset or distract you from the greater goal. It is crucial to incorporate rest into your pre-show ritual.

Just as you shouldn’t drive while tired, your reactions and actions will be slower if you are tired while riding.

Be realistic on what your goals are for each competition. Winning is a goal dependent on several factors outside of your control. Instead, make your goal controllable, such as executing a more polished show than the last time, obtaining a clear round jumping, ensuring your horse or pony stands more correctly for the judge during the conformation phase or even perfecting your plaits.

Lastly but most importantly, your best is all you can do! Keep calm, keep smiling, keep kicking and keep breathing!

Top Tip: Control your breathing, control your mind, control your performance!

Breathing helps to relax the nerves, allowing oxygen to the muscles, without which your muscles can cramp up, and thus hinder your ability to ride at your best.

Your brain also needs oxygen to focus properly. You can’t complete a show or jump a round in one breath!

Instead of focusing entirely on the round of jumps, your show, or your go around, try humming or counting to help you breathe, in turn this will help you perform at your best without worrying.

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info@showingworldonline.co.uk | July Issue 2023 | Showing World | 37

The Resurrection of the Heavy Horses Since the introduction of the ridden heavy horse final at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in 2016, there has been a real push to accentuate how versatile the heavy horse breeds can be in the show ring. Several new opportunities for driven, ridden and in-hand competitors showing their heavy horses, including amateurs, are available for this year too. Celeste Gall talks to competitors and producers about the increased popularity of the heavy horse classes and what this means for the future of these vulnerable breeds.

This year, HOYS will hold the inaugural final for the driven heavy horse, and SEIB Search for a Star finals, held at Your Horse Live, will also hold a final specifically aimed at amateur in-hand heavy horses. The Showing Register Premier Amateur League will also allocate a HOYS wildcard spot to an amateur in the British ridden heavy horse final. There has been a significant spotlight on heavy horses in recent times and their popularity in the ridden classes has risen exponentially, whilst the quality of animals and their performance under saddle has dramatically increased for the better.

Sarah Field, whose sister-in-law Victoria Clayton is the co-founder of the Westfield Shire stud and breeder of the 2022 HOYS winner Westfield Calander Girl, judged the first HOYS qualifier of the year at the National Shire Show. “The ridden numbers have gone from strength to strength and the standard of horses is as high as any other HOYS qualifying class; there are a few producers creeping in now with rides which has only helped to raise the bar and with the help of the heavy horse camps, various other training days and seminars that the Shire Horse Society are pursuing, I

think the standard is only going to keep improving,” said Sarah, who alongside her co-judge Colin Hurler found their winner in Gemma McClorey’s eight-yearold bay gelding Cotebrook Sgurr Alasdair (Big Al), ridden by producer Will Morton.

“We wanted to find a winner that had the potential to be in the top placings at the final and we certainly felt that was the case and it was obvious with the quality forward that there would be a few more in the class collecting their HOYS tickets this year,” added Sarah.

Gemma, who has been involved with Shires for eight years said: “I went from hunters to heavies and would never go back to light horses, the heavies take over your brain!” By Moorfield Edward, one of the greatest Shire stallions on record, Big Al will make his return to HOYS for the second year running, although he qualified in 2021 as well.

“We had one lesson with Frances Atkinson in 2021 who put us through our paces and a few weeks later we qualified at Stoneleigh with the highest conformation and ride marks, but he was unable to compete as he had a temperature two days before. This year he qualified first time out, ridden by Will Morton, who was recommended to me

by Frances.

“Will got involved with Big Al over the winter and really understands what we need to achieve and that these aren’t hunters or cobs; the work that goes into them is unreal and you need to be completely dedicated. The standard for qualifiers has increased dramatically in the last few years and it is no longer a side line class for heavies that aren’t solely in-hand horses,” added Gemma.

Securing the second HOYS ridden ticket of the season was Kelly Holder with her own Shire mare Skeldon Moor Cinderella

Westfield Calendar Girl and Emma Green (1st Class Images)

(Rella). Alongside her husband Jason, whose interest in heavy horses started from delivering coal with a Shire, the husband-wife team breed under the Colloegrove prefix and have a farm with 20 Shires that they show successfully in-hand and ridden. “Jason would like to drive again so he has ordered a ladies cart,” admitted Kelly, who works as a sonographer for the NHS. “Rella is attractive, sassy and very intelligent. She is willing and very easy to work with and really enjoys the ridden job, but she is most definitely a woman’s horse!” said Kelly, who finished second in her one and only qualifier last season.

‘You get out what you put in’ Hollie Butterworth, a home-produced amateur who finished second at HOYS last season with her Shire Acle Director, agrees that producers competing in the

Skeldon Moor Cinderella ridden by Kelly Holder (Jays Photos)

38 | Showing World JulyAlasdair Issue info@showingworldonline.co.uk Cotebrook|Sgurr win2023 the first|HOYS 2023 qualifier (Real Time Imaging)

A driving ambition

classes only help to advertise the heavy horses more. “I’m a firm believer that you only get out what you put in. As the heavy horses are becoming more popular, the standard is becoming higher and the competition stronger.”

Hollie, who works full time as a property valuer and has two children, first got involved with heavy horses through her husband Michael, who had a Clydesdale at the time. “We eventually bought a stallion from Alderley and Walton Shires called Leverton Leon, whom I broke to ride and competed, but we had to retire him from the ridden classes. If it wasn’t for him we wouldn’t be where we are now. In 2021, we bought one of his sons, Acle Director, gelded him and broke him to ride; he took to it like a duck to water and did a few shows towards the end of that season and he was in the ribbons every time out. Last season, we won at the Shire show and qualified for HOYS and finished second at the final; it felt incredible to qualify a home produced horse and to finish second was amazing as it was both of our first times competing there,” said Hollie, who has also started breeding under the Buttermere prefix. “My 12-year-old daughter Tahlia is also interested in the heavy horses and has started competing in young handler classes,” Hollie added.

It is fantastic to see the young handlers coming up through the ranks as these are the next generation of those who will own and show the heavy horses in the future. 13-year-old Claire Green, daughter of heavy horse specialist Emma Green, is also keen to compete in the young handler classes. Emma, winner of last year’s HOYS ridden final aboard the eightyear-old Shire mare Westfield Calendar Girl (Callie), got involved with heavy horses through her husband Richard, who is head coachman for Thwaites Brewery,

Thurso-based Isla Miller has the same issue with her novice Clydesdales, although she has a much longer trip than most to compete. “It’s almost six hours to our nearest motorway and about the same to get to Royal Highland,” said Isla, who does compete in England and tends to do a block of shows and works her way back up towards Scotland.

Last year, she competed at Royal Cheshire, winning Acle Director ridden by Hollie Butterworth (1st Class Images) the open ridden heavy horse class with her novice five-year-old Clydesdale where he drives a team of Shires. Logistics HA Durran Harry and taking the championship. This Manager Emma has qualified every year show had followed her HOYS ticket win at Royal Three bar one for the ridden HOYS final with five Counties on her 11-year-old Clydesdale gelding Stobilee separate horses, but it was Lindy Winship’s Zac, who went on to win a second qualifier, the popular record-breaking mare Callie who finally ridden Clydesdale class at Royal Highland - which has secured her first win there. Callie is the only over 20 entries forward - with her friend Lucy Stewart in Shire to have qualified for the ridden heavy the saddle. Isla rode Harry there, who finished fifth, but horse final and the in-hand Shire horse of the notes that she would have preferred a novice year final in the same year.

“I have seen the turnout, way of going and standard of riding improve over the years. The ride judges are usually from the light horse panel and they are bringing their experience in and expecting the horses to be light and forward; you do want something that is forward going and active,” said Emma. “Mine hack up and down hills and one of the biggest jobs is getting them to a good level of fitness as they tire easily, so it is a slow process as you cannot get them fit quick,” Emma added.

Given their large stature, they do take some time to mature with some not being ready to compete until they are six or seven. Last year, Emma qualified both Callie and Bordley House Norman, who is standing close to 20hh, for HOYS but decided to save Norman from the final. “He just wasn’t ready for HOYS as he is still a novice,” said Emma. This is one of the biggest challenges with the ridden heavy horse classes in that there is a lack of novice classes to bring them out in at many of the shows and so they have to contest the open HOYS classes.

Stobilee Zac and Isla Miller (1st Class Images)

ridden class for him to compete in. “It was such a busy class as it was the only option to run Harry in, and as he is such a baby I wouldn’t normally run him in a HOYS qualifier, but it would have been a shame to miss out riding him at Royal Highland,” said Isla, who will now campaign Harry and Zac in the ridden HOYS qualifiers.

Isla and Zac went on to take the supreme ridden world championship at the World Clydesdale show in October.

Isla, who credits her dad Brian Bissett for getting her involved in the heavy horses, has already booked a ticket in the new driven heavy horse class with her novice five-year-old gelding HA Durran Finley at Fife Show, topping a 10-strong class. Isla did some basic driving groundwork with Finley at the end of 2021, but sent him away to heavy horse specialist Ron Brewster to be broken to drive and, apart from doing a display at a local show, their first driven show was the World Clydesdale championships, where they clinched the novice cart title. Due to their somewhat isolated location and distance from show grounds, Isla and Finley contested only their second ever driven outing to clinch their HOYS ticket. “I still can’t believe we qualified on our first attempt,” said Isla, who will now focus on giving Finley more experience in the cart at shows.

The first HOYS driven heavy horse ticket; which is open to the four British heavy horse breeds - Shires, Clydesdales, Percherons and Suffolks – as well as Belgian Drafts, went to Ron Brewster with Margo and John Mcintyre’s Batman at the South Eastern Shire Horse Association show. Ron, along with his

HA Durran Finlay and Isla Miller qualify for HOYS at Fife (Amanda Stewart)

partner Helen Carr, has been involved with heavy horses all his life and runs Bandirran Stud where they breed, show, break and produce heavy horses; they produced the 2021 HOYS winner Glenside Matthew’s Flower of Scotland, ridden by producer Kirsty Aird and owned by the Mcintyre’s.

Taking the runner up spot in the first driven qualifier was Kurt Manders with his own Llangwm Hill Monty, a 13-year-old Shire gelding who was second at HOYS in 2019, ridden by Nicola Manders. “He is an amazing mover who drives single, pair and team,” said Nicola. South Eastern Shire Horse Association show secretary Molly Langley said: “It was amazing to

host the first qualifier, we are only a small show compared to the big county shows, but we are well supported with competitors which works in our favour. The new driving class is a great opportunity to showcase the heavy horses in another discipline.” Wendy Toomer-Harlow, who has been influential in forming the British Ridden Heavy Horse Society (BRHHS) and is a keen heavy horse competitor herself, said: “It is fantastic to see that HOYS have introduced a two wheel cart class, it will be quite a spectacle.

The carts are a great way for new drivers to get into heavy horse driven classes and hopefully we will see many of our new investors in these heavy breeds for ridden classes looking at breaking their heavies to drive and taking part in the driven classes as well.”

Early beginnings Wendy worked hard in the early beginnings of the BRHHS in order to get the society to be taken seriously. “There was a desperate need for a society that laid down rules and standards to be introduced for riders to aspire to and we wanted shows to host classes and be brought into line with other ridden show classes in terms of judging,” explained Wendy, who credits Equifest legend Betsy Branyan as one of the first show organisers to recognise the potential of the classes and offered to host a ridden championship for the heavy horses.

The first year that HOYS hosted the ridden British Heavy Horse of the Year final was 2016, which was won

40 | Showing World | inJuly Issuethe2023 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk Helen Carr, instumental introducing HOYS driven heavy horse class alongside partner Ron Brewster (Amanda Stewart)

by Virginia Osborne and Kinclune Danny Boy, a Clydesdale gelding. “Prior to the ridden HOYS qualifiers, the pinnacle for the Clydesdales would have been the Royal Highland or Blair,” said Virginia, an organic livestock farmer. “Heavies are incredibly biddable, they are bred and built to do farm work and want to please you. I did a lot of hacking and going around stock to get Danny fit and develop his muscles and strength.”

ridden heavy horse final this year, owned the 2017 winner Hales Hector (Tim); a Percheron ridden by Household Cavalry Corporal of Horse, Jamie Bradbury. “Tim was the whole package. The ridden classes have done a massive thing for the heavy horses and now they have another outlet with the driven class,” said David, who explained what he would be looking for at the final. “I want a clean, goodmoving horse that is correct according to their breed standard and that is well-mannered.”

According to the Rare Breeds Survival Trust’s latest watchlist, both the Clydesdales and Shire horses are in the ‘at risk’ category, whilst the Suffolk horse is on the highest alert level of ‘priority.’ “Clydesdale breeding can be tricky and getting a live foal at the end can be difficult,” said Virginia, who added: “Creating a ride and drive outlet with enormous classes of horses looking incredible and showcasing their talents is really fantastic for the future prospects of these iconic native horses. I feel there is huge potential for the popularity of these classes going forward and it’s great that HOYS have expanded their offering.”

William Ireland’s Suffolk mare Eyke Diamond, ridden by Richard Telford, also finished second

at the inaugural final in 2016. “The Suffolk is one of our most endangered equine breeds and the majority of the ridden Suffolk owners are breed enthusiasts who are essential to the survival of this breed. I think we need to see the HOYS Suffolk breed show qualifier reintroduced as I think without a doubt it will encourage more owners to compete,” said Wendy Toomer-Harlow.

“When judging the ride, it does need to be taken into account that the Suffolk is totally different compared to the other breeds in terms of its movement as they are not as Hales Hector ridden by Jamie Bradbury (1st Class Images)

Whilst the Clydesdales and Shires do tend to dominate the ridden, and indeed, the driven HOYS qualifiers, there have been a few successful Percheron’s and Suffolks over the years. David Curtis, who will judge the conformation section of the HOYS Kinclune Danny Boy and Virginia Osborne lift the first Heavy Horse of the Year title at HOYS in 2016 (ES Photography)

Eyke Diamond ridden by Richard Telford (ES Photography)

uphill as the other heavy breeds. The Suffolk horse evolved with a low point of draft and a huge shoulder to move weight and therefore they don’t have the impressive force of knee and hock action of the other breeds,” added Wendy, whose long term goal within the BRHHS is to see the ridden heavy horse classes get so popular that each of the four breeds warrant their own individual breed final at HOYS with an overall heavy horse championship. “It would be great if we could get Royal International Horse Show qualifiers introduced for the heavy horses and a question that will be asked if they would consider this in the future,” said Wendy.

10 Minutes With: Kashia Boghal

Kashia Boghal joined the Showing World team recently when she won our competition to ride Thistledown El Toro for the year. We caught up with her to find out more…

Showing World: Where does the interest in ponies come from, Kashia?

Kashia: It definitely comes from my mum; she’s a horsey girl through and through. She used to point to point and worked on a racing yard, then got into showing. We’ve always been a horsey family and around ponies, so I guess it’s just in our blood.

Showing World:Tell us about your greatest showring successes?

Kashia: Definitely going first and mini champion at HOYS on the lead with Springwater Legato (Sam) and my big sister Kerinder leading us. It was the best moment in the world and to share it with my best friend – my sister – made it even more special.

Showing World: What are your first impressions of Toro?

Kashia: I was definitely struck by how beautiful he is, but also his nature he’s the kindest stallion ever, you couldn’t not love him.

Showing World: Other than Toro, who are you showing now?

Kashia: This year I have my Traditional Stallion The Panda II – or Boyce – to ride and I also have a novice Dartmoor Stallion Blackator Hemlock, who I

backed last year so this will be his first season. Obviously, Toro is a bit of a favourite at the moment, but I also love riding my coloured Boyce – he’s like a armchair.

Showing World: What showing products/ items can you not go showing without?

Kashia: I definitely cannot live without my pink sheen spray for the ponies it’s never not in my lorry.

Showing World: What top tips would you give someone new to showing?

Kashia: If you feel nervous or under pressure in the ring , that’s totally normal, just try and stay as relaxed as possible don’t yet your nerves control you.

Showing World: Finally, the most important question: which tunes are playing in your lorry?!

Kashia: Anything Elvis or Dolly Parton!

Showing World: What are your showing goals and aspirations?

Kashia: Just to be the best rider I can possibly be. I love learning new things and feeling like I’ve improved each year.

Showing World: Who do you admire or look up to in the showing world?

Kashia: Oh, there are too many to count. If I had to name one I would say Katy Carter is someone I really look up too.

Showing World: If you could make changes to the showing industry, what would they be?

Kashia: I would just try and make people remember that for most showing is a hobby.

It’s supposed to be fun, and we’re all very lucky to do it, so we need to try to remain positive and kind.

Showing World: If you could introduce a brand-new show class or championship, what would it be, where would you host it and why?

Kashia: Maybe some classes where more technical and tricky shows are set; I think it’s nice to be challenged and keeps it interesting.

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | July Issue 2023 | Showing World | 43

Carnsdale New Story ridden by Ellis Taverner-Burns

New Story A Success Story BSPS Winter Championships | Arena UK | 29 April – 1 May

By Beth Simons | Photos by Equinational Sabrina Ross’ Carnsdale New Story had a fairytale opening to his championship career, topping both the novice and restricted intermediate show hunter championships en route to the novice supreme.

Though produced at home by Lancashire-based Sabrina, the four-year-old New Story was ridden by Ellis Taverner-Burns. He had an enviable in-hand record which saw him unbeaten with accolades including standing supreme at Midlands Youngstock show, shown on Sabrina’s behalf by Kyle Wray.

Livie Smith, 13, rode her mum, Kate Smith’s 148cm winner, Stretcholt Evening Dance (Darcy) to the restricted show pony championship before the overall restricted supreme. By Chiddock Stop Watch and out of Broadshard Eve N Better, Darcy joined Team Jinks last summer and was brough on slowly through the winter. The five-year-old has had a successful introduction to the ring this spring, including standing supreme at NCPA Cheshire on her debut, before taking the novice championship at North of England

Sabrina explained that he was broken through the winter and attended two early area shows, winning both and qualifying for both the novice and restricted finals. Though “expertly piloted by Ellis” at the championships, he is intended for Sabrina’s now 14-year-old Safiya next year. “Ellis is giving him the experience as a novice to give him the best start,” said Sabrina, adding that he will remain Ellis’ ride for this season.

He is a full brother to 2019 RIHS show hunter pony champion Carndsale Cover Story, also owned by Sabrina and ridden by daughter Morgan Ross. Not to be left in the cold, Cover Story has now switched roles and is campaigning his first season as a 153cm working hunter pony. “He is teamed with my good family friend Hollie McGauley,” said Sabrina, adding proudly that “they both went on to win two winter worker stakes classes at the champs,” wit sights now set on tackling the RIHS tracks.

Stretcholt Evening Dance ridden by Livie Smith

and picking up an RIHS ticket at BSPS Area 6. “We adore this mare,” said producer Adam Forster, “she has a great attitude and loves to work and she really is the most beautiful sit on. She was fabulous in the supreme executing a flawless show considering her young age and being very new to the show ring. She just gets better and better and look forward to what this combination has to offer.”

In reserve was Stephanie Fitt’s Cleapatra, ridden by Claudia Groves and produced by Ellie Stunt. Cleapatra also stood reserve novice show pony to Margaret Miller’s Stanley Grange Crescendo (Benji), winner of the 138cm class under Chloe Salley. Bred by Jerome Harforth, Benji is out of Colbeach Duet by Turberry Top Cat. Margaret bought five-year-old Benji as unbroken in June 2021. “I got him broken and kept him home here in Ireland last year as a four-year-old as I felt he needed to time to mature,” explained Margaret. “He is the most adorable boy – very sweet and affectionate a complete gentleman. Chloe, my daughter, loved having him home last year and spent the summer hacking in our open fields and our country roads”. Benji arrived with producer Gill Thompson in January this year. “Gill has done an exceptional job with him. This was only his third ever show so we were over the moon with his results,” said Margaret, as they look toward the RIHS and HOYS qualifiers approaching them in the coming months.

Stanley Grange Crescendo ridden by Chloe Salley

and has that beauty and charm required in a standout show pony; I only wish I could blow her up to 15.2hh for myself!

Another young mini to bag an RIHS ticket was five-year-old hunter pony lead rein, Newoak Nancy Astor, also winner of the novice lead rein hunter type. He was ridden by Victoria Abba, and led by

Restricted show hunter pony section saw Team Jinks take a home run, securing all four classes and seeing stable mates go head-tohead for the championship, eventually secured by 143cm Tandridge Debutante and Livie Smith ahead of Abigail Konechny’s 133cm Janala Mr Tom ridden by Oscar Konechny. The final classes were won by David Jinks’ own 122cm Rosedale Pheedora under Lily Varley and Liz Gribbin’s 153cm Rosscon Copycat (Comet).

Comet was originally purchased for client Vicki Rudd unbroken from Irish scout, PJ Watson. He was subsequently broken and turned away last year before swapping hands. He is intended for Liz’s granddaughter Bryony to eventually ride, but as she is concentrating on college, Reise has taken the reins for the season. Reise and the fiveyear-old also took an RIHS ticket and won their novice class and went on to stand novice show hunter pony champion, with Christina Gillet’s 122cm Annandale Line of Fire ridden by Blubell Beechey in reserve.

As well as being busy working in, Adam also led Naomi Bardwell’s lead rein Hightopps Black Magic (Maggie) to win both the RIHS and restricted mini championships, ridden by Naomi’s granddaughter Scarlett Smith, 6. Maggie is by Hightopps Hugo out of Hightopps Black Pearl and was originally sent to us by her breeders to break. “We all fell for her early on,” explained Adam, “she is a joy to lead and simply floats on air beside you. She’s the epitome of elegance

Burgate Flint ridden by Smanatha Taylor

mum, Rebecca Abba, who co-produces the ponies alongside her sister, Chrissy Knipe. Chrissy’s own daughters, Olivia and Samantha Taylor were also in the ribbons. Olivia and Alabama stood top in their 153cm RIHS show hunter pony class, whilst Samantha partnered both Burgate Flint to a win inn the novice and restricted 133cm working hunter pony class and novice champion, and Helen Davies’ Landeman Bird of Paradise in the 138cm RIHS show pony class on behalf of Team Ahern. All in all, an “amazing show” for the family, said Chrissy.

Native specialist Aimee Devane headed the novice heritage working hunter pony championship riding Welsh section C, Costa Joe The Boss having won the 133cm class. Five-year-old Joey was lightly contended

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by Aimee in flat classes on behalf of Decland Davies but is now co-owned between Aimee and Rachel Cooper, and it is intended that they share him. Rachel took over the ride in flat classes at the BSPS Heritage championships where she was restricted reserve, and she went on to be champion at Thames Valley Welsh Show. Meanwhile Aimee will contest working hunter pony classes with him and stood reserve novice mountain and moorland working hunter pony at the UKP&H Spring Spectacular. Welsh ponies dominated the championship, with all four section winners being Welsh. In reserve was Jane Evans’ Felinmor Crown Prince, winner of the 143cm class ridden by Ameila Evans. The remaining classes were headed by 122cm winner Springbourne Compass ridden by Evanthe Hughes, and Holly Charnock with her own winner of the exceeding 143cm class, Menai Castaway.

A Welsh pony also topped the heritage novice ridden championship. This time it was Sarah Weston’s Llynhelyg Mistar, ridden by his producer Sarah Parker.

The impressive section D stallion was purchased by Sarah last August unbroken after a successful in hand career. She explained that “he has been brought on slowly and has only done a handful of shows, one being BSPS Area 4A where he was thrown into the deep end qualifying for RIHS. He is a super boy with the kindest nature and we are excited to see what he can achieve”.

The “Sarah’s” also won the novice Highland Fell and Dales class with Greenrivers Luke. But in reserve was the winner of the New Forest and Connemara class, New Forest, Nutschullyng River Dance, owned by Karyn Thomas and ridden by her daughter, Ellenor.

Lucy Goes For Gold

Costa Joe The Boss ridden by Aimee Devane

Uber consistent 153cm working hunter pony mare T G F Lucy took the popular Gold Cup championship under Alice Cowie. Alice has owned 12-year-old Lucy since a six-year-old and together they have enjoyed enormous success. In 2021 they took the RIHS reserve title, reserve for the Desert Orchid stakes, and the championship at the Royal Highland as well as a win in the inter-country teams for England. Last season, Alice and Lucy stood second at Burghley and second at HOYS, and they secured their RIHS 2023 ticket on their season debut. Despite their illustrious tally, the pair had yet to take a Gold Cup tricolour. “I love the gold cup competition too, it’s such an exciting competition, but I had never gone gone cup champion before so it was very special to win,” said Alice, who will now be taking a Llynhelyg Mistar ridden by Sarah Parker

short break to concentrate on her A levels before a return to the ring scheduled for Royal Cheshire County Show. Let’s hope they go as well as Lucy does for Alice!

Reserve was 2022 champion, Georgia Darlington who won the intermediate section after being the only double clear in the class for the second time running.

This year, however, she rode her long-term partner Lisa’s Dream. The pair then went on to pick up an RIHS intermediate ticket leaving Georgia with a pickle: which pony to ride at the final? She has also qualified last year’s Gold Cup champion and Intermediate Working Hunter Pony of the Year, Jara.

46 | Showing World | July Issue 2023 | info@showingworldonline.co.uk T G F Lucy ridden by Alice Cowie

3, 2, 1 Go for Toro!

Showing World’s latest team members Thistledown El Toro and Kashia Bhogal wowed on their first appearance together, just days after Kashia was announced as the winner of our competition to find Toro a partner in crime! The pair improved as the weekend drew on, standing third in their first RIHS class together before standing second in the BSPS LIHS qualifier to take a semi-final ticket, and then going on to win and take the RIHS section championship 24 hours later. No stranger to success, Toro has previously stood second at HOYS, held multiple qualifications for RI, HOYS and LIHS, and taken high profile county level championships including at the Great Yorkshire Show in 2022.

Meanwhile Kashia has also produced and ridden a number of ponies to qualify for HOYS and RIHS, and was led by her older sister Kerinder to win HOYS and stand mini mountain and moorland champion with Dartmoor pony Springwater Legato in 2012.

Thistledown El Toro and Kashia Bhogal

First Time Ticket!

Congratulations to Isobel Miller on securing her very first RIHS ticket in the PP mixed height SHP class with Dinky Dolphin (Dolly). Six-year-old Dolly is a part bred Connemara by Glencarrig Dolphin. “We bought her last year and Isobel did a few novice classes on her and has been working on her flat work and starting her jumping,” said Isobel’s mum, Rebecca. Isobel and Dolly also contested the winter worker 80 and 90 cm finals at the champs and “are looking forward to competing in some novice working hunter classes this year.”

Dinky Dolphin ridden by Isobel Miller

Thistledown Coup Sandy Anderson’s Thistledown prefix enviably secured the top three places in the novice mountain and moorland lead rein class.

Thisledown Magpie got the nod ahead of second placed Thistledown Silver Bullet and Thistledown Red Win in third. Magpie is owned and led by Jamie Clarke and ridden by her daughter Charlotte Knight. The pair went on to stand reserve champion to a fourth Thistledown Welsh section A, Thistledown Lord Glencoe, owned by Jade Gardner and ridden by his producer Michaela Jones’ daughter Lara.

Thistledown Lord Glencoe ridden by Lara Jones

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Potter and Pedro for Sibling Success Section A pony Crumpwell Harry Potter cut a super-cute image under his new rider Kitty Lea. Harry has had an extremely successful run under former rider Daisy Allen, culminating in standing 2022 RIHS UKP&H junior champion last July. He was purchased by Kitty’s mum, Marie from Daisy’s parents Gavin and Jodie in February. “He wasn’t actually for sale, only lease as Daisy still had her last year in the junior class, however after discussions, the Allens agreed that we could purchase Harry for Kitty,” explained Marie. “Daisy has kept the junior ride for this year and we are excited to watch them. Kitty is 9 so will be in first ridden with Harry all this year and next, and our elder daughter Issie will take over the junior ride next year”. Meanwhile, Harry has moved from the Allens’ South Wales base to producer Jill Rushton’s yard. At the BSPS Winter champs, Kitty and Harry won the tiny tots first ridden section. “We love Harry; he has stepped right down for Kitty. She’s learnt to canter riding him and he’s been good as gold, he is really looking after our daughter who is gaining confidence all the time.” Not to be outdone, Kitty’s younger brother Charlie, 8, rode his own section A Colne Pedro to win the Tiny Tots walk and trot class.

Crumpwell Harry Potter ridden by Kitty Lea

Colne Pedro ridden by Charlie Lea

Cadlanvalley VIP Makes Emotional Return To Victory It was an emotional moment for Kim Wilson when her daughter Charlotte and section B pony Cadlanvalley VIP (Vinnie) won their 122cm restricted heritage working hunter pony class at the BSPS championships.

“We fell in love with him because he is the true barbie pony, with his flashy golden locks,” explained Kim. “I saw him being ridden by Olivia Brightmore in a HOYS qualifier and I said to Charlotte ‘we are having that pony’!”

Vinnie joined the Wilson family in 2021 and proceeded to qualify for HOYS later that year as a first ridden, “but as a section B he was a bit much for that class, so we moved him up to juniors,” explained Kim. But disaster was courting them, and in May 2022, it hit.

“I had just dropped the kids off at my mum’s,” said Kim. “When I got back, the horses were staring at the stable yard which was bizarre. When I walked up to the yard, the concrete was just a mass of blood and I saw Vinnie, blood pouring out his chest.”

The origins of the injury remain a mystery, although a “destroyed” section of fence may serve as a significant clue. Typically, Kim’s CCTV system doesn’t cover the area.

When the vet inspected the hole in Vinnie’s chest, she found it to be almost “elbow deep” and explained he needed to be moved to the Dick Vet in Edinburgh or put to sleep.

Unable to contemplate the grim alternative, Kim set off for Edinburgh.

He was operated on and remained at the Dick Vet for four weeks before a further four months box rest at home.

Kim explained that “Charlotte found ways to entertain him from singing, reading stories, making him fruit kebabs and playing dunking for apples to stop him going mad with boredom.”

After the long period of box rest came rehab. “We slowly built him up over the winter with hacking, long reining and

Cadlanvalley VIP ridden by Charlotte Wilson

then swimming before we started pole work and cross poles, which was when we realised how much he loves jumping.”

A career in workers beckoned. “We took him to the BSPS winter champs for some experience and see how he deals with tough tracks.

He cleared every track with just a pole and was placed in every class including the RI qualifier.

Vinne and Charlotte’s last class was the restricted heritage class and he flew round, keeping all the poles up, and winning a really strong class. He looks after Charlotte and always helps her out; they just need more mileage.”

And next? “We have been through hell with this pony and as much as we adore him, it’s been difficult. Charlotte has done all the rehabilitation and jumping work herself and she really deserves some success. We would love to get him to RIHS and HOYS as a worker and really make it the fairytale ending.”

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COLOURED CONNECTIONS: Appleton Grange Stud Manager Alice Newson, and so together they decided to expand the business and began breeding on a larger scale.

In 2019, they renovated to be able to offer foaling down services alongside their own mares, and a year later, they took the decision to stand “outside” stallions. A bespoke stallion block and office was built along with a collection pen with a dummy meaning they were equipped with everything needed to offer AI. From this point, things at Appleton Grange snowballed, growing annually. Jo, however, is philosophical about their success, and is quick to credit her staff. “We are very grateful to the hard-working team of staff who share our love for breeding and will work long hours, including nights on foal watch or providing round the clock care for foals needing extra support. It should be said that, the stud would not have thrived without the leadership and passion shown by Stud manager Alice Newson who has been with us from the start”.

O’Marcos First Foundation

When Jo Garrett was offered O’Marco in 2013, it was “perfect timing”. having already had a long involvement in the showing of coloured horses and ponies and having quietly been on “the lookout” for a foundation stallion. “After breeding a little in my younger years, I wanted to follow this path,” explained Jo. The aim, by now is to “breed quality coloured horses that can go on to do a job, with conformation and temperament being vital so they are trainable and can live a long life with a good career, whether it be in showing or eventing etc, or simply as someone’s best friend”.

Caroline Hamilton of the Lostock stud is also credited: “We are also very lucky to be working closely alongside Caroline Hamilton of Lostock stud who has been our mentor and great friend with never-ending valuable advice and guidance.”

In a bid to ‘give back’ the AGS team have recently confirmed that they will be undertaking sponsorship of the Coloured Horse or Pony of section, and home-bred stallion O’Marcos First the Year alongside CHAPS UK, a society Jo has Foundation passing his CHAPS UK gradings on resoundingly positive comments and going on to long been affiliated to. “We believe it is really produce second generation offspring among her important to support the societies you believe in, enabling them to provide the opportunities greatest achievements as a breeder. they do for all members. This is applies to a During the O’Marco years, her increasing broad spectrum across the equine world where passion for breeding was shared by Stud the support is needed to keep vital communities

Jo’s love of coloured horses began over 20 years ago when she bred her first in April 2000 out of an event mare before purchasing Ballygars Angel (Balli) as “a raw youngster” from Caven Performance Sales in Ireland in 2005. Balli went on to be very successful in the show ring competing at HOYS and claiming numerous other titles.

O’Marco, a bay tobiano Trakehner stallion is now happily retired at 27 years old. However, having bred 2-4 foals a year up until retirement in 2019, his legacy as Appleton Grange’s foundation stallion will be palpable for many years to come.

In fact, Jo considers one of her early foals by O’Marco winning the foal futurity section at the CHAPS UK championships in 2018 before going on to stand supreme in the breeders challenge

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running, right from the grass roots up to the top levels,” said Jo.

Silver Boy Blue

By now, Appleton Grange’s will foal down around 12 of their own mares each year. This year, their mares will account for just a third, with 36 booked in altogether. As well as foaling, AGS staff will work with their vets to take mares through the whole breeding process, from initial scans, to insemination, foaling and even weaning.

They are also “lucky to be trusted with some very special stallions”, with seven in residence and two ‘walkins’. “We have the facilities to house on-site stallions through stud season and all year round along with walk-in stallions who come to us for collections for mares on site and to be shipped out all over the country. Multiple members of our dedicated team have been to training courses and are qualified AI technicians allowing us to inseminate mares while working closely with our vets Hambleton Equine Clinic.”

Although AGS stand many stallions of different types, they remain resolute in their own quest to quality coloured show and sports horses.

Still, it hasn’t been all rosy. When asked what lessons she has learned about breeding over the years, Jo is quick to answer: “Breeding is not easy or for the faint hearted, as with horses in all ways there are always risks and unfortunately no matter how much you put in, sometimes

things do still go wrong which is heart-breaking.

It can be a roller-coaster of emotions, but with the hard work and dedication of our team who work around the clock and giving everything their absolute all allows us to see the happy endings and this thoroughly outweighs the heartache. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing foals that may have had a difficult start thriving or owners who have trusted us with their mares being overjoyed with their new arrivals.”

The pressures of expanding the business has meant that the AGS team have shown less than they would perhaps have wished, something that they would like to put right in the coming seasons, and the foals born since the expansion of Appleton Grange’s programme will be three this time, meaning they will enter the ridden circuit next year, all being well, repeating the successes of former generations when the stud was smaller at CHAPS, STARS and other championship shows.

“We look forward to what the future will bring with our home-bred foals and watching them progress in their new homes, and we always like to stay in touch,” said Jo, and she admits that “to watch our own home-bred horses competing at HOYS or such like would fulfil a dream of ours.”

Lostock Candyman (Sally Coles)

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Two By Two! Hurrah Hurrah!

Native Breeds Festival | United Counties Showground, Carmarthenshire 28.05.2023 | Report by Beth Simons Photos by EquinePix

The Native Breeds Festival in Carmarthenshire saw competitors head to west Wales from far and wide, meaning that whilst classes were not enormous in quantity, they were abundant in quality. This was the second running of the show, and as the classes unfolded, it became evident that the number two was the theme of the day!

Eventual supreme was five-year-old Glebedale Sancerre (Princess), who headed home with two golden tickets ridden by Lilly Richardson.

This pretty section A mare has belied her lack of milage to add an early HOYS first ridden and junior small breeds qualification to her already impressive repertoire. She is leased to Lilly’s mum, Lucy Richardson from her breeders Kitty Bodily and Jill Williams.

Princess and Lilly almost added a third ticket to their tally, but in the spirit of the day, stood second in the open Welsh section A class!

Lilly and Princess went on to stand junior reserve but later still, overall HOYS champion, graduating to the supreme.

Taking the open breed championship was Yorkshire-based Hannah Atkinson riding her mother, Linda Atkinson’s homebred Welsh section C gelding Danwood Llewellyn (Lewi).

The 11-year-old has been super-successful under saddle, with multiple qualifications for

Glebedale Sancerre ridden by Lilly Richardson

HOYS topped by a win and reserve champion at the final in 2018, ridden by Linda herself.

He’s also contested the London International Horse Show twice, standing seventh and Best of Breed in 2021 under Hannah. As ever Lewi gave an impeccably mannered account of himself to secure the highest ride mark

and highest conformation mark of the class and take the ticket. To make the long journey south completely worthwhile, the Atkinsons asked Abergavenny’s Ella Eynon, 13 to “give the juniors a go. He’s never done a junior class before,” said Hannah, “and obviously Ella’s never ridden him before, so we had no expectations.” Nevertheless, Lewi and Ella gelled immediately, going on to claim the junior large breeds class by eight marks ahead of a second section C, Wyken Sweet Silhouette ridden by Annie Dilcock Thomas.

Interestingly, this meant both first and second were sired by the prolific Wyken Rob Roy. Ella and Lewi later took the junior championship meaning that Lewi and the Atkinson’s flew home on a high with two tickets and two tricolours on board. “I’m very grateful to Ella for riding him so well and to Rebecca and Eurig for letting her,” said Hannah, adding, “and I’m so proud of him.

He’s my show pony but also my fun pony. I love every minute of working with him.” Not to be outdone, it was also Ella’s second win, having also won the Picton novice C and D class on her parents Rebecca Faulkner and Eurig Eynon’s exciting homebred cob, Hatterall Emperor, also Louis!

Reserve champion in the open HOYS section was Danielle Everitt with her own Monahawk Masterpiece (Bond). This was the second time for the Welsh section D stallion to qualify at the Native Breeds Fastival albeit for the third time. He has also stood champion ridden at the Royal Welsh and has sired Royal Welsh Winter Fair winners, juggling covering with ridden commitments with ease due to his laidback, kindly temperament.

Danwood Llewellyn ridden by Ella Eynon

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Monohawk Masterpiece ridden by Danielle Everitt

The mini championship was awarded to the winners of the lead rein class, Alice Hertenfeld and her mum Katherine’s Shetland mare, Sharptor Keepsake.

Incidentally, this was the second time this pair also qualified at Native Breeds Festival!

The final two HOYS tickets on offer – the open As and Bs – were awarded to two homebreds, India Latter Sears riding Stewart Franklin’s Sarum Phantom and Libby Grota riding her mum Hayley Grota’s Cadlanvalley Total Elation respectively. With just one exam left, Libby was pleased to be almost done with academic pressures for the year! Sticking to the day’s theme, this will be both ponies’ second trip to HOYS!

Sharptor Keepsake ridden by Alice Hartenfeld and led by Katherine Hartenfeld

Sarum Phantom ridden by India Latter Sears

Cadlanvalley Elation ridden by Libby Grota

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Sports Horse Breeding (SHB GB) Spring Show April 2nd, Addington | Equestrian Centre, Bucks Report by Beth Simons | Photos by Spidge Photography A SON of Big Time Ginger heads the RIHS working hunter title for owner Rebecca Brierley. Ernie Big and Rachel Turner scored 18 for both jump and ride over Lisa Kelly’s up-to-height track to win the Radiance Gold RIHS lightweight class before taking the overall working hunter championship. The 13-year-old bay gelding has been partnered by Rebecca’s sister Rachel for the last seven years and also won here the previous week at UK Ponies and Horses Spring Classic show. “Ernie came to us as a seven-year-old from Michael Cooper,” said Rebecca, who noted he was very successful as a novice and has now been in open ranks for a few years. Bred by the Cusack family out of Penny Moon, Ernie and Rachel will now head to Bramham, Lincoln County and Hickstead.

“He’s the kindest horse, loves his job and pleases us every day,” said Rebecca. “He’s a dream horse and is as brave as a lion - if he rolls a pole, it’s down to rider error. He owes us nothing and is our pride and joy.”

Ernie Big and Rachel Turner

Reserve went to Derek Ricketts’ heavyweight winner – Renaissance Man and Derek’s stepdaughter Laura Juniper. By Jack of Diamonds, the 10-year-old bay roan was

Derek’s former hunt horse for the Bicester & Whiddon Chase until Laura took over the ride two years ago. “Derek let me ride him 18 months ago as my hound horse went wrong and Laura Juniper and Renaissance Man

we haven’t looked back,” said Laura.

Northampton-based Laura also show jumps ‘Rodney’ and they have both Newcomers and Foxhunter double clears in the bag for his second-round qualification.

Rachel (Turner) also went on to win the restricted workers on her sister and Rose Bailey’s Noble Venture, a sevenyear-old bay mare who started as a novice last season.

Jayne Ross and Twinshock Warrior started their season on a high with a win in the RIHS Dragon Star Protection heavyweight hunter division, before taking the hunter championship. The 11-year-old bay gelding began his ridden career with Simon Charlesworth as a five-year-old and joined team Ross a year later. The son of Ricardo Z has many prestigious accolades under his belt including novice title at the British Show Horse Association (BSHA) championships and latterly at supreme champion at HOYS and

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Sarah Moreland and Coultard

the RIHS. Jayne said ‘Bernard’, as he’s known at home, is now owned by the Bailey family. “He’s a yard favourite and a dream ride. He’s in great form and having a wonderful run of success.

He’s thoroughly enjoying a mixed bag of hacking, visiting the all-weather canter tracks and chilling in the field with his mates. Every now and again he gets on the party bus, struts his stuff like a pro and preens his way home,” said Jayne, who added his next outing is the Hickstead Derby meeting. “He will undoubtedly relish all the room and the lovely surface in the pavilion ring.”

Master Jack Brown and Lucy-Anne Fawdry-Jeffries (nee Lockwood) won the RIHS amateur middle/heavyweight class and championship. The sevenyear-old, by Kings Master, is owned

by Lucy’s parents Tony and Julie Lockwood and is kept at their home in Worcestershire. “I’m sure he’s half human and would prefer to come inside for afternoon tea with mummy if he could,” said Lucy, who now lives in Oxford. “We bought Jack over the phone from Ireland as a three-yearold after we lost Rosser Dancer in 2019,” said Lucy. Rosser Dancer died suddenly from cancer shortly after winning the amateur title at Royal Windsor. “It was a gamble buying him unseen, but definitely a lucky one as he’s the most absurd equine character I’ve ever met. He has such a bond with my mother and I’m super lucky she looks after him for me – if it wasn’t for her, I couldn’t do any of this.”

Herts County Show’s executive director, Sarah Moreland, had a well rewarded day off as she piloted her own Coultard to a win in the RIHS amateur small/ lightweight hunter class and the section reserve title. The 2022 SEIB Search for A Star hunter winner was bought out of Scotland just over three

Jayne Ross and Twinshock Warrior

years ago through Sandra Low-Mitchell.

“I flew to Edinburgh on her recommendation to try him just before Covid,” said Sarah.

The son of Coriano was bred by Lesley Campbell in Aberdeen and has competed in all disciplines including side-saddle and dressage. “We did the British Dressage Area Festival novice semi-final at Addington in January and would like to aim him for workers as he jumps, too,” said Sarah.

Lucy-Anne Fawdry-Jeffries “He’s kept on DIY livery at a local farm and is just a total dude. the lightweight class and championship, The versatile gelding also does grade four the Laidlaw Challenge Cup for the overall para dressage with Georgina Maton. “He’s young horse in-hand supreme and the ultimate all-rounder and I love him to Pembroke Cup owner-bred title. Produced bits.”

by Jane last season and shown by Michael Olivia Edmondson piloted her own Double Mocha to a win in the RIHS Dragon Star Protection ladies’ hunter class. Olivia, who works as an interior designer, originally showed the son of Willowcroft Regal Bronze as a riding horse as a four and five-year-old, but has since been shown as a lightweight hunter and won their class at BSPS Area 15a. Double Mocha was introduced to side-saddle last year and won at Staffs County and Royal Highland, before finishing seventh at RIHS. “To get both our tickets in 48 hours is just amazing,” said Olivia, who also rides full brother Beyond Bronze in large hack classes.

The novice title went to future ridden star - Bloomfield Watergate – who was ridden here by Ireland’s Jane Bradbury.

By Watermill Swatch, Watergate won the All-Ireland three-year-old title last year before going to Royal Dublin to win

Lyons, he was sold to USA-based Irish veterinary surgeon Brendan Furlong who sent him to team Tatlow for Alice Homer to start under saddle. “I was intrigued to find out how he rode, so I flew in to ride him here,” said Jane. “We are excited for his future as a top lightweight show hunter,” said Loraine Homer. “He’s proving exceptionally easy to produce, too.”

Jayne said ‘Bernard’, as he’s known at home, is now owned by the Bailey family.

“He’s in great form and having a wonderful run of success. He’s thoroughly enjoying a mixed bag of hacking, visiting the all weather canter tracks and chilling in the field with his mates. Every now and again he gets on the party bus, struts his stuff like a pro and preens his way home,” said Jayne, who added his next outing is the Hickstead Derby meeting. “he will undoubtedly relish all the room and the lovely surface in the pavilion ring.”

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Amber Glows for Golden Ticket NPS Spring Festival | Three Counties Showground, Malvern 22nd of April, 2023 Report by Emily Cooper Photos by 1st Class Images Despite testing weather in the run up to the show, the National Pony Society hosted a great spring show, enjoyed by all. There were several exciting novices making grounds in the ring, and a glut of RIHS and HOYS tickets meant open ponies were also out in force.

“It still hasn’t sunk in, the season we are having,” said Olivia Swailes, whose own 13-year-old Fell mare, Dalefoot Amber II secured both a HOYS and RIHS ticket at the show. The pair clinched the first open Fell Pony of the Year spot, heading off competition from other Fells, Dales, Highland and New Forest ponies. They also won their PP Heritage Mixed Breeds class, their third ticket of the year, having already secured a place in the UKP&H intermediate and amateur finals at NCPA Easter Spectacular and NCPA Lancashire Spring Show respectively, where they also stood champion. At the BSPS Championships a week later, they went on to secure a fourth ticket in the open Fell, Dales and Highland final.

Amber is out of Dalefoot Amber by Greenholme Look At Me. She has been a part of the family since 2017. “We bought her from Kevin Turner (Green River stud) however she was bred by Barbara Potter (Dalefoot stud),” explained Olivia.

Menai George ridden by Beth Simons

Dalefoot Amber II ridden by Olivia Swailes

They have “been lucky enough” to compete at the RIHS for the past four consecutive shows, finishing fourth in 2018. They have also made two prior consecutive visits to HOYS, finishing sixth and ninth. “This season is by far our best results; we have never been lucky enough to have all our tickets for the full season before May,” she said, adding, “Amber is our family pet she is used by the whole family. My mum, Emma Foster, uses Amber to hack out and do local fun rides, I use Amber to compete at shows and my three-year-old daughter Lily is learning to ride on Amber alongside hacking to our local ice cream shop for an ice cream.

Amber will remain a part of our family forever.”

Hannah Turnock’s reigning LIHS Welsh section C Best of Breed Menai George made his seasonal debut a successful one taking the first Ridden Welsh section C of the Year qualification. The Tyreos Survivor eight-year-old was originally produced by Hannah on behalf of former owner Robert Elliot, but having fallen for George, Hannah and her mother Sarah Lee purchased him last summer. They enjoyed a superb 2022, qualifying for RIHS, LIHS and HOYS. However, with Hannah expecting her second child in July, George was ridden by Showing World editor Beth Simons. “George is a lovely pony and Hannah’s worked so hard with him it was a pleasure to be a part of his ongoing success,” said Beth, “having said that, I couldn’t quite believe we would be so lucky as to take a first ticket, and despite a top pull and checking my number a few times during the class, I still had to check one more time when my number was called!” Flying the flag for their own ponies was Beth’s sister Maggie, winning the novice 133cm mountain and moorland working hunter pony class with her own “Barbie pony” Welsh section C Brynseion Mr Paxford.

However, the reserve championship was taken by the recipient of the first Ridden Connemara Pony of the Year qualifier. This was 2022 RIHS supreme mountain and moorland, Aniar Cashel ridden by his owner, ridden Connemara doyen Sandra Burton.

The ten-year-old was bred by Joe Burke, for whom Sandra initially showed him before purchasing him over the winter. He out of Gowlane Star, and by HOYS finalist and Olympia Best of Breed, Banks Timber, whom Sandra won the RIHS championship with in 2017, and who also belongs to Joe and family. “We’re so pleased with him,” said Sandra’s daughter, Emily.

Haighmoor Horace ridden by Michelle Rowles-Lloyd

The tricolour was awarded to the winner of the Welsh section D class, Haighmoor Horace ridden by owner Michelle Rowles Lloyd.

Bred by Julie Evans, Horace is out of Haighmoor Groten Goch, who narrowly missed out on a ticket to HOYS of her own standing second on two separate occasions under Zara Owen. This will be Michelle and Horace’s second trip to HOYS as they also stood champion at Royal Norfolk last season, something of a dream come true for Michelle, who explained at the time that she had dreamed of riding at HOYS since a little girl.

Royal Flush

Aniar Cashel ridden by Sandra Burton

Kelly Phillips’ homebred Sandboro Royal Affair (Woody) seven-year-old stallion won his class in the NPS/Mr & Mrs Roberts Ottergayle Hack/ Riding Horse in hand section and the championship. Woody is by Llanarth Aristocrat and out of TB mare Immediately. He’s produced at home and has been lightly but successfully shown by Kelly with wins including winning the Ottergayle final at the NPS championships in 2021, supreme inhand at NPS Area 11, and champion at NCPA Staffordshire, Pembrokeshire County and British Isles final champion at the NPS championships in 2022. He also went on to stand British Isles champion.

This was his seasonal debut in the showring, and Kelly explained that there are a “couple of wonderful hack youngsters by him waiting to make their showing debut” in the wings.

Sandboro Royal Affair shown by Kelly Phillips

Reserve in ‘the Otergayle’ championship was Katie Bennet’s second placed seven-year-old mare, Diptford Pollyanna (Diptford Great Expectations x Diptford Fairy Tale). Katie purchased her as a three-year-old from her breeder, Sue Freeth. It was a case of déjà vu for the pair, as they stood reserve champion in ‘the Ottergayle’ hack final at the NPS Summer Championships in 2021 and was reserve supreme hack

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at the NPS Great British in hand show in 2022. “This season we plan to mainly focus on her ridden career,” said Katie, adding, “she’s still eligible for novice affiliated classes and has recently qualified for the novice intermediate final at the NPS Summer Championships this year”.

Kelly and Woody also stood in hand NPS Silver Medal champions with the recipient of the NPS/Leyhills Stud Mountain and Moorland In Hand Winter Final tricolour taking reserve. This was Liz Twite’s Highland pony, Kirtonian Loch Birnie (Buzz). Nine-year-old Buzz is by Carlung Principal out of Lagalgarve Loch Tanna. He was bred by Liz’s “very good friends” Carrie Quick and her mum Elizabeth Roberts. Liz explained that she purchased Buzz, her first Highland pony, as a foal. “He is totally home produced and does everything from in hand and ridden showing, to jumping, dressage and even carries a side saddle.” The pair qualified for Malvern at NPA Area 10 and “only decided to attend the final as we were travelling from our home in North Devon to Vale View EC for the SEIB SFAS qualifiers that weekend,” said Liz. “We ended up having an amazing weekend as we also qualified for Your Horse live on the Sunday in both the in hand and the ridden mountain and moorland classes”. The wins were also particularly poignant as Liz’s mum sadly died recently. “She was my biggest supporter of me with the ponies. She was certainly smiling down on us.”

Imogen, or Immy, Ripper’s Christmas present Cloddiau Tomos has been the gift that keeps on giving, winning at every appearance this spring. The 10-year-old Welsh section A was purchased for Immy – also 10 – by mum, Louise Ripper last December. He was duly gelded having already enjoyed a successful Kirtonian Loch Birnie shown by Liz Twite

career as an open pony, qualifying for HOYS twice. The pair lifted the winter novice mini mountain and moorland championship, and also won two first ridden qualifiers for the NPS Summer Championships.

They had already scored wins at the New forest Enthusiast show, SEWPCA spring show, and NPS Area 24’s spring show.

Reserve in the winter novice mini mountain and moorland final was five-year-old Isla Bate riding her mother Jodie’s Welsh sec A gelding Gencerich Peter Pan (Pete) having won the winter novice lead rein final. Pete is also just five years old, so Jodie explained that they “didn’t expect them to win the final and were over the moon,” adding, “what a brilliant start to their season together. We bought Pete last July and he is proving himself to be a little unicorn”. Isla also rode Sharn Linney’s Thistledown Red Wine to reserve in the novice lead rein qualifier.

Another Welsh A, Glebedale Sancerre (Princess), topped the winter pure novice final and championship before taking the NPS silver medal and British Isles Supreme ridden. She was ridden by Lilly Richardson, and is leased to the Richardson family from her breeders Kitty Bodily and Jill Williams, reigning Showing World Breeder of the Year. Princess enjoyed a successful inhand career as a youngster before heading to Sam Roberts’ to be broken and later, joining the Richardsons.

This young pair pipped Sarah Challinor to the tricolour with Sarah Weston’s promising Welsh section D stallion, Llynhelyg Mistar.

The ‘Dargavel’ championship brought quality young ponies to the fore, with the final’s namesake, Lucinda Dargavel landing the reserve championship riding her own Dartmoor stallion, Newoak St Paul (Santos). Five-year-old Santos enjoyed a prolific run in-hand as a youngster and is now in ridden production with Somerset based Jessica Talbot.

Cloddiau Tomos ridden by Immy Ripper

Lucinda and Santos stood second to Eleri Wyn Jenkins and her own section B stallion Phylberns Pop Sox, purchased from breeder Gareth Roberts. “We had always loved him and followed his success in hand,” explained Eleri, adding, “Sox did a couple of shows last year, gaining championships and supremes. He’s been to four shows this year winning at each outing including three championships and two reserve supremes.” The pair also claimed the winter confined novice championship ahead of the reserves, Sam Roberts and Ystradcothi Regal Prince (Bart). Not to be outdone, however, Sam and Bart clinched the winter open ridden tricolour.

Shetland to the Rescue Shetland mare Beeftub Belle Emilio (Belle) delighted her connections taking the novice mountain and moorland class under her tiny rider Morgan Mathews. Her mum, Marie explained that having started riding at just two years old, Morgan was making sufficient progress with her riding to purchase a top-class novice Shetland to campaign at HOYS level. But the family’s plans were cut short, discovering that he needed surgery, and when the surgery didn’t go to plan, discovering that they may lose him. They were kindly loaned a lead rein show pony to keep Morgan riding and our showing dreams alive. “However, despite some Phylberns Pop Sox ridden by Eleri Wyn Jenkins initial progress and good results, we started to notice a change in Morgan. She didn’t want to go to the yard, she didn’t want to ride, and she seemed lost and miserable. As a parent it was impossibly frustrating, because our loan pony was saintly and we were set for a great 2023, but our jockey had simply checked out,” explained Marie. At this point, Samantha Walker put Marie in touch with Belle’s owner Kate Hampton.

Samantha’s own daughters Lilly and Evie had broken and enjoyed great success with Belle in a host of activities, qualifying for the RIHS at Staffordshire County last year. The theory was that perhaps Morgan hadn’t fallen out of love with riding but simply needed a Shetland back.

“Although I admit I was initially sceptical, Morgan tried Belle at a local show, and it was all the evidence required. The bubbly, chatty rider we knew came back like the flip of a switch. For our family, qualifying for the RIHS is only part of the fairytale so far, as every time Morgan asks to take Belle hacking or do some cross poles it’s enough to make our hearts burst.”

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7 WINNING WORKERS Deerpark Millie ridden by Morgan Beer take the 153cm RIHS working hunter pony championship

Deami Bravado and Ollie Rowlands are open worker and junior worker champions

Emilia Kangurs and Bowmount Rusty win the RIHS 133cm working hunter pony qualifier

Frederiksminde Volcano and Vicki Casey are RIHS M&M working hunter pony champions

Mollegyden Brego and Lucy Parr stand novice M&M working hunter pony champions

Cosford Flotation and Chloe Spencer stand reserve novice M&M working hunter pony champions

Thistledown Van Der Vaart, Penny and Mark Richardson top the lead rein working hunter pony class

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“It couldn’t have worked out better.”

A Highlight from the Northern Ireland Festival The first golden ticket to HOYS 2023’s Price Family Supreme In Hand final was awarded to Louise Noonan and family’s homebred Connemara pony stallion Manor Duke at the Northern Ireland Festival. 12-year-old Duke is by Currachmore Cashel out of Banks Vanilla. He was shown by his producer, Joe Burke, who is a fellow breeder of Connemaras. This will be the pair’s second visit to the HOYS final, as they also qualified in 2021 when they finished third.

Interestingly, the first Ridden Connemara Pony of the Year was awarded to Joe’s own breeding, with 2022 RIHS supreme mountain and moorland Aniar Cashel taking the ticket. He was ridden by his owner, ridden Connemara doyen Sandra Burton. “I had him in the Cuddy Supreme [now the Price Family Supreme] a couple of times and now he’s with Sandra,” explained Joe. The ten-year-old is out of Gowlane Star, and by HOYS finalist and Olympia Best of Breed, Banks Timber, whom Sandra won the RIHS championship with in 2017, and who also belongs to Joe and family.

“It couldn’t have worked out better,” summed up a delighted Joe, especially as Sandra and daughter Emily had flown out to Ireland to watch at the festival.

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Royal Windsor Horse Show:

Mountain and Moorlands In Hand 12th-13th of May, 2023 | Report by Beth Simons | Photos by 1st Class Images Loch Lomond Lands Dream Day “It doesn’t seem real,” said Rhi Randall of her supreme mountain and moorland accolade.

“Never in a million years did I expect to win the overall; it’s just a dream come true to win such a prestigious championship at Royal Windsor horse show.”

Rhi lifted the title with her homebred Highland stallion Fleetwoods Loch Lomond (Lochie). The four-year-old is

by Bluebraes Merrick out of Copperview Rose. Lochie was shown lightly but successfully last year to stand supreme at the Southern Highland Pony Breed show under judge Sylvia Ormiston, stud manager at the Balmoral stud. He followed this up by winning and going champion in the Highland Pony Society Youngstock final held at NPS Great British inhand show, where he was also Highland pony breed champion. A true native enthusiast, Rhi enjoys a range of activities with her ponies from eventing to workers and flat showing, and Lochie seems destined for a career under saddle next. “He was lightly backed at the end of last year and has been turned away since with the hope to bring him out as a novice in 2024,” explained Rhi.

London Total Temptress shown by Tony Newman

Rhi Rhandall stands up Fleetwoods Loch Lomond

Reserve supreme was the champion Welsh section D, London Total Temptress, owned and showed by Tony Newman. She was the 2019 Royal Welsh youngstock champion having charmed the crowd with her outstanding movement. She was bred by Stephanie Edwards, by the popular stock-getter Swanhill Golden Rocket, and out of Tardebigge Sea Empress. She was sent to Tony Newman and his partner Tina Nichols to be produced for a few foal shows before being sold from his yard but a breeder of Section Cs, Tony was so taken with this cob filly that he decided to purchase her for himself. “I had always admired the Ds but was more of a C man,” said Tony, “but she really caught my eye – she converted me!” said Tony. Fast forwards and now a five-year-old, she proved she certainly hasn’t lost that star appeal, the crowd getting behind her show for supreme judge Amanda Gommersall.

The Dales championship rosette found a new home in the Derbyshire Dales, as Sarah Noble and her own homebred Stuffynwood Princess took the title. The four-year-old is the last foal born by Westwick Douggies Lad, and she’s out of Stuffynwood Purdy Mae. This is the third tricolur of three attempts for a Stuffynwood pony at Windsor, with Princess’ paternal half-sisters Primrose and Daffodil standing champion in 2017 and 2018 respectively, Primrose going one further to take the overall supreme for her owner John Elliot.

Stuffynwood Princess shown by Sarah Noble

Hannah-May Stuart’s two-year-old filly Bybeck Agnes gave a terrific show of her paces in the Castle Arena’s supreme having already clinched the Fell tricolour shown by Thomas Partridge. Agnes is by Bybeck Rodney out of Bybeck Stella.

Woodrow the Warrior shown by David Allen

David Allen handled June Whitman’s homebred Woodrow the Warrior to the New Forest title. The three-year-old is by multi-garlanded ridden pony and prolific sire, Farriers Finger Print, and he’s out of Woodrow Delight’s Double.

Bybeck Agnes shown by Thomas Partridge

Idyllic Perseus shown by Georgia Crouchman

Knockferry Vision shown by Sophie Robins

Sophie Robins’ five-year-old stallion Knockferry Vision impressed for the Connemara breed tricolour. Bred by Vincent McDounagh, he is out of Glencarrig Knight out of Morning Blossom.

Georgia Crouchman showed her own and Caroline Crouchman’s Idyllic Perseus, to win the Welsh section A championship. Six-yearold Percy is by Brynrodyn Derwyn, and is out of former HOYS in-hand finalist Idyllic Perdita. He was purchased from breeders Mark and Liz Kilbey as a foal, and has been successfully shown in hand as a youngster despite a close call when he was two and incurred poisoning from a blackthorn.

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My own Thistledown Red Rain stood Welsh section B champion. By Mintfield Sandpiper and out of Thistledown Summer Rain, Red was initially leased to me by breeder Sandy Anderson. After fallin head over heels for her sunny disposition, Sandy turned my requests to purchase her down.

However, he made an exception for my now husband, who secretly purchased her for me as his wedding gift. I am hoping that seven-year-old Red will produce her first foal next spring.

Thistledown Red Rain shown by Beth Simons

Synod Rose Alex shown by Dex Davies

Chris and Louise Jennings’s 12-year-old mare Synod Rose Alex took the Welsh section C tricolour. The couple purchased the Synod Robyn Dundee x Synod Rosie O’Hara mare from the cob sales last autumn in foal to Ormond Rosenthal. This was her season debut and although she is home-produced, she was shown by Dex Davies with her foal at foot handled by Chris and Louise’s daughter Savanna, who is “obsessed with [foal] Billy the Kid,” explained Louise!

Devonshire breeders David Hodge and Julian Walters claimed two breed championships. The Shetland tricolour was awarded to home-bred 12-year-old stallion Blackertor Magneto, who is by Clivocast Napoleon out of Bayview Maggie May. He was shown by David, while Julian took charge over Dartmoor champion Pizwell Xander. The two-year-old colt is by Dunnabridge (W) Pegasus out of Pizwell Peebles.

Dunkery Widgeon shown by Hayley Reynolds

Multi-garlanded Exmoor stallion Dunkery Widgeon brought yet another title home for owner Maureen Richardson. The 15-year-old is by Dunkery Godwit out of Dunkery Corn Bunting. He was shown by his usual former show rider, Hayley Reynolds, with whom he enjoyed a fantastic run under saddle. The pair listed a ridden win at Windsor amongst his many accolades, which also include several HOYS and RIHS placings and Best of Breed at Olympia/LIHS with multiple appearances. Maureen explained that far from struggle to get Widgeon ready for Windsor’s early date, the hardest work was stopping this super-cool laid-back customer from getting too fat now his duties are mainly at stud rather than ridden!

Judge Amanda Gommersall hands a DPS special rosette to Pizwell Xander, shown by Julian Walters

Blackertor Magneto shown by David Hodge

Castle Kestrel ridden by Lucy Glover

Royal Windsor Horse Show:

Mountain and Moorlands Under Saddle Kestrel King of the Castle (Arena) Reigning LIHS mountain and moorland champions, Lucy Glover and Amanda Sharman’s Class 1 Connemara stallion Castle Kestrel are set to defend their title after securing the mountain and moorland ridden championship at Royal Windsor, held in the show’s inimitable Castle Arena. The eight-year-old gave yet another an exquisitely executed individual performance after ride judge Martin Jones set a complicated show including a canter transition “absolutely on a straight line towards the fence”, a canter circle, and a walk mid-way through the diagonal change. Kestrel, who impressed 2022 final onlookers with a well-mannered one-handed show, made light work of it, and shone in the evening’s championship.

Bred by Henry O’Toole, he is by Glencarrig Knight and out of Castle Melody. Lucy first spotted him online as a yearling, while he was still in his native Ireland.

Spotting his potential, Lucy messaged Amanda, who is based just fifteen minutes away – to tell her about him immediately. “I told her, ‘we need to buy this one, Amanda,’ but I later read on the advert that he was shown to a ridden home,” Lucy recalls, fondly, “So I rang her and said that he had gone, which was when she replied, ‘Yes, he’s gone because I’ve bought him!”

Despite their initial excitement to show him, he remains lightly competed. He was turned away at four allowing him to mature, and COVID-19 claimed his five-year-old year. Nevertheless, he won Windsor in 2022, qualified for RIHS, stood a credible seventh at HOYS and wowed to win at LIHS. No doubt we will see more of the pair’s winning ways as the season draws on.

In reserve was a pony who is also no stranger to the limelight. This was Sarah Weston’s homebred Dartmoor stallion, Westown Wild Fire, ridden by Sarah Parker.

They also claim a ticket to the final, as Royal Windsor is

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uniquely the only direct qualifier not hosted by the BSPS themselves to award a ticket to the reserve as well as the champion. The seven-year-old combines ridden and stud work and already has a win at HOYS in 2021 and a RIHS runner up spot to his name. Sarah was responsible for no less than two of the section winners. She also rode the Pennell family’s unstoppable Dales stallion Nipna Midnight Rambler (Rambo) to win his class before handing the reins to fellow native producer Jess Talbot for the championship. Rambo and Sarah are twice runners up at HOYS and twice LIHS Best of Breed. He also topped the UKP&H Intermediate final at the RIHS in 2022 under Caitlin Hamilton. Sarah and Rambo have already qualified for the RIHS, HOYS and LIHS, meaning Jess could enjoy every second of the Castle Arena championship with no pressure!

Whilst Sarah was responsible for his production, Menai Georgie Boy’s reins were handed to his owner Leah May for his Welsh section C class, in which he stood second. The pair were pipped to

Westown Wild Fire ridden by Sarah Parker

Nipna Midnight Rambler ridden by Jessica Talbot

Moelview Orlando ridden by Henry Belton

the post by Jodie Haywood and her own Lantau Supernova (Novi). Jodie and the ten-year-old Wyken Rob Roy Welsh section C are former RIHS winners and HOYS runners up. Jodie also swapped her long boots for running shoes the previous day to handle Novi into third place in the open Welsh section C in hand section.

It was a surprise win for Henry Belton, 11 in the Welsh As and Bs riding 11-year-old Moelview Orlando. Bred by Richard Jones, he is by successful ridden stallion Moelview Prince Charming out of Moelview Flicka, and is owned

by Henry’s mum, Fiona Cork. Usually a dedicated worker fan, this was Henry’s first time showing on the flat at Royal Windsor. The BSPS semi-final ticket they won at Windsor will now be added to the RIHS open As and Bs ticket they already have after winning at BSPS Area A’s Spring Show.

Last – but certainly not least! – is the winner of the Welsh section D class, Thorneyside Guardsman [Douglas] ridden by his owner, Katy Marks. The powerful 12-year-old D stallion was purchased by Katy as a three-year-old, and has

Lantau Supernova ridden by Jodie Haywood

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First Impression, ridden by Tabitha Hughes.

The 13-year-old Welsh section A is sired by Colne Turbo and out of Waitwith Connie. He made Tabitha’s dreams of riding at HOYS come true last season in the junior small breeds class, and seems to be on form again this season, this being his third RIHS 2023 ticket. The pair booked their place in the open section A and B class at BSPS Area 15 Essex Spring Show, and a spot in the open first ridden class at BSPS Area 15A Spring Show.

However, it was the littlest riders of the day that took home championship rosettes.

The championship was awarded to threeyear-old Naomi Lear riding Thistledown Velvet Touch (Piggie), led by Rosie Lear.

Fourteen-year-old Welsh section A Piggie is sired by the multi-garlanded prolific stock-getter, Blackhill Piccolo and she’s out of Thistledown Velvet. No strager to the limelight, Piggie is a former RIHS mini champion when under the care of team Burchell, and she was second and reserve champion at HOYS based at team Hillyard.

Thorneyshire Guardsman ridden by Katy Marks

been brought on by her to great success.

Last year, they finished 7th at the RIHS, 6th at HOYS, and Best of Breed at LIHS. Katy and Douglas also won the first large breeds PP RIHS qualifier hosted at Windsor making it an excellent day’s work for the pair. This was the pair’s first appearance at Windsor Horse Show. “I love that horse and have always wanted to ride here having seen everyone’s photos each year, and I thought there’s no other horse I’d want to come to Windsor with. It’s nice for him because he’s such a lovely horse and tries so hard; obviously things can go wrong because he’s a horse but generally he’s a really good boy and a pleasure to ride.”

and Penny went on to secure their ticket the following day at BSPS Wales.

Meanwhile the first ridden section was won by Miranda Hughes’ Towergate

Towergate First Impression ridden by Tabitha Hughes

Perfect Piggy Pretty Polly Champion There were four Pretty Polly mountain and moorland classes in total, with the top spots dominated by Welsh ponies. Winning the small breeds class – which included Welsh section Cs – was Jane Smith’s Dafren Rhodri. Sired by Parvadean Recharge, the seven-year-old stallion was purchased by Jane last year, and gave a mannerly show to finish ahead of Abbie Dark and her own HOYS-bound Welsh section C, Blaencilla Penny, sired by Parvadean Rooney. Abbie

| July Issue 2023 | Showing World | 67 Dafren Rhodri riddeninfo@showingworldonline.co.uk

by Jane Smith

Thistledown Velvet Touch ridden by Naomi Lear

The Lears have owned her for about 18 keep him. ‘We just understand each other,’ months but due to Naomi’s young age, this said Amy. Her sister, Vikki, finished second is her first season of showing Piggie. In with her own JP Corbally. “She just needs between, Rosie explained that Piggie “goes to retire him so I can win a big one,” joked on fun rides, does clear round jumping, and Vikki, though she may be waiting a while, as a bit of everything; she’s perfect!” Naomi a beaming Amy was adamant he wouldn’t concurred: “she’s a unicorn!” be retiring any time soon!

In reserve was Heather Cook’s 13-year-old Welsh section Laburnam Richard ridden by Amy Smith A mare, Woodend Marigold, ridden by Camilla Hollis.

Pedro: “He’s a Legend” The inimitable Laburnam Richard (Pedro) claimed the mountain and moorland working hunter pony championship for the fourth time in five appearances having won the exceeding 143cm class ridden by owner Amy Smith. The sixteen-yearold Connemara gelding and Amy are an incredible duo.

They’ve won HOYS three times and stood champion twice, in 2017 and 2019.

Amy purchased him from the Clifden sales at three with the intention of selling him on. A year later, she had not received a single enquiry about him and so decided to

Pedro and Amy jumped a copybook round before giving a stonking gallop in the championship, impressing judges Gillian Simpson and Mark Sheen. “Our champion jumped a lovely, balanced round and was so consistent at every phase,” said Mark, “he was a champion from start to finish”.

In reserve was a pair making their debut appearance at Windsor. This was Ella Eynon and her mum Rebecca Faulkner’s 133cm Joyton Sunshine (Dougie). The six-year-old Welsh section C started his 2022 campaign as a novice and ended it as Mountain and Moorland Working Hunter Pony of the Year at HOYS. He was subsequently turned away for the winter before enjoying PC and showjumping as preparation for his 2023 season.

Lisa Kelly built an interesting course with plenty to look at and an off-set treble to keep competitors on their toes and onlookers entertained. As ever, the anticipation of a great track and Windsor’s iconic grounds meant that competition was fierce with plenty deciding to compete irrespective of whether they remained in need of the RIHS ticket. This was most evident in the 122cm class where the top four had already qualified.

This was also eventually topped by a young pony early in his career: Delami Bravado (Benny). owned by Fiona Aston and was ridden by her son, Ollie Rowlands. The Dukeshill Dot eight-year-old and Ollie had already qualified at NPS Area 13, and took no less than two tricolours at NPS Spring Festival. Last season, they also qualified for HOYS for the first time, and are gearing up for another season of qualifiers.

Last year’s champion rider, Gemma Pallett, once again took home a red rosette. This year, however, it was her mum, Angela Pallett’s Mirah Hero (Hugo) who brought home the bacon, topping the not exceeding 143cm division. Gemma had returned from a trip to Thailand shortly before Windsor, and credited Angela with preparing her ponies. Now 18 years old, Connemara gelding Hugo has been an incredible pony for Gemma. He was purchased for her from Katie Duxbury, and over the years, Gemma has jumped him at Windsor a total of eight times, the first time being when she was

just 13 years old. He’s stood first, second and third at Windsor and has won countless other accolades. As well as consistently qualifying for HOYS and RIHS – often standing in the ribbons – he’s also been chosen for various teams throughout their time together, including jumping a fabulous clear at Royal Dublin in 2019 as a part of the English Connemara team. He was retired from competition with a leg injury prepandemic, but this year has made a terrific comeback, looking great and seemingly loving his job as much as ever.

Woodend Marigold ridden by Camilla Hollis and led by Heather Cook

A-List Celebrity John Harvey led Anna Cayzer’s Springwater Happy Day seven-year-old, Coppinshill Celebrity (Bart) to the open mini championship, with Windsor-debutante Lilly Cayzer, 5, in the saddle. Interestingly, it also marked a first for John, as despite his countless accolades with lead reins, he had never previously taken this particular title.

The trio looked a formidable combination despite having only been to one show previously, UKP&H where they claimed their ticket to the RIHS.

Joyton Sunshine ridden by Ella Eynon

The quality Dartmoor gelding was spotted

by John a while ago, and so he urged Anna to purchase him from then owner Debbie Barr when he came on the market last autumn. Anna kept him at home over the winter, attending PC to allow Bart and Lilly to gel.

In reserve was the uber successful Shetland gelding Briar Snowfox, ridden by Lilly Richardson. They won the first ridden class en route to the section championship. No strangers to success, Lilly and Snowfox won their open breed class at HOYS in 2022 and are the reigning LIHS Best of Breed.

Snowfox has already had a fantastic start to his season’s campaign with a clutch of RIHS tickets shared between Lilly and younger sister Penny.

Mirah Hero ridden by Gemma Pallett

Coppinshill Celebrity ridden by Lilly Cayzer and led by John Harvey

Delami Bravado ridden by Ollie Rowlands Briar Snow Fox ridden by Lilly Richardson

Coloured Horses and Ponies

Royal Windsor Horse Show:

Red Rock III ridden by Janay Atherden

Report by Stephanie Fitt | Photos by 1st Class Images

Red Rocks!

The ridden classes witnessed a fall in numbers this year but quality was sustained nevertheless. Top here was another horse who started his competitive journey in Kent having been source in Ireland by Camilla Neame and Val Sheehan. This was the HOYS reserve champion and Native, Cob, Traditional Horse section winning skewbald cob Red Rock III originally produced and ridden by Vicky Hesford and owned by long time Coloured class supporters and sponsors Lisha and Richard Leeman. Red Rock III was beautifully presented in all paces by their daughter Janay Atherden. Together they held off the challenge from the plaited class winners. The Reserve went to Miranda Wallace’s ten-year-old non-native horse winner, the Belgian Warmblood mare Mysterie Van Der Heuvel now produced and ridden by Vicky Smith. The mare was previously owned by Amanda Chapman and Mark Shaw of the United Coloured Stud and initially successfully shown by Wayne Thorneycroft before moving ownership to stand third at HOYS last year with Martin Skelton.

Pony class winners included Sarah Harrison on her home bred native/cob/traditional type winner Sarison Starman who was commencing his second season under saddle having won his class at HOYS in his debut year. Mia Whittaker’s 153cm sports pony bred mare Wards Place Photogenic also won her class. She has quality jumping parentage being by the 17hh AES stallion Samara Fly out of a mare of mostly Hanoverian breeding whose grandsire was the influential French bred Olympic team horse Quidam De Revel SF. The in-hand title went to coloured enthusiast Michelle Ayling from Hythe in Kent. Michelle works for George Parker International Horse Transport and found her home-produced Clockhouse Painted Lady in a sale at Ashford Market. The impulse purchase proved to be a wise choice as the skewbald native type mare by Simply The Best took the in hand title at Kent County last year and is now being prepared for a saddle career. Reserve went to Isabel Fox’s non-native youngstock winner Havenbeach Boardwalk handled

by Sarah Fortt. The three-year-old gelding was bred in Wales and is by Havenbeach Platignum out of the 133cm Riding Pony mare Chaceside Cascade by Merryment Puss in Boots and out of the Lechlade Quince mare Westhill Celebration.

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Mysterie Van Der Heuvel ridden by Vicky Smith

Stage Diva ridden by Hannah Horton

Royal Windsor Horse Show:

Part Bred Arab Ridden Report by Stephanie Fitt | Photos by 1st Class Images Diva Owns Royal Stage Hannah Horton lifted the part bred championship on the large height winner Stage Diva owned by Annabel Pope. Annabel purchased “Bunny” from her breeder Virginia Russell-Wood and has brought on the Tiger Attack youngster herself slowly and carefully.

This season Annabel opted to pass the ride to Hannah and the partnership have gone from strength to strength winning at the BSPS Winter Championships and qualifying for RIHS before making the dream of a Windsor win come true. Reserve to the Watership Down based team was yet another of the show’s leading producers Karl Morris’ charges. This was Harriet Storey riding her second placed not exc.

148cm ride Copybush Time Lord bred by Sarah Baker and sired by Small-land Maytino. Winner of their class was the Team Quiney produced Broadgrove Diamond Jubilee bred by Ann Fowler and ridden by Gracie Evans.

Royal Windsor Horse Show:

The RoRs Report by Stephanie Fitt | Photos by 1st Class Images Royal Red for Ruby Top of the flat class were two horses who are proving that a second career for Thoroughbreds is well worth consideration as although the top horses at Windsor had not won under rules they are proving to be first past the post in the show ring. Sar Cassidy-Hill’s Imperial Ruby claimed his Royal Windsor class for the third consecutive year and then stood Champion providing his jockey and producer Sarah Gwilliam with a perfect early wedding present. Sarah assists her fiancé Robbie Llewellyn in the running of a prep and training yard near Marlborough and has formed a strong partnership with this horse having also won the finals at Aintree and Hickstead and they stood third at HOYS last year. Imperial Ruby once again led an impressive field and stayed ahead of Sarah’s best friend Hannah Horton riding Mahomes who ran four times on the flat for her Watership Down yard owners Lord and Lady Lloyd-Webber.

Reserve champion, having won the National Hunt class, was Katy Dashwood’s 2021 HOYS winner Minella Rebellion who also competes in riding horse classes. The eleven-year-old by Kings Theatre continued a great run at the show for his producer Jo Bates who previously produced Grandeur to also win Windsor and HOYS. Runners up in this section were Tori Thomas riding Wonga Swinger who won twice under rules with the Sam Thomas Racing Club before changing saddles.

Winning the Tattersalls RoR in hand qualifier was His Majesty The King’s First Receiver, a six year old bred at the Royal Stud by New Approach and now produced by Katie Jerram-Hunnable. First Receiver was a winner on the flat for the late Majesty The Queen when trained by Sir Michael Stoute and won the R2R final at HOYS last season. Pushing hard in second place was the sixteen-year-old Top Wood, a former winning chaser and hurdler exhibited by his trainer Kelly Morgan and shown on the day

by Jasean Spraggett who herself has an enviable National Hunt pedigree.

Imperial Ruby ridden by Sarah Gwilliam

Minella Rebellion ridden by Katie Dashwood

First Receiver shown by Chris Hunnable

The SSADL Seniors

Royal Windsor Horse Show:

Wolfgang Golden Symphony shown by Gabriella Cox

Golden Oldie’s Sounds Sweetest Symphony Now the most populous classes in showing the SSADL section at Royal Windsor is considered by the society’s members as the show to be seen at. This year following the passing of Her Majesty The Queen members came out in force to support their judge and military knight Terry Pendry, formerly of the Royal Mews.

Palominos were the favoured colour of the day. Two golden oldies took the in hand championship placings and another stood ridden champion. Winning the title was the nineteen-year-old palomino gelding Wolfgang Golden Symphony owned by Gabriella Cox who is one of several showing enthusiasts employed by the Kent Fire Service.

Gabby has owned her Dutch Warmblood gelding - who also stood second in his Ridden section - since he was five and competed across the disciplines enjoying eventing, BD and showing. The reserve ribbons went to another palomino, the amazing and free moving thirty-four-year-old Welsh Section D Fourwinds Just In Time by Fourwinds Flyer owned by Laura Marshall.

The ridden title was a dream come true for senior class exceeding 153cm winners Kimberley Roberts and her twenty-year-old part bred Quarter Horse Blazara whom she had purchased as a yearling whilst on a work placement in a Western yard. Based at the Royal Artillery Saddle Club at Larkhill, they have grown up together and competed in a range of Riding Club activities. They’re in their debut season of affiliated showing. Windsor was their first major show but now they have the Royal International Horse Show to look forward to.

Charotte Merrigan-Martin travelled south to win the PreSenior class and Reserve with the Scottish bred Solaris Dwenqua who was celebrating her 15th birthday. Bred

by Rosalyn Serex the smart coloured mare competes at Elementary under BD rules. Charlotte’s mother explained that “One of the judges, Terry Pendry had previously selected Charlotte and Dwenqua to be the Leeman Family £1000 “Janus” Supreme Coloured at the North of England Show. To compete under the same judge was a huge honour.”

Winning the pony section championship and taking the Hickstead ticket back to Merseyside was Liverpool

Buddhist Punk ridden by Ellie Taylor

Heart and Chest Hospital nurse Ellie Taylor and her 15-year-old Traditional gelding Buddhist Punk. Punk survived Sycamore poisoning and has since enjoyed a very successful career under saddle in CHAPS and BSPA classes. Ellie travelled down the day before the classes took place and had to contend with mud in the showground stabling area. Ellie describes her pony as “Being pretty high maintenance but worth his weight in gold.” Reserve to them were the consistent RIHS and SSADL Supreme Christmas final specialists Alice Stratton and her 22-year-old chestnut Welsh Section B Laithehill Pasha who is by Heaton Romeo.

Top of the popular Mixed Aged Members Ridden class was Lambourn based Louise Chamberlain riding her own Irish Sport Horse mare Mystical Clover. This combination aren’t new to success as they were winners of the SEIB Search For A Star Amateur Veteran finals in 2021. Runner up in the 32 strong class was the 19-year-old grey LRHT Overley Gamebird competently ridden by Millie Rackham-Cobb. This small but mighty Suffolk based pair have notched up a consistent string of results in SSADL classes over the past three years. info@showingworldonline.co.uk | July Issue 2023 | Showing World | 73

Castleberg ridden by Justine Armstrong Small

Royal Windsor Horse Show: The Workers Justine Jumps To It! The working show horse once again open the show in the Castle Arena and didn’t disappoint. Drastically oversleeping could have spelled disaster for former Royal Windsor Working Hunter Champion Justine Armstrong-Small, but she dashed from Essex to Windsor feeling none the worse for it to win the class with the BSHA Southern Spring winning and RIHS bound lightweight cob, Castleberg. Justine shares the ride on the jolly cob with his owner Sarah McKay who competes in the amateur sections. East Anglia also secured second place which was taken by Francoise Babington, better known for her side-saddle expertise and former partnership with the legendary WHP Young Dragonara. Francoise pushed hard for top spot with her large riding horse, West Point. The nine-year-old bred by Sean Jones is full brother to Jill Day’s twice HOYS supreme and four-times Windsor champion, View Point.

the first major title of the year with heavyweight section winner Noble Gladiator who is by Dunkerrin Leader.

Noble Gladiator was purchased from top WHP/jumping producer Kelly Ward holder of the Noble prefix. The versatile gelding also contests HOYS side-saddle classes. Windsor regular jockey Libby Cook maintained her show form to top the lightweights and

Gladiator Conquers Having stood Reserve Champion at Windsor last season, the 2022 RIHS Champion Eleanor Hirst took Noble Gladiator ridden by Eleanor Hirst

stand reserve champion with Katy Wilson’s Nelly Newton.

Matthew Cooper took second place in both weight divisions. He gave the lightweight ride in the championship to top course builder and WH/WHP trainer Rachel Turner who thoroughly deserved her turn to enjoy a gallop in the Castle Arena championship.

Veuve Clicquot’s Champagne Moment Young riders demonstrated considerable skill negotiating the working hunter pony classes.

Gracie Auinger and Allandy Gold Spark delighted their connections when they topped the 143cm section, whilst working hunter high-flyer Ruby Ward won the 153cm astride Woodfield Hazy.

Ruby’s former ride Noble Peppermint (Pepper) stormed round the 133cm class under Elsie Lynch. Pepper is a double HOYS winner, having won the 133cm working hunter pony of the year class in 2018 under Ruby and last year under Elsie before running right the way through the cards and eventually taking the supreme pony title at HOYS. Pepper still resides with the Ward family, and Ruby is the pair’s greatest supporter.

The section tricolour, however, was – finally! – awarded to Olivia Minihane and Veuve Clicquot (Jerry), winners of the intermediate class after three appearances in the championship and a section reserve in 2021. It was an especially sweet victory as Olivia is out of class at the end of the season. Ten-year-old Jerry is by Mips Killossery Kasanova. He was purchased from Jayne Ross as a four-year-old when Olivia was working for Loraine Homer. Ironically, Jerry is once again stabled at Jayne Ross’ yard where Olivia now works. The win came as a great reward for Olivia after a marathon week in which Team Ross ran 18 horses!

Allandy Gold Spark ridden by Gracie Auinger

Noble Peppermint ridden by Ruby Ward

Showing for everyone

info@theshowingregister.co.uk theshowingregister.co.uk Veuve Clicquot ridden by Olivia Minihane

Happy Valentines ridden by Phoebe Price

Royal Windsor Horse Show: Ladies, Hacks and Riding Horses Happy Times for Valentines Side Saddle showing is booming and a young person who has applied herself to learning the art reaped success from her efforts. Although Phoebe Price has assistance at home with her horses, she has had to learn to juggle the demands of her law degree with her commute and horses. Pheobe’s

determination and dedication have paid off. With her dissertation complete and finals out of the way Phoebe, set to task with her riding horse, Happy Valentines and took the Royal Windsor trophy in fine style. Michaela Bowling and Sian Elphick’s coloured Sempers Spirit son Vicarage Spirit were runners up.

Tiger Trio The novice hack class at Royal Windsor is traditionally the year’s shop window for upand-coming youngsters.

Three Tiger Attack offspring followed topped the novice lineup. Diane Stennett’s sevenyear-old Baylew Tiger Lily bred in Devon by Royal Windsor steward Beverley Moore stood top with Team Harvey’s Brogan West in the saddle. Although new to the hack ranks the bay mare has successfully competed as an Intermediate qualifying for RIHS and standing Champion at BSPS Wales.

Second to them was the season’s top four-year-old Littletons Tiger Lily bred by Harriet Richardson and owned by Dorset based Charlotte Coppard and her daughter Rebecca Pring. This was the youngster’s first major show, delighting her connections and especially her producer Elliee Stunt who has the ride whilst Rebecca is on maternity leave.

Another giving a good account for herself on Baylew Tiger Lily ridden by Brogan West

Royal Regatta ridden by Helen Whitely-John

an early run was the third placed five-year-old Stage Tiger who had enjoyed an enviable record when shown in hand by her ownerbreeder Virginia Russell-Wood who has entrusted Emma Holder with the mare’s ridden production.

The amateur section proved to be an extremely competitive class.

Here Helen Whitely-John was delighted to win with Sue Church’s Royal Regatta by Stanley Grange Royal Appointment. Royal Regatta is produced in Essex by Katie Jerram-Hunnable and their near neighbour Lucinda Haines joined them in the hack championship by taking second place on the Dolphin Supreme son Fredebi Supreme Way. Ami Miller took the third rosette on the Jo Bates produced Shildons Plan B previously partnered by Team Jink’s Adam Forster, but went on to claim their championship place by upping their game to be second in the small hacks. The class was won

by Sussex based producer Helen Baker on Nicky Faulconbridge’s Boston Bow Tie with the pair going on to take section reserve.

Bred by NPS Treasurer Stephen Howard, the six-year-old by Kilvington Scoundrel has been selectively shown and stood third at HOYS last season having only competed at a handful of shows partly due to Helen’s sensible planning but also due to Nicky’s demanding role at His Majesty’s Inspectorate.

Honours for Hyde Park Guy Mears’ multi-garlanded Forgeland Hyde Park (William) took home the holy grail for hack exhibitors, the Count Robert Orrsich Trophy, a poignant moment as the horse’s dam had been owned by one of the Count’s pupils, the late and legendary hack producer and judge Stella Harries who passed away just before the show.

This was the third time that WIlliam has won the hack championship on the trot, having done so first under Jayne Ross and twice ridden by current producer Danielle Heath. The pair are multi-gardlanded with a HOYS championship and RIHS reserve supreme amongst their impressive tally.

Boston Bow Tie ridden by Helen Baker

Forgeland Hyde Park ridden by Danielle Heath

Thurstonhouse Blencathra’s Boy ridden by Charlotte Pearson

Royal Illusion Dazzles Helen Baker also had a hand in a winner of the very strong novice riding horse class, Seabourne After Dark (Bruce) ridden by one of his owners, Gary Merton. Helen backed Bruce and now continues to support amateur rider Gary and his sister Paula with their horses.

By Willowcroft Regal Bronze, Bruce was bred by Michael Maryam who was with Paula to witness the special moment when Bruce and Gary went on to stand reserve champion.

The large riding horse class was topped

by Helen Whitely-John’s Absolutely Fashion, but it was the winners of the small class who rose to the top in the championship. This was Vicky Smith with Paul Mortimer’s Ricardo Z mare Royal Illusion (Gracie). Eight-year-old Gracie was purchased by Paul at three years old from James Wodington, before embarking on her ridden career with Jordan Cook, standing novice champion at the 2019 BSHA Championships. Vicky is quick to credit Jordan for his “amazing job” with Gracie. Vicky stood reserve riding horse in 2022 with Assagart Vision, but this was the first time for her to lift the title.

This year’s amateur riding horse winner Thurstonhouse Blencathra’s Boy (Henry) looks to be forming a strong partnership with his new jockey Charlotte Pearson.

Henry spent his novice season with Rob Walker when owned by Miranda Wallace and some time with Susy Edwards in Scotland but is now produced by Mark Reeves and Steven Hulston who think very highly of their charge. Henry also competes in intermediate classes. Their win was a considerable achievement as they have only been together since last autumn.

Royal Illusion ridden by Vicky Smith

Seabourne After Dark ridden by Paul Merton

Showtime Shines Long journeys proved worthwhile for northern producers. Standing novice show pony champion was Fieldaston Ark Royal, ridden by Sofia Anders and produced by Karl Morris. The 138cm winner is by Whitelease Democrat out of Julie’s Jill Godden bred mare Rhos Elise.

He also won on his debut at BSPS Area 2B. The novice championship reserve ribbon was won by Scarlett Doswell riding the eight-year-old mare Dibynn Miss Congeniality by Cusop Dimension, bred

by Di Nicholson, who had stood fourth in the 2022 HOYS Part Bred final with her previous owner Victoria Whalley.

Cusop Dimension also held his own as

Fieldaston Ark Royal ridden by Sofia Anders

a sire in the open sections. He firstly accounted for the first and second placed 128cm ponies. Winning here was the eventual open champion Stoneleigh Showtime, bred by Stephanie Horton and now owned by former show pony rider Helen Davies [nee Binks]. Helen’s pony is leased to Robert and Sarah Walker for their daughter Izzy with Helen’s daughter assisting as Izzy’s groom and cheerleader. This was Issy’s first Royal Windsor title and all connections were thrilled to bits. Proud dad Rob’s eyes watered as he told the tale! Running a very close second in the 128cm was another tremendous family effort. Here Patrick Ahern’s beautiful Barossa Royalist

Royal Windsor Horse Show: Plaited Ponies

Stoneleigh Showtime ridden by Issy Walker

ridden by his granddaughter Lilly also put up a delightful performance to win the blue ribbon. Patrick’s daughters Alex and Kirsty produced the 138cm winner, Landemann Bird of Paradise ridden by Samantha Taylor. The mare – also by Cusop Discipline – went on to stand reserve champion. She is in her second season having been given time to mature.

The seven-year-old won the 138cm class at RIHS last year ridden by former jockey Cate Kerr. She is also owned by Helen Davies. Both ponies were sourced for Helen by Team Jinks as three-year-olds.

Helen believes this is the first time that an owner has achieved champion and reserve show pony at Windsor since the

Landemann Bird of Paradise ridden by Samantha Taylor

Rotherwood Fancy That ridden by India Till

Gilbert-Scotts did so in 1974.

Second place in the 138cm class went to Stephanie Donaldson’s Stanley Grange Swansong ridden by her daughter Macie and produced by Sara Parrott and Craig Elenor. The pair won at Staffs County last year and followed on from Windsor by taking the Championship at BSPS Area 4B. There is rarely a Windsor without a Rotherwood winner and this year was no exception as India Till took top honours in the 148cm class with Rotherwood Fancy That [Treworgan Dare to Peep x Rotherwood Flight of Fancy] a past Novice Champion at this show. The Gloucestershire based pair claimed their win above Millie Davies riding Roseberry High Flyer bred by Suzy Hinchliffe.

North and South Do Battle The lead rein class provided a battle between northern and southern producers with the nod going to Yorkshire and the Ahern team’s former HOYS winner Barkway Sweet William (Will) by Barkway Bubbling Fun. Will was led by Alex Ahern and ridden by her six-year-old niece Arabella. This was a memorable win for Alex as her own daughter Lilly also won at Windsor as well as HOYS on the same pony. Second place went south to another consistent HOYS pony, the Warwickshire based Richardson family’s chestnut mare Cosford Glamorize bred in Suffolk by Paul Brightwell and produced in the same county by Kevin Cousins and Karen Gillett.

The first ridden was the place to spot nervous parents but they needn’t have worried. The set show was navigated with great maturity and having been presented with the show’s grand rosettes a troupe of beaming smiles trotted off to

Litton Perfection ridden by Frank Newbould

compete alone on another day! The judges’ first choice and eventual reserves in the mini championship was a previous Royal Windsor winner, Jayne Lindsay’s Litton Perfection ridden by Frank Newbould and produced by Frank’s mum, Sarah Newbould. Second place went to Darcie Fielding and Brookwater Tom Thumb, a pony brought out by Julie Templeton and both have the reputation of making many good jockeys over the years.

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

up trumps for the tricolour was the Karl Morris produced 133cm winner and former RIHS champion Greylands Maid At Sundown ridden by Georgina Storey.

Georgina who is in her first season on her pony didn’t have an easy task as Daisy-May Allen and HOYS 2022 winner Wharleigh Blushing Groom pushed hard in their class and again in the championship as did other second

Lifting the mini championship and topping the lead rein hunter type was Naomi Bardwell’s part bred Dartmoor 2022 HOYS winner, Newoak Midnight Blue ridden by Scarlett Smith and led by Adam Forster. Bred by Joyce Newberry, he is by Lickfolds Snowstorm out of Ardenhall Midnight Blue.

The five-year-old pony confidently negotiated the set obstacles, putting up an exemplary performance and Scarlett can be very proud of herself for winning one of the strongest classes of the show. Second place went to Arabella Corrigan on the Team Ahern produced Welsh Section B gelding Greendown Harry.

Picture Perfect Sundown The show hunter pony championship appeared to be very much judged as a separate class. Ponies were asked to extend and were rewarded for their attempts to do so. Eight worthy ponies were set this task and two new combinations took top honours. Coming

Greylands Maid At Sundown ridden by Georgina Storey

Bronheulog Gold Dust by Eyarth Figaro ridden by Anya Dewey-Clarke

placed ponies. Reserve was awarded to the game 122cm section winner, the dappled palomino Welsh Section B Bronheulog Gold Dust by Eyarth Figaro ridden by Anya Dewey-Clarke who looked to enjoy every second of her first Windsor Championship with her pony. The 143 cm and 153cm classes were won by Kate Smith’s Tandridge Debutante under Kate’s daughter Livie Smith, and About Time Curtis under Kaitlyn Fairhurst respectively.

Win for William

Thistledown Arctic Monkey ridden by Daisy Hughes

Forgeland Hyde Park ridden by Isabella Mears

Peerless Without Equal The newly introduced Home Produced BSPS Pretty Polly Championship with strict home production requirements was won by show pony breeder Ann Fowler’s granddaughter Lucille Bywater with her six-year-old intermediate ride Peerless, by the AES sports horse stallion Cobra. The reserve went to the mixed height show hunter pony winning Welsh Section B gelding Thistledown Arctic Monkey ridden by Daisy Hughes.

Zara Brookes kept Team Walker in the frame on the final day of the show with a good win in the Intermediate Hunter Type on her father Nick’s attractive and aptly named Good Idea. The pair won the RIHS last year just weeks after he was purchased. Second place went to Paul Mortimer’s riding horse champion Royal Illusion with Poppy Carter.

Bellisima ridden by Ellis Taverner-Burns

Proving the worth of small horses was the outstanding Forgeland Hyde Park (William) ridden by Isabella Mears who yet again rose to the occasion and maintained his form having also been section champion at HOYS. Another rarely leaving a show without a win is the Team Harvey protégé Ellis TavernerBurns who stood reserve on Keeley Handelaar’s small intermediate winner Bellisima. The pair were RIHS Intermediate Champions at BSPS Area 5 and have picked up good form in this class. City insurance broker Keeley takes the ride in hack classes.

Good Idea ridden by Zara Brookes

Peerless ridden by Lucille Bywater

Royal Windsor Horse Show: Hunters The top Irish sire Crosstown Dancer accounted for both amateur class and championship winners at Windsor. Last season’s top amateur hunter Glenkeeran Dance in the Deep (Fintan) returned to the ring looking a force to be reckoned with partnered by his owner Camilla Davies. The liver chestnut gelding was four-year-old champion and reserve champion hunter at Dublin the same year before enjoying an enormously successful time under Camilla with accolades including runner up at HOYS, supreme amateur at RIHS and supreme at the SHB GB championships. Fintan stood top of a fourteen strong entry and galloped on to stand a convincing section champion.

Last year the attractive grey Bloomfield Greystones stood reserve champion hunter at Windsor with Jayne Ross in the saddle and this year, his owner Rose Bailey took to the saddle to steer him to win his middleweight/heavyweight amateur section and stood reserve. Meanwhile, Jayne herself partnered the uber successful former HOYS supreme Twinshock Warrior to victory in the open heavyweights.

With Jill Day’s legendary four times Windsor Champion View Point now retired there looked to be room for another owner/ producer team to challenge for top honours this year. Challenge they did but not enough to get past the strength of Jill and Rob Walker’s Cheshire based team. Although Robert won the novice championship with the very promising Full Cry, he missed out on the final gallop in the castle arena! The honour was instead passed to his head girl.

Twenty-two-year-old Aimee Stunt became possibly the youngest rider to take home the

trophy aboard MHS Morning Master. This was the first time a HOYS Supreme in hand horse section winner had lifted the Royal Windsor hunter championship.

Robert had passed the ride to Aimee as he opted to ride the middleweight winner Greenhall Treasure Island who up to that point was unbeaten this season with two championships behind him but the sevenyear-old by Island Commander had his own momentary cheeky championship treasure up his sleeve leaving the door open for his stable mate to nip ahead! MHS Morning Master is an eye-filling horse and Aimee is a force to be reckoned with. Aimee grew up in horsey family. Her mother Sue Kernan breeds and produces in hand ponies whilst her older sister Elliee has established her own successful ridden show team in Dorset. Aimee gained her credentials schooling on and competing horses of all sizes and moved to the Walker yard having completed her apprenticeship with Jennie Loriston-Clark at the Catherston stud.

Aimee evented Jennie’s Totilas son and Royal Windsor Sport Horse winning Timolin and Billy Moran’s show stallion Tiger Attack, qualifying both for the Mitsubishi Motors Cup at Badminton in addition to partnering Treenhills Aristotle to win the National Arabian Supreme Championship and British Arabian Supreme Championship.

Glenkeeran Dance in the Deep ridden by Camilla Davies

Bloomfield Greystones ridden by Rose Bailey

Twinshock Warrior ridden by Jayne Ross Greenhall Treasure Island ridden by Robert Walker

Another young rider, Alice Homer sadly missed her turn in the hunters due to being poorly, and instead handed Bloomfield Eloquence’s reins over to mum, Loraine.

The pair were second in the middleweights, but gave a brilliant performance in the championship to stand reserve.

MHS Morning Master ridden by Aimee Stunt

Bloomfield Eloquence ridden by Loraine Homer

Returning to the top of the ladies hunter line was the consistent ladies horse Seabourne Silent Valley ridden by his present owner-rider Franciose Babington and produced by the Hood Show Team. Bred by Michael Maryan, the elegant gelding by Mourne Mountains has also previously won at the show with Esther Rostron.

top producer Vicky Smith’s former Cob of the Year Bling Crosby now piloted by lawyer and busy Manchester-mum, Ali Talbot.

Camilla Neame and Val Sheehan scored a great double in the ten strong The small hunter class were lightweight section a quality set of professionally where two of their produced horses. This year it sourced cobs stood was Clare Oliver’s turn to enjoy a first and second.

Windsor win with Susan Granger’s Winning the class reigning Small Hunter of the Year and galloping on Shanbally Legacy. Runner up was to score a second Shanbally Legacy ridden by Claire Oliver Seabourne Silent Valley ridden by Franciose Babington Vicky Smith with the seven-yearchampionship of the old Irish Invention previously off proceedings in the novice class then stood show was the coloured champion Red Rock III confidently shown from Scotland firstly by overall reserve champion with Randlestown guided to victory by Janay Atherden just 24hours after Kirstin Douglas to win at the Aristocrat owned by Lisette Roberts. The standing coloured champion. Red was initially produced by Royal Highland in 2021, then by dapple grey eight-year-old is another top cob Vicky Hesford and Vicky’s sister Sarah Walker stood a strong Dumfries based Ellen Bell to win sourced by Antrim based Sam McAteer who second on Red Butler who had won the novice class in 2021 the amateur lightweight/small is also responsible for Randlestown Rolex and and gone on to stand HOYS Champion in the same year. hunter class at last year’s RIHS. the Leeman family’s late Randlestown Top Anne Vestey’s investment in her ridden cobs did her proud in Notch. Aristocrat was produced in his debut Cobs the heavyweight section where Team Telford secured a win season by Will Morton and lightly competed via Stuart Ashton riding the consistent Parc An Faoi Diamond As usual the cob section was well in HOYS classes by Jayne last year including to stand top of the strong class. Second place went to local standing third at the Hickstead Derby. Richard supported. Jayne Ross kicked owner and film stunt specialist Nina Armstrong-Finlay’s very Telford picked up second place with promising six-year-old grey gelding Indigo Marvel who put up the ten-year-old grey Taylors Hero a pleasing performance in the capable hands of Jayne Ross. owned by his appreciative owner and longstanding supporter Lady Anne Isabella Mears and her father Guy’s Brookdale Limited Edition Vestey.

(Archie) won the open maxi cob class for the fourth time, an impressive tally. The twelve-year-old and Isabella have since The song “Never give up on a good picked up his 10th HOYS ticket of his career at Derbyshire thing” rang around the Frogmore Arena Festival. Archie also carries the side saddle, and was runner when Sussex based self-confessed up at HOYS 2022 with producer Danielle Heath in the saddle.

“Senior” Avril Bartolomy achieved her This pair have also picked up a return ticket taking the long-time dream of winning at Royal season’s first ticket back to the NEC at Aintree.

Windsor and gaining a winners position in the Castle Arena Championship.

Avril is a long-time supporter of both amateur and open cob classes and was thrilled to bits to take home a sash and red rosette on her maxi cob Epimetheus, purchased from a friend.

Avril does her horses from home in Sussex with grand assistance form her husband, Robin. Achieving the win was no mean feat as they stood above Epimetheus ridden by Avril Bartolomy

Parc An Faoi Diamond ridden by Stuart Ashton

Randalstown Aristocrat ridden by Jayne Ross

Brookdale Limited Edition ridden by Isabella Mears

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