Fashionable is on trend

BANGOR-based producer Carl Owen debuted the new leadrein combination of Nynwoods Fashionable (Flash) and sevenyear-old Esther Tilbury, who stood overall BSPS mini Heritage M&M champions.

Show ring first-timer Flash, a five-year-old Welsh section A by Rowfantina Ottoman, was sourced as an unbroken stallion from his breeders Terry Wall and Mandy Burchell Small by Esther’s mother Donna Tilbury in November 2021.

“Donna backed him and then he came to my yard just after Christmas,” said Carl. “He’s got such a good brain; it’s like he’s been here before. He is proving so level headed that we will aim for some mid-season qualifiers.”

Working hunter specialist

Amy Smith piloted Jeannie Duckworth’s nine-year-old Highland stallion Valerock

Ambassador (Scott) to the Heritage M&M open working hunter crown.

“He’s been in the pipeline for about two years,” said Amy, who had stud stallion Scott at her base during lockdown and now jumps him weekly. “Jeannie’s daughter, Bree, will eventually ride him but I’ll get some early season outings under his belt. He’s so athletic for a Highland and he’s got plenty of jump in him.”

Novice Dales stallion Griseburn Major impressed on the flat, landing his second ridden championship in a row with Joe Watson. The Wolsey Viking fiveyear-old was overall novice M&M champion at BSPS Area 1B in January on his season debut.

PROLIFIC PARENTAGE

MARK ROBERT REEVES and Steven Hulston of the Cuddington Stud were in the winnings once again, this time in the NPS silver medal championship with homebred two-year-old Dartmoor Cuddington Twelfth Night, who is co-owned with Frances Thornley Taylor. By Langfield Kaiser out of Pumphill Belladonna II, the young colt was in the field until two weeks ago.

“He’s got some big shoes to fill; his dam was a former HOYS supreme in-hand champion,” said Mark. “He’s made quite an impression and coped well on his first ever trip away from home.”