Show teams land multiple accolades
A bumper weekend of shows witnessed glorious sunshine, fresh faces and joy as Royal International places are secured
North of England Autumn, Warren Farm EC, Merseyside
NORTHERN competitors were treated to a two-day showing bonanza as the popular show was rescheduled after the cancellation of its spring and summer fixtures.
It was a day of firsts for Karl Morris and team who presented winning charges on both days. Their top pony was Vanessa Anders’ mountain and moorland (M&M) lead-rein campaigner Bogey Jasper ridden by Vanessa’s daughter, India. The grey Welsh section A gelding has been on the Morris’ yard for three years and was previously ridden by India’s older sister Sofia, who was second in the M&M first ridden here with Dartmoor Dykes Blackberry Mead.
“This was India’s first show and Jasper’s first outing since HOYS [Horse of the Year Show],” said co-producer Karl. “He’s eight now but he’s been with us since he was just lightly backed.”
Lindsay Whittle’s Kilvington Scoundrel-sired small hack Whalton Dell Boy achieved a double on the second day, winning the part-breds and the amateur hacks, followed by the overall amateur tricolour.
“Last year was Chloe’s final year in intermediates and this was her first attempt at an amateur horse class,” added Karl. “Chloe has owned Dell Boy since he was a three-year-old and he’s now nine. He’s a very straightforward chap.”
Mark Reeves and Steven Hulston of the Cheshire-based Cuddington Stud also fielded two champions, including the top intermediate, show hunter type Cuddington Mr Burberry. Ridden by Emily Plevin, the impressive eight-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Ricardo Royale x Creeve Mist) was fourth at HOYS last season.
Isabelle Smith then piloted five-year-old lead-rein show pony Tirissa Party Girl to win the mini section title.
“They have both been enjoying lots of hacking and a few trips out to different venues,” explained Mark, when asked how he’d kept the ponies championship-worthy. “We’re really lucky to have the hacking we do at home thanks to our farmer neighbour’s fields.”
Cuddington also had connections to the reserve show hunter pony, Chrissy Knipe’s
122cm Bronheulog Gold Dust, ridden by her daughter Sammi. He changed hands just after lockdown ended.
Glen Allen’s novice show riding type Greylands Ace High won the novice intermediates before clinching the novice section title. Glen and family bought the sevenyear-old from the Greylands Stud last year and Glen rode him to win the restricted title at the British Show Pony Society (BSPS) summer championships last month.
Despite few entries, the show pony classes provided quality.
Julie and Bob Spargo’s 148cm mare Melin Diamond and Georgie Kirby-Moore were given the nod in the championship over Matilda Holmes on her mother Zoe’s Ecclesbourne Byron Bay.
Six-year-old Diamond is out of the prolific large hack, Dazzle, and is by Strinesdale Matador.
“This was her third win in three outings,” said co-producer Jack Moore.
GLORY FOR VALHALLA
ON the second day, Polly Coles topped the amateurs and hunter championship with her own Bloomfield Valhalla, despite standing second in the open heavyweights behind eventual reserve, Robert Walker and Jill Day’s Crown Star.
“Valhalla floated around with his ears pricked,” said Polly. “It felt really good to have him back out after a strange year. The show was run brilliantly.”
In cob ranks, Charlotte Alford’s new charge, lightweight Silver Woods – a top-scorer at the UK Nationals – took the overall championship ahead of Robert Walker with Miranda Wallace’s maxi Red Knight. However, Charlotte had to settle for reserve in the amateurs as the tricolour went to Whalton Del Boy.
Charlotte was also on form with her traditional mare Llyn Rhyn Krystal who scooped the coloured honours.