LATE ENTRIES MEAN LONG DAYS

PLAITED pony classes were the largest seen yet this season — more than 20 show ponies were entered in the 138cm division alone. Producer Julie Templeton, who collected a HOYS ticket and fielded the champion, Charlotte Lister’s Scallywag, has her own theory.

“People nowadays tend to have the mindset that although they have to pay more, they would rather be able to decide the day before a show whether they will go or not,” she said. “They always know they can enter North of England shows on the day.”

But, says organiser Stuart Hollings, it does bring problems.

“Taking entries on the day involves a lot of extra work on show day. We know from being competitors ourselves how much exhibitors appreciate this, but you need a very good team of people in the office to process late entries quickly — sometimes just minutes before the class is due to start.

“The other drawback is you cannot be totally accurate with the timetable, as you have no idea in advance what numbers will be forward, and classes can go on much longer than you expect.”