Showing TSR Summer, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Festival of Hunting, Scottish Horse and Stithians
A host of NEC first-timers book their places on the HOYS bus
NATIVES were in the money on the first day of competition as a seven-year-old Welsh section B stallion stood over a Shetland mare in the Cuddy supreme championship to give his breeders their very first place in the coveted final.
The victor was Richard Jones’ typey liver chestnut Moelview Moonstruck, a home-bred by Moelview Prince Charming out of Moelview Moonshine. A Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) finalist under saddle last season with Chloe Chubb, “Moonie” — who was led out by his proud breeder Richard — impressed Cuddy judge David Puttock.
“This is the first one we’ve ever qualified for the Cuddy,” said an elated Richard. “Breeding is just a hobby for us. Saturday was very exciting and it’s all just started to sink in — we’ve been quite emotional.”
Richard runs the Moelview stud with his wife Jane and father Robert, alongside a small farm. He also works full time as an agricultural contractor.
After a Cuddy reserve at Norfolk two weeks earlier, Moonstruck never missed a beat in heavy Onley heat.
“It doesn’t matter how tired he is, he just knows when to turn on his sparkle,” added Richard. “Having him produced under saddle has definitely helped his in-hand performance; he is much more balanced.
“The only problem now is that I can’t show him until October
— I don’t want to risk anything,” added Richard, who will be substituting these outings with his exciting thee-year-old colt Moelview Prince Charlie.
Landing the reserve spot was the prolific 11-year-old Shetland Sharptor Trinity, who was making her season debut under owner and breeder Julian Walters.
HOYS DEBUTANTES
AS form dictates, the ridden mountain and moorland (M&M) classes were exceptionally well
filled, with the largest class of the day also providing the section champion. This was the large breeds winner, the consistent pairing of Highland gelding Conway Harlequin and Richard Shaw.
Owned by Sue Moran and produced by Richard and Will Chatley of the Standinghat stud, “Herbert” — who won the National Pony Society British Isles supreme final last term — has been based in Southampton with the team for the past five years and will be making his debut at the NEC in December.
“It’s very exciting for us all,” said Will. “He’s been in the top eight of the four qualifiers he’s done this season and to win in a class of 33 — many of them former HOYS ponies and many of them stallions — is brilliant.”
Slotting into reserve was on-form producer Katy MarriottPayne and the flashy chestnut Welsh section C stallion Bodynys Kaino, who was the epitome of a “pony of cob type” when he owned the ring to also book his first ride on the HOYS train.
Owned by Shane Rogers and currently on loan to Paula Whitlock, six-year-old Kaino’s win gave Katy her third section C ticket in as many weeks.
“Paula and I went to see him together as an unbroken three-year-old,” said Katy. “I can’t take any credit for this one’s training — he is based with Paula in Shaftesbury and I just meet him at shows. He is a lovely ride, and amazing in the conformation section as he’s done so much in-hand.
“At HOYS, Paula will take the ride on him, as I will be on Cargarsar Silver Phantom for Sara Dowdeswell and Alice Wright will be on her parent’s novice stallion Brynarth Mercurtio.”
The Dartmoor gelding Pumphill Fandango was the choice for the HOYS mini M&M title, for owner Zara JohnstoneEvans who was leading her son Toby, seven. “Roy”, a multi-HOYS open finalist with Zara, qualified for the first ridden final at Midland Counties in June.
“Toby and Roy are a great partnership,” said Zara, who was delighted with the result.
SUPREME ONE-TWO
WILLOW and Marrian Tarrant had cause for celebration when their pony landed the SSADL first round senior qualifiers and went through the card to stand supreme on Saturday. Ellie Blue, a 19-year-old part-bred coloured mare, was partnered on this occasion by Willow’s best friend Georgina Oldham-Walkley, who took over the reins as Willow was busy in another ring.
The new pair subsequently took the overall honours ahead of Willow and her ride, Paintball Party Girl, who had won the Traditional Gypsy Cob Association Go For Glory tricolours.
A pair making their return to the show scene after a dressage career netted the Sunday supreme sash on their season debut.
Thirteen-year-old Kate Hewson and her charismatic palomino Welsh section B Laithehill Flute stood second in the HOYS junior small breeds, landing the top ride mark, and qualified for the junior supreme — which they also won — after standing TSR open ridden champions.
“We’ve had Flute for 18 months,” said Kate’s mother, Emma Hewson, who co-owns the seven-year-old gelding with Linda Mastroianni. “He loves a big atmosphere and just has that ‘look at me’ factor.”
Amateur supreme championships were on offer on both days of competition, with £200 prizes open to each winner. Saturday’s victor was Sally-Anne Cowley’s successful small hunter Miracle Mickey and Liz Cheffings.
After securing a bitter-sweet blue in the HOYS junior large breeds qualifier, the Connemara Inverin Paddy and his jockey Isabella Worthington was the choice for the second day’s amateur title. Paddy is no stranger to cash prizes, being a previous winner of the £1,000 TopSpec home-produced final at North of England.
A four-year-old plaited pony belied her years to land the HOYS coloured championship in a strong field. Molly Sibthorpe’s attractive Team Hillyard produced mare Reevesgate Royal Occasion and Charlotte Tuck — who are also are RIHS bound after winning at Hadleigh earlier in the term — gave a stellar performance to take the crown over the second-placed plaited pony, Mayday and Courtney Jones.