Jones scores a golden hat-trick
A mare scores a perfect 20 to claim a championship and a yearling sees his owner is back after a devastating loss
ROD JONES landed three coveted gold championships at the UK’s only European Conference of Arab Horse Organisations (ECAHO) “A” show — the UK International Arabian Horse
Show at Addington Manor.
Rod’s first win came with the Al Wawan stud’s Brazillian-bred mare Desiree Morab, who was the judge’s choice for the senior female gold championship title.
Rod saw the mare at an auction in Belguim last year and bought her for his Kuwaiti clients.
“She’s full of quality — this is only her second show,” said Rod. “She can be a bit nervous, so I have to take it easy to get her to show off.”
All five judges scored the five-year-old highly for both type and head and neck, with Anna Stojanowska from Poland awarding a perfect 20 in the mares class.
Vvivacious (Kandy and Kimberley Pody) was silver champion and FS Velvet (Andrea Taylor) bronze.
Rod’s second win for Al Wawan came with Lulu Al Wawan, gold champion junior female, who stood ahead of Caza Al Soor (Al Soor Arabians) and Magnum’s Fortune K.A. (Alorasia Arabian Horse Stud). The filly came to the UK in April this year, having successfully contested the Kuwaiti show circuit.
“This was her first UK show and she’ll head to Aachen next month. She’s just magic,” said Rod.
Completing his wins was a horse bred by Rod’s parents, Sue and Emrys Jones, who were there to see Admiraal take the yearling colt championship.
“This horse was sold to Saudi Arabia, then the United Arab Emirates and now has a new owner — the Ajman Stud. He’s unbeaten so far and will also head to Aachen,” Rod added.
ALSO IN THE MEDALS
MILES BUCKLEY also had a successful show for the Al Alia stud, taking gold champion senior male with Aja Wictor, as well as gold yearling filly with Duchess Amaiyaa DMC. He also showed silver yearling colt champion
Duke Santonio ME for Arabians Imperial UK.
Alf Hallworth and Barbara Napier’s Aja Alisandro followed his win at the nationals, standing gold champion gelding here with Ryan Jones showing him to perfection. They stood ahead of Lisa Dunn’s Serengeti.
Aja Alisandro was the lucky recipient of £750, with the gelding classes boosted by sponsorship from the Albidayer stud.
After spending twenty years in Saudi Arabia, Mario Gallagher has recently returned to the UK, after his employers, Apex Arabians, relocated. His own H Pacino, shown by Phillipe Hosay, stood
junior male gold champion, with Emperor K.A. (Knocke Arabians) taking the silver.
“I’ve owned the colt since he was a foal. As a yearling he went to Phillipe’s base in Belgium to be shown there. He went brilliantly today — the crowd went mental for him, which was great,” said Mario. “Phillipe shows all our horses and does an excellent job.”
CBEEBIES OFF TO HOYS
JADE HATELEY scooped the sole Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) ticket on offer with her mother Tracey Hateley and Samantha Moyse’s Cbeebies, pipping
Amelia Zebedee and the veteran Eastworth Ahmoshini to take the championship. Jade got the ride on the 15.3hh gelding last season, after his producer suffered a broken leg.
“My grandparents bought me a half share in him for my birthday earlier this year, so he’s now based with me at Chris Lowe’s Claverdon Stud. He went really well, though he’s not been himself recently with a sore back. Luckily he’s come back just in time,” said a delighted Jade, whose other ride, Cipriana, out of the same mare as Cbeebies, FS Cinderella, stood bronze international ridden champion.
“I’ve got a tough decision to make now, as they’ve both qualified for HOYS. I’m not sure how I’m going to decide — I’ll probably leave it until the day before.”
BEGINNING TO BLOSSOM
INTERNATIONAL ridden champion went to Katy Rainey and her own six-year-old mare, Portia, with Emily Constable and Montgomery reserve, under judges Louise Maryon and Barbara Cary.
“I bought Portia unbroken as a three-year-old from breeder Sue Coldrick, who was here to groom for me, which was very special,” said Katy, who explained that the mare has had to overcome some serious health issues including surgery to remove a large tumour on her ovary.
“She went very poor after the operation and it’s taken a long time for her to develop, but she’s really matured and grown in confidence. There’s so much more to come from her, she’s just starting to blossom,” added Katy.
“I couldn’t do this without Terry Jackson, who part owns her. He’s so supportive and is a massive part of ‘Team Portia’.”
The popular Ridden Arabian Star Series championship went to Amanda Miller and Aja Estrravagance, with Amelia Zebedee and her mother Stephanie’s Eastworth Ahmoshini reserve.
Aja Estrravagance (FS Bengali x Sanadik El Shaklan) was previously a multi-champion in-hand stallion for Alf Hallworth before Amanda bought him three years ago. He was gelded last autumn and has contested his first season as a gelding this year.
Amanda said: “He’s the kindest horse with a huge character. I threw him at the deep end at this show, as he’s never been ridden at such a big event, and he didn’t let me down.”
‘There’s so much more to come from her, she’s just starting to blossom’
KATY RAINEY ON PORTIA