Native Pony Jubilee Show Report

Fell In-hand Champion: Hollyhouse Opal

The First Native Pony Jubilee Show basked in the bank holiday sunshine and boasting every native breed represented it really was a special day.

For full pictures from the show and to purchase pictures of your ponies, please visit www.celiajroberts.co.uk.

The show was brainchild of Fell pony enthusiast, Debbie Walters as she dearly wanted to see just how many Fell ponies she could gather together in Cornwall. The Fell ponies were very well represented with 8 mares & geldings in the first class alone it made a very impressive sight. Judge, Michael Goddard, had travelled from Dorset to support the first Cornish Area Show of the South West Fell Pony Group and awarded the in-hand championship and Inter-area Fell Pony Qualifier to Barbara Hall’s beautiful mare, Hollyhouse Opal, shown and produced by Sarah Julian from Newquay. Mr Goddard commented that “the mare had great feet, feather and lovely hocks; just what I look for in a Fell pony”. Reserve was awarded to Alison Steele’s youngster, Greenbeck Back in Black. The ridden Fell pony classes took place in the afternoon and also included a breed qualifier for the NPS Ringside Stud/Open Championship, the winner of this class was Lockholme Thomas who came with his owner Catherine Hoyle from Liskeard. Catherine is a relative newcomer to the show ring but after standing ridden champion, the success has spurred her in to wanting to become a regular on the circuit. Winner of the novice riddens is no stranger to success in-hand, Tina Palmer’s 10 year old Fell mare Tredellans Bramble, has now turned her hoof to ridden showing and piloted by Kim Hempsall, it was their first win under saddle.

Prizegiving in the Fell Pony 2&3 year Old Class

Exmoor In-hand and Ridden Champion: Northcroft Thistle

The First Exmoor Pony Society Devon & Cornwall Area Show was another success. There were 7 Exmoor ponies forward in total, which was more than expected for this new venture, with ponies travelling from as far away as Somerset. Probation judge, Julian Westcott, told us “it was a wonderful day, with a great atmosphere and I would love to return again next year”. Julian probationed alongside experienced judge and Exmoor pony breeder, Joanna Webber and they were both particularly impressed with the versatility of their champion, Rachael William’s, Northcroft Thistle. This 8 year old gelding won both the in-hand and ridden championships, qualifying for the Exmoor Pony of the Year, and later in the day stood reserve champion in the unaffiliated showing classes on the leading rein with Rachael’s daughter, Sophia; “He’s Sophia’s pony really” said Rachael, “she’ll be a very lucky girl once her legs grow long enough to ride him on her own”. Tavistock based Antonia Tuckett had a rewarding visit to the show as she managed to scoop the reserve championship in both sections. Her homebred, 3 year old filly, Hardicott Ukelele won the 2&3 year old class and stood reserve champion in-hand and then 10 year old Cunswick II was reserve in the ridden championship with her young jockey. Sam Harris took the Best Mare award with Knightoncombe Blue Jay and also won the yearling class with her homebred filly, Burrewelle Baklava.

Winner of the Yearling Class: Holmedown Roseville

Under the careful eye of Ann Nicholls, the open M&M classes attracted a wide range of ponies and show organisers we also also able to lay on extra ‘Home Produced’ classes following a generous offer of sponsorship from the Booth Family. The small breeds home produced winner was Graham Bunney & Emma Devey’s lovely Dartmoor stallion, Firsedge Royal Rebel who also went on to win the open riddens later in the day, second place was awarded to Ella Furniss and her own Welsh A, Polmesk Supersonic who also took the special ‘Best Gelding’ award in the open small breeds class. Wendy Bridges’ 3 year old, Highland filly, Holmedown Clearwater, picked up her home produced qualifier in

Best Gelding: Polmesk Supersonic

the large breed section and also stood reserve in-hand champion. The beautiful homemade sashes kindly given by Juli Chessell of the Ynsyswyth Stud on the Isle of Wight were awarded to the Best Section C and Welsh Cob from the in-hand classes. Sarah Thompson and her Section C mare, Maenan Time After Time collected their fabulous sash after winning the open large breeds class and Emma White took the second sash with her young Welsh Cob gelding, Cefngarn Sion.

Winner of the Traditional Class: Bodwenarth Candyman

The lunchbreak was perfectly timed and as all the judges went to enjoy a bit of peace, an audience formed to watch the traditional ridden class. Traditionally many of the native breeds were only exhibited only at walk and trot – particularly the trotting breeds such as the cobs, Cs, Fells and Dales and this class is judged according to the pony which demonstrated the most extravagant trot for it’s breed. The eventual winner was Rob & Karen Curtis’ big moving Welsh C stallion, Bodwenarth Candyman ridden by Jess Hicks from Carnkie who fought off  the competition with Sam Harris and her own Exmoor mare, Knightoncombe Blue Jay finishing second. The ridden pairs were also well supported with Welsh Ponies, Fells, Connemaras and Exmoor pairs forward. Some pairs had had lots of practise together, some pairs had never met before the show day, but they all enjoyed the class and the beautiful prizes which had been offered by class sponsor www.BalmsandCraft.co.uk. Winners of the class were Sarah Julian & Lucy Booth riding Fell ponies Hollyhouse Opal & Chyvounder Waterlily.

The afternoon ridden classes were basked in glorious sunshine with many people watching the classes with deckchairs and picnics. The first classes to run in the NPS ring were the childrens classes and Lorraine Ball’s Dartmoor pony Newoak Star Edition took the mini M&M championship with Michelle Jarman’s delightful 20 year old Shetland Trevassack Dallas taking the reserve placing. The Picton classes continued with entries in all of the classes with the New Forest mare, Hurstock Painted Gold taking the overall ridden title and NPS Silver Medal ahead of Emma Stokes and her experienced Connemara gelding, Elsinore Samuel Pepys who headed the largest ridden class of the day; the NPS Open Ridden qualifier.

The fun classes were greatly enjoyed by both the judges and the competitors and a special mention must be made to the 19 year old winner of the Veteran class, the Jones Family’s Moonhills Adam as this was his first ever show! He’d been more accustomed to showjumping and working in the family’s carriage driving business. It was lovely to see that there was not a height limit laid on the leading rein class and it turned out that none of the entries for the class were in fact below 12.2hh yet there were so many that were wonderful at looking after their little riders and the reserve champion came from this class, Northcroft Thistle. The champion was the winner of the children’s best combination class; Welsh C mare, Saltmarsh Tittle Tattle ridden by Hollie Callan.

The pinnacle of the day was the supreme championship which was presented by our sponsor, Rob Curtis. The judges had a spectacular array of ponies to choose from and it was a double victory for Lucy & Laurie Booth from Bodmin who walked away with both the supreme and the reserve supreme championship. Their success was made all the more sweet as both ponies are homebred New Forests and bear their Hurtstock prefix. Hurtstock Moonman, an eye-catching 3 year old colt, clinched the title over his older half sister, Hurtsock Painted Gold, who qualified for the supreme after winning the ridden championship.