The lowdown on all of the natives at JUNE 2022 ISSUE 153
Royal Windsor Horse Show
Meet the natives who stormed around
Badminton Grassroots!
Get a judge’s perspective with Lisa Barsoum Allen info@showingworldonline.co.uk | June 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 1
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A word from our editor Dear Reader, How on earth are we in June already? RIHS qualifiers are all but done, and HOYS tickets are flying out across the country! As ever, well done to everyone who has secured their tickets! London International Horse Show qualifications have also gotten underway, and that’s exciting! Annoyingly, all but one of the semi-finals are a million miles from home for me, but hopefully I’ll manage to be ready to pick up a ticket somewhere as by October I hope that one or two of my novices will be ready to have a crack at goal. For me, the LIHS is an absolute joy and riding there is even better. Irrespective of the Christmassy atmosphere, I think it’s because with four judges, it really is something of a lottery and I can only dream of pleasing enough judges to ever win! Therefore, the pressure is off, unlike at HOYS where I am tying myself in knots for weeks in advance! Somehow, managing to please two judges to secure a decent placing seems so much more achievable than four for the likes of me!
Last issue, we saw Highlands giving endurance a go, and this issue, we have the Badminton Grassroots championships, where a few natives claim a chance to gallop in front of that amazing house. I am in awe of all the ponies and riders who took part, and we’ve some super photos inside! Make sure that you keep us up to date on everything that you and your pony gets up to as we love to hear. But most of all, keep loving those native ponies of yours, they really are the best!
- Beth
I have an innate competitive streak and it’s the root cause of most of the pressure I have on me to succeed in showing. However, this year, more than ever, the price of fuel has also come into consideration. In short, it’s too expensive for me to be out week-in week-out at the moment and as most of my ponies are novices, it doesn’t seem too much of a hardship to take my foot off the gas – excuse the pun – and enjoy watching the qualifiers unfold from the side-lines! Looking at the numbers entered – and even more so, forwards – in many qualifying and non-qualifying classes, I’m guessing that I am not alone in feeling the pinch. It’s worrying, especially for the smaller, Area shows. On a more upbeat note, since our last issue, Laura Collett has won Badminton. It’s no secret that Laura started her competitive career as a child on Welsh ponies, so it just goes to show what a brilliant start our natives can give! Every issue I am so inspired by all of the different disciplines that native ponies can turn a hoof too.
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Contents
Features 5.
Native wins at Windsor Horse Show
28. Search for a Star Natives 30. Badminton Grassroots Championship 40. 10 minutes with artist Larua Pennell 56. Meet the judge - Lisa Barsoum Allen
Regulars 36. Performance Ponies 48. Vintage Treasure 60. Ruth on the Hoof
5
68. Connemara Breed News 76. Fell Breed News 82. New Forest Breed News
30 36
60 Disclaimer: The view and opinions expressed within the magazine are not necessarily those of the editor or Showing World Limited and while every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in the magazine is correct and current at the date of publication, Showing World Limited will not accept any liability. Showing World Limited will not be held responsible for the appearance of photographic material supplied without the necessary consent, copyright and/or photographer’s details. In
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82
addition, Showing World Limited offers no guarantee of publication and reserve the right to edit any reader’s letters, press releases, reports and articles submitted. Showing World Limited 2022. All rights reserved. No part of Native Pony may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted or shared in any form or by any means, including, but not limited to; electronic, mechanical, digital, photocopying,
NATIVE WINS AT
ROYAL WINDSOR HORSE SHOW
info@showingworldonline.co.uk | June 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 5
Leia Lands Title for The Queen Henry Hird with Balmoral Leia
All images by 1st Class Images The Queen’s Highland pony mare, Balmoral Leia was crowned overall mountain and moorland accolade on day two of Royal Windsor Horse Show by judge, David Puttock. Five-year-old Leia won her breed class and championship en route to the supreme title. She is by Balmoral Lord, whom producer Lizzie Briant explained sadly died of grass sickness, and she’s out of Balmoral Melody who was successfully shown under saddle by Lizzie, including at Royal Windsor where she was also overall in hand champion. Lizzie explained that she is named Leia after Star Wars’ Princess Leia, as she was born on May fourth. Lizzie showed the true-to-type, feminine Leia to win the breed championship, but Henry Hird took over showing for the overall mountain and moorland championship. Incidentally Henry also lifted the same last year, albeit with Vanessa Compton’s exquisite Connemara mare, Skaelgaardens Delicious Love. The Queen was ringside to watch Leia win the breed championship and was also present to witness her land the overall championship, much to the crowd’s delight. This was the third win of the show and third win with a home-bred for the Queen, with Katie JerramHunnable’s team having already produced Daydream III and Sunbeam to win their
classes yesterday. In reserve for the overall mountain and moorland accolade and overall Welsh breeds champion was Mark and Liz Kilbey’s Springbourne Capricorn. The plucky Welsh section A is leased from the Singles stud in Holland. Since joining the Kilbeys at their Idyllic stud at the end of 2018, Capricorn has enjoyed countelss successes, including an impressive four reserve championships in Cuddy/ Price Family supreme final qualifiers. “He’s always the bridesmaid,” joked handler Mark Kilbey, “but we’re delighted with him”. Now 11 years old, the Cascob Red Kite son is also producing pleasing stock who are showring winners in their own right. First reserve was Lynda Calcutt’s 15-year-old evergreen Shilstone Rocks North Westerly. The Dartmoor stallion was shown by Chloe Chubb, who we are more used to seeing in the saddle having formerly ridden Windy to three HOYS Dartmoor Pony of the Year titles as well as Best of Breed at Olympia. Windy has also been shown in hand successfully in the past, qualifying for the Cuddy final in 2015 and 2017. Lynda and Chloe explained that as Windy had been busy covering, they were unsure whether or not to show him. “It was intended that he’d do some Cuddy qualifiers again after he retired from the ridden,” said Chloe, “But then COVID came and it never happened. I’d never done the inhand classes at Windsor, so messaged Lynda
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to ask if we could enter Windy. I thought it would at least be a nice day out!” In fact, it proved to be just that and more, with Chloe explaining she “felt quite emotional” to be reunited with her old friend. The following ponies also clinched championships of their own… Tracey North’s Burley Burberry topped the New Forest contenders, shown by Dain Atherden. He is usually shown by Georgia Love under saddle. Last season, the six-yearold qualified for HOYS and RIHS, and has already secured his ticket to Hickstead for this season. Christy Seaman enjoyed a winning debut at Windsor. Her quality three-year-old filly, Griseburn Orla took the Dales breed championship handled by Philip Ward Burton, who meets Christy and Orla at shows. Christy was delighted, and explained that she purchased Orla from breeders Helen and Andrew Horn. She initially viewd a different filly, but was struck by Orla and eventually persuaded the Horns to part with her. Orla will be backed but Christy intends to breed from her before she debuts in the showring under saddle. David Hodge and Julian Walters’ Blackthorn Poldark clinched the Exmoor championship. The Blackthorn Sea Poacher six-year-old has been competing with Jessica Talbot in the saddle, and is RIHS bound already.
Mark Kilbey and Springbourne Capricorn
Aimee Devane and Rachel Cooper’s Connemara stallion Glencarrig Camelot took the breed tricolour. The exquisite Coosheen Breeze eight-year-old also competes in ridden classes, and made his debut with Rachel in the saddle at the Bucks County Spectacular Show where he was reserve supreme and also stood reserve for the Price Family semi-final inhand shown by Aimee. Hope Fisher’s Foalsyke Little Topper took the Fell championship shown by Poppy Fisher. He is by Stennerskeugh Bonny Lad out of Hillhead Henrietta and looked. Although well known and multi-garlanded in the ridden ranks, the fourteen-year-old looked as fresh and evergreen as ever and powered around the Castle Arena in the championship. The Welsh section C championship headed home with Tony Newman and his own young stallion Llanmorlais Dynamite. The four-year-old was bred by south-Wales based Mark Swistun and is by Parvadean Rooney and out of Llanmorlais Rosebud.
Chloe Chubb and Shilstone Rocks North Westerly
Burley Burberry and Dain Atherden
Aimee Devane and Glencarrig Camelot
David Hodge and Blackthorn Poldark Poppy Fisher and Foalsyke Little Topper
Philip Ward Burton and Griseburn Orla
Janpete Class Act and his owner April Gilmartin clinched the Welsh section B title. The five-year-old was bred by the Mansfield family, and is by their own extremely successful Royal Welsh winning Janpete Tom Thumb. April is has also started campaigning him under saddle.
Chelsea Gowan and Blaidd Tynam
April Gilmartin and Janpete Class Act
Mandy Sergeant and Champlers Ellie
Tracey Gowan’s Blaidd Tynam (Brookhamlodge Peter Pan x Blaidd Chocolate Orange)was shown by Chelsea Gowan to head the Welsh section D championship. The 13-year-old was the only gelding in the championship. Mandy Sergeant’s Champlers Ellie (Stepley Victorious x Ladbury Eloise) was the smallest champion forwards for the overall championship having taken the Shetland title. Not only was Ellie the smallest champion, but at just two years old, she was also the youngest.
Tony Newman and Llanmorlais Dynamite
Katy Marriott Payne and Salcome Starehole Bay
Smallest Winner Bags Biggest Prize Royal Windsor Horse Show: The Ridden Natives Photos by 1st Class Images April Gilmartin and Gems Malt Whiskey
With two London International Horse Show tickets on offer, competition looked as hot as the weather, and judges Janet Bushell and Caroline Hamilton had a difficult task. In the end, Felicity Thompson’s homebred stallion, Salcombe Starehole Bay [Cecil] proved small is mighty to take the coveted mountain and moorland ridden tricolour and the first of the tickets. He was ridden by his producer, Katy Marriott Payne. The charming eight-year-old stallion had been used at stud prior to being sent to Katy during 2020’s summer lockdown. Last season, the pair enjoyed a magical season, standing supreme mountain and moorland at the RIHS, reserve and Dartmoor Best of Breed at the London International Horse Show, and second at HOYS to Sarah Weston’s Westown Wild Fire, who was second in the class at Windsor. However, it almost didn’t happen as Katy was undecided whether to show him at Windsor. She was
persuaded to do so by Felicity, only for Felicity to be unable to attend at the eleventh hour. The second ticket was awarded to April Gilmartin and her own winner of the Welsh section C class, Gems Malt Whiskey [Malty]. Malty was bred by the late Richard Deptford. April found him on Facebook a two-year-old colt, and bought him unseen. He is home produced by April and her mother, Kathy. The pair secured their first major ticket on their debut visit to the BSPS Heritage championships in 2019 where they were novice champions and later secured qualification to Olympia. Last season, they continued with an excellent run of form, qualifying for the RIHS, HOYS and the LIHS. Also taking home wins were… Sarah Parker rode Ella Morris’ nine-yearold Dales gelding, Tarbarl Luke at Me (Carrock Billy Boy x Tarbarl Polly) to win the first class of the section. This
8 | The Native Pony | June 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk
was the second year consecutively for Sarah to win the class with a Dales, having won and taken champion in 2021 with Nipna Midnight Rambler. Lucy Glover rode Amanda Sharman’s sevenyear-old Connemara stallion Catle Kestrel (Glencarrig Knight x Castle Melody) to win the Connemara and New Forest class. Lucy also produced the champion show pony, Michelle Baxter-Davies’ 128cm Roxairs Aphrodite ridden by Poppy Baxter-Davies and the winning 148cm show pony, Carmens Novello, ridden by Isabella O’Donnell. The aptly named Linksbury Royal Celebration won the Welsh sections A and B class under regular show-rider, Rebecca Penny. Bred by Julie Landon, the five-year-old is by multi-garlanded Linksbury Royal Charm and is now owned by Danielle Garner. Though low on milage, the classy section B stallion is already RIHS bound.
Rebecca Penny and Linkbury Royal Celebration
The final class of the section, the Welsh section D class was topped by Ellena Thomas and her own 12-year-old stallion, Kaybrook Midnight Comet (Trefaes Black Flyer x Rhydeilian Morning Sunshine), who as ever, gave a beautiful display of his impeccable manners. He is an uber-consistent familiar face on the ridden circuit and has visited HOYS, the RIHS, Olympia and the London International Horse Show on several occasions. Ellena Thomas and Kaybrook Midnight Comet Sarah Parker and Tarbarl Luke At Me
Lucy Glover and Castle Kestrel
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Spar k les
Leads Dycott Duo
Royal Windsor Horse Show:
The mountain and moorland working hunter ponies 10 | The Native Pony | June 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk
Gemma Pallett and Dycott Sparkling Lady
Ross Keys and Dycott Welsh King In the mountain and moorland workers, all four winners had already qualified for the RIHS but their riders were nevertheless thrilled to take the top spots round a testing course. Gemma Pallett’s super-versatile section C mare, Dycott Sparkling Lady took the championship. At just five-years old and in her first season, this mare is proving a tour de force. Gemma explained that “this time last year, she had never left the ground”. She was bred by super-proud George Mitchell and Clare Granger. “I’ve already put my name on another one,” said Gemma, adding, “if it’s a fraction of what Sparkles in then that would be nice! She is completely and utterly a one-off, a freak! I am still on cloud nine and think I will be for a while; what a mare and what a day!” Most unusual is that the reserve was also a Dycott-bred pony: Welsh section D Dycott
Welsh King, the winner of the exceeding 143cm under Ross Keys. Having not enjoyed much luck at Windsor in the past, Ross and partner Anna Chaplin had not competed King there for three years, choosing to show in-hand instead. “But it has always been Ross’ dream to have a win as it’s an honour to compete there at such a prestigious show,” said Anna. “That morning Ross said he would be happy to get round clear as we knew it would be one of the toughest tracks”. When a few excellent ponies jumped clear, again Ross felt the win had eluded him, but “what a moment,” said Anna. “We are so grateful to Angela Thomas who loans King to us; she is incredibly supportive and has given us so many opportunities with this pony. To finish off standing reserve champion to Gemma was just wonderful and we are thrilled for Claire and George”. Sue Kernan’s former HOYS, RIHS and Olympia finalist Lledrith Nemesis won
the 122cm class ridden by Samantha Roberts. The plucky Welsh section A stallion is extremely versatile. He qualified for the BD Winter Championships at novice level within 24 hours of securing his RIHS mountain and moorland working hunter pony ticket. He has also qualified for the RIHS in the flat breed classes and clinched the first HOYS class of the year at Stoneleigh Horse Show. Karen Raine’s Carrownurlaur Johnny topped the 143cm lineup under Rebecca Raine. Rebecca and Johnny, a ten-year-old Connemara, are formidable opponents in the working hunter pony ranks and have already qualified for the RIHS this year in both the plaited and mountain and moorland working hunter pony sections. They bagged an early ticket for the mountain and moorland final at the NPS Autumn Festival last year, and a qualification for the plaited final at BSPS Area 17. Rebecca Raine and Carrownurlaur Johnny Gemma Pallett and Dycott Sparkling Lady
info@showingworldonline.co.uk | Samantha June 2022Roberts Issue | The Pony | 11 andNative Lledrith Nemesis
Harry Judge, Thistledown Snowfall and Kevin Cousins, with judges Pat Pattinson and Jane Dean
NATIVES IN DISGUISE These three ponies each donned plaits to top their classes…
1. Senior showing steward Philip Judge took a
break from official duties to watch his son, Harry Judge, 7, top the lead rein hunter pony on his Windsor debut, with Thistledown Snowfall. The pair were led by Kevin Cousins, who produces the Welsh section A with partner Christina Gillet. Philip and wife Claire purchased Snowfall directly from breeder Sandy Anderson.
2. Harry Edwards Brady won
the 122cm show hunter pony class with his mother, Emma Edwards’ inimitable Gryngallt Page Too [Billy]. Former HOYS winners, Billy and Harry are in their final season together as Harry will be out of class at its end and Billy will be retired. Bred by Lesley Hillard, Welsh section B Billy is Gryngallt Paris out of Gryngallt Patience. He has had a superb career including a former win and championship at Windsor under Libby Grota while Harry was still too young to take over the reins. Billy and Harry went on to stand reserve champion show hunter pony.
3. Charlotte Steadman’s Welsh section B Annandale Prince Charming won the 133cm show hunter pony class under Poppy Steadman. The nineyear-old gelding is by Moelview Celebration and out of Akadame Popcorn. Harry Edwards Brady and Gryngallt Page Too
Poppy Steadman and Annandale Prince Charming
William Parkin and Newoak Gold Edition
Gold Edition Mini Marvel
Royal Windsor Horse Show: The Mini Mountain and Moorlands The mini mountain and moorland classes were enormous, with children, leaders, ponies and officials doing well to keep smiling and putting a best foot forwards in Saturday afternoon’s heat. After winning a mammoth first ridden class, Diana Hannam’s Newoak Gold Edition and William Parkin took the tricolour on their second appearance since HOYS 2021. By Shilstone Rocks Day of Fury, the 12-year-old is out of Newoak First Edition and has been owned by Diana since a two-year-old, meaning she and William have grown together. She is currently home produced by the family with producer Emma Holder helping at shows as they are clients. “She is a fabulous pony,” said Emma, “a true child’s pony and she performed to perfection; she really is a pony in a million. William has also gone from strength to strength, and he rode well beyond his years like a true showman!”
year-old is by Brynrodyn Sion out of Tiffwyl Mimosa. He is now produced by Terri Guyett. Despite having taught Violet since she was three and Charlene keeping liveries with Terri, she was initially reluctant to take on producing a lead rein for her as she’s no longer
producing full-time. However, on the premise that Charlie Chadwick would lead the pair at shows, Jimmy arrived with her just two weeks before the show. “There’s still a lot more to improve on yet,” said Terri, meaning Jimmy and Violet surely have an exciting future.
Charlie Chadwick led Charlene Mennie’s Tiffwyl Moselle [Jimmy] to win the mountain and moorland lead rein class and reserve champion, ridden by Violet Mennie. Bred by Tony Tilly, the five-
info@showingworldonline.co.uk Violet Mennie and Tiffwyl Moselle led by Charlie Chadwick | June 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 13
ROYAL WINDSOR HORSE SHOW:
The Fell Pony Parade The Fell Pony Society celebrated both Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee and the centenary of its founding with a unique parade of ponies at Royal Winsor Horse show. It also marked 40 years since the Queen agreed to become Patron of the Fell pony society. Fell ponies are known for their versatility and longevity, and a diverse range of ponies were on parade. The parade was led in my Lady Louise Windsor and included a range of ages from younger ponies that are starting out in their careers to ponies well into their 20’s. Between them, the ponies had a variety of skills from showing, to dressage, carriage driving, side saddle, hunting and being an allround family pony. The late Duke of Edinburgh competed for many years at a National level in the Pony Teams class with a four in hand of Fells, and the Fell Pony Society remembers him for presenting the society with the Edinburgh Awards which are given internationally each year for Fell ponies in harness. As well as the parade, the Society presented Her Majesty with specially commissioned gifts to say thank you for all the support provided as Patron.
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“It was so incredible to be part of such a special day, everyone who took part in the parade was delighted”. Georgie Lewis-Roberts “I brought my first fell pony in 2008 and never looked back. Their versatility and sensitive nature makes them an all round family pony. I have been lucky to own three beautiful but different Fells. All my boys have been very different in character and appearance. The best party about fells is their comedic characters and that they all enjoy doing different things from hacking to jumping. Fells really are the best breed and I wouldn’t ever be without one.” Lucinda Stockley “We are new to the Fell breed but how amazingly versatile they are! Our little 13hh powerhouse was on the tails of the Blood Horses all winter when out with The Cranwell Bloodhounds.” Nicki Glenn
“My Fell is a star. He does fun things with me and also works at our riding school including taking care of riders with additional needs under the accessibility mark (riding for the disabled) scheme.” Kirsty Edwards “Always a yard favourite, Fell ponies have a unique nature. I love how mine is always keen to work. He does whatever I ask him to do with such enthusiasm, he always puts 110% in. It’s this can do attitude coupled with such friendly nature which makes this breed so versatile. We love exploring the countryside together. He’s incredibly sure footed so what he lacks in speed he makes back the time covering rough terrain with ease during endurance rides. His enthusiasm for work makes training for dressage enjoyable.” Rowena Day
info@showingworldonline.co.uk | June 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 15
The Fell Pony Parade Participants
Rider Name
Owner Name
Pony's Name
Georgie Lewis-Roberts
Georgie Lewis-Roberts
Waverhead Dazzler II
Leanne Nicholls
Leanne & Rachael Nicholls
Lunesdale Warlord
Lorna Brooks
Lorna Brooks
Knockamillie Jasmine
Alice Brooks
Lorna Brooks
Murthwaite Sarah
Charlotte Ward
Emma Woodruff
Roddlesworth Annabelle
Emma Woodruff
Daisy Payne
Roddlesworth Celebrity
Nicola Patterson
Nicola Patterson
Murthwaite Blue Peter
Kayley Radford
Kayley Radford
Rackwood Kingdom
Gaynor Wareham
Gaynor Wareham
Hillhead Port Ellen
Mrs HJ Gallagher
Mrs HJ Gallagher
Hillhead Whiskey
Lucinda Stockley
Lucinda Stockley
Bracklinn Travis
Harriet Glen
Georgia Hanson on lease to Nicki & Harriet Glenn
Townend Chieftan
Olivia Minns
Joanna Minns
Townend Valour
Alice Minns
Joanna Minns
Murthwaite Rick
Esme Hernon
Esme Hernon
Bracklinn Ironman
Kathryn Brook
Kathryn Brook
Brooksan Persephone (aka Poppy)
Hayley M Reynolds
Zoe Marsden
Wellbrow Diplomat
Zoe Marsden
Zoe Marsden
Midtown Joker
Lisa Croft
Jane Rawden
Murthwaite Looks Promising
Katy Downing
Sheila Hardy/Alison Torode
Waverhead Ted
Chantelle Chapman
Victoria L Oliver
Greenholme Falcon
Charlotte Knight
Charlotte Knight
Scotshaven Bella Augusta
Christina Vaughan
Lorna Brooks
Guards Jester
Claire Wigley
Claire Wigley
Murthwaite Wanted Man
Rowena Day
Rowena Day
Townend Bellboy II
Bailey Careford
Bailey Careford
Shadowcroft Silver Moor Midtown Odin
Rebecca Jayne Rawlinson
Rebecca Jayne Rawlinson
Gemma Louise Chambers
G Chambers & K Saberton
Lydvale Jacob
Poppy Fisher
Poppy Fisher
Foalsyke Little Topper
Aimee Devane
Joanna Minns
Nicholwalls Graceson
TBC
Rebecca Jayne Rawlinson
Nabside Gracie
Fiona Earle
Fiona Earle
Meres Jamboree
Katie Curwen
Katie Curwen
Bybeck Sapphire
Stacy Longrigg
Stacy Longrigg
Conway Caroles Legacy
Amy Whitehead
Teresa Whitehead
Huntsmans Dillon (aka Django)
Lesley Cook
Lesley Cook
Hades Hill Petal
Kirsty Edwards
Kirsty Edwards
Shadowcroft Hero
Hannah Nicholls
Esme Hernon
Marleystone Branagan
Debbie Lock
Debbie Lock
Rivervalley Nimbostratus
Jessica Everill
Jessica Everill
Brackenbank Flicka
16 | The Native Pony | June 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk
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Clover Hill Magic
Connemaras Score
Price Supreme Spots As ever, natives have proven themselves a force in the Price Supreme qualifiers. The first native to gain a place in the 2022 final line-up was Vanessa Compton’s exquisite Connemara mare, Skaergaardens Delicious Love. The ten-year-old Connemara mare is no stranger to the limelight having stood 2017 mountain and moorland ridden champion at Horse of the Year Show under her previous owner, Kelly Jones, and RIHS overall reserve champion mountain and moorland at the RIHS last season under Jo Jack. She was also crowned supreme champion mountain-and-moorland in-hand at Windsor last season year, shown by Henry Hird. Although we expect to see Connemaras in the final lineup, she is actually just the fifth mare to do so following Rosenaharley Laurin (1983), Chiltern Lara (1984 ), Ballydonagh Misterina (1987) and
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Tyan Ma Lady (2018). She is also just the third to qualify with a foal at foot, Chiltern Lara being the first with a colt which Vanessa later bought! Delicious was bred in Denmark by Brigitte Gotske and imported as a youngster by Kelly. While Vanessa purchased the nine-year-old for breeding purposes, she initially chose to use flushed embryos so that the mare herself could continue to be ridden before carrying a foal of her own. It was a case of history repeating itself as Delicious was shown by Scott Dixon, who showed Vanessa’s five times Price Supreme contender, Castle Emperor to the supreme championship at Notts County in 2019. Jo Jack took charge of her colt foal by Cathy Wood’s Clover Hill Magic, who in a fateful twist, was the second native to take a Price Supreme 2022 ticket at Bath and West Show.
He was bred by the Lee family just outside Clifden. Cathy first spotted the five-year-old Glencarrig Knight son at Clifden, county Connemara at the annual show. “I was queuing for coffee with half an eye on the colt foal class. He was stood mid-line came out to trot and when I saw him move coffee was abandoned and I ran up the road after them to buy him,” said Cathy. “I remember ringing Jamie and saying I’ve just found us the pony of a lifetime”. He was shown by Jamie Frost, who has handled Cathy’s in-hand Connemara ponies for a number of years. He was shown a handful of times during the 2021. Nevertheless, he made a significant impact, standing champion at Devon County, Bath and West, the NPS Spring Festival, Three Counties and supreme champion at the Connemara breed show. This season, he repeated his Bath and West championship before going on to clinch the supreme.
the pre and final judging,” said Jamie, “He has the loveliest temperament to deal with and showing him is a pleasure. Bath and West is one of our local County Shows so it’s special to qualify there.” Cathy was quick to credit Jamie and his commitment to their showing aspirations: “Getting to HOYs in-hand is a tall order for amateurs like us with busy, full-time jobs and I could not do it without Jamie’s unending, commitment, support and friendship”. Magic has given yet more reasons to celebrate as his first crop of foals have landed at Cathy’s: six pure-breds and a part-bred. “It’s so nerve wracking waiting for a rookie stallion’s first foals. Had they been moderate, Magic would have been cut and sold but they are breath-taking and I could not be happier.”
“He settled into a super rhythm and went beautifully in both
Photos of Skaregaardens Delicious Love by Mountain Media Photos of Clover Hill Magic by Jay Photos
Skaergaardens Delicious Love
Westwick Dales ponies at inhand show
Westwick Winners The Dales Pony Society Stallion and Breed Show held at Streatlam Farm, Barnard Castle is always one of the society’s showcase events and David Eccles’ Westwick stud enjoyed a superb run of luck. Reigning 2021 champion, Westwick Polly kickstarted the day’s wins by taking the top spot in the senior mare class. Polly is no stranger to success having stood supreme at the 2019 RBST show with David and champion at the Great Yorkshire Show in 2021 shown David’s daughter Emma. Five-year-olds Westwick Lady Rose and Westwick Florie perpetuated the winning by standing first and second respectively in the junior mare class. Not to be outdone, Westwick Daisy topped her broodmare class, her colt foal at foot won his class, and classy yearling filly Westwick Mabel stood top of her yearling class before going on to take the youngstock tricolour. Nevertheless, when it came to the supreme in hand accolade, it was the winner of the junior mares, Westwick Lady Rose who impressed supreme inhand judge Everette Hayes to claim the title.
Photos by Kevin Owens Digital Works Ltd 20 | The Native Pony | June 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk
Westwick Polly at the GYS
Westwick Lady Rose Westwick Lady Rose
Westwick Mabel
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SHOWRING STARS Esme Atkinson and Weydown Royal Consort Esme Atkinson and her mum, Jemma Atkinson’s Welsh section B, Weydown Royal Consort [Marv] are a new combination this year. He is produced by Katy Marriott-Payne who spotted Marv at a show last year and thought he’d be perfect for nine-yearold Esme. Katy messaged his owner asking if Jemma could have first refusal on him if they decided to part with him. “Luckily, that time came in January. When we tried him, there was an immediate connection; they were perfect for each other,” said Jemma. They tried a handful of early qualifiers where the little duo consistently stood in the top. Their luck changed at the BSPS championships. Jemma said: “When it was time for BSPS Champs, they were on top form and looked an absolute picture. As soon as they entered the class, they meant business and executed a beautiful show to gain their RI ticket. In the championship they pulled it out of the bag, pinging round to claim the mini championship”. The pair have gone from strength to strength and most recently have clinched a HOYS mountain and moorland first ridden ticket at the Native Breeds Ridden Festival in Carmarthen where they also went on to stand reserve champion mini mountain and moorland.
Weydown Royal Consort (Equinational)
Aliya Khan and Latijn V.d. Helling Aliya Khan and Claire Connor’s charming Shetland stallion, Latijn V.d. Helling [Latz], were reserve champion novice at the BSPS winter championsips. Claire imported Latz from the Lap family’s Helling Stud in the Netherlands when he was a two-year-old. Now five years old, Latz is by three-times National Champion of Honour, Caz V. Stal Nieuwemoed and out of 1st Premium Evaluated mare Rylanda V.D. Helling. “I imported in December 2019 having flown over to the watch the young stallion evaluations in the hope of purchasing a future stallion for the stud. We imported him alongside another two-year-old Dutch colt Lars V. t’ Zand, who we also plan to campaign under saddle in the future. We used Latz a breeding stallion as a three-year-old and have an outstanding daughter of his retained in the stud,” said Claire. Aliya leased Latz from Claire in January 2022 and Aliya and her mother have since broken him in herself. “He’s taken to the job like a duck to water. He’s the sweetest, kindest and most obliging pony you could wish to meet. He always gives you absolutely everything he’s got,” said Claire. Despite being at only his third show, Latz was also second in his RIHS class. Nevertheless, the team’s focus will be novice classes this season and the RIHS, HOYS and LIHS campaign-trail in 2023. ”He’ll return home at a later date to 22 | The Native Pony | June 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk
commence further stud duties if I can convince Aliya to part with him again,” laughed Claire, “she always tells me he’s her favourite and very much part of the family!”
Aliya Kahn and Latijn V.d.
Sammi Taylor and Bronheulog Gold Dust Chrissy Knipe and her sister, Rebecca Abba’s Bronheulog God Dust [Casper] proved just as brilliant as his namesake when he clinched the restricted supreme championship under Chrissy’s daughter, Samantha – Sammi – Taylor, 11. Nine-year-old Casper was bred by Mandy and Vicky Andrews and Chrissy and Rebecca purchased him during lockdown from Mark Reeves and Steven Hulston. Interestingly, Casper and Sammi were restricted show hunter pony champion at the 2021 BSPS winter championships and gained his RIHS ticket at BSPS Area 1A, a feat he has also repeated this year. In 2021, he went on to claim his HOYS ticket and stand champion at the Royal Highland show, and the team are hopeful that he will soon clinch his HOYS qualification for this year. This is Sammi’s last season in the class which will certainly be a wrench; “Sammi adores him and loves hacking,” said Rebecca, adding, “He’s such a good boy; there’s not many like him.”
Samantha Taylor and Bronheulog Gold Dust (Equinational)
Chloe Heathcote and Eastlands Dunknowe
Eastlands Dunknowe (1st Class Images)
Chloe and her mum, Tammy Heathcote’s Connemara gelding Eastlands Dunknowe took this season’s very first mountain and moorland junior large breeds ticket. The Connemara gelding by Eastlands Harleybrae also qualified for HOYS last season at Malvern, specifically at the Three Counties Show, under former rider Abbie Gresty who partnered him at HOYS despite having already been purchased by Tammy at that point. He went on to win the breed semi-final at the BSPS Heritage championships under producer Sarah Parker for Chloe to take the ride at the final. This season, he has made a sterling start to his campaign having qualified for the juniors at the RIHS under Chloe at the Mid Wales Show and the RIHS open final under Sarah at BSPS Area 6. Sarah has since qualified him for HOYS at Stoneleigh Horse Show with Chloe taking the ride to stand reserve in the championship.
Georgia Darlington and Shana Rebel Despite rupturing ligaments after HOYS last year and undergoing subsequent surgery in February, Georgia Darlinton has made a successful comeback with her plaited and native string of working hunter ponies. She’s photographed here topping the novice mountain and moorland working hunter pony championship with Joan Hayden’s winner of the exceeding 143cm class, Connemara gelding, Shana Rebel.
Shana Rebel (Equinational)
Linda Atkinson and Danwood Llewellyn At the NPS Spring Festival, Linda Atkinson and her homebred Welsh section C Danwood Llewellyn [Lewi] booked his third trip to HOYS and a third ticket at Malvern’s Three Counties showground. Linda rode the Wyken Rob Roy gelding to win the Welsh section C of the year and overall reserve mountain and moorland titles in 2018 when Lewi was just five. Linda had subsequently relinquished the reins to her daughter, Hannah who has gone from strength to strength with Lewi to qualify twice more for HOYS and secure the family’s first ever qualification for the London International Horse Show (formerly Olympia) last season. Hannah, who is the WPCS Young Ambassador this year, was forced to miss the Spring Festival due to a judging appointment at Lampeter Stallion Show, meaning Linda had to get back on Lewi for the first time since HOYS 2018. The pair weren’t in the least bit rusty, and Linda and Lewi performed a beautiful, mannerly show to take the highest ride mark and then stand section reserve.
Danwood Llewellyn(1st Class Images)
Chloe Spencer and Delami Dainoi
Delami Daioni (1st Class Images)
Chloe Spencer, 9, rode her mum, Fiona Spencer’s Delami Daioni [Princess] to win the 122cm mountain and moorland working hunter pony class at the NPS Spring Festival. The pair have been somewhat unlucky in their quest to jump around the track at Hickstead. They qualified in 2020 only for the show to be cancelled due to COVID, then jumped seven consecutive clears last season to finish second four times and third a further three times. “Every time I was third, the second pony qualified,” explained Chloe, who’s looking forwards to finally jumping at Hickstead, providing all goes well. Not to be outdone by her older sister, Emily,7, who had a cast removed from her arm just a week before and who is lining up to move onto Princess, scored a hattrick of wins with the darling section A mare. Princess and Emily won the training stakes, and the open and junior 122cm mountain and moorland working hunter pony classes. “Princess is incredible,” said Fiona, “She’s a one-ina-million pony – a saint.”
Frankie Currell and Dunkery Black Grouse South Wales based Frankie and Exmoor stallion Dunkery Black Grouse have enjoyed an incredible run of luck recently starting with a HOYS 122cm mountain and moorland working hunter pony ticket at Stoneleigh Horse Show. They later went on to collect an RIHS mountain and moorland working hunter pony qualification at NPS Area 29 and a flat open ridden Dartmoor, Exmoor and Shetland qualification at Hereford Marches. That’s three tickets in two weeks!
Dunkery Black Grouse (1st Class Images)
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Lilly Richardson and Elberry Suillen Lilly and Elberry Suillen made history when they took the first ever junior mountain and moorland working hunter pony ticket to the HOYS final at Stoneleigh Horse Show. The former RIHS winner has jumped super consistently this spring and after a clutch of seconds, secured their RIHS mountain and moorland working hunter pony ticket. Lilly and sister Penny enjoyed a magical day at Stoneleigh Horse Show culminating in an amazing five tickets. They also won the HOYS mountain and moorland lead rein with the uber consistent Thistledown Van der Vaart, and the mountain and moorland first ridden with Briar Snow Fox. All three ponies also have at least one RIHS tickets secured.
Elberry Suillen (1st Class Images)
Samantha Roberts and Lledrith Nemesis Sue Kernan’s Welsh section A stallion Lledrith Nemesis has once again proven his versatility. A former HOYS, RIHS and Olympia finalist, he’s enjoyed a superb spring under his producer, Sam Roberts. Within 24 hours of qualifying for the BD Winter championships, he also qualified for the RIHS 122cm mountain and moorland working hunter pony final. He also has a ridden qualification for the RIHS and has since turned his attention to HOYS classes, and has attacked these with equal gusto. He took the first HOYS Welsh section A ridden ticket at Stoneleigh Horse Show and a week later, he secured his HOYS 122cm working hunter pony qualification.
Ledrith Nemesis (1st Class Images)
The Owens family and Llanarth Windsor The NPS Spring Festival meant a day of highs and lows for the Pembrokeshire based Owen team. A blowout en route made them two-and-a-half hours late for the show, but mum, Charlotte, had a plan up her sleeve. As they neared the showground, she rang family friend Abi Vaughn to get her daughter, Grace, dressed and walking the course in preparation for when they arrived. “I knew I wouldn’t get myself and Chloe there in time for Sophie to walk it, so as soon as we arrived, I handed Llanarth Windsor over to Grace and she had time for one quick pop before going in.” Luckily, Grace and Windsor were unflappable and jumped clear to win the RIHS 133cm qualifier. With time-pressure alleviated, Sophie had her turn and not to be outdone, jumped a super round to win the RIHS nursery stakes qualifier. However, at this point, disaster stuck with Sophie falling from another pony and a subsequent trip to A&E that night revealed her arm to be broken. With one class left for Windsor, older sister, Chloe who has recently stepped up a class, got back into the saddle to win the junior small breeds under 138cm working hunter pony class. The Owens have owned the section B for five years and have enjoyed considerable success with him qualifying for both as a mountain and moorland and plaited working hunter pony.
Llanarth Windsor (1st Class Images)
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Sarah Parker and Nipna Midnight Rambler Taking the HOYS championship at the NPS Spring Festival and the first Dales pony ticket was Julie Pennell and the Pennell family’s winner of the Fells and Dales class, Nipna Midnight Rambler [Rambo] under his producer, Sarah Parker. By Nipna Invictus, Rambo is the first foal out of Nipna Damask Rose [Rosie] who stood second under Julie’s daughter, Anna Pennell at HOYS. The seven-year-old first turned heads at the BSPS Winter Championships when he stood supreme before going on to take the coveted ridden championship at Windsor in 2021, standing second at HOYS and taking third place at the London International Horse Show last December. He has also since claimed his London International Horse Show qualification by standing champion at Suffolk County on his first attempt. Nipna Midnight Rambler (1st Class Images)
Scarlett Marshall and Greenholme Knight - FIRST RIHS TICKET! Scarlett and six-year-old Fell stallion, Greenholme Knight have qualified for the UKP&H intermediate mountain and moorland class at the RIHS. Knight, who is by Greenholme Warrior, is owned and produced by Terry Clynes and CIaran Kelly by Greenholme Warrior. Scarlett and Knight had had a few seconds and even a reserve champion at North East Derbyshire spring show before finally going one better to secure their ticket. Scarlett’s mum, Keeley explained that she meets Knight at shows “and loves having the ride on him and is very much looking forward to the final!” The following day at Area 4B, Knight also qualified for the open breed class and stood champion ridden by Terry. Greenholme Knight
Tara Robinson, Hedgethorpe June Delight and Hedgethorpe April Morning Tara Robinson and her own Fell mare Hedgethorpe June Delight have qualified for the RIHS amateur mountain and moorland final on their first attempt of the year at BSPS area 1A. Tara has also qualified June’s mother, Hedgethorpe April Morning for the SSADL RIHS in hand at the age of 21. This will be April’s second trip to the RIHS having last competed there at the age of 15 in the UKP&H Young Riders class. “April is a lovely pony and enjoys her showing so much that we always say she’s a bit of a party girl and loves an atmosphere,” said Tara, adding, “we are very excited to be taking mother and daughter to the RIHS”. Tara Robinson
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Georgia Hanson and Waterside Blackjack Winter heritage novice champion was Helen Hanson’s Waterside Blackjack [Jacko] ridden by Georgia Hanson. Jacko is a six-yearold Dales stallion, bred by the Heap family. He was spotted initially by the keen eye of the late Norah Starkie, who brought him back to her son Paul and his wife Helen to start his education. “Georgia rode for the Starkie’s and always loved Jacko so when she was given the chance to buy him from his new owner, she snapped him up,” explained Georgia’s mum, Helen Hanson. She added, “Jacko has had a fab start by all concerned and we can’t wait to see what the 2022 season brings!”
Waterside Blackjack (Equinational)
Lucinda and William Leeming and with Thistledown San Siro and Moortown Master Craftsman The first of the junior small breeds HOYS tickets for 2022 was awarded to Diana Leeming’s uber-consistent Welsh section A, Thistledown San Siro [Rocky] under Diana’s daughter, Lucinda, 13. Rocky and his young riders, Lucinda and her younger brother, William, had an incredible season in 2021, winning the junior small breeds, junior open championship and Pretty Polly home-produced mini championship at the RIHS last season before standing supreme home-produced at the BSPS Summer Championships as well as gaining three placings at HOYS. Rocky has kicked off his 2022 season with aplomb gaining three tickets to the RIHS and now a HOYS ticket for his young riders, and each one on their debut attempts this season, proving that he can step up and down the gears at a minute’s notice. He qualified for the UKP&H junior small breeds with Lucinda and first ridden mountain and moorland with William at UKP&H Spring Classic where he also stood reserve champion junior. He later gained his open breed ticket at North of England Spring Show where Lucinda was the only child in the class. William and Rocky were also supreme of show at Area 1B. William and Lucinda also had an amazing day at the Area 2B championship show. Lucinda and Rocky won and went champion in the RIHS junior small breeds, and William jumped a super round in the mountain and moorland cradle stakes with
San-Siro to win and stand champion before also winning the first ridden and standing reserve champion. “He’s proving to be such an amazing pony who can turn his hoof to anything, including mounted games during the winter months,” said Diana. Their luck didn’t stop there. William later won the Best Rider Supreme on Dartmoor pony Moortown Master Craftsman [Charlie] and Lucinda stood supreme with Rocky. Charlie is no stranger to success having carried multiple young riders safely into the ring over the years, and winning the RIHS mountain and moorland first ridden, competing at Olympia and standing third in the 122cm mountain and moorland working hunter pony class at HOYS. Diana explained, “He’s a pony the children both adore and have had so much fun on. Lucinda won the BSPS Black Country Saddles Best Rider on him two years running before she won it on Rocky; they both compete in the workers classes on him, and William now does mounted games on him”.
Moortown Master Craftsman
William and Charlie recently featured in the Pendle Pony Club’s mounted games team. The team won the area mounted games and have now qualified for the Zones Finals in July.
Thistledown San Siro (1st Class Images)
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SEIB Search for a Star & Racehorse to Riding Horse 2022 kicks off at
Vale View Equestrian SEIB Search for a Star 2022 Vale View Equestrian Centre, April 24, 2022 Report by Jenny Viner Photos SMR Photography Nearly 200 competitors descended on Vale View Equestrian for the first Search for a Star [SFAS] qualifier of 2022, and a good number of those were natives! Samantha De Caprio and Search for a Star steward, Helen Dunwell were welcomed to the judging team for the first time. Nicola Taylor joined senior judge, Richard Ramsay, for a full day as a SFAS judge. John Foster, Craig McLelland and Rebecca Court returned as stewards and Reece Bentley excelled in his first day stewarding for the team. The day marked a high starting point for the brand-new Pony Club Search for a Star competition in its first Your Horse Live qualifying classes alongside the first running of in-hand Search for a Star series. The first class, Working Pony went to Natalie Pastor and her homebred six-year-old New Forest gelding, Langorra Ginger Port [Larry]. Qualifying for HOYS was only the start of the day for Natalie as the pair went on to take second place in the Search for a Star Mountain and Moorland class later in the day and earn a ticket to the Your Horse Live final. Langorra Ginger Port was bred by Natalie out of her New Forest working hunter pony mare, Portmore Lil. Natalie said: “It was always the plan to breed from our lovely mare. We bred two foals from her while I was away at uni, the other one went to Ireland and I kept Larry. I backed him and have produced him myself.” Larry is by Woodrow Portman who competed at HOYS in flat and working hunter pony finals. These successes rounded off a brilliant weekend for Natalie and Larry after a win and going champion at the NPS Festival the previous day. Your Horse Live will host the Search for a Star finals for The Pony Club and mountain and moorlands. Fliss Martin and her Connemara, Kilmurray Fionn won a strong mountain and moorland class. This pair moved on from a disappointing result in the working pony
class earlier in the day when Kilmurray Fionn spooked. Fliss said: “The first class today definitely helped settle him. I asked the judge for feedback and their suggestions on encouraging him to be more forward definitely helped. I’ve owned him for three years. I bought Kilmurray Fionn to jump and go to one day events as well. We qualified for the British Connemara Eventing Championships last year but didn’t actually go to the finals. I’d love to qualify him for the Royal International amateur heritage championships too.” The first ever SFAS Pony Club lead rein class was won by Worcestershire Hunt branch member, Charlotte Knight, 5, riding her mother Jamie Clarke’s Dartmoor, Collstone Caventina [Dixie]. Jamie bought Dixie, last August for Charlotte. Jamie said: “Charlotte goes to Pony Club each week, she and Dixie take part in rallies and hound exercise. We are delighted this series is on as it provides a great learning opportunity and we can take it slowly and get it right.” In the Pony Club first ridden class, five ponies came forward and the class was won by, Emily Elliott, 8, and Connie Elliott’s Welsh section B, Larchgrove Isabella [Issy]. Emily and Issy are members of the Rufford branch of the Pony Club. Connie said: “Emily and Issy love being out, they compete in all pony club activities from hunter trials to showjumping to dressage. They have done some local showing and are really looking forward to Pony Club camp which takes place at Southwell Racecourse. They will get to have a good canter on the track!”
VV PC OPen 1 Jessica Ross Rooan De Goariva
Malton College student, Jessica Ross won the Pony Club open SFAS class riding her Connemara, Rooan De Goariva. Jessica said: “He is such a great pony, we have owned him for the past four-years and he is brilliant at everything we have had a go at.” The pair compete in side saddle classes and Jessica won the Side Saddle Newcomers Rider of the Year
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VV M n M 1 Fliss Martin Kilmurray Fionn
award in 2021. They also compete at 90cm unaffiliated eventing and are planning to take part in some working hunter pony classes. Dales gelding, Fulford Mickey won in the in-hand mountain and moorland class with physics teacher Georgie Lewis-Roberts. Georgie said: “This was our first time out at Search for a Star, we thought we’d go along and learn and find out more about the series, and we have only gone and won! The thing that stood out for me was quite how nice everyone at the show was. I was flustered getting my number and the secretary was so kind and helpful. I bought Mickey two years ago from his breeder. We had an old Fell stallion that was coming to the end of his showing career and I was really keen on having a Dales so I bought Mickey. We also competed in the ridden mountain and moorland class this morning and would love to qualify in this class too.” Georgie is hoping to take Mickey to Equifest and Showfest ahead of the YHL finals.
VV PC Lead 1 Charlotte Knight Collstone Caventina
SEIB’s Marketing Manager, Nicolina MacKenzie said: “Search for a Star is providing more opportunities than ever this year. I am thrilled by how well this qualifier has gone. The first ever Pony Club showing classes were just great and it was wonderful to get the in-hand Search for a Star series under way too. I can’t fault our many competitors today, they have been enthusiastic, respectful to each other and entered into the real Search for a Star spirit. I am so proud of both the competitors and the team who made the whole day happy and inspirational for everyone involved”. For all Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse information and to enter, please see www.seib.co.uk/ competitions. Vale View Pony Club winners
Further qualifying competitions 2022: 11th & 12th June 2022 at Netherton Equestrian Centre, Perthshire, PH2 9NE, Perth, Scotland. NEW – 25th June 2022 at Laurel View Equestrian Centre Limited, Ballyclare, N.I. 23rd & 24th July 2022 during SEIB Trailblazers Championships at Stoneleigh Park, 15th July 2022 at the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) National Championships at Hartpury College, (RDA Riders Only) 7th August 2022 at Science Supplements Onley Grounds Equestrian Centre, Rugby 14th August 2022 at “ShowFest”, Three Counties Showground, Malvern VV WP1 and MnM 2 Natalie Pastor Langorra Ginger Port VV First Rid 1 Emily Elliott Larchgrove Isabella
VV In hand amateur M n M 1 Georgie Lewis Roberts Fulford Mickey
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The Voltaire Designs
Badminton Grassroots Championships
is the pinnacle of the amateur eventing calendar Photos by 1st Class Images. Hosted over the two days prior to the famous international Badminton Horse Trials in Gloucestershire, the Voltaire Design Grassroots Championships sees the winners from regional finals from around the country go head-to-head in the overall British Eventing Championship held at BE90 and BE100 level. The cross country takes riders around the park at the famous
Badminton Estate, past the house and through the renowned Badminton Lake. The BE90 and BE100 competitor with the lowest score after all three phases is crowned in a prize giving in front of Badminton House. Several competitors took to the course riding natives and we think they look fantastic..!
Kippure Buccaneer Connemara, 16, 14.2hh (Braveheart of Kippure x Kippure Ebony) Owned and ridden by Zoe Sollis A level student Zoe, 17, and her Connemara pony Kippure Buccaneer [Jack]. The pair qualified having come second at the Firle Place Area Festival to qualify for Badminton Grassroots. As well as eventing, Zoe and Jack also featured on the English team at the Pony Club International dressage at Royal Windsor Horse Show, and performed a 72.98% test to help England to take the win.
Kippurre Buccaneer
Cloonah Shadow Connemara, 9, 14hh (Moonlight Silver Shadow x Lucy’s Rose) Owned and ridden by Caroline Cook Caroline purchased Cloonah Shadow [Percy] as an unbroken four-year-old. Caroline explained: “We were looking for a Connemara to bring on when my friend Katy Seedhouse sent a video just saying, ‘you’ll need sticky bums on this one’. Never ones to hang about that Saturday we set off from Derbyshire to jump the RIHS qualifier at David Broome’s with my section B and call in via the Cotswolds at Tulira Stud on the way home, reassuring Dad we were only venturing just south of Birmingham. Luckily, we won the RIHS qualifier and Percy was everything we’d hoped for”. He arrived at Caroline and mum, Ruth’s Derbyshire Peaks base the following weekend. Caroline and Percy competed in working hunter pony classes before pursuing her eventing aspirations seriously. Nevertheless, it didn’t run smoothly. “Thanks to my dodgy time keeping and lack of navigation XC, the regionals weren’t quite as plain sailing as planned,” said Caroline, adding, “it’s a long drive back from Cumbria when you’ve missed fence seven!” Caroline and Percy thoroughly enjoyed the experience of riding at Badminton. “Riding at Badminton was like nothing else I’ve experienced and to ride in the park past the house was truly amazing. The atmosphere all week was wonderful, and we can’t wait to try and qualify for 2023.” 30 | The Native Pony | June 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk
Cloonah Shadow
Fronerthig Bendigeidfran Welsh Cob, 18, 14.1hh (Fronerthig Victor x Fronerthig Branwen Haf) Owned and ridden by Bethany Cole Bethany and her family have owned Sonic since he was a fouryear-old. “He was bought as a happy hacker, but very quickly found his passion for jumping,” said Bethany, who has ridden him for the last ten years, competing in everything from Pony Club to BS to Riding Club. In 2019, the family decided to give British Eventing a go with Sonic. Bethany explained: “Knowing his dressage was pretty shocking, we had no expectations for the season, but to my surprise we won Munstead BE90, giving us a qualification to the regional final qualifier for Badminton. We chose Borde Hill regional final where we finished on a 29.7, to finish in 5th place and gaining a qualification to Badminton Horse trials!” Due to Covid, the event was cancelled and Bethany and Sonic’s qualification was transferred over to 2021, where again the event had to be cancelled. Unfortunately, event organisers were unable to arrange a further transfer of qualification. Undeterred, the pair achieved three qualifications to compete at the new qualifying system of Area Festivals following successful runs throughout 2021. Bethany and Sonic competed at the Firle Place Area Festival and in September 2021, they received news of their qualification. “It had always been a dream of mine and what made it more special was that it was on my pony of a lifetime,” said Bethany.
Fronerthig Bendigeidfran
However, it didn’t all go to plan. After a pleasing dressage test, gaining a respectable 37.5, and a clear show jumping round, the cross country caused the pair a problem. Bethany explained: “The cross country was the most challenging 90 course I’d ever walked, with constant questions for horse & rider to tackle along with crowds swarming round every fence and cheering you on every step of the way! I was so nervous for the cross country, there were lots of technical fences including the broken bridge; I had never seen a fence like it and was unsure how Sonic would approach it! Unfortunately, the cross country caught us out but we still left the course with a big smile and some well-deserved pats for Sonic! I’m just so pleased that we completed the broken bridge and were able to canter through iconic badminton lake!” Nevertheless, Bethany felt that overall, the event was superb: “The Voltaire Design Badminton Grassroots was the most amazing week with an incredible atmosphere! There were welcome drinks for all the competitors, the opportunity to hack the beautiful estate and several course walks with professionals including Yogi Breisner where they talked us through the jumps, the best lines to take and how to save time out cross country! Badminton also provided all the competitors tickets to stay for the rest of the week, which was incredible, we managed to go to a course walk with Imogen Murray around the 5* course and watch the dressage for the first time! I will definitely be going for the full week in future years!”
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Rathcline Kestrel
Rathcline Kestrel Connemara, 11, 15hh (Gwennic De Goariva x Rosemount Lass) Owned and ridden by Katie Stephens-Grandy. 11yr old [Timothy] Rathcline Kestrel was bred in Ireland and shown on home turf before being imported to the UK. He was started by Kate Rath Doyle. Since making the journey, he has been super successful under owner-rider Katie Stephens-Grandy, who produces Connemaras and their part-breds for competition. Tim has also tried his hand at the larger, BE100 tracks as well as competing in dressage, and was the highest placed native at the Lemieux National Dressage championships in the prelim silver section last year.
Rathcline Kestrel
Willoway Amigo New Forest, 14, 14.2hh (Woodrow Prince Harry x Mercury Amy) Owned by Janine Peterson and Ingrid Jordan, and ridden by Janine New Forest pony Willoway Amigo [Roo] heads-up our very own Native Pony columnist Janine’s team. The fourteenyear-old NF gelding. Janine has owned Roo in partnership with her long standing supporter and fabulous friend, Ingrid Jordan, since he was an untouched three-year-old, after the pair purchased him directly from the Willoway stud. Janine and Roo competes at BE90/100. Unfortunately, he struck into a tendon at Bricky in September 2020, making their return to competition and subsequent qualification for Badminton even more special.
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Willoway Amigo
Clintonstown Windy Connemara, 14, 14.1hh
championships in 2021 at novice level, finishing runner up.
Coral Prince x Roston Girl
Last year he qualified for two regional BE finals – at BE90 and BE100 and qualified for Badminton at BE90 from one of those finals.
Owned and ridden by Isabel Bhatia Isabel, 15, and her Connemara pony Clintonstown Windy [Darcy] stormed round on Isabel’s Badminton debut. Darcy was initially brought over from Ireland and purchased by Rachel Griffiths as a five-year-old for her daughter, India, who accompanied Darcy on his own Badminton Grassroots debut. “We bought him in January 2019,” explained Isabel’s mum, Claire. Isabel and Darcy have enjoyed many successes together. They are members of the South Oxfordshire Hunt Central Pony Club and qualified for the PC championships in eventing in 2019 and for Dressage as an individual and team member in 2021. The pair have also qualified for Schools Equestrian Games in eventing at 100cm level in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and qualified for NSEA individual dressage
“This year, they have 2 qualifications for BE90 regional finals and qualified for the BE80 championships following a win at Aston le Walls – although we didn’t attend as it was mid-week and had originally entered an 80 as a training run following a turbulent winter, so the 80 win was an extra nice surprise,” said Claire. When he’s not eventing, Darcy loves a trip to the beach and the family’s last two summer holidays have involved staying at a campsite at Holkam in Norfolk and galloping along the sands. “I think it just shows you don’t need a big horse, just one with a big heart,” said Claire.
Penstrumbly Calon Lan Welsh Cob section D, 12, 15hh Yorkin Come Lucky x Penstrumbly Jemima Rose Owned and ridden by Ruby Thompson Bred near Strumble Head in Pembrokeshire by Kath Hall, ‘Batty’ first entered competitive life as a show horse, qualifying for HOYS at the Royal Welsh under local rider Lucy Parr. He was later sold to Jane Hanger who pursued a career in working hunter pony ranks for him, with Ellie Callwood producing him to qualify for HOYS and stand RIHS champion working hunter pony. Batty joined Ruby,15, and her family in July of 2020 and the pair competed in their first BE a month later. “He loved it and won it,” explained Ruby. “Because he won, he qualified to do an area festival in 2021,
which would be his second ever event”. It seems Batty’s initial win was no fluke as he again won. “From then, we just did a few events last year in between doing HOYS qualifiers. He qualified for HOYS at Staffs County and then we just took him eventing until HOYS,” said Ruby. With HOYS out of the way, Batty and Ruby competed in their first BE100, gained a dressage mark of 29 and double clear. In 2022, he has won or been second in every event apart from Badminton where he nevertheless jumped a double clear. Ruby’s aim for the pair is to be picked for the BE90 Under 18 team for the championships in August before attempting to qualify for Badminton 2023 and step up to BE100 properly. So far, their quest to do so is going well, having won the BE90 OU18 section at Belsey since Badminton.
Penstrumbly Calon Lan
Willoway Amigo
Janine Peterson Badminton and some food for thought... Nothing prepares you for the buzz of galloping over the hallowed turf at Badminton House. To be on board my partner of eleven years, who has solely been ridden by me, took it to a whole new level! We went to Badminton with no expectations; after a less than smooth run up, completing was the aim! You know it’s not ‘your day’ when you trot down the centreline and the sunny weather gives way to rain, just for the duration of your test! Due to the persistent rain, Roo’s good test lacked his usual sparkle, seeing him sitting in the top third after his test before rising significantly as the showjumping got underway. Showjumping has never been our strongest point. Roo doesn’t like to practice too much; he switches off if he feels you are dictating too much. He can swing the other way, too, where he won’t listen at all and is plain wild! It’s all about balance, energy and obedience without crazy, and letting him have his own way a little so he doesn’t switch off!
He warmed up beautifully and I entered the arena feeling relaxed and even a little hopeful. But the horse before us jumped a beautiful clear and the crowd erupted. So did Roo. He lit up like a Christmas tree! As the showjumping phase is never easy with him, this was not ideal, especially as the arena was sloping and the ground was firm! It was not our best performance but I’ve had Roo long enough not to be disappointed. In fact, it took the pressure off X-Country, which is, for me the main event. I walked the course twice and I couldn’t wait to set sail! Roo is talented X-Country and a pleasure to ride because he is so bold. I was concerned about fitness after our dodgy run up and seeing just how long the course was, but I also knew I didn’t have any pressure to push him around; we could just go at a pace that suited Roo to get home safely. I watched the coffin fence earlier in the day and saw most combinations slipping badly, trying to get straight for the question. The
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benefit of pony power comes into play in such situations. I angled my approach so I didn’t have to make a sharp turn and risk slipping, and Roo neatly popped through, albeit adding a couple of extra strides where needed. Ponies have that wonderful ability and such clever brains to do what’s needed to stay safe. It was such an adrenaline rush flying around that course with big crowds cheering you all the way around. Roo dug deep and finished well despite being very tired. We completed: a dream come true after eleven years in the making. I don’t think anything will ever rival the feeling of competing with my best mate, Roo, so after a little breather I’ve told Roo it’s all systems go, to try our luck again as the bug is already eating away at me and I’m hoping we can get back there again. I’m even contemplating trying at BE100 level because Roo does showjump better when they are bigger… Teddy and Dex have been very busy, too. We’ve had a run of back-to-back shows
starting off with Stoneleigh and the first HOYS qualifier of the year. Both boys jumped super clears: Dex finishing sixth and Teddy, eight. We travelled on to Solihull for a stonking Lisa Kelly course and RIHS qualifiers the next day. Rails out of the arena onto grass, followed by a water jump before jumping back into the school caused the most trouble with only one clear in the larger height section. Teddy hates staying away and got quite rattled by the rails out of the arena, so had three poles in total, just showing how difficult the course was even for a well-seasoned pony. Dex relished it and was clear until the planks two from home! It was his fist stay away so tiredness was probably to blame, and he finished fourth. Next was Area 24, where Dex jumped clear in the intermediate and despite being a bit cheeky in his show, he claimed the ticket in second. Teddy jumped a super clear in the RIHS for sixth and Dex was clear until the bullfinch, which he didn’t understand, so I retired him. We hadn’t practiced a bullfinch recently, so that was my fault and I know with practice he will happily oblige. ‘In for a penny, in for a pound,’ I felt, and the following day we went to Area 29 where both boys jumped well in the RIHS, but both had a pole, so we trekked on to CCR near Gloucester a few days later. Teddy had such an unlucky pole, coming second, just three marks behind the winner and only clear! Dex had a look at the bullfinch – we still hadn’t practiced – but popped it on his second attempt, showing his fab attitude. I’m very lucky to ride him; he’s an astonishing pony.
The shows highlighted some issues for me. At Stoneleigh, ponies that had poles stood above clear rounds. For me, it’s hard to swallow when clears aren’t rewarded. They might not jump in the judge’s preferred style, but the important thing is that they left the jumps up: the name of the game. A very stylish pony that has a pole will have their day when they produce a clear! Some of the RIHS courses this season have had only one clear – at best – in a section. It begs the question: are these tracks becoming too difficult for natives? I like to see either a bold, up-to-height course, or a smaller course that’s very technical. But this year, both styles seem to be merging and producing less clears. Something to think about? I also often wonder whether RIHS qualifiers should be held on grass and HOYS qualifiers on a surface, because that’s what you get at the final. The qualifying period could be adjusted to cater to this and the qualifiers on grass could be slightly smaller but technical courses, with the HOYS qualifiers up to height. This would ensure the best ponies for the job qualify. Food for thought!
Willoway Amigo
I wanted to mention the death of Margaret Parret, who was instrumental on my riding as a child. Margaret bought both Willoway Calvados and Tantany Torch for me, lent me several of her own homebred ponies for PC, and helped fund lessons for me. A massive New Forest enthusiast, Margaret had extensive knowledge of breeding, lineage and all things New Forest! I wouldn’t have had many of the opportunities I had without Margaret’s input and that’s what has shaped me as a rider today and enabled me to turn my passion into my livelihood. RIP, Margaret, the New Forest flame you lit in me burns bright.
Dex at Area 24
Ted with owner Sharon Goodman
P E R F O R M A N C E
PO N I ES
At Native Pony, we have been incredibly impressed by reports of native ponies competing successfully in performance disciplines.
Julie O’Boye and Blakehill Admiral
Blakehill Admiral
Julie OBoye and her ten-year-old Connemara pony, Blakehill Admiral [Paddy] have been out competing in the dressage arena lately at prelim level. “We recently achieved our best score to date of 75.52 and now look forward to competing at the Trailblazers championships,” said Julie, who as owned Paddy for nearly four years. “I decided aged 46 and after more than a twenty year break from horses to buy a pony to show and hopefully do some dressage with,” explained Julie. However, after successfully taking to the ring in 2019, the pandemic was not the only thing that halted Julie’s plans for Paddy. “Just at the start of Covid, I became suddenly seriously ill with a spinal fluid leak and I didn’t ride for a year. We slowly started getting out when we could in 2021 and had fantastic results including coming third as Amateur Pathway Rider of the Year, winning numerous championships and overall winner of the TSR (41 + years). We also got to represent our local riding club at Stars gaining a fourth in a very strong equitation class”. They also tried their hand at dressage, winning their first test and later qualifying for the Trailblazers championship. Julie, who is quick to credit Lisa Sharp’s skills in equine massage for keeping Paddy in ship-shape, said: “I am so privileged to own such an amazing pony; he has got me through some of the worst times of my life. He is an absolute saint in every way and makes my difficult days much more bearable. As much as we love to get out, just having him in my life is the absolute dream.”
Camarnaint Rambler
Abi Scott and Camarnaint Rambler Abi Scott has owned her 13-year-old Welsh cob gelding, Camarnaint Rambler [Barney] for over seven years. Barney is by Welsh cob stallion, Minuffordd Democrat and is out of Welsh pony, Greigau Spring Rose. During lockdown the pair became interested in dressage and they have since competed up to BD Advanced Medium level, as well as successfully eventing at BE90. During April, they were placed third in the Medium U21 Petplan Championships at Hartpury. As well as this, Abi explained she felt “privileged to be selected to represent England in the Pony Club Dressage Home Internationals at Royal Windsor”, where they were individual and team Open Champions!”
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Jessica Limb, Chilham Aquarius and Hexden Danc-
Hexden Dancing Stranger
Rebekah Adshead and Conkertree Peanut In our first issue of the year, we featured Rebekah and her Fell stallion Conkertree Peanut competing in dressage! But we love these photos of them competing in Working Equitation! They have kicked off 2022 with an amazing start to their first proper season competing in Working Equitation. So far, they have scored three wins from three competitions. Their best result was Pickering Grange on 14th May, being their first ever Working Equitation National Show and biggest class yet. “Pea was on top form to lead in the dressage, ease of handling and speed individually to take a clear win,” said Rebekah, adding: “Most recently, we have stepped up a level to Inter B, and we are looking forward to continuing to improve our skills in this fun discipline! I normally compete Pea in British Dressage, we have secured our Medium Area Festival qualification already for summer, and am also hoping to get a dressage to music qualification, but working equitation provides a chance to put those dressage skills to a more practical test, and is just so well
Jessica Limb’s Connemara gelding, Chillham Aquarius (Castle Comet x Chiltern Quota) is best known for his results in the show ring. In 2013 he won at Royal International Horse Show and then went on to be the first bay Connemara to win at HOYS in the same year. Jessica purchased Chillham Aquarius [Ruby] in 2015 to show. “From the first time I rode him, he gave me the most amazing feeling in trot,” said Jessica. However, after their first season together, Jessica’s health began to decline and in 2017, she began to lose the use of one side of her body. After being discharged from hospital, Jessica found that everything was so difficult, she couldn’t even walk never mind ride. “Ruby gave me so much motivation to get better,” said Jessica, “All I wanted to do was to ride my boy again. When I first got back on it was hard and a few minutes in walk would be exhausting. I would spend the rest of the day in bed. As I began to get stronger, I would often come off balance and Ruby would just stop so I could find my balance again”. With the aid of some knots in her reins, the pair made it back into the ring. “I used to just say, ‘canter,’ and he would pop into canter for me. Without Ruby I don’t think I would have ridden again; he is truly a pony of a lifetime”. However, in 2018 Ruby suffered laminitis and the family also discovered that he developed EMS aged just 13. He spent six months on box rest, and it took almost two years before Ruby was back to being ridden and healthy. “We made the most of every ride, hacking, jumping - which Ruby is amazing at – going cross country and on farm rides, which is so different to his life before”.
Ruby has also been diagnosed with Cushings disease, Asthma and last year, Jess nearly lost him to liver failure as her own health also continued to decline. Nevertheless, Jess wanted to start competing again this year and whilst she can no longer manage a showing class, she can manage a dressage test and Ruby loves the opportunity to show off. Their first outing brought home two seconds and in May, they attempted their first para-dressage competition. Jess explained: “Ruby tried his heart out for me. We won our first class, the Grade 7 W&T on a score of 66.4% and the Grade 7 W/T/C on a score of 68.6%, qualifying for the RDA National Championships at Hartpury in July. I am so excited to trot down the Centre line in the international arena with Ruby”. Due to Ruby’s health, the family decided to find a second horse for Jess and after feeling that they “had tried every horse in England”, they found the perfect steed: a second Connemara called Hexden Dancing Stranger (Dark stranger x Ellabelles Cashel) whom she has now also qualified for the RDA National Championships. “We really threw Hexden Dancing Stranger – Bruno – into the deep-end by taking him to RDA regionals just six weeks after he arrived. For our first competition I couldn’t have asked anymore from him. He won our Grade 7 class with score of 69.7%, was second in a Grade 6 W&T with a score of 65.6% and won a cup for the highest senior score of the day. I am excited to be competing at RDA nationals with my two British Bred Connemara ponies.
Conkertree Peanut
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Marvellous Mason Georgina Oakden’s 6-year-old Connemara, Corabbey Sterling [Mason], have made their recent forays into the dressage arena successful ones with two firsts and a second to qualify for the sunshine tour at Hickstead, and the BCPS dressage finals in July. Georgina purchased Mason two years ago as a rising four-year-old, right before the 2020 lockdown. He is an Irish bred Connemara sired by Corabbey Sebastian, out of Lehid Dun. His lines include the likes of Abbeyleix Fionn, Murphy Rebel and Carna Bobby. “Throughout the pandemic, we had many trials and tribulations, resulting in concussion, A&E and many lost hat-silks,” said Georgina. “However, through determination and lots of hours of hard work the results are finally showing. Mason has the best temperament anyone could wish for; he is my first Connemara and have absolutely fallen in love with the breed.”
Corabbey Sterling
Natasha Macdonald and Sauvey Golden Condor Natasha Macdonald and her Welsh section C pony Sauvey Golden Condor [Kevin] have been competing in dressage. Natasha has owned 16-year-old Kevin for five years. Kevin is by Triad Ricochet and out of Sauvey Golden Oriole. Natasha said: “We are training medium level at home and compete in the Children on Horses classes at Premier leagues. I train with Leanne Wall and I’m hoping to make the step up to Pony FEI later in the year. On May 1st we competed at Keysoe premier league and so happy to come away with two seconds and a personal best of 68%. We also went to the All England Dressage Festival at Hickstead gaining another two second places and scores of 65.8% and 65.2%. As a result of these scores we have been selected to represent Great Britain at an international competition (CDI) on the 9-12th of June at Wellington, and have been selected to represent the South and East at the youth inter regionals. “This is my biggest achievement at only thirteen years old. Kevin has the biggest personality ever! He is very cheeky, always up to mischief, but very kind and always looks after you. He is a once in a lifetime pony having been previously to Olympia in the mountain and moorland classes before taking on a dressage journey with me. We have competed in the British Dressage national championships two years running, but sadly we missed last year due to injury. He is my best friend and truly deserves recognition as he always tries his heart out and is definitely ‘King Kevin’!”
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Eiry Bonner and Pat Eiry Bonner and her fourteenyear-old Connemara pony Fear An Ti [Pat] have recently turned their attention to BE. Pat was bred by Patrcik O’Boyle in Corderry, Ireland, and is sired by Gewnnic De Goariva out of Aughaveen Aine. Eiry and Pat first started their competitive run in the 134cm working hunter pony classes and the pair have qualified for HOYS on multiple occasions. Pat as since demonstrated his versatility by winning the BE90 British Event at Llanymynech Horse Trials in May with a 29.3 Dressage, clear SJ and clear XC with only 1.2 time penalties which was enough to win a section of 32. This was the pair’s third attempt at a BE90 after taking his eventing career slowly to build up his stamina on the XC field. “With little legs and a laid-back nature Pat has always found the XC time hard to achieve and having originally been a flat showing pony, it’s taken some time to teach him to open up his frame and to really gallop,” said Eiry. “The XC time is still something we’re working on and I’m sure we will always struggle a little with, however this is where his dressage comes into play. My game plan is to always try and
achieve the lowest dressage mark I possibly can, allowing some room for a few time penalties on our score sheet at the end of the day. It’s about knowing your pony’s strengths and weaknesses and I’m very lucky that Pat often does a sweet, accurate and rhythmical dressage test which is rewarded by the judges”. Towards the end of the 2021 season, Pat and Eiry were second at their final BE event of the year, gaining qualification to compete in an Area Festival this year. “If we are successful, it will give us a qualification for the Badminton Grassroots Final in 2023. This has been a huge dream of mine since a child and despite his little legs and laid-back nature, Pat has got a heart of gold and always digs deep for me so we will for sure give it our best shot”. Competing isn’t the only thing keeping Pat busy during the spring/summer months; he also stands at public stud via AI only at Talgrwn Stud Services. He has proven very popular on both purebred Connemara mares and sports horses. “I would like to thank everyone who’s chosen to use him so far; I get just as excited as the mare owners when the little ones arrive!”
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TEN MINUTES WITH ARTIST, LAURA PENNELL
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How did you discover your creative side and what instigated the business? I’ve always been ‘arty’ – I did a History of Art degree on leaving school and have always enjoyed sketching and dabbling with paints. It wasn’t until I picked up pencils between Christmas and New Year in 2018 however that my hobby turned into something a little more professional and business-like. I began by asking online for photos of horses to practice with, and from there began to slowly start accepting commissions. I have had an enormous amount of help and mentoring from wonderful artist Bonny Snowdon; I am fortunate to live close to her and she has really helped to shape my career through advice and support. From a young age I’d wanted to be a ‘proper’ artist – to make a career from art, but it’s surprising how many different forms being a ‘proper artist’ can take. From modern art, illustrators, digital artists etc, it can be quite overwhelming knowing which direction to go in and what the right medium is for you. I’d always thought to gain the title of ‘artist’ I should be painting in oils and doing large, hyper-realistic works. However, as soon as I started using coloured pencils, I felt a huge change in mindset and a feeling that what I was doing was right for me. In 2020 I did change medium slightly, from coloured pencils to soft pastel and pastel pencils, and that change has cemented for me the form and direction of my work. I absolutely love the details you can create with pastel pencils, as well as the soft blending that can be achieved with them. I love creating animals from literally all walks of life and my ideas for my next pieces are borne simply from deciding which animals I haven’t drawn yet! Although, first love is always with British wildlife and animals, and especially horses and farm animals.
In what way, if any, has turning your talent into a business changed your attitude towards your craft? Developing a positive mindset has been so essential for me to develop my business. There are so many very talented artists out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or not good enough. However, when I used to show my Dales stallion my Mum always said to me to ignore everyone else in the ring and ‘Ride your own race’, and that’s what I try to do with my art as well. Everyone’s journey to, and definition of success is so different, for me it’s more important to be happy with the way my art is developing. Not every piece is received with ultimate acclaim and coming to terms with that is really important; as long as I feel I’ve done my best with each drawing, I’m happy enough, although as I’m sure every artist feels, there’s always something that could have been done better!
You also work full time (?). How do you find time for painting and is it your way of switching off? After graduating from University, I found myself slightly adrift in terms of direction and career path. It was falling off my pony which literally found me my other profession! I had an accident at home and badly broke my wrist when my pony spooked at a pheasant – it necessitated a trip to hospital and two operations to fix.
The second operation entailed removing some metalwork while I was awake. I found it absolutely fascinating and spent my recuperation researching the types of careers could be found in operating theatres! From there I did a Dip(he) in Operating Department Practice and have now been a qualified ODP for 10 years. ODP’s are a little-known allied profession within healthcare. They are specialised healthcare workers who work across the three areas of surgery from Anaesthetics, Scrub (assisting with the surgery itself) and Recovery. When I first qualified, I worked full time in an NHS hospital in Anaesthetics and Recovery. However, with the development of my art business, I have been able to become increasingly part-time. I now work a few hours a week in a private hospital in the Recovery department. I love it because it’s very different from art or working with the horses, and I love being able to look after patients. Recovery is a specialised area of theatres, and we do a lot of airway and pain management, making sure patients are ok immediately following their surgery, before they get discharged to the ward. Initially art was my way of switching off from the stresses of working in a healthcare environment –and it’s still my form of mindfulness!
Your family breed Dales ponies – the Nipna stud – and you also keep other animals at Home Farm, to what extent are they an inspiration? We have a few different breeds of sheep at Home Farm as well as pigs, chickens and of course the ponies! Although I vehemently vowed I would never own sheep myself, I have now got my own small flock of precisely three Ryeland ewes. Living on a farm is a huge source of inspiration for my work, although I still need to do more drawings of our own animals! Our ponies and sheep have made their way into a couple of pieces though; and living so rurally really inspires my work. 42 | The Native Pony | June 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk
You also enjoy painting other, exotic animals, if you had to choose a favourite subject..? It’s impossible to pick a favourite! When I’m looking for what to draw next, I look through reference photo websites, my own photos and photos friends and family have taken. I usually don’t have a specific animal in mind, but I choose based on what photo stands out to me at that time. I’ve dismissed photos before only to see them again a few drawings later and they’ve been perfect – it’s a strange phenomenon!
We are more use to seeing your sister, Anna at shows. What is your involvement with the stud and the farm? I have always been involved in the background with the stud – either coming with Anna to groom at shows, and working with the horses with yard work/breeding season/handling youngstock. I have done some showing myself over the years but found my forte more in the dressage arena with my homebred gelding Nipna Good King Henry (Harry) – before the pandemic we regularly did affiliated Elementary classes. I currently have Harry and his half-brother Nipna Napoleon, and hope to be out competing with both of them this summer. As my work at the hospital decreased, I have been able to work more on the farm and usually spend my mornings with the ponies. I like the balance of being outside with the ponies in the mornings and then doing art in the afternoons!
Have you had a particular commission that stands out for you/ meant something special? The commission of a lifetime started almost a year ago – I was approached by the Fell Pony Society to produce some artwork to create a special gift for Her Majesty the Queen as part of the FPS Centenary celebrations and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. We wanted to create usable, personal item which would have personal meaning to the Queen. Many months of discussion and work culminated in the creation of a silk headscarf, which features an image of Carltonlima Emma, one of HM’s own Fell ponies. To tie in, the background and border emulate HM’s racing colours. The flower motif on the scarf is of the Grass of Parnassus, also known as the Flower of Cumbria, which seemed highly appropriate for the Fell pony. At the Royal Windsor Show in 2022 it was the hugest honour to see the headscarf and the original drawing of Carltonlima Emma presented to Her Majesty by the FPS Chairman and Centenary Chair. I still find it surreal to think that the Queen has a piece of my artwork!
What do you know now that you wish you knew 10 years ago? That everything happens for a reason! If I hadn’t fallen off my pony I don’t think I’d have ‘found’ theatres as a career path, and equally if I hadn’t decided to try out coloured pencils I’m not sure I’d have been able to do art as a profession. Making the most of the opportunities presented to you is really important to me.
How would you describe your style in three words? Realistic, characterful animals!
Future goals? I currently take my art out to a few shows a year – this year I am at the Game Fair, the Scottish Game Fair and Country Living Christmas Fair in Harrogate. In the future I’d like to keep doing this and keep expanding my range of prints and homeware/gift products. I have a wide range of original work and limited edition prints and greetings cards available on my website and at these shows. I would love to find gallery representation and to be represented by a fine art publisher – I’d love my work to keep reaching wider audiences.
Closing thoughts… I am hugely grateful to my family for the support they’ve given me with building my art career – from helping me build and break down my tradestands to encouraging me to keep going, they have been a massive source of support. I accept commissions of Equine subjects only currently, from headshots to full body/action shots.
www.laura-pennell.co.uk www.facebook.com/laurapennellart Instagram: @laurapennellartist info@showingworldonline.co.uk | June 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 43
PONY OF A LI FETI M E
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Georgie Lewis is a secondary school teacher, teach GCSE and A-level physics at Wycliffe College. “I’m lucky that the school is very supportive of me competing; we have several students who are very good at their own sports,” said Georgie. She lives with her mum, and keeps her ponies at home. “I’m lucky enough to have the ponies in the back garden. Possum schools in the paddock around a telegraph pole – we are good at individual shows in a small space!” Georgie told us about her Fell stallion Waverhead………… [Possum] and why he’s her pony of a lifetime. Mum bought Possum when I was 17, a couple of months after my father died. It’s nine years ago now. We wanted a nice pony to take to shows and have fun with. I remember first seeing him: he was the only pony we saw, and I fell in love instantly. Mum said, “stallions are different; you have to be more careful – no kisses!” Guess where I found her a couple of days later? Giving cuddles and kisses in the stable! Poss has always loved attention.
When I was old enough, mum officially gifted Possum to me so he was the first pony to have my name as the owner. Possum was bred by the Waverhead stud, by Waverhead Price and out of Waverhead Magic III. I am lucky that I am in contact with his breeders and Sandra and Emily Burton who had him when he was young. At home he’s cheeky and always finding mischief! I supervise him in the paddock, as the second you’re not looking he’s found a way to escape or has taken some railings down. His current trick is to take the lids off the water butts to drink out of, then throw the lids around. He has his routine sorted, and he definitely has everyone very well trained. Over the years he has had to be a real support for both me and my mum. During my A-levels I really struggled to concentrate on revision and ended up revising for my exams in his stable instead as he has always calmed me down. Some of my favourite times with him are when he’s snoozing on the floor and lets me go curl up with him; there have been a few times we’ve not gone out hacking and been found asleep in his stable together! He has been a really good ‘baby sitter’ both at home and away at shows. At home he looks after the youngsters on the roads when they get scared of passing cars, rubbish or the odd leaf that looks particularly threatening. He also baby sits very well at shows. We’ve looked after children on flightly ponies out
showjumping and he has been a fantastic pair for others wanting a safe companion for evening performances! I will always remember Equifest 2017, when the secretaries called my mobile with a very strange request: would I meet someone at the entry desk? This is where I first met Janet and Ruby Venni. Ruby’s ‘pair’ had dropped out of the adult and child pairs, and in conversation at a shop, someone had recommended Possum as the best pair they could ever ask for – at which point Janet saw us pass and took a photo of my number to speak to the secretary! We had the most amazing time, were ninth, and eventually, Ruby bought a Fell of her own! Now he’s older he watches the youngsters go out to shows and stays at home more, which causes great strops. I love taking him to shows, as he chills outside the ring until just before we go in and I can always trust him to just pull it out of the bag! Over the years different results have begun to mean different things! My first, ‘Oh, wow!’ moment was qualifying for the RIHS for the first ever time, in the 2015 UKP&H amateur final. I cried, knowing Possum would look after me at the final and I’d be able to really enjoy it. In 2019 Possum went to the Veteran Horse Society National Championships, and I thought that we’d have a lovely weekend seeing our friends and maybe win the odd class. It was my first attempt at their in-hand mountain and moorland supreme final, and as they announced the results in reverse order my number had not been
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called out by the time they announced fourth. I was so disappointed as I really thought he had earned a place – and then I heard my number as second! This was the first step for me towards my love of inhand showing, which I owe completely to Possum. He then went into the ridden final, where I was so nervous as I knew they liked my pony but would have to pull out an incredible show! When the time came, I took a deep breath, patted Possum and he just wowed me. We walked away that day having won the ridden mountain and moorland final, and later stood mountain and moorland supreme champion, something I had never dreamed possible! In 2020 when COVID hit I thought the season was over before it began, until the Veteran Horse Society ran their online qualifiers for their supreme finals and then the most incredible show in the October, keeping everyone as safe as possible whilst still providing an electric atmosphere. I went into the mountain and moorland ridden final feeling sick; the steward told me I looked green. All I could feel was the pressure I was putting on myself having
done so well the year before, but Possum knew what to do and before they said, “trot on!” I was back to normal. He won and took champion again, the first pony to have done so two years running! Mum and I debated pulling him out of the Open 15-19 Supreme Final the next day, but neither of us was quite ready to and he certainly didn’t want to stop! It led to one of those incredibly magical days that just don’t happen to people like me! He won his supreme final, went on to be ridden supreme champion and Supreme Veteran of the Year 2020! What made it extra special was the number of people who messaged and called to say congratulations to Possum; he is so loved it makes me cry just thinking about it! It is the best result I have ever achieved, but achieving it with Possum – my best friend, made it so much better. Possum had a fantastic 2021 season, qualifying for the RIHS in both the intermediate and the amateur UKPH finals. But for me the best result was reserve champion junior ridden in the evening
performance at Equifest; the ponies in there were incredible and the atmosphere was breath taking! Certainly, a night to remember. Over the winter Possum had treatment for a sarcoid, and when the vets took a biopsy, they discovered cancerous cells. Consequently, he underwent intensive treatment and laser surgery. I was devastated, after losing my father to cancer I couldn’t face losing Possum. The team at Field Equine Vets worked so hard, and he was able to make his comeback at BSPS Area 6. I cried rugging him up to load him and again when collecting my number; I didn’t think I’d ever get to be out again with my partner in crime. The poor secretary had to deal with my being a blubbering mess but fortunately, as I’m a member of the area, they knew his history. We were rusty in the open class having only walked and trotted to regain his fitness and not cantered for months! I nearly didn’t stay for the PP home-produced qualifier as I didn’t want him to overdo it, but he felt on fire, so we waited. He entered the ring and, ‘Boom! We’re back!’ He was pulled
in second and pinged through his individual show. I knew we had done everything we could to win but you never know if it’s enough. When I was pulled in, Mum and our friends gave a huge cheer and there were more tears from me. I pulled myself together for the championship and we took the title. I am so grateful to those who came out to support him at his first show back – we had Prosecco to celebrate a moment I will truly never forget, and Possum looked so happy getting his congratulatory hugs, pats and kisses from everyone! Of course, we’ve had some funny moments, not least at our first show together. Not knowing his quirks, we went about business as usual. He doesn’t like things on his legs. He thinks he’s dying in travel boots so we had a difficult time trying to remove his boots whilst he piaffed. He then roared down the ramp, wouldn’t stand to be brushed or for me to mount! Mum even looked at me and said we could still send him back! Years ago at Bury farm (2015) for the then Ponies UK Summer Show I was working in for a WHP class when I tipped him upside down over the practice fence – I sat there laughing (as did my friends) whilst those who hadn’t met possum before shouted ‘LOOSE STALLION!’ Poss did NOT appreciate being loose and ran straight to my mum! Workers are not my strong point, so instead we popped over to the ridden ring for a class and when I stood in front of the judge she asked me quite why I had mud all the way up the side of my leg, jacket and on my hat… luckily she still loved him and he went champion. Possibly my favourite ‘oops’ moment was the Equifest pairs with Ruby
– I leant down for them to pin a matching sash to my shoulder and suddenly I was on the floor and the saddle was under his belly! Turns out I hadn’t remembered to tighten my girth. Luckily Poss stood still, I could swear he was laughing at me. I suffer with anxiety and depression, and when I am really struggling I go sit on Poss. With him, something special just happens, and I feel more centred – back to my normal self. He got me through the toughest times in my life, and I owe him the world for that alone. This year I’d love to get placed at the RIHS, and I’m also aiming to qualify for the Senior Showing and Dressage final at the RIHS – we’ve never done it before, but I’d love to go as so many of my friends competed in that class last year! I would also really like a foal from him, I don’t have the facilities at the moment, but I am hoping to be able to have them in the next few years. He is so special, and I know I won’t cope when he goes so having a little piece of him left for me would really help. I plan on him progressing to mostly doing the Senior classes, as I’ve got some fantastic ponies waiting in the wings but he will always be my true partner! Possum is my best friend, and I am so proud of him. Last year we had the most wonderful moment in an RIHS qualifier – the judge asked me if he had ever covered. At this I pointed to a lovely fell mare in the class, “That’s his granddaughter!” I am in contact with several of his progeny’s owners – he even did the pairs sidesaddle with his son (Waverhead Bracken) one year at Equifest!
V
intage
treasure
The story of the highly successful Fyfedene encompasses two continents and many years of judicious breeding by a family dedicated to preserving the Highland pony.
Fyfedene
It starts with Hugh McGregor, who was heavily involved in the equine world. In the 1920’s he was offered the chance to embark on a boat trip to Australia to transport Clydesdale stallions that were being exported there. He saw a business opportunity and developed a successful enterprise buying horses for resale, some of which would find their way to contacts in Australia. Hugh had started with a Clydesdale stud in Australia before establishing a stud in Scotland and he was to name it “Hazeldean” after one of the Clydesdale mares. However, the name was already taken. An alternative was sought and the decision was made to shorten the name and alter the spelling to “Dene”. This decision was an influential one, as all stock bred by the McGregor’s from that time on bore the suffix “Dene”!
By Robert Parker Jones
To create a base in Scotland, he bought a 100 acre property near Stirling called Ballinton for £500 – less than some of the horses he was buying – and developed the business to include sourcing horses for film work and pony trekking. With the rise in tourism in Scotland, pony trekking was to become more and more popular, and Hugh realised that the Highland Pony was perfectly suited to the task. He was to set up five centres across the UK and very soon his young son Scott was flung into a managerial role, immersing himself in the day to day running of the business. Scott was interested in farming in general and was a keen member of the Young Farmers Association; his dedication was rewarded with opportunities to travel to such faraway places as Canada and Australia. Over time Scott was bitten by the showing bug and attributes this to one special mare named “Glenearn Beautility” who was to become a special favourite and contribute greatly to the breeding programme. At its peak, the stud consisted of 160 ponies, including stallions, broodmares, youngstock and trekking ponies and can rightly be proud of having bred over 600 ponies that have gone to an impressive list of owners that include HRH Queen Elizabeth II. Hugh and Scott showed the ponies successfully with many championships and supremes at shows including the Royal Highland Show. Following Hugh’s passing, the successes continued with one notable pony, the stallion “Falcon Frost of
Salinadene with Fyfedene as a foal
Sauchrie” winning the supreme at the RHS on three separate occasions. In 1992 Scott had decided to cover Salinadene – a legend in her own right – with Falcon Frost of Sauchrie, a perfect match one would suppose but as we all know, these plans don’t always come to fruition. Salinadene had a negative scan and so was sent to Jo Jack to be produced for ridden classes. Following an outing to a local show, everyone was extremely surprised to find a small colt foal by her side the next morning. He would become Fyfedene – a decendent of Glenearn Beutility – and 1993 a memorable year for the “Dene” stud. On this occasion, Fyfedene the match worked ridden by Barbara and the special foal McVean inherited the very best characteristics from both parents. Fyfedene was lightly shown as a yearling and following a win at NPS Scotland as a two-year-old, he managed to get his tail completely chewed off, curtailing his showing until it grew back. In 1997 Barbara McVean went to work for Scott and on his tour
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of the ponies that included seven stallions, he pointed at Fyfe, an immature four-year-old with very little mane and tail, and said, “And if you have time, you could break that in”. The mane and tail took some time to grow back, but his education progressed well and when the time came for his reappearance in the show ring, he was well prepared. Fyfe was a working stallion and managed to combine his covering and showing without any problem; he knew his job depending on his headgear and was happy to comply. Although often cheeky at home, once he entered the ring, he was perfect. The scene was set for a successful showing career in hand and under saddle and Fyfe wasn’t about to disappoint! In 2003 Fyfedene was to achieve historic success at the RHS both in-hand and under saddle. He started his remarkable run of success by becoming male champion from very strong entries. Next, he contested the overall Highland championship, the Fyfedene two judges couldn’t agree so a referee was brought Champion in-hand in. Finally a decision was made and Scott’s hat went flying into the air as he led Fyfe forward. After two previous attempts, in which he was male champion and reserve champion, Fyfe followed his sire and dam into the By 2006, Scott had made a life changing decision: to move the stud top spot. to Australia. Having visited on many occasions, he felt an affinity to the country and made the journey to the other side of the world The following morning, Barbara was victorious in the under with eleven Highland ponies (including Fyfe) and one Dartmoor 14hh ridden Highland class, following up with the overall pony. The stud has continued to thrive and the Highlands have championship and taking the Olympia qualifier for the third time. been joined by some home bred part-breds using the prefix/suffix The climax of the in-hand classes came with the Cuddy Supreme Ballinton. and international event rider Jane Starkey chose Fyfedene from a strong field to be supreme. What an achievement, and even more Scott’s advice for anyone looking to buy, breed or show Highland special with a homebred stallion. ponies? Hugh’s granddaughter and Scott’s daughter, Mhairi remembers as a young girl being able to groom Fyfe in the stable and when only ten years of age, receiving riding lessons from Barbara in the school (not outside the school because he was more than capable of finding fifth gear when the mood took him). Scott had the honour of being elected President of the Highland Pony Society from 1993 and 1995 and has been the biggest supporter of the Highland pony throughout his life. Not only was Fyfe a successful show stallion but he also put himself into the history books with his progeny. He always stamped his stock and they have gone on to tremendous success. Certainly his most successful son has been Stirlingdene. Born in 2002 out of Dark Maiden of Kildavie, he has emulated his sire by being a supreme champion both in-hand and under saddle. In 2005, the Atherden family managed to persuade Scott to part with Stirling. Frazer broke him in and continued to partner him throughout his showing career. In 2012 at HOYS, he won his ridden class, stood mountain and moorland champion and as a career finale, Supreme Pony of the Year. Stirlingdene ridden by Frazer Atherden
“Look for a pony that totally appeals to you in the first three seconds of looking at it. If that initial attraction isn’t there, there is no point looking for the finer details. Next, look for how it tracks up; is it true and straight? You want a horse with a broad head, wide between the eyes and a good muzzle. Back legs are the most important. The distance from the point of hock to the ground must be balanced with the distance between the point of the stifle to the front of the hock. This is where, over his years of judging, many ponies have found themselves at the bottom of the line because they don’t have these correct measurements in their conformation. This doesn’t only apply to Highlands, but the horse world in general. Finally, if you are ‘umming and arrring’ about it, leave it alone!”
Fyfedene ridden by Barbara McVean Chpion at the Royal Highland Show
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Breeding: The Burning Questions
Maggie Simons asks three experienced breeders some burning questions Gillian McMurray breeds the Trailtrow Highland ponies near Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire How long have you been breeding Highland ponies? I was introduced to Highland ponies in the early seventies when I worked in a summer job at Blair Castle with the trekking and hill ponies. I bought my first filly, Dunrowan Dolphin, in 1978 followed by Rowena of Campsie in 1980. Although Dolphin had a very successful showing career, she was not so fortunate as a brood mare. However, Rowena bred very well and is in the pedigree of all our ponies.
What led you to choose the Highland pony? I rode a variety of ponies growing up but after working with Highlands I realised that they were an excellent match for the level of my own ability and that I would be able to compete confidently in a range of activities to suit my skills.
How do you go about choosing a stallion? First and foremost, importance is placed on conformation followed closely by temperament. As a stud, we are particularly keen to promote Highlands as performance ponies but without losing breed type. We look for good bone and movement, coupled with a good length of rein, strong, round quarters and a correct hind leg. It’s important for us to have the power coming from behind. Temperament is also important as the ponies need to be safe to work with in all situations, but we do like ours to be forward thinking! The fact that, in my advanced years, I’m still riding our homebred stallion and a novice pony is perhaps testament to a sensible temperament! Where possible a stallion is chosen for our mares who has shown success as a ridden pony or who comes from a line of ridden ponies, as this proven ability to be ridden and to stay sound is of great importance in breeding the next generation of ponies. Soundness links directly to correct conformation. Ponies should be bred for a job, not to be field ornaments where unsoundness can be masked! All our mares have ridden careers before retiring to stud.
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Trailtrow Taransay with Trailtrow Tabhaidh Mor atgathering foot Anchor
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How do you ensure that there is vigour in a small breeding pool? Over the last decade there has been a serious drop in the number of highland foals being born - from 500+ to half that number although there was a slight rise in 2021 (298). Many of the major studs no longer take outside mares so this has had an impact on the stallions which are available as a smaller number of stallions now take more mares thus reducing the gene pool. The HPS is working with the RBST to look at the way forward.
Do your stallions tun out or cover in hand? Our stud stallion does both. I prefer to cover in hand, though, so that there is certainty about the job being completed correctly and it also gives accurate dates to work from. Even if he is running out with them, in season mares will be brought in to be covered when scanned at the appropriate stage. I only run the stallion out if I have a group of mares to be covered, never with a single mare.
Have you ever used artificial insemination (AI)? If so, why? I first used AI nearly 20 years ago with a very successful outcome. I very much think it’s the way forward as so few people are willing or able to take visiting mares for many reasons. My current outcross stallion had already been trained in AI when he arrived here and last year was my first time being involved from the stallion side. I found it preferable to take him to my nearest centre, about an hour’s drive away, and hand him over to the professionals there before taking him home again. As there is no help on the stud, I’m no longer able to take visiting mares and this gives people the opportunity to use this stallion if required. The advantages of using AI include safety of both animals, health aspects and veterinary intervention from the beginning, as well as accurate dates through scanning. Most vet practices have packages which makes things more economical. The main disadvantage would be if the mare didn’t conceive in the first round of insemination, then costs would begin to rise. However, nothing about breeding is cheap! I would say that costs of natural covering and AI are fairly similar if the mare conceives first time, possibly slightly cheaper with AI as there are no transport or keep charges. Even with natural coverings, I still involve my vet for pre checks and scanning procedures.
How do you go about preparing the mare for stud? Make sure she is good to handle and easily caught. She will need to have the required veterinary health checks or swabs, be wormed and have her hooves trimmed. Give full breeding history to the stud, including whether she is difficult with other ponies around her. If she is tricky to cover, then AI is the obvious answer, but it’s worth bearing in mind that she may also be tricky to handle after foaling!
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Sexed semen is available in other species, if it became available, would you consider using it? I’m reserving judgement on this! I can see this being of use when a specific line needs to be perpetuated but careful thought would be needed to keep a balance.
How do you ensure you strike a balance between type and performance? There are many top-class ponies which are true to type and are also able to perform well. For me the true aim of breeding is successfully combining both. There has always been range of type within the breed standard and there is a job for all. It is important not to lose bone and breed characteristics and end up with a generic native type of pony.
Do you like to show youngstock for ‘life experience’? How important is it? Our young ponies are rarely shown. To attend shows with Highland pony classes there can be a drive of at least two hours. With our interest in ridden classes, young ponies would be subject to a long day on the lorry which I don’t feel is acceptable at their stage. Our novice ridden ponies are not shown until at least six and sometimes older and start off with local trips first.
Do you foal indoors or outdoors and what are the pros and cons involved? There are pros and cons to either foaling situation. Overall, I prefer to foal inside as it is easier to keep tabs on what’s happening. I move the lorry into the shed where I can get a bird’s eye view directly into the foaling box from the comforts of the living accommodation! I always try to be there for the birth in case of a problem, so the mares are very closely monitored. If there is a problem, then the mare is already in a suitable place for the vet to work with her or the foal. It’s also easier to see if the mare has cleansed properly and to check that the foal is sucking correctly and attaining expected markers. However, I have noticed that foals which are born outside find it easier to get to their feet and bond quickly with their mothers.
What are your tips for the next generation of breeders? Assess your mare carefully for conformation and temperament and be realistic as to whether she is suitable to breed with. Be prepared to be penniless when going down the road of breeding your own foal but enjoy an experience which money can’t buy! To watch a homebred and home-produced pony succeed at top level gives immeasurable pleasure!
Anchor gathering
What lead you to choose the Exmoor pony? They chose us! The Anchor herd has been in my husband David’s family for four generations. We’re committed to guarding the interests of the herd at home as well as promoting the breed and our own homebred ponies through showing. Several of the ponies have qualified for Horse of the Year Show and Olympia – or the London International Horse Show - and a couple of the herd stallions have been HOYS Exmoor Sire of the Year. Our children Miranda and Lawrence are the fifth generation to share our love of the Exmoor and Lawrence intends to be actively involved in the running of the Ashwick Estate and its Anchor herd in the future.
Some of the native breeds are in decline, how do you ensure vigour in the breed with such a small gene pool to choose from? We have eight original families here and have also purchased mares as outcrosses from those original bloodlines as and when needed. We conduct strict inspections of each foal, including assessing the amount of intervention needed from us for them to thrive. Our view is that if the pony needs a lot of human intervention, then it’s not up to breed standard.
Do you use or have you ever used AI and if it became available, would you use sexed semen? No, we don’t us AI. The cost is prohibitive and there are very few options available to us to choose from. I’m not sure where we stand on sexed semen but the same would be true of the cost – it’s prohibitive.
How do you go about managing the herd and especially the breeding mares?
Miranda Wallace, Anchor Stud The mares live freely on the hill for a majority of the time. They are brought down closer to the farm to cover and the stallion runs out with them. They’re brought back down again in October to wean foals and to check their health. If any of them are missing when they are brought in, we endeavour to find them. However, it’s inevitable that we do lose the odd animal. Of course, it’s not what we want to happen, but the ponies must live, thrive and survive on the hill. As the mares must live freely, we rely on people buying colts to allow room for fillies to run on as replacement mares for future breeding. We personally don’t show mares with foals at foot, so the mares foal on the hill with few exceptions. The Mercury line, one of our oldest bloodlines can be bad mothers so we keep one mare in every year. Whilst that might sound contradictory to my earlier comment about intervention, we do try to make sure that the bloodline keeps going as it not only maintains genetic diversity, but it also ensures the future of one of our oldest lines. We also try to keep our rarest bloodlines on farm as this will ensure they are a bit more protected despite remaining out.
You breed ponies for performance. How much importance to you place on temperament when choosing bloodlines? Temperament is very important; if the pony is not tameable, then it is no good to breed from. Having said that, the Exmoor may not always be so suitable for small children as they do tend to require a one-to-one relationship with their rider and they also tend to need security from the person on board, both of which are difficult for a child to provide. Nevertheless, they do sometimes need time. Our own mare Osprey was beautiful but not tameable until she was a two-yearold. We initially tried her as a foal and she was very human shy. Again, as a yearling she had no interest in human interaction, but then at two she just came, and stood supreme champion at the Exmoor Christmas Show. Llanarth mares and foals
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Is it difficult to strike a balance between type and catering for the current performance market? A ‘true to type’ pony should suit a performance home and the performance market, from showing to workers, eventing and hunting. It should stand up to the work and have the correct temperament to do so. You do need to choose those ponies that move well and cover the ground; true to type ponies should not be ‘daisy-cutters’ and should not have a great deal of knee action either. Neither should the pony be over the 12.3hh maximum height.
How do you make sure that your youngsters are exposed to life experience or are shown without them being pushed too hard?
We’ll spot those with show potential as weanlings. They’ll receive a basic education, have a bit in their mouth and learn to lead. But we don’t force our youngstock. Whilst they have a bit in their mouths as they’re shown in a bridle, they’re not bridled as such, and equally, we practice but overall, they live a natural life, just down from the hill.
Were you given any top tips when you started out that you would pass on to the next generation of budding enthusiasts? Our old farm manager would say that good management is key to knowing what you are breeding.
Ann and the Bigley family run the Llanarth stud of Welsh sections A, B, D and Welsh Partbred near Hay-on-Wye You foal most of your mares outside. What are the benefits of foaling for you? For us, foaling outside is nature’s way; it’s a familiar environment for the mares as they are used to being out, so it’s less stressful for them than being brought into a different environment for foaling. We find the foal gets up and going much quicker outside because they simply have their mum telling them what to do with no distractions. I can remember Mrs Yeomans, an eminent Thoroughbred breeder always said that irrespective of the weather, she would make sure that she got her foals out within twenty-four hours so that they could open their chests and expand their lungs – even if it was just for fifteen minutes. She swore by it as a method. We also find that it’s cleaner and more hygienic. Of course, the disadvantage is that is something goes wrong and your mare’s stuck on a hill, then you have problem. So, if we had a filly that we were really worried about foaling, then we may bring her in, but we wouldn’t normally.
You breed Welsh sections B and D as well as Welsh part-breds. Do you approach caring for natives and part-bred mares differently? It very much depends on the cross. For example, my big 16.2 part-breds only have 12.5% Welsh blood and the rest is Thoroughbred. They need more TLC over the winter, and I will winter them inside. When they have a foal on them, we will keep them out but give both the mare and foal a little hard feed each day to help them along. But the smaller show pony types or a partbred that’s 50% native could winter out easily. They only need good grass to keep them well. Dr Green!
How quickly do you handle the foals? Are there any top tips to handling strapping cob foals?
How do you maintain a balance between breeding for type and breeding for temperament?
First of all, they get used to coming when the mares need worming or covering, for example, and we’ll tie them up alongside their dams and give them a feed. It teaches them that it’s not stressful as the dam won’t be stressed. We always use halters instead of headcollars so that if they attempt to pull back, they won’t break and that teaches them not to pull.
Hopefully, you’ll be using mares and stallions that have both a good temperament and good conformation. You must ask yourself, why would you breed from a mare or a stallion that doesn’t have a good temperament or that doesn’t have good conformation? You should also be careful of using a mare or stallion just because it’s got form in the showring as that doesn’t necessarily mean that it will breed what you want. For example, some in-hand animals won’t necessarily make it under saddle and won’t breed a ridden animal. I believe it can be done as our stallions have done both jobs in the past and they knew how to behave appropriately for both classes.
Before weaning, we have the mares and foals in for about three days. That gets the foal used to eating hard food and we won’t wean them until they’re eating well. Once the mare leaves, we put headcollars on the foals and sometimes leave a little rope attached so that we can catch them. Each foal has its own stable and every day, we’ll catch them, tie them up and muck them out. If they’re tied, they must stand and can’t go running round the box when you’re in there. They quickly get used to it. We’ll also put a little rug on them and clip their jaws so that they get used to it all and are well handled by the time they leave if they are sold.
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Llanarth mares and foals
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Meet the Judge Questions: Lisa Barsoum Allen Henley on Thames-based Lisa Barsoum Allen lives with her husband, Rob Allen and their baby daughter, Agatha. As well as being an accomplished exhibitor, she also shares a prefix - Liaura - with her sister, Laura and mum, Kim. Keen supporters of showing, the family sponsor the Assendons Championship at the NPS Championships, and Lisa is behind the Thames Valley shows and is secretary for the Towerlands Welsh Medal Show.
Dressed up and ready for action!
Where did the interest in ponies start? My interest in ponies started thanks to my mum’s influence. She grew up in South Africa and used to ride a lot of ex-racehorses; as soon as she could, she got us involved with horses. I used to spend every spare moment at our local stables, leading riding school ponies and mucking out, all for a free ride at the end of the week. Eventually, at about eight years old, I got my first pony, Shelby, an unregistered cob-type to whom I owe so much. She could be quite spicy and not a typical ‘first pony’ but we had a great relationship! I taught her to rear and bow on command and we had so much fun at all the local shows which certainly developed my competitive side, gave me a great introduction into grassroots showing, and started my passion for Welsh Cobs. Whilst we now breed Welsh Ponies, we have kept and been involved with other breeds over the years, in particular Shetland, Fell, Connemara and New Forest ponies.
What are your highlights as an exhibitor or breeder? I’ve had many highlights over the years. Each time we’ve qualified for HOYS or Olympia, I have cried! You would think that you would get used to hearing your number being called out as the winner, but it still means so much. The first time I qualified for Olympia – when still run under the NPS – will always be a special memory as it had been my ambition for as long as I can remember to get one of those elusive tickets. It was with my Welsh cob stallion, Crugmelyn Owain Glyndwr who then went on to qualify on several occasions. As a breeder, undoubtedly a highlight was winning the Royal Welsh with a homebred Welsh section C filly, Liaura O-Ren Ishii; she will always be a special pony to us, being out of Tyreos Billie Fury who my sister, Laura, produced under saddle to qualify for HOYS.
Has there been a pony that is extra special to you? This is a hard question and I almost feel guilty for picking one pony over another, because we have had a few ponies that I consider extra special for different reasons. Crugmelyn Owain Glyndwr, now 22, gave us our first Olympia and HOYS tickets 56 | The Native Pony | June 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk
and our first win at the Royal Welsh. I feel I wouldn’t be where I am now without him: he wasn’t straight-forward and taught me a lot, but he owes us nothing. I bought cob stallion Penstrumbly Stone Roses as a two-year-old from the sales and he went on to qualify for HOYS and Olympia multiple times. He is the kindest, most willing cob; he was amazing to ride and always gave his best, qualifying for HOYS on his first outing three years consecutively. Another special pony is Tyreos Billy Fury, one of our foundation Welsh section C mares who we tragically lost a couple of years ago. Following a very successful career ridden by Laura, she went on to breed us lovely foals, most of which we have retained, and one is a Royal Welsh winner. For me, she was lovely: a real ‘half-body half-leg’ type, with plenty of substance without compromising on quality. I always have her in the back of my mind when I am judging section Cs.
When did you start judging? I had judged at local shows for many years before I took the plunge and applied for assessment to my first panels, the WPCS Welsh section C and ridden panels. I was fortunate because it was the only year they allowed application for two panels on the same long, stressful but successful day! I am now a C*,D*,R* WPCS judge and am also a starred judged on the BSPS Heritage, NPS, TSR and UKHP panels. Rob is also a WPCS judge and I’m fortunate that judging has offered us so many great opportunities, having been invited to judge in Europe, America and Australia. We’ve had the opportunity to meet so many lovely people with a common interest and passion for ponies, and have made some lifelong friends.
Enjoying judging in the sun!
What is the first thing you look for as a pony enters the ring?
What makes you happy as a judge?
I like a pony to walk in the ring like it owns it and command your attention.
A pony that makes you smile; judging a pony thinking I would love to take that home or have a ride.
What are your pet hates when judging?
What is most important to you when judging a class?
From a ridden perspective I don’t like to see ponies pushed out of their rhythm and rushing without engaging their back-ends- it looks unbalanced and is not pleasing to watch. I don’t like to see ponies that are over-bent or sour and not enjoying their job. Also, during an extension, I want to see a pony stretch and lower into its gallop; I don’t like ponies ‘sitting on the bridle’ whilst lengthening. With regards to conformation, bad limbs and feet are a particular ‘no-no’ for me. I want to see a good foot, clean flat bone, short cannons with a well-defined and muscular forearm and second thigh. I also don’t like to see animals that are narrow with no heart room and no natural depth.
Type, type, type! No matter the breed, type is so important. In a ridden class, I want to see a pony going in a manner that is characteristic of its breed; I don’t want to see a Fell flicking its toes, or a Dales not displaying a balanced, rhythmical trot and driving off its hocks. If we just look at the performance element and don’t account for take, then we may as well have a generic riding pony in my opinion. I think in a ridden class, it’s a case of striking that fine balance between finding the best example of its breed and a pony that has performed well. It’s great and exciting when you have a lovely pony forward that’s a good example of its breed and gives a beautiful ride; it makes judging it a very easy and pleasurable job.
What do you most enjoy judging? I love judging Welsh Cobs in hand! I still find it exciting but a shame that we often see such low numbers forward in the ring. For me, there is nothing quite like seeing rows of cobs at the Royal Welsh. I also love judging novice ridden ponies and seeing new, exciting ponies at the start of their careers.
How have you seen showing progress over the years? Showing has changed over the years, some aspects for the better, others not so much, and I feel that social media has had a large impact on this.
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If you’re judging, do you prefer to set a show? If possible, I really like letting competitors do their own show. I have judged a few direct Olympia qualifiers and when judging ride, I have not set a show but said, ‘surprise me’. Competitors know their ponies best and I want them to use the opportunity to show their ponies off. I’m not necessarily talking about throwing in dressage moves, but if your pony has a fabulous trot then displays that to the best of your ability. I get disappointed when I don’t set a show and a competitor comes out, canters at the first corner and does one change of rein. I understand with large classes or strict time constraints that this is the most efficient show, but given a choice, I don’t think it allows people to show off their ponies.
Do you like using marks or would you rather be without them?
Lisa gives Menai Eurostar a congratulatory pat
I think overall that way of going has improved and you can really see the effort that people put into schooling their ponies. However, in a few instances, some M&M ponies are perhaps over produced and whilst well-schooled, they move with almost hack-like action and can lose some of their working native characteristics. With regards to social media, I use it a lot and am the first to post about our antics out showing! Whilst it’s lovely to see everyone’s ponies and results, I’m not entirely sure its impact is altogether positive. As a judge, I try really hard not to comment on actual ponies if I think there is any chance that they may come under me one day; when judges comment on posts – often stating how much they like a pony – as a competitor, it makes you think twice about going under them because you go knowing they’ve already expressed a keen intertest in another pony.
How would you like to see showing develop in the future? I have aways liked the way cattle are judged, where the judge explains their reasons for their placings immediately after the class. I think, particularly for in hand classes at breed shows, this would be a positive development. I know that while other people may have mixed views on this and not every judge would necessarily have the confidence to do it, I do think it would be a positive and interesting development and go some way towards making showing more transparent.
I like marks; it allows us as judges to be transparent with our judging and as a competitor, it gives some insight into a judge’s thoughts. I know there is always debate about the marking system, especially when you can’t always follow the allocation of marks or if a rare mistake has been made. With 50 available, I think it’s important to use a range of marks and always try to. People seem to get upset if they have not always got a mark in the 40s, but I always think that 25 is average and if a pony is average or gives an average show, then its mark should be around 25. I also try hard not to give multiple ponies the same mark which is not always easy. I ultimately feel that if I had to place a class, I would have to place each pony, and couldn’t have two or three ponies in the same spot, therefore they should each be awarded a different mark.
Where have been your favourite places to judge at? I have had fun at so many different shows. I always love judging at the NPS or BSPS champs which I think have such a nice atmosphere. I particularly loved judging at Equifest: the classes were so well supported and everyone seemed to be having such fun – it reminded me how showing used to be! I judged a section of classes with Rob; we made it through the mammoth classes without arguing and agreeing on our winners.
Do you approach judging different classes in different ways? Yes, I am more forgiving in novice classes and don’t expect novice ponies to give foot-perfect shows or go like an open pony. If there is a lovely type of pony that has given a green show or made a baby error, then I am more likely to place it higher than a pony that is not as good type-wise but may have performed slightly better.
What’s the funniest or sweetest thing you’ve encountered as a judge? The lead rein and first ridden classes are always the funniest to judge; children are so unpredictable and say the most random things.
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How do we encourage more young people into judging? I think the societies, whilst different, have good schemes in place to support young judges. I enjoyed the NPS process, spending time with different breed judges so I could understand more about breeds that were not necessarily my speciality. I’ve also had excellent training days organised by The Showing Register, which I attended once I was on all the panels but still learnt so much. I would encourage attending one of their training days.
We’ve seen some gorgeous photos of Agatha accompanying you judging, do you think she’ll follow your footsteps into showing? I really hope so and hope she loves the ponies as much as we do. Agatha is only just over a year old, but she loves being around the ponies, and is so happy when we take her for a little ride on an old Shetland we have. We will encourage her as much as we can.
Rob and Agatha
Lisa with fellow judge Sara Hird and Skaergaardens Delicious Love ridden by Kelly Jones
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A RUTH ON THE HOOF SPECIAL: GOING INTERNATIONAL
A curious foal peeps out from around his mum
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As soon as we stepped out the car the stallions were at it. I sadly missed many of the action shots as I just did not expect this!
I was sitting at my desk when I got the following message from my friend Emma “…fancy a trip to Livno in Bosnia to visit the wild ponies there?” Emma travels all over the world riding horses and finding cool riding holidays or experiences for her company Black Saddle Travel. You just don’t say ‘no’ to an opportunity of doing a reconnoitre of a new location with her! The following Monday, I found myself on a plane and heading to Livno in Bosnia and Herzegovina where horses roam in the mountains. The wild horses of Livno have a fascinating history. They originate from the horses working in the mountain regions before machines such as tractors arrived and started to take over their roles on farms and smallholdings, much like many of our UK native breeds who have now become rare. The farmers decided to release their horses to the mountain, and from the 1950’s to the 1970’s more and more horses were released into the wild as more people were able to afford machines. It is interesting that they chose to do this, rather than sell or cull these animals – and perhaps reflects the deep symbolic meaning horses have here – again, not dissimilar to us in the UK with our breeds. In many cases, our rare breeds only survived due to the passion and love of dedicated breeders and enthusiasts. In Livno, their local horses survived due to the love and respect they held for their horses. The wild horses are a mixture of breeds, with a high percentage of Bosnian Mountain Horse (BMH). The BMH is the only breed native to the country, and these make up most of the population. There are some other breeds and types that have been released, and they mingle with the breeding population, resulting in the wild horses being of BMH type.
Wild stallion cooling off in the water
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This handsome stallion caught my eye on arrival
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Horses on the horizon
The first day we joined a local tour company called Livno Wild Horses Adventures. Having a guide in a place like this is invaluable. We learned so much history about the horses and the area. It was also important to know what areas were safe to explore; the Bosnian War resulted in a lot of landmines that have not yet been cleared and so local people are the best port of call. Silvija, our guide, met us and took us up onto the mountain. She is a wealth of knowledge on the horses and history of the town and is so passionate about the horses and not interfering with their natural life. We drove along the progressively disappearing road, spotting a few horses on the skyline the higher we climbed. There was still snow on the ground, but it was not too cold. We finally spotted a big part of the herd and pulled over. As many of us who have been to places like Dartmoor, you will understand what it is to have horses approaching vehicles for food. However, in this situation there was a herd of at least 50 including stallions who started fighting immediately, all over 15hh. Quite concerning! Luckily Silvija ‘shooed’ them away, telling us about some of the people who bring salt and food to the horses which leads to them mobbing people and not leaving an area. The salt is especially bad as with the limestone geology, there are very few natural water sources – and salt makes them very thirsty which leads to lots of fights over water resources.
we ventured further at dusk as Emma wanted to get some footage and we found a whole new herd who had moved in. It was lovely to see the foals playing hard and a cheeky band of three stallions trying their luck in the setting sun – perhaps they thought the romantic lighting may aid their chances! We had the most amazing ride at Kupres Riding Holidays on our final day. It was the perfect way to finish off the adventure: three hours of riding through stunning Bosnian scenery, some of it fast and some slow – the perfect balance. We even saw some bear tracks! Huge thanks to Emma for organising this trip – please do check out her instagram @blacksaddletravel and @emmalouisebarron for videos of our. For more photos of the Livno wild horses follow @livnowildhorses – you can see just how amazing that place is!
These horses are a natural part of the ecosystem; they are true prey animals in that there are bears and wolves who hunt them. One local told me that the old and hurt horses take themselves away and are never seen again, but we saw no signs of ill or infirm horses. The living population is incredibly healthy. The spring grass hadn’t quite arrived, and whilst the horses were looking lean, they had amazing condition and muscle. On our second day, Emma and I took our small car up the bumpy mountain and spent the whole day there. We were lucky to witness the herd we had met the day before at the large watering hole where they enjoyed cooling off. That evening, Stallion stalking on the skyline
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Native Pony
Roadshow 18th April, 2022 Unicorn Centre, Middlesbrough Report by Jill Graham The Native Pony Roadshows, originally planned for 2020, have been a long time in, but the series finally got underway with the North event on Easter Monday 18th April at the Unicorn Centre. Designed by the five Breed Societies to showcase the rare native pony breeds, Dales, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Fell & Highland, the day saw some excellent and very typical examples of the breed brought forward, with senior breed experts on hand to discuss them. The morning sessions looked at breed type, conformation and action. The audience of about 70 people were split into groups, and each group rotated round the different breeds, with half an hour on each breed. This format worked very well, as it allowed people to see the ponies close up, with speakers demonstrating various breed points, and ask questions in a more relaxed small group environment. We will build in a coffee break for our poor speakers at the next event as five groups without a break was a long session for them!
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The afternoon session saw the ridden ponies come forward, with each pony doing an individual show, commented on by their breed speaker. Each pony was a great example of its breed and clearly demonstrated the different way of going for the different breeds. Of particular interest were the Fell and the Dales as a common question is, “what is the difference between these two breeds?” As both ponies moved to breed standard, the difference in action could be demonstrated to an appreciative audience. Thanks are due to our excellent speakers – Jeff Daly for the Dales in hand, and Peter Boustead for the ridden; Wendy Dunn for the Dartmoors, Debbie Davy for the Exmoors, Peter Boustead for the Fells, and Jo Jack for the Highlands. Thanks also to our pony providers for bringing such lovely, well behaved ponies, and to all the people who helped organise and make this day an educational and enjoyable success.
There are three more roadshows planned, two for the Autumn and one for next year. These are: Scottish Event – Sunday 18th September at Champfleurie Equestrian, Bathgate, Edinburgh, EH48 4NE South Western Event – Saturday 1st October at The Grange Equestrian Centre, Okehampton, EX20 3DA Southern Event – Saturday 1st April 2023 at the Unicorn Trust, Stow on the Wold, GL54 1JZ Admission is free to all events (donations are welcome to help with running costs) but places must be pre-booked. To book a place or for more information email Chris Grant at dpssec@dartmoorponysociety.com. Book now and don’t miss reserving your place as numbers are limited to 100 at each event.
Lizzie Webb and Ballylee Prince of Dawn
NATIVE PONY
DRESSAGE GALA Run by Eastern Connemara Group 2nd May 2022 at Fenning Farm Report by Julia Penny Makinson Photos by Equipix UK With warm and sunny weather, the Dressage Gala was open to all horses and ponies and enjoyed good entries. It also held qualifiers for the BCPS 2022 and the NPS 2023 Dressage Championships. Two rings ran simultaneously, ring 1 hosting the Intro B, Prelim 14 and Novice 24, and ring 2 hosting the Prelim 12, Freestyle Music, Novice 28 and Elementary 44. An eclectic group of horses and ponies competed, from a huge Shire x Suffolk Punch to Thoroughbreds to Connemara ponies, pure and part bred. The Intro B was won by Barbie Hurrell on Silverbridge Henry, the third pony Barbie has either owned or ridden bred by Judy Stevens by her Connemara stallion, Fenrose Murphy. Evie Granger took second on Connemara Peatas Boy.
In the Prelim 14, Lizzie Webb started her day right by coming first with Ballylee Prince of Dawn, and fourth with Killooney Star, and she later exactly matched these results in the Prelim 12, so had a great day. Lizzie and Ballylee Prince of Dawn were presented with the Croxton Portia Trophy. It was her first competition after injury so she was delighted with the results. Yvonne Duffy on SS Amore was pleased with her second in Prelim 12 which gave her qualifications for both NPS and BCPS finals and Rachel Jackson rode the same SS Amore to third place in the Novice 24, also qualifying for both finals, so two very happy riders and one happy horse! Christina Higgs and part bred Connemara, My Mate Marty, a tall and elegant grey horse, came second in Prelim 14 and
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topped the Novice 28, qualifying for BCPS and NPS finals, and being the overall part bred Connemara winner. Jane Hood on Fire Brigade came a worthy second. Novice 24 was won by Kirsty Davis on Connemara pony Easter Sparrow, who qualified for the BCPS and NPS finals, as well as taking the novice overall winner and second in the Elementary. Tori Campbell on Bunowen Cascade came second, as well as coming third in the Prelim 12. The pair qualified for both finals qualifying for the BCPS and NPS junior section of the finals. The Freestyle Music class was held up for a little while due to technical problems, but they eventually got underway. Julia Woods on St Flannans Liam won the class with a fluent test, Liam having been warmed up
St Flannans Liam works in!
by his young jockey Millie beforehand – see their picture! Collette Du Feu on her beautiful bay roan Westbridge Mirah came second and Ellie Listed on The BFG came third. The BFG is aptly named, being a Shire x Suffolk Punch, and they did a super test, showing just how active a heavy horse can be. This class gave riders a chance to practice their tests for the NPS finals, and both the Freestyle Music and Elementary test gave riders the opportunity to have a go at something quite different. The Elementary 44 was won by Julia Woods on St Flannans Liam, with Georgie Rooney on Barana Castle in third place. St Flannans Liam was the Best British Bred, Music and Elementary overall winner. As always, our thanks to Fenning Farm for hosting the Dressage Gala, to the judges Dena Green and Niki Barker, their writers Sarah Ager and David Bartholomew, Sara Hart and Julia Woods for their organising skills and all the people who helped to make the day run smoothly.
Kirsty Davis riding Easter Sparrow
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CONNEMARA ROUNDUP
Tesremos Sunnybear - Supreme Champion
A British Bred Supreme Championship at the South East Connemara show South East Connemara Show, Felbridge Showground / May 7th, 2022 / Report and photos by Georgina Harrison
Although numbers at the show were down slightly, the quality of ponies remained incredibly high throughout the day. Judging the early in-hand classes, Anne Ward had no hesitation in calling Sonia Burt’s young colt, Walstead Sir Tom forward as youngstock champion. The classes swiftly followed on with Malcom Fry taking over the judging and the morning culminated in Katie Novell’s free moving stallion, Castle Admiral awarded overall Connemara and in-hand champion, and Jane Somerset’s Tesremos Sunnybear standing reserve. In the ridden ring, Tesremos Sunnybear continued her successful day by winning the open ridden and going on to stand ridden champion, with Jackie Cooper’s
Welsh section C Popsters Icon in reserve. The elegant part-bred Sandlings After Midnight, ridden by her owner and breeder Alex Kelly, won the part-bred class. Workers were treated to an up to height, deceptively tricky course in the fabulous new arena. The ever-popular unaffiliated Training Stakes and BCPS Performance Pony classes allow competitors to get the experience of working hunter classes without having to do a show, and entries were strong for all classes. However, it was the winner of the Open NPS not exceeding 143cm class, Rhi Randall’s own stallion Fleetwoods Secret Liaison who took the working hunter pony championship. Standing reserve was another stallion, Rusheen Mason, ridden by Alice Barr.
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In the afternoon sun all judges came together to make the difficult championship decisions, awarding the Best British Bred Championship to Alex Kelly’s Sandlings After Midnight who was still sparkling at the end of a long day. It was a great tribute to breeders that all forward for the supreme championship were British bred and Jane Somerset’s delightful mare Tesremos Sunnybear topped off a successful day by taking supreme champion with Rhi Randall’s Fleetwoods Secret Liaison reserve supreme. The next show for the SE Connemaras will be the Working Hunter Pony show at Felbridge on 28th October and there will be a wide range of classes for all.
Walstead Sir Tom - youngstock champion Castle Admiral & Tesremos Sunnybear - in hand champion and reserve
Fleetwoods Secret Liaison ridden by Rhi Randall
Castle Admiral shown by Oliver Burchell
Sandlings After Midnight ridden by Alex Kelly
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DALES
ROUNDUP
Open Day! On May 28th, Dales pony enthusiasts headed for Lostwithiel in Cornwall as the Kynaston Dales pony stud opened its doors to visitors. The sun shone and it was blue skies all around as people milled around the old courtyard stables looking at the stallions brought in from their pasture to greet their visitors for the day. The schedule began with an informative talk from stud vet Paul Hallum who explained the procedure for chilled and fresh AI which is offered at the stud. Visitors were given the opportunity to learn about fertility, sperm and its viability, and the vet also chatted about various other topics and was more than happy to answer any questions. After tea and cake, David Jones gave a talk on foot care, shoes were made on the anvil and youngster Kynaston Guinevere had a foot trim, David’s good humour and thorough knowledge provided an entertaining talk. Stallions were paraded so visitors could see different ages ranging from three-year-old Kynaston
Tom Cobbley, seven-year-old Roandale Forest Ranger and senior stallion Dartdale Jimmy Lad, aged 17. Graham Mitchell along with Charlie and Gina Parker chatted to onlookers on the points of Dales ponies, explaining the various attributes which make this breed the good all-rounder it is, and what breeders look for in their breeding stock. Visitors were treated to a walk around the fields to see the mares and foals nestled in their beautiful countryside with fabulous views. David Jones harnessed up his Dales pony and part bred to show them chain harrowing, a sight little changed from a hundred years ago, with real pony power, no pollution and only the sound of the chains rattling as they pulled into their collars. And so a day of sharing knowledge and experiences with people passionate about the breed came to an end. Huge thanks go to Graham and Jayne Mitchell for opening their doors to us all.
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HIGHLAND ROUNDUP
Maxwell Of Millfield
Photos by Julie Voules
Central Scotland Highland Pony Club Spring Show Report by Jacqueline Hay Central Scotland Highland Pony Club held their Spring show in the excellent, new facilities at Netherton Equestrian Centre. The club’s committee teamed together to organise a fantastic and sociable event which was well needed after a long two years of Covid 19. The show was host to a very impressive turnout of quality ponies and boasted good entries across all three sections. The in-hand section, which was judged by Mrs Shirley Clarke, culminated in Viv Ruddick’s three-year-old filly, Corrie Fee of Murrayshall taking the youngstock championship and Willie and Jean Ralston’s three-year-old filly, Moss-side Crathie, standing reserve. The in-hand senior champion was awarded to Willie and Jean Ralston’s seven-year-old yeld mare, Moss-side Yakeira Lady with Viv Ruddick’s six year old gelding, Trailtrow Gabhan, taking the reserve. Mrs Clarke’s overall in-hand champion was the Ralston’s yeld mare and her choice for reserve was Viv Ruddick’s three-year-old filly.
The ridden section was judged by Mrs Ruth Darling who had SarahJane Forbes’ seven-year-old gelding, Kincardine Uist as her overall ridden champion and Fiona Bell’s gelding, Maxwell of Millfield, who was ridden by Jo Jack, as reserve.
Moss-side Yakeira Lady
The dressage section was judged by Mrs Evelyn Orr with her highest score and winning rosette going to Mrs Rebecca Chalmers who rode her own thirteen year old gelding, Sovereign of Forglen. The committee would like to thank all sponsors, stewards and judges for making the Central Scotland Highland Pony Club Spring Show such a successful day. Corrie Fee of Murrayfield
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DARTMOOR ROUNDUP
Compiled by Beth Simons
Pimpernell Steps Up to First Ridden Cayberry Pimpernell [Pimm] has been with Jenna Burns and her family since 2017 and according to Jenna, “he is an absolute superstar!”
Cayberry Pimpernell
For the last few years, he has been on the lead rein and this season he has accompanied Jenna’s daughter Mollie, 8, as the pair compete in first ridden classes for the first time. They have made the transition successfully and have qualified for the RIHS in the Pretty Polly first ridden class at BSPS 2B. Overall, they are having a super season so far, taking first and champion at the BSPS Area 2A winter show, first and champion tiny tots at Area 2Bs winter show, and first and reserve champion at the NCPA show at Warren Farm. Jenna said: “Pimm really is a star and has taken Mollie safely into the first ridden ring, which is a big ask for a pony who’s new to the class himself. They are now jumping and hope to start entering some workers classes in the near future”. However, Pimm hasn’t quite escaped the lead rein classes yet as Jenna’s younger daughter Emily, 2, has started showing him locally in some fun classes. “He is such a versatile pony; he enjoys galloping up the stubble field at home or going on farm rides with friends. We absolutely adore him and he looks after both my girls,” said Jenna.
Blue Moon Shines Dykes Blue Moon [James] has had a great start to the season with Milly Philipson, 15, much to the delight of his owner and breeder, Ann Rigby. James is by Wynhill Blackbird out of Dykes Moonbeam and is part of Team EJB, being produced by Emma Burrow. Milly and James’ successes are particularly special for Emma as she rode Ann’s Dykes ponies as a child. Five-year-old James was lightly shown last year. This season he has had a fleet of wins and qualified for the RIHS in the Dartmoor, Exmoor and Shetland class at the BSPS show at Netherton. James and Milly contested their first HOYS Dartmoor qualifier at Stoneleigh to be an impressive second and missing out on their ticket by just one mark. Most recently they had great success at the NCPA Cumbria Show, standing first in the BSPS Heritage novice small breeds and first in the BSPS Heritage open small breeds and reserve champion, collecting a golden ticket for the semi-finals in October.
Dykes Blue Moon
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Trendsetter In the Showring Lisa Podesta is looking forwards to her 2022 season with her twoyear-old colt, Merribridge Trendsetter [Ted]. He arrived with Lisa as a feral foal from the high moor in 2020. “I was originally going to have Ted on a showing loan but Wendy Watson of Merribridge stud allowed me to purchase this wonderful colt,” said Lisa. Ted had a fantastic showing season as a yearling with numerous wins and championship. He’s already been out this year and won the D/E/S class at NPAD to qualify for the NPS Winter final. “I see him becoming a star in the making; he will be licensed this year with a small number of visiting mares possible at our stud where my father, Dominic Howarth Podesta has been breeding Dartmoors for years. This colt has a fantastic temperament and is so kind natured we look forward to continuing his 2022 showing season and catching up with everyone out and about,” said Lisa.
South Suffolk Signals Win For Sand Martin
Merribridge Trendsetter
Kyleburn Sand Martin
Danielle Twitchen has owned six-year-old Dartmoor gelding Kyleburn Sand Martin (Treworgan Showtime x Kyleburn Kittiwake) since a two-month-old foal. “He was very small, and didn’t really want to meet us, just staying by his mum, but he looked like he would have good limbs and conformation,” said Danielle. They paid a deposit for him before waiting a further three months until able to pick him up as an early birthday present from Danielle’s mum. The pair enjoyed some good results in hand as a youngster before he was sent to Stephanie Turner to be broken to ride. Again, he notched up some pleasing results with Stephanie as a novice, so Danielle felt he would be ready to give RIHS qualifiers a go this year. After taking a few seconds, he got his win to qualify for RIHS at the South Suffolk show. “We were all very emotional, as unfortunately my mum had passed away in February due to cancer, so she never got to see him doing any qualifiers but I know she was looking down on us,” said Danielle, who is hoping that her daughter, Sophia, 15, will take over his reins next year.
New Partnership Grows Together
Mastermind Scores High to Win
Caroline Pennington explained that her daughter, Amelia Grace Bradley is gelling well with her new ride, Rushfield Courvoiser [Vinnie], bought for her for Christmas last year. “This is a new partnership which is growing and growing each day,” said Caroline, “He is my daughter’s best friend and she loves him so much”.
Gemma Butcher’s seven-year-old Moortown Crusader gelding, Collstone Mastermind, and Lilly Haywood made their showring debut a successful one to take the RIHS first ridden class at BSPS Area 13B. Mastermind was will mainly be campaigning the open breed classes ridden by Gemma herself aiming for the RIHS and HOYS as well as some first ridden classes with Lilly. Gemma is also keen for the combination to campaign the HOYS junior small breeds classes next season when Lilly is old enough.
This season, the pair have competed in the RIHS qualifiers. They gained their golden ticket and Amelia Grace’s first ever in the Pretty Polly Lead rein class and narrowly missed out on a first ridden ticket after a clutch of second placings. Amelia-Grace and Vinny have also qualified for Equifest, NCPA and TSR finals where they will compete towards the Amateur Rider of the Year. Vinnie enjoys a varied life of hacking and showing and they have recently started jumping and having a go at side-saddle. “He is a great little pony to have on our yard and he loves lots of fuss. They haven’t looked back since they partnered up together; I am so excited to watch this pair grow together,” said Caroline.
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EXMOOR
ROUNDUP New Secretary Appointed! The Exmoor Pony Society, guardian of the breed for over 100 years, has appointed a new secretary, who will be the public face of the society to its members, breeders and other stakeholders Jay Gee, who lives on Exmoor, has developed a passion for Exmoor ponies since moving to the moorland village of Withypool. She said: “I moved from Kent in 2017 with my husband and our two golden retrievers. I did a course at the Exmoor Pony Centre, just down the road from me, at the beginning of the year and fell in love with the ponies. “When I saw the job advertised, I jumped at the chance to put my organisational skills to good use for the Exmoor Pony Society. The Anchor herd often pass right by my office window and are a wonderful reminder of why we do this work. “Going forward, I hope to establish myself as the friendly face of the society, working closely with partners such as Grassroots, that now handles pony passport and registration
processes, to ensure our administration function runs smoothly.” Like Exmoor Pony Society’s Chairman, Nigel Hill, Jay is a former police officer and has a first-class degree in forensic science, which she hopes will be valuable in supporting the Society’s new Scientific Advisory Panel. Nigel said: “We had a number of very strong applicants for the role of secretary, and I was delighted at the enthusiasm and support there is for our work as guardians of Britain’s oldest native breed. “Jay came across not only as highly organised and intelligent, but able to demonstrate her passion for protecting the Exmoor pony which is already being acknowledged by our members. She’s a breath of fresh air and we’re delighted to have her on board.”
Jay Gee New EPS Secretary
Jay’s first major task was at Exmoor Pony Society’s AGM this month where Liz Barker was appointed as the society’s new president, and Michael Dewhurst became President Elect.
Exmoor Pony Society Stallion Parade and Spring Show The Exmoor Pony Society Stallion Parade is a long standing tradition. Historically it was always held on the morning of the first Wednesday in May before the AGM in the afternoon. This year for the first time the AGM was held on Saturday and the stallion parade on Sunday. In the hope of attracting more entries, a spring in hand show followed the stallion parade. Four colts and five mature stallions were forward for the parade, including Stephanie Poulter’s veteran Flying Buttress who looked in fine fettle for his twenty-five years. All the stallion owners provided a commentary for their ponies. It was clear from what was
written how proud they are of their ponies and what an important part they play in their lives. Twenty-six ponies were entered in the show, including some which had only just come off the moor. Debra Howe’s Cornish bred colt Boswarthen Ross Poldark had a day to remember. He gained his stallion licence prior to the stallion parade, won his youngstock class, took the youngstock championship and then stood overall supreme champion in very good company. Judge Susannah Muir, who travelled all the way to Exmoor from Essex, said, “It was an honour to be asked to judge the breed on their home turf at the first Spring
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Show. I was very impressed with the quality of the ponies and how well they all looked so early in the Exmoor season. It was an enjoyable day.” Four of the free-living moorland herds were represented on the day: Anchor, Greystonegate, Tawbitts and Withypoole. Show Secretary Sue Burger said, “We were very lucky with the weather; it was a beautiful sunny day. I was delighted to have such a good entry at our first ever spring show. There were some beautiful ponies forward and it was heart-warming to see lots of smiling faces both inside and outside the ring.”
Boswarthen Ross Poldark (Tricia Gibson)
Exmoor Pony Society Spring Show MAY 8TH 2022 RESULTS Class 1: 1, 2 & 3 year old colt
Class 3: Stallion 4 & over
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th
1st 2nd 3rd 4th
Boswarthen Ross Poldark, Mrs Debra Howe Anchor Quality Street, Mr & Mrs Wallace Greystonegate Juniper, Mrs Deborah Drummond Phillip, Mr & Mrs Wallace Tawbitts Squirrel Nutkin, Mrs Deborah Drummond Fearland Pico’s Quest, Mrs Rachael Davis
Class 2: 1, 2 & 3 year old filly & gelding 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
Blackertor Sinbad, Mrs Jade Bailes Anchor Precipitation, Mr & Mrs Wallace Knepp Jamieson, Miss K French Tawbitts Kiwi, Mrs S & Miss C Matravers
Youngstock Champion: Reserve Champion:
Boswarthen Ross Poldark Anchor Precipitation
Anchor Moonstone, Mr & Mrs Wallace Westwilmer Dicentra, Mr & Mrs Taylor Anchor Labrynth’s Lord, Charlie Handley Tawbitts Donald, Mrs S & Miss C Matravers
Class 4: mare & gelding 4 & over 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th
Greystonegate Elm, Mr & Mrs Taylor Blackthorn Poem, Miss K French Mystical Master Bee, Mrs Rachael Davis Greystonegate Dashel, Mr & Mrs Taylor Withypoole Anstey Duke, Faye Kirby Rossmill North Wind, Mr & Mrs Taylor
Senior Champion: Reserve Champion:
Anchor Moonstone Westwilmer Dicentra
Supreme Champion: Boswarthen Ross Poldark Reserve Supreme: Anchor Moonstone
Westwilmer Dicentra (Tricia Gibson)
Anchor Precipitation (Tricia Gibson)
Boswarthen Ross Poldark (Tricia Gibson)
Anchor Moonstone info@showingworldonline.co.uk | June 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 75 (Tricia Gibson)
FELL
ROUNDUP
The Fell Pony Society Centenary 2022: An Update The Fell Pony Society (FPS) is delighted to be celebrating its Centenary with an exciting variety of events during 2022; and is thrilled to be sharing its anniversary year with that of its Patron, Her Majesty The Queen. Not only is it 100 years since the Society was founded and 70 years since Her Majesty ascended the throne, it’s also exactly 40 years since Her Majesty agreed to become Patron of the Society; and she has honoured the Society and its members with her continued support ever since. Additionally, the late Duke of Edinburgh competed in pony driving trials for many years at National level with a four in hand team of Fell ponies; and presented the Society with The Edinburgh Awards,
which are presented by the Society each year for excellence in driving. The Centenary officially launched in the middle of May at The Royal Windsor Horse Show, where the FPS was honoured and delighted to be part of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Forty ponies travelled from around the country to parade in front of Her Majesty and thank her for her generous patronage. The parade, led by Lady Louise Windsor in her late Grandfather’s carriage, included youngsters in hand through to seasoned veterans with a variety of skills – from showing, to cross country and hunting, dressage, carriage driving and side saddle; as well as all-round family ponies.
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By Claire Simpson
Her Majesty was presented with specially commissioned gifts to say thank you for all the support that she has provided as Patron; and in celebration of the Platinum Jubilee and the Society’s Centenary year. These included Sue Millard’s celebratory book ‘A Century of Fells’ which provides a fascinating history of the Fell pony and the Society’s first 100 years; and a silk headscarf, depicting a painting of Her Majesty’s Carltonlima Emma by professional artist, Laura Pennell, taken from a photograph by Bob Langrish. To add a decorative element to the scarf the flower of the Parnassus grass, which is known as the ‘flower of Cumbria’ was added, and a background of lilac blending into scarlet, edged with gold, was chosen to represent Her Majesty’s
racing colours. The scarf was printed and hand fin-ished in Worcestershire; and the Society is grateful to Laura, Bob and to Samuel Petty of David Wat-son Silk Printers for his design expertise and help in providing such a fitting and beautiful gift; and for allowing a limited edition of scarves to be reproduced for sale. Her Majesty also received the Society’s ‘Queens Award’ for her ongoing promotion of the Fell pony breed. Society members were over the moon to be part of the parade. Stacy Longrigg, who made the long journey from Cumbria with her pony Conway Carole’s Legacy, described this most amazing opportunity as overwhelming, emotional and a once-in -a-lifetime experience that she was thrilled to be part of. Helen Gallagher had a 700 mile round trip from South Shields with her homebred Hillhead Whiskey; stopping off with Gaynor Wareham who has Hillhead Port Ellen on the way. Helen said that there was a fabulous atmosphere and she felt very privileged to be part of it; adding that she had enjoyed herself so much that she now plans to make the trip to Windsor every year. On the following day the FPS Stallion and Colt Show took place at Dalemain, Ullswater, where the So-ciety’s Display Team entertained the crowd with a very enjoyable and educational performance with commentary by Sue Millard. The display covered the history of the Fell pony from being the ‘Maid of all work’ on Cumbrian
farms; mounts of both Border Reivers and Knights; and the pack ponies essen-tial in the distribution of goods throughout the UK; to today’s versatile all round, multi-purpose family ponies. Also of great interest was the commentary on the history of the Society; including the early support of King George V, who donated money to the Society to cover the withdrawal of the War Of-fice’s Stallion Premiums scheme and bought Fell mares in the 1930s that formed the nucleus of the Balmoral Fell ponies, bred by Her Majesty. The display team also received the Centenary Pennant, which had been on the royal carriage at Windsor the previous day from the FPS President Christine Morton, Chairman Peter Boustead and Sarah Charlton; who we can credit with having the original idea for the pennants, after seeing a local news article about a firm being very busy making flags for the Euros; and for the headscarf after see-ing Her Majesty on TV observing a special rose being planted at Windsor and noticing a folded up headscarf in her hand. Another very special part of the show was a fabulous parade of past champions led by the 2022 champion Heltondale Prince V, The six past champions looked absolutely stunning as they trotted around the ring to a commentary that provided details of each pony. They were: Murthwaite Look At Me champion in 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004; Carrock I’m Your Man champion in 2005, 2006, 2007; Lunesdale Warlord champion in
RWHS
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FELL
ROUNDUP
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Lady Louise led the parade
2014; Boutime Wooster champion in 2015; Lunesdale Black Ice II champion in 2016, 2018, 2019 and Murthwaite Wanted Man champion in 2017. In addition, May saw the launch of an educational film that has been created to study breed type and conformation requirements of the Fell pony; and provides an insight into why it is so important to con-tinue to uphold the original aim of the Society to ‘keep pure the old breed of pony’. The Society is very fortunate to have Film Producer and Director Tom Lloyd, breeder of the Hades Hill ponies within its membership, and Tom has done a fantastic job, going well beyond the initial brief, to create a timeless and magical piece of work that the Society can be proud of for the next hundred years. The Display team officially launched the Society’s ‘100 Mile Centenary Challenge’, which provides an opportunity for anyone with access to a Fell pony to join the celebrations over the year by completing 100 miles with their pony, either riding, driving, or walking. The only stipulation is that the mileage is completed in 2022 and it is possible to complete the mileage as a team and some senior members with older ponies have joined together and already managed to clock up the miles. Centenary rosettes will be awarded to those who have completed the challenge at a grand celebratory ball at The Castle Green Hotel, Kendal on 13th August.
estate route to clock up another 7 miles. It was a fabulous way to catch up with old friends, make new ones and enjoy lots of Fell pony chat, and now other rides are planned. There are many other inspiring sto-ries that will be shared over the coming months. Throughout August there will be a series of stud visits and other events organised by Janet Wood at the Old Courthouse, Shap to which all are welcome. The events will include talks, a social evening and painting, felting and photography workshops and displays. Thanks to everyone who has worked so hard to create this wonderful series of events, and to all those who took ponies to Windsor, the Display Team and the stallion owners who worked so hard and trav-elled long distances to mark the start of this exciting year. Having lost so many opportunities over the last years to get together with our ponies it’s lovely to be looking forward to a year of Fell pony fun with our Fell friends, both human and equine.
DISPLAY TEAM CAST SLEDGE Ian Brunskill & Townend Jasmine PACK PONY 1 Nicola Evans & Henry PACK PONY 2 Angela Cowsill & Helmside Harrier GAMES pony Georgia Ellis & Harthouse Hillman KING GEORGE V and TREC pony Beverley Kidman and Ashness Black Rupert HM The QUEEN Lisa Newby and Castlehill Tia Maria HILL pony Kath Ellis OR ANNA WATSON & Harthouse Honey AND THE CAST HAPPY HACKER and TREC pony
If you would like to join us, please see the website for more details and a timetable of events.
Josie Sanderson & Holling Bluebell
The Fell Pony Society: 2022 CENTENARY
Christine Robinson & Greenholme Morning Mist
REIVER and TRAVELLING STALLION
Rachel Brunskill the Knight with the Centenary Pennant
To the delight of the Centenary Committee the challenge has been a massive success, and everyone is enjoying the camaraderie and motivation that the challenge has inspired. A dedicated Facebook page - FPS 100 Miles Centenary Challenge, has been set up for participants to share information and photographs of the glorious rides that are taking place in the beautiful countryside of the UK and be-yond. Emma Tilson, who usually rides her pony Murthwaite Frost alone, but loves exploring and meet-ing like-minded people, invited other riders to join her at Escrick Park Rideways in York through the Facebook page. The response was immediate, and 13 riders met to ride around the beautiful
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FELL
ROUNDUP
Heltondale Prince V and Courtney Savage
The Fell Pony Society Annual Stallion and Colt Show 2022 By Claire Simpson The Fell Pony Society held its annual Stallion and Colt Show in the beautiful setting of Dalemain near Ullswater, by kind permission of the Hasell-McCosh family. The strong wind the day before had made putting the tents up quite a challenge, but the weather on the day was glorious, and many people went home with an unexpected Cumbrian tan. The day was a spectacular success for the Potter family who either owned or bred all the three ponies that took the championships on the day; and all of whom were sired by their Greenholme Diego. Judge Penny Randell of the Townend Stud was very pleased with the quality of the ponies forward and chose Heltondale Prince V, bred by Greta Noble, and owned by John Potter, as her champion stallion. Greta has only bred a handful of ponies over the last ten years, and it was wonderful to see this old established stud still at the absolute top and breeding champions. Skilfully produced and shown by Courtney Savage, the five-year-old caught the Penny’s eye from the outset with his excellent movement and being an outstanding example of breed type. Penny commented that he was a credit to all associated with him. The reserve championship went to the four-year-old Drybarrows Dynasty, bred by David Thompson and well presented by Tom Pearson. This striking grey impressed the judge with his excellent action, showing plenty of lift. The youngstock section had several super ponies forward, which made picking the champion a difficult decision, but it was the lovely typey two-year-old, Greenholme Orlando, who took the 80 | The Native Pony | June 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk
top spot for the Misses RJ and BK Potter. Reserve was Matthew Fearon, whose homebred yearling, Setmabanning Poldark, impressed the judge as an overall nice type of pony, with good joints and silky feather; showing the potential to develop into a good stallion; and one to watch for the future. Greenholme Hot Rod, a nine-year-old, bred by the Potter family and owned by Nicola Chippendale, also impressed the judge with his super movement and true Fell pony type and repeated his 2019 success by winning both the class for ridden geldings and gelding in hand championship. Penny was impressed by the way in which he had been turned out and said that he and Nicola made a pleasing combination in the ridden class. Rob Relph-Briggs with his lovely home-bred three-year-old Birkettbank Fergie took the gelding reserve championship. The 2014 champion Lunesdale Warlord won the class for ridden stallions and 2015 champion Boutime Wooster won the class for the best set of feet shod; the unshod class went to Mrs Cowsill’s Helmside Harrier. Winner of the driving class was Gilly Chippendale with her immaculate grey Stennerskeugh Smoke put to a quality traditional vehicle. Grateful thanks to the Hasell-McCosh family, Penny Randell, competitors, stewards and all the volunteers who so generously gave their time to make it such a successful and enjoyable day.
Greenholme Orlando with Vicki Kenyon
Setmabanning Poldark
Greenholme Hot Rod and Nicola Chippendale
Drybarrows Dynasty and Tom Pearson
Gill Chippendale and Stennerskeugh Smoke
Birkettbank Fergie info@showingworldonline.co.uk | June 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 81
Cadlan Beaumont
NEW FOREST ROUNDUP
Compiled by Diane Hadwen
Northern New Forest Elite Show 2022 Camden Equestrian Centre The first of the New Forest Pony Breeding and Cattle Society’s Elite shows is the Northern New Forest Pony Supporters’ Show, held this year in April in conjunction with NPS Area 4’s Spring Show. The sun shone, there was a good turnout of quality ponies, plenty of chat and laughter and a lovely day was had by all. Jo Jack and her own Forest bred Brookswood Royal, won the forest bred ridden class and then made a quick dash to the working hunter pony ring, for the over 143 cm NPS intermediate whp class, which they duly won also on to taking the intermediate championship. The pair then went on to win the New Forest whp championship and possibly the biggest cup in the world! The New Forest novice ridden winner was another Forest bred pony, Steph Peto’s lovely gelding Portmoor Downburst, who also won the NPS intermediate ridden qualifier. Megan Hewitt’s Wellhouse Bradbury won the New Forest open ridden and Sally Strachan (making a return to the show ring after a very long break) had a popular win in the NNFPSG members ridden class with Whiteladies Question Time. The ridden championship saw a change in fortunes with Megan Hewitt’s Forest bred Portmore Corporal (second in both the novice and Forest bred Ridden) taking the championship, with Portmore Thundercloud taking reserve. The in hand classes were well supported, although youngstock was thin on the ground there was a worthy red rosette for Brookshill Harry in the 1,2 and 3 year old class, owned and shown by Carol Nicholson. The mare class was won by the five year old mare
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Highfox Heaven Sent, owned by the Highfox Stud; Heaven Sent also won the hotly contested in hand members class. The geldings and veteran class both saw a win for one of the northern junior contingency, Rebbekah Fisher and another forest bred pony, Denny Flash. Rebbekah and her mare Ashurst Holly, won the small pony class. Two ponies came forward for the stallion class, the win went to Portmore Corporal (who also won the Forest bred class and stood Forest bred champion), with his stable mate Megan Hewitt’s Berrywood Wind Dancer in second. The overall in hand championship and the not exceeding 138cm championship went to Highfox Heaven Sent, who then stood supreme New Forest, with Portmore Corporal in reserve. Heaven Sent sadly missed the judging of the NPS Silver Medal, but arrived in time to contest the supreme in hand championship, where she stood reserve to the hunter pony, qualifying for NPS British Isles Championship. The show will return hopefully to Camden next April, courtesy of NPS Area 4 and the sun has been ordered already, as this year’s lovely weather really helped make it a great day out for competitors and spectators alike. The NNFPSG would like to thank the New Forest judge Mrs Pam Cox who travelled up from Somerset, hardworking steward (and long-time supporter of all things New Forest) Barbara Ward and NPS Area 4 for their hospitality.
Snippets New Forest Pony Enthusiasts Elite Show Trudy Nineham and James Young had a very successful day at the New Forest Enthusiasts Show with their home bred mare Trenley Tamara. The show was her first ever day away from the yard, other than when she ran the Forest as a broodmare. Shown with her foal at foot by Mallards Wood Law and Order, she won the novice mare and geldings and then the four-yearold and over New Forest class; she then took the adult New Forest championship, the owner breeder championship, supreme NF championship and the Silver Medal! She then stood reserve supreme in show. What a start!
NPS Area 24 June Whitam’s lovely young mare Woodrow Delights Gift had an exceptional day at NPS Area 24. Out of Woodrow Delight’s Double by Farriers Fingerprint, Gift has not been shown since a foal, but she took everything in her stride, winning her two in hand classes, standing in hand champion, NPS silver medal champion and qualifying for the NPS British Isles championship, ably shown by David Allen.
NPS Area XI The 11-year-old mare Kauri Evenstar had a very successful day for owner/breeders Alan and Mandy Key at NPS Area 11 winning both the Connemara/New Forest in hand and the home produced large breeds in hand. ‘Ruby’ then stood champion mountain and moorland in hand and reserve in the home-produced section.
NPS Area 27 Lauren Burgess and her gelding Cadland
Brookswood Royal
Beaumont, decided to have a break from their normal working hunter pony classes to concentrate on some flat work instead. The result was an outstanding day at NPS Area 27, where they ended up standing Silver Medal champions after winning both the intermediate and open ridden classes and intermediate and open championships.
HOYS Qualifiers The first sole New Forest breed HOYS qualifying class was held at Stoneleigh in May and resulted in a win for Marley Denes Miriam, owned by Abigail Staff and ridden by Terry Clines. Marney Dell’s stallion Peronne Notorious was so close at Herts County, finishing runner up in the Price Family In Hand Horse or Pony of the Year qualifier. An excellent result, a great return to the show ring and hopefully a good omen for the rest of the 2022 season.
A first for New Forests! Roxie Thomas reflects on her experience of Barley Saturday.
Furzey Lodge Flash Gordon Trenley Tamara
“Barley Saturday has been running since the 1870’s in Cardigan, Pembrokeshire and was historically an event where farmers from surrounding areas would come to inspect the stallions to select for their mares for the up-and-coming season. Now the stallions run in a show in the morning and the afternoon, thousands of people line the streets of Cardigan to watch the owners run their stallions up the steep high street – not for the feint hearted or the unfit! Even with all the noise of cheering and clapping, it’s longer than you think! It is a fabulous tradition that is a huge part of Ceredigion history and culture. As far as we know this is the first New Forest pony to attend in decades, if not 100’s years and it was a lovely way to promote our breed. Fred won his class and had lots of comments and lapped up the atmosphere.”
Woodrow Delights Gift
Highfox Heaven Sent
Rebekkah Fisher and Denny Flash
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SHETLAND ROUNDUP
Catchpool Red Indian On Parade “It was great to be back this year at the London Harness Horse Parade 2022 on Easter Monday,” enthused Julia Prentice. There were over 100 horses at the parade, from Shetlands to Shires, with several Shetland singles, pairs and a team of miniatures. Julia participated with two turnouts: her miniature Shetland Bygarth Brodie, who competes in indoor driving trials, driven by her friend’s daughter Lyla-Mae Rayner, and Standard Shetland Red Indian of Catchpool, who joined Julia at Christmas. “We both were awarded the coveted First Class Award
Red Indian of Catchpool
rosettes and Parade Horse brass,” added a proud Julia. Turning his hand to showing for the first time a few weeks later, Indy didn’t fail to deliver for his new owner at the MHCGB Spring Show at Onley Equestrian Centre. Competing over the winter season as part of a carriage driving pair with his previous owner, it was Indy’s first time in the show ring where he proved himself as a natural, taking first in the novice driving, first in the British driving and the overall driving championship.
A Champlers Champion Champlers Ellie Champlers stud breeds Shetland ponies is Hampshire. Recently, two-year-old filly Champlers Ellie has taken to the ring successfully. Ellie is the first foal out of Ladbury Eloise, and she is by Stepley Victorious. Last year as a yearling, Ellie took the junior and reserve Standard Shetland overall champion at Braemore Show. This season, she took the junior and Standard championships and stood reserve overall champion at the Downs Show prior to victory at Royal Windsor Horse Show.
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Red Indian of Catchpool
Photo by Victoria Moore
Royal Shetlands Gala Glory Showing Her Majesty the Queen’s own ponies is a special privilege, and gave to young exhibitors Emily Moore, 14, and Grace McPhail, 8, some lifelong memories. The Royal Regiment of Scotland’s Corporal Cruachan IV - Clothie Nyggle – bred by Eli Bosanquet and the late Marie Brooker of the Clothie Stud, was gifted to the Regiment as a three-year-old to step into the shoes of the then retiring Corporal, who stayed by his side in the role of his companion until he passed away three years ago. With a vacancy for a companion for Nyggle, Eli received a call and said that they had a recently retired gelding who had spent his life as a working stallion and a performance pony both under saddle and in harness. Having seen the world, Clothie Nightcap was the ideal candidate for the role and made the journey to the Regiment barracks.
contact with the Regiment and Pony Major Wilkinson and are delighted to still show the ponies for the Regiment at Royal Windsor and shows and events in Scotland,” said Eli, “we are due to show them at Turiff soon as well.”
Photo by Eli Bosanquet
At Windsor, Eli showed Nyggle, and Emily showed Clothie Nightcap in the inhand class, a partnership that goes back many years as Emily started to ride on Nightcap when she was just three years old. “It’s a dream come true,” she said as Her Majesty watched the Shetland classes. The day before, Grace participated under saddle for the first time, showing in the mixed veteran class on 24-year-old Nightcap who took exceptional care of her.
Photo by Eli Bosanquet
“We are very fortunate to stay in close
Photo by Victoria Moore
bwlchclawdd Little lady
Picking up his second NPS silver medal of the season at Sherborne Castle, Zennor Tempest, started the day by winning his Shetland class. The seven-year-old stallion is owned by Lindsey Tropman and loaned to Mark Cosgrove then proceeded to take Shetland championship, champion best-turned-out and the end of the day, secured the highest accolade of overall supreme. Further north, a pony that is no stranger to the top of the line, veteran stallion Kerloch Rupert shone at the Scottish Friends Open Show where the 16-year-old collected just about every red possible for him. He stood overall Shetland champion, open mountain and moorland champion, and after much deliberation, Rupert was called forward to collect the supreme. Owned by John Watson of the Abbotsrule Stud in Scotland, Rupert has since competed further south at Stafford County show where the reds were once more awarded with the stallion claiming another overall Shetland championship. Bwlchclawdd Little Lady, an 11-yearold miniature skewbald mare proved that good things come in small
packages at the Showcase Series in Norfolk, taking the supreme in-hand championship for proud owner Jenna Land who said, “never did we imagine that we would be coming home with this fabulous sash”. Heading back up to Scotland, from the Eynhallow Stud, three-year-old homebred filly, Eynhallow Dutch Corrie followed on from her recent success of Standard Junior Champion at the National Stallion Show by being awarded the Lumsden trophy for supreme in-hand champion at West Fife Show. Corrie is by the stud’s homebred stallion, Eynhallow Dutch Prince who has also had a successful career in the ring with wins including Junior Champion at the Royal Highland Show in 2015.
Zennor Tempest - Supreme Champion at Sherborne Castle
Kerlock Rupert
Eynehallow Dutch Corrie Kerloch Rupert - Supreme Champion at Scottish Friends Show
Perfect Mother Daughter Share! When people talk of a mother, daughter share, a Miniature Shetland may not be the first breed that springs to mind! However, Janpau Zeus – more affectionately known as Moses – is the perfect pony for Becky Seabury and her daughter, ninemonth-old Alice Becky has owned the nine-year-old Miniature Shetland gelding, Moses since he was five months old, breaking him harness a couple of years ago after having to retire his older brother. Their turnout is made up of a Zilco harness and a Bennington Mini Magnum GL carriage. “Moses is a happy little chap who is keen to please,” said Becky, “he adores his driving and is very forward going. However, when introduced to the basket saddle for Alice earlier this year, he understood the importance of a steadier gear and does a very good job pootling along the lanes with her. He’ll make a cracking second ridden pony when she’s ready to go off the lead rein and enjoy some fun too!” Becky plans to compete in exercise classes with Moses which is a first for both of them, they have attended two shows so far this year which they both love with Becky adding, “we were fortunate enough to become brand ambassadors for Magic Horse Showers back at the end of 2020 and it’s so good to finally be able to get out with a sparkling clean pony and represent a fantastic family run company who support you”.
9 month old Alice takes the reins
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WELSH
ROUNDUP
Fronarth Moriarty
Lampeter Stallion Show 2022 Talsarn, Ceredigion Report by Owen Rees Griffiths. Photos by Equinepix. Saturday 23rd April saw competitors and spectators perform their annual pilgrimage to Lampeter Stallion show which was this year held at a new site located in Talsarn. This unique event was making a comeback from the Covid-19 pandemic for the 59th annual show. Out of 367 entries, Show President Geraint Davies, Rhyd-Ddu stud, awarded supreme in-hand and supreme of show to the Jones family with their homebred five-year-old black stallion, Fronarth Moriarty, by their well-known stallion, Fronarth Robben. Moriarty’s win is the latest in a successful streak going back to his last visit here to Lampeter in 2019 and then clinching supreme equine at Aberystwyth show the same year. His sire, Fronarth Robben, has been Champion section C at the Royal Welsh show for three years in succession (2007-2009). The 2008 championship was coincidentally also awarded by Geraint Davies. Moriarty’s dam Menai Cadence was the highest-priced section C filly at the 2006 Menai stud reduction sale, purchased for £1200. A major spectacle at the show is the afternoon’s Welsh cob stallion classes, divided into North, Mid, South and outside Wales. The perimeter of the ring was packed with spectators, both local and from further afield, to witness this pinnacle of the show. The Welsh cob classes were judged by Sarah Hamer, Cwmhir stud. Winning the Mid Wales class en route to overall section D champion was Elgan Evans’ Eglwysfach Royal Flyer, sired by
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Geler Glyndwr and out of Eglwysfach Corisma. Triumphant in the outside Wales class and reserve section D was Tony Lee and family’s flashy chestnut stallion, Drogeda The Outlaw, being a son of Danaway Tango and out of Trefaes Golden Pearl. As well as being a Royal Welsh winner herself in 1999, Golden Pearl is also the dam of twice Royal Welsh winner, Drogeda Stormy Tempest. The Outlaw was purchased as a four-year-old from the 2011 Brightwells Autumn sale from his breeders Messrs Peaty and Deabill. The North Wales class was won by Gwilym Howatson’s five-year-old bay stallion, Sangrug Sam I Am. He is sired by Pentrefelin Jake and out of Haighmoor Seren Wen. South Walesbased Mickey Morris’ 13-year-old black stallion, Thorneyside The High Flyer, a son of Thorneyside Flyer and out of Thorneyside Milk Maid, came out on top in the South Wales class. Kevin Walker of the Brynoffa stud awarded the section B championship to Lynne Wilson and the family’s three-year-old chestnut colt, Walseker Roca Roja. Roca Roja is out of one of Walseker stud’s best mares, Westaire Chantilly Lace, who passed away a week before the show on what would have been her birthday. Produced by Colin Tibbey, he is sired by three times Cuddy in-hand qualifier (2016, 2017 and 2019) and Royal Welsh Male Champion and gold medallist (2017), Paddock Rio. His name comes from the Spanish meaning ‘red rock’ which is a theme adopted by Walseker stud for all of Rio’s sons. In reserve was the closely related Paddock Chelsea Girl (Skellorn Bronze Soldier x
Paddock Alesha), a chestnut roan three-year-old filly from the same production yard of Colin and Sarah Tibbey. Chelsea Girl remains under the ownership of breeders Bernard and Maureen Butterworth from West Yorkshire. The Welsh Mountain Ponies were judged by Roland Michell MRCVS. Champion was awarded to Ceri and Nick Fell’s roan stallion, Heniarth Showbiz (Blanche Montana x Heniarth Yipee-aye-Yeah). Showbiz is no stranger to Lampeter Stallion Show, having stood youngstock champion and reserve section A champion here in 2017. This championship adds to previous wins at Glanusk and the Royal Welsh show, and he continues to fly the flag for his sire, Blanche Montana, who left Wales for the USA in 2018. Reserve went to the grey yearling filly, Rhesfair Dangerous Lady, owned by Steven Williams from near Bridgend and produced by Derrick Dykes and Joanne Nicholson. This charismatic grey filly comes from a line of winners, being sired by Crossfield Cock Robin and out of Caerheulog Lady Jane, and her grand-dam being Fronbach Dangerous Lady. Judging the section Cs was Anthony McDonald, Troedymynydd stud. Both his champion and reserve had the commonality of being descended from Synod lines. He also had a clear penchant for Fronarth Robben lines, with the champion, Fronarth Moriarty, and reserve, Elgan Evans’ three-year-old filly Eglwysfach Rosemary (Fronarth Robben x Laurtom Glamour Girl by Parc Hebog), both sired by him.
Walseker Roca Roja
The driving class, judged by Barry Hall, Murrayhall stud, was won by a staunch Lampeter stallion show supporter, Steve Watts from Essex, with his homebred bay roan mare, Trixies Duchess. The Welsh ridden section was judged by Kathleen Scott, Bryndefaid stud, Aberdeenshire. Current WPCS young ambassador, Hannah Atkison, Danwood stud, North Yorkshire, judged the junior ridden Welsh, and Lorraine Partridge, Rosedale stud, judged the Novice Welsh classes. Annie Dilcock Thomas,11, astride her bay section C mare, Wyken Sweet Silhouette (Wyken Rob Roy x Bwllfa Seren), clinched the open C title followed by the open Welsh ridden champion. The mini champion was Medi Lloyd astride the roan section A pony, Heniarth Willy Wagtail, yet another son of Blanche Montana and out of Henairth Chiff Chaff. Annie Dilcock-Thomas on board the Dutch-bred Ysselhofs Hallmark, by Heniarth Quinnell, was in reserve. The junior Welsh championship was Niamh Evans astride the grey section A, Glebedale Rock and Roll, with Rhiannon Evans’ chestnut section D mare, Edmar Manon Haf, in reserve. Taking the novice championship was Abbie Dark’s bay section C Blaencila Penny, claiming victory over Steph and Janet Mansfield’s Cadlanvalley Masterclass, and ridden by Libby Grota. The supreme championship saw Cadlanvalley Masterclass redeem himself from his earlier mishap to stand overall supreme ridden. He will now return to the Janpete stud in Manchester to fulfil stud duties.
Heniarth Willy Wagtail
Heniarth Showbiz
Eglwysfach Royal Flyer
info@showingworldonline.co.uk | June 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 89
Results: The Geraint Jones Nebo Memorial Perpetual Trophy for the Overall Supreme of Show Winner: Fronarth Moriarty (C) The John Evans Castle Hotel Perpetual Trophy for the In Hand Supreme Champion Winner: Fronarth Moriarty (C) The Ceredigion Centenary Committee Trophy for the Supreme Youngstock Champion
Sec B Champion: L Wilson’s Walseker Roca Roja; reserve: M Butterworth’s Paddock Chelsea Girl Youngstock Champion: Walseker Roca Roja; reserve: M Butterworth’s Paddock Chelsea Girl Sec C Champion: Jones family’s Fronarth Moriarty; reserve E Evans’ Eglwysfach Rosemary Youngstock Champion: Eglwysfach Rosemary; reserve: Corstan Royal Addition
Winner: Rhesfair Dangerous Lady (A)
Sec D Champion: E Evan’s Eglwysfach Royal Flyer; reserve: Lee family’s Drogeda The Outlaw
Perpetual Challenge Trophy for the Best Overall Gelding
Section D Youngstock Champion: Brynnant Seren Mai
Winner: Immybrook the Baron (A)
Driving:
The Joe Giles Perpetual Challenge Memorial Trophy for the Best Yearling
Champion: S Watts’ Trixies Duchess
Winner: Rhesfair Dangerous Lady (A) The Fronarth Stud Perpetual Challenge Memorial Cup For the Best Overall Colt Winner: Walseker Roca Roja (B) The Steffan Stud Perpetual Challenge Memorial Cup for the Best Overall Filly Winner: Brynnant Seren Mai (D) Sec A Champion: C & N Fell’s Heniarth Showbiz; reserve: S Williams’ Rhesfair Dangerous Lady Youngstock Champion: Rhesfair Dangerous Lady; reserve: Pinewell Harrison
Trixies Duchess
90 | The Native Pony | June 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk
Ridden: Welsh Ridden Classes Champion: Wyken Sweet Silhouette; reserve: Cadlanvalley Total Elation Novice Welsh Ridden Classes Champion: Blaencila Penny; reserve: Cadlanvalley Masterclass Junior Welsh Ridden Champion: Glebedale Rock and Roll; reserve: Edmar Manon Haf Lead rein and first ridden Mini Champion: Heniarth Willy Wagtail; reserve: Ysselhofs Hallmark
Cadlanvalley Masterclass
info@showingworldonline.co.uk | June 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 91
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SEIB Search for a Star Goes Back to its Roots in 2022
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New classes, new venues and training! Ridden, In-hand and an introduction to showing for Pony Club members of all ages.
seib.co.uk/competitions
SEIB judges will be on hand to help and mentor competitors. There are also two weekenders planned for 2022, which include a day of training and preparation.
SEARCH FOR A STAR PONY CLUB YOUR HORSE LIVE CHAMPIONSHIP We are proud to announce that we have joined with the Pony Club to offer a Lead Rein and First Ridden Championship for children 10 and under. In addition, there will be an open class for the older children that will judge horses and ponies as suitable for all round Pony Club activities, conformation, way of going and temperament will also be important (no jumping). These classes are open to any child or young person who is a member of the Pony Club and any type of horse or pony that is athletic enough to be an all-rounder but correct enough to be a show horse. There will be extra awards for the best riders.
THE ALL NEW SEIB SEARCH FOR A STAR WEEKENDER Taking place in both Scotland and England, competitors will have the opportunity to come the day before the competitions and learn from the judges. They will be helped with way of going, turnout, trot-up and taught how to stand the horse or pony up for the judges.
SEIB HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW SEARCH FOR A STAR Amateur only ridden classes for Working Horse, Working Pony, Show Hunters, Riding Horse and Hacks, Show and Maxi Cobs, Traditional Gypsy Cobs (all colours). Qualify for Horse of the Year Show.
SEIB RACEHORSE TO RIDING HORSE Open ridden class that qualifies for Horse of the Year Show.
SEIB YOUR HORSE LIVE RIDDEN SEARCH FOR A STAR Amateur ridden classes for Mountain and Moorlands and Part-bred Traditional Gypsy Cobs. Qualify for Your Horse Live. The winning Part-Bred Traditional will also receive a wild card to the Traditional of the Year Show (TOYS). Open ridden class for Veterans any horse or pony aged 16 or over irrespective of experience and any rider professional or amateur. We are searching for an older star that will qualify for Your Horse Live.
SEIB YOUR HORSE LIVE IN-HAND SEARCH FOR A STAR
Competition Dates 2022 QUALIFIERS: 24th April 2022 at Vale View Equestrian Centre, Vale View Equestrian, Old Dalby, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE14 3LX. 22nd May 2022 at Bury Farm Equestrian Village, New Bury, Farm, Mill Road, Slapton, Buckinghamshire LU7 9BT. 11th & 12th June 2022 at Netherton Equestrian Centre, Netherton Farm, Aberargie, Perthshire, PH2 9NE, Perth, Scotland. Search for a Star Weekender including training, competition on Sunday 12th June. 23rd & 24th July 2022 during SEIB Trailblazers Championships at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry CV8 2LZ. Search for a Star Weekender, competition on 24th July (Stabling will be available via a link that will be published in due course). 15th July 2022 at the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) National Championships at Hartpury College, Hartpury GL19 3BE (RDA Riders Only). 7th August 2022 at Science Supplements Onley Grounds Equestrian Centre, Willoughby, Rugby CV23 8AJ. 13th August 2022 NAF Five Star International Horse Trials, Hartpury College, Hartpury GL19 3BE. (SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse only). 4th September 2022 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, Burghley House, Burghley Park, Stamford PE9 3JY. (SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse only).
Classes for amateur handlers with horses and ponies in these sections: Veteran, Mountain and Moorland, Traditional and Native Types, Plaited Horses and hogged Show Cobs and Plaited Ponies. Qualify for Your Horse Live.
SEIB SEARCH FOR A STAR RDA CHAMPIONSHIP Only open to members of an RDA Group. Prizes for Best Rider, Best Horse or Pony and Best Combination.
SCAN HERE TO VISIT COMPETITION HUB
To enter online or for more information please visit: www.seib.co.uk/competitions or email: competitions@seib.co.uk
South Essex House, North Road, South Ockendon Essex RM15 5BE. SEIB Insurance Brokers Ltd are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
HORSE & PONY · HORSEBOX & TRAILER · LIVERY YARDS · BUSINESS · HOME · RIDING SCHOOL & MUCH MORE 92 | The Native Pony | June 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk
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