A stallion stands overall supreme, while a Welsh section C gives her owner yet another outing to remember
SEWPCA Summer WPCS Silver Medal Show, Kent Showground
Just shy of 200 entries took part in the South Eastern Welsh Pony and Cob Association’s (SEWPCA) 50th anniversary show, where a brace of coveted Welsh Pony and Cob Society (WPCS) silver medals were up for grabs.
Standing supreme was top Welsh section B and overall stallion champion, Jo Filmer’s impressive seven-year-old Longhalves Renoir (Levi). The big-moving grey is by Jo’s former Cuddy in-hand and Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) ridden finalist Lemonshill Falcon and is out of Rhoson Silwli.
Renoir has undoubtedly followed in his sire’s footsteps, winning several accolades in the show ring and in the dressage arena; in 2018 he was crowned National Pony Society (NPS) dressage supreme champion with 13-year-old Megan Austin. He is currently unbeaten in adult in-hand classes.
“Levi is an absolute sweetheart and is the perfect gentleman, whether he is covering mares or being ridden by children,” said Jo. “The aim is to continue with his dressage but he also enjoys jumping. Levi has sired some super stock, including Longhalves Coco Chanel who won her class at last year’s Royal Welsh.”
Welsh pony breeder and in-hand legend Colin Tibby was tasked with sorting the section B classes. He found his reserve in Renoir’s half sister and stablemate, the five-year-old mare Fairywren De L’Aurore, who ended her own run standing broodmare supreme.
Colin also judged the Welsh section As and his choice for champion was the Dohan family’s three-year-old colt Waxwing Passport who was ably shown by Sam Morsley. Mandy Burchell-Small’s three-year-old filly Rowfantina On My Honour was pulled into reserve.
Justin Walter from the Tyrllawn stud officiated the larger Welsh heights and his Welsh section C champion came in the form of Jack Bowerman’s barren mare Synod Royal Treasure, who stood above yearling Hywi Tiger Lily who was run out by Joe Lee.
The 12-year-old Treasure was eventually called forward to take the barren mare supreme, whilst the flashy filly Tiger Lily topped the youngstock equivalent.
“She’s the mother of last year’s winter fair winner, Trenewydd Gotti,” said Jack of the charismatic chestnut who has won at most major shows including the Royal Welsh Winter Fair, Devon County, Bath and West and the National Welsh Championships. “She’s a great goer, but is so good at home. My three-year-old son, Jack, walks her everywhere.”
The stallion Buckswood Invincible trotted to the Welsh section D accolade for Dean Prater and Sarah Butterworth. The Attrell family’s Danaway Black Rose was the reserve choice.
The Standinghat Show Team’s consignment took home both NPS in-hand and ridden silver medals. Will Chatley rode his and Susan Frost’s show ring debutant Bakeburn Pharaoh to win the ridden title. Will was acquainted with the New Forest when he was just a foal.
“My good friend Brian Wilson – who has since passed away – rang me and said his mare Bakeburn Petra had foaled a lovely colt by former Olympia supreme Farriers Finger Print,” explained Will. “He said I should go over and as soon as I saw him he took my breath away. I asked to buy him then and there.”
Pharaoh was gelded as a three-year-old and that same year he was crowned supreme gelding at the New Forest breed show.
“When I bought him Brian’s wish was to see him at HOYS one day,” added Will. “I do hope that one day we can make him and Angie proud.”
Will then put on his running shoes to lead the two-year-old Shetland pony colt Somahouse Fin to stand reserved in-hand supreme and claim the medal. Champion of this section was Sandra Barraclough’s Fell stallion Dalewin Prime.
In plaited ranks, it was the novice champion who stood ridden champion. This was Poppy Steadman aboard the Team Harvey-produced 133cm contender Annandale Prince Charming. Philip Ward-Burton’s Larkhaven I Hope You Dance was then awarded the overall in-hand title after landing the NPS show hunter pony silver medal.
“She’s the sweetest pony”
At Northallerton Equestrian Centre’s British Show Pony Society (BSPS) show, Jessica Anderson’s Welsh section B mare Bronheulog Catalina ensured she left her second ever ridden show unbeaten. Catalina made her debut in March when she took novice champion at BSPS Area 3A. She is produced by Team Cowan and is ridden by Charlotte Teague.
“Due to lockdown Catalina was turned away in May and only brought back into work at the beginning of August,” explained Jessica, who bought her from Samatha Wallace. “She’d had an amazing in-hand career with Samantha. She is the sweetest pony, both in and out of the stable.”
Next on the agenda for Catalina is the BSPS Summer Championships held at Arena UK (28–30 August).
Showing with a difference, Durfold Farm, Surrey
Show horse supremo Lynn Russell hosted her third show at her Surrey base. This time, the focus was solely on her own passion, the cobs.
Netting the in-hand championship was Sian Greene’s Mighty Gilbert, who later showed his versatility by being crowned reserve ridden champion. Sian purchased eight-year-old Gilbert last October.
“He’d been backed and had only come over from Ireland three weeks before,” said Sian.
“It’s not been plain sailing for us, but we’ve done some dressage and all of Lynn’s shows. He’s a loveable rogue and I couldn’t be without him.”
Reserve for the in-hand championship was Barry Smith’s Nightjar.
Pipping Gilbert and Sian to the post in the ridden championship was Lee Uttridge’s 14-year-old traditional Branston, ridden by Rosie Wrest. Lee has owned Branston for nine years. “Lee bought him from Ireland,” explained Rosie. “We show during the summer and mainly do unaffiliated dressage through the winter to keep his overly cheeky brain occupied.”
Rosie works with Lee as a book keeper and keeps her own horse at Lee’s family yard: “I’ve been riding Branston for the past four years; last year we decided to put him in cob classes and several judges commented on his potential, encouraging us to do more.”
Rosie’s second ride was Lee’s traditional pony Blaze. “This boy is living proof that if you give them a chance they will give everything back,” said Rosie of the gelding who was rescued at six months old. “When he was found he couldn’t even stand up. He is such an honest boy.”
Ref Horse & Hound; 27 August 2020
