Five-times former Horse of the Year Show finalist Westerby Fireflight romped through the card at Perth Show to stand supreme of the light horse competition.
Ridden to perfection by young equestrian Olivia Cousens, from outside Edinburgh, the 13-year-old show pony champion delighted supreme judges Moira Flynn, from Idvies, Forfar, and Eleanor Holme, from Biggar, to scoop the Bank of Scotland trophy as the best of all the champions.
Drawn forward first as the supreme from the pony ranks, Mrs Flynn said Fireflight “went beautifully throughout the duration of the judging”.
She added: “He is just a very well put together pony. He’s a lovely mover and he really stands out from the crowd.”
The son of Westerby Firefly has been absent from the show ring over recent seasons but he had previously qualified for HOYS consecutively from 2008 to 2012.
Making up for lost time, this season he has amassed a raft of championships from BSPS Scotland Summer, Stewarton,Puddledub and Kilmaurs and also stood as a champion back in the spring at NPS Scotland.
Supreme horse champion, Parkmore Rowan owned by Freda Newton and produced and ridden by James Munro stepped forward to take the honours as reserve overall best in show.
“This young horse is the most beautiful stamp of a hunter,” said Mrs Holme.
“He is just so full of presence and was shown correctly looking through his bridle,”she said.
Mrs Holme also said she imagined the five-year-old, which was purchased this time last year at the Dublin Horse Show, would be “a joy to hunt all day”.
In the contest for the supreme ridden hunter, also topped by five-year-old Parkmore Rowan, Marion MacLennan, of Croy, Inverness, was full of praise for the nature of her top choice.
“He’s just utterly lovely for such a young horse,” she said. “He’s well balanced, presents a beautiful overall picture, he went really sweetly throughout the judging and ultimately he just stood out for the
overall hunter championship.”
Mrs MacLennan also commended the Youngster as “full of promise” for a career over fences either as a worker or in the showjump arena.
Bringing another novice horse forward, she took Strathearn Eventing’s Sarah Houlden and her seven-year-old mare Secret Solitaire, which were the champions from the workers ring, onwards as overall hunter reserve.
“She was very sweet to ride,” said Mrs MacLennan.
“She’s very workman-like and really did her job around the workers track well, producing a lovely jumping round.
“She’s a nice stamp of a hunter,” she added.
With Parkmore Rowan rising to take the overall trophy as supreme horse, Edinburgh’s Joy MacLean was delighted to be drawn forward to lift the reserve overall horse title for the second year in succession.
Her winner was the overall and ridden Arab champion Razelle. This 10-year-old pure-bred grey mare, sired by Star Of The Seasons was homebred by Joy out of her racing mare Rawen.
“The Arab was beautifully schooled and immaculately shown,” said Mrs Holme, who adjudicated the overall horse honours “She’s just my stamp of an elegant Arab.”
Top exhibit within the Mountain and Moorland ring was the Connemara mare Eastlands Tushiebrae, from Emma-Jane Murray.
RESULTS
SUPREME OF SHOW Charlie Cousens, with the overall pony, Westerby Fireflight, a 13-yearold gelding by Westerby Firefly and out of Cosford Meadowsweet, ridden by Olivia Cousens. Champion at BSPS Scotland Summer Show, Stewarton, Puddledub, Kilmaurs, and the NPS Spring shows, reserve at Doune and Dunblane and at the Scottish Friends of P(UK), third in their RIHS qualifier at Ayr and sixth at the Royal Highland. Previously, this pony qualified for HOYS consecutively from 2008 to 2012. Reserve supreme: Freda Newton, with the supreme horse and overall hunter champion, Parkmore Rowan, a five-year-old ridden hunter gelding, sired by the showjump stallion Russel and bred out of an Irish Draught cross mare, which was bought at the Dublin Horse Show last year, where it was placed fifth as a four-year-old in the lightweight ridden hunter class. This season, he stood reserve champion hunter at the Grand Slam, having won the novice class, qualified for the Royal International as a lightweight at BSPS Scotland, Rowallan, was fifth at Windsor and third at the Royal Highland. As a working hunter, this gelding was also champion at Caithness. Ridden by James Munro.
OVERALL PONY Charlie Cousens, with the overall pony and show hunter pony champion, Westerby Fireflight, ridden by Olivia Cousens. Reserve: Emma Cowie, with the mini show pony champion, Oranmore Sweet Millie, a nine-year-old mare by Twylands Celebrity and Caedwalla Chantilly, ridden by nine-year-old Hilary Cowie, which was mini show pony champion at Braco, reserve mini show hunter champion and placed first as a show pony at the Royal Highland, champion at BSPS Scotland Summer Show, champion mini at Puddledub, reserve mini at the Scottish Friends of P(UK) and Central and West Fife shows, reserve miniature supreme at the Grand Slam.
SUPREME HORSE Freda Newton, with the reserve supreme of show and overall hunter champion, Parkmore Rowan. Reserve: Joy MacLean, with the overall Arab champion , Razelle. This 10-year-old pure-bred grey mare, sired by Star Of The Seasons and home-bred out of Rawen was reserve champion at the Arab Group Show, reserve supreme at Glenfoot and supreme at Edinburgh and District. Last year, she similarly stood reserve supreme horse and overall Arab at Perth. Also competes at Dressage to Elementary level.
SUPREME HUNTER Freda Newton, with the supreme horse and reserve supreme of show, Parkmore Rowan. Ridden by James Munro. Reserve: Sarah Houlden, with the reserve supreme hunter, Secret Solitaire, a seven-year-old mare, sired by Solitair and homebred out of It’s A Secret), which has had a season off but which was campaigned in Burghley Young Event Horse classes in 2013. Formerly lifted the hunter breeding championship at Doune and Dunblane as a three year old
HORSES IN-HAND Freda Newton, with Lackaghbeg Augustus Star, a two-year-old pure-bred Irish Draught gelding, sired by Emperor Augustus and out of Keelans Star, which was bought as a foal at Goresbridge and which stood third at the Royal Highland on his only other outing this year. Shown by Russell Skelton. Reserve: Sharon Milne, with Toux Tilly, a seven-year- old pure-bred Irish Draught mare, sired by Caerba Legacy and out of Maeve, which was second at Banchory.
HORSES UNDER SADDLE Freda Newton, with the supreme hunter champion, supreme horse and reserve supreme of show, Parkmore Rowan. Reserve: Kate Clark, with Fergus, a 10-year-old gelding, sired by Wyzer Diamond and out of Roliske, which last year stood ridden hunter champion at Perth, Fife and Kirriemuir shows.
WORKING HUNTER Sarah Houlden, with the reserve supreme hunter, Secret Solitaire. Reserve: Sally Kidd, with Just Aske Darcy, a 10-year-old gelding, sired by Rock City and out of Primitive Gem, which stood reserve champion worker at Strathmore Show this season and which has qualified for the working hunter championship finals at Blair Castle at both riding club and open level. Competes at British Eventing to Novice level, finshing sixth this season at Kirriemuir.
IRISH DRAUGHT Rachel Latchford, with Balinmore Charmed Hero, a 12-year-old gelding, sired by Knockboy Hero and out of Irish Charm, which has only otherwise been shown this season at the Great Yorkshire, but which previously stood maturity champion at the Irish Draught breed show and has previously stood champion both in-hand and under saddle at Perth. Has qualified for the Royal International for the last three seasons in succession as a heavyweight and amateur hunter. Reserve: Freda Newton, with the Horses In-Hand champion Lackaghbeg Augustus Star.
OVERALL ARAB Joy MacLean, with the reserve supreme horse, Razelle, a pure-bred ridden Arab. Reserve: Victoria Mylius and Rosalind Low, with Castafiore Emerald, sired by Kilvington Scoundrel and homebred out of the renowned show mare Lyndrose Tiny Dancer, which previously stood reserve supreme at Angus last year.
PURE ARAB Joy MacLean, with the overall Arab Razelle. Reserve: Ms Anne Scott, with 13-year-old Dream Magic.
PART-BRED ARAB Victoria Mylius and Rosalind Low, with the reserve overall Arab, Castafiore Emerald. Reserve: Victoria Mylius and Rosalind Low, with Maythornes Easter Dimension, sired by Cusop Dimension and homebred out of Maybe Shades, which was supreme at Alyth, champion at NPS Scotland and a first prize winner at this year’s Royal Highland.
RIDDEN ARAB AND PART-BRED Joy MacLean, with the overall Arab Razelle. Reserve: Mrs P Simpson, with Conundrum Bilbo Baggins, a 13-year-old gelding, sired by Duntarvie Catalan and out of Perpot Primrose, which was placed third at the Royal Highland Show as a partbred Arab. Ridden by Emily Simpson.
COLOURED HORSES AND PONIES Charlotte Mooney, with Fancy That, a four-year-old cob gelding, of unknown breeding, which recently stood ridden cob champion at the Highfield at Howe Summer Show, supreme ridden at the Coloured Show at Howe, fifth at the Scottish Horse Show and qualified for the Royal International at Northallerton. Ridden by James Munro. Reserve: Alexandra Bryce, with Maximus VII, an eight-year-old traditional gelding, of unknown breeding, which this year stood coloured champion at Banchory and supreme at Stonehaven. Last year qualified for the Horse of the Year Show at the Scottish Horse Show.
VETERANS Shonah Wood, with Follywood Diamonte, a 15-year-old coloured mare sired by Pentrepiod Welsh Flyer and out of Blossom II, which this season was champion ridden coloured and veteran at Braco, won a bronze medal under saddle at the North of Scotland Welsh Cob and Pony Association Show, was champion ridden coloured, overall coloured and reserve supreme ridden at Alyth, champion of both the veteran and coloured sections at Brechin Spring, champion veteran and reserve coloured at Howe Summer. She also stood sixth in her HOYS qualifier classes at both the Royal Highland and Scottish Horse Shows. Reserve: Andrew and Andrea Nicol, with Rebel Run, a 21-year-old stallion, which last year stood third in the Scottish Veteran Horse of the Year in-hand championship final.
SHOW PONIES Charlie Cousens, with Rhos Emilia, a 13-year-old mare, sired by Derwent Rainbow Bandit and out of Rhos Eloise, which stood supreme pony champion at Perth Show in 2013. Ridden by Olivia Cousens. Reserve: Emma Cowie, with Woodview Inspiration, a seven-year-old gelding, sired by Woodview Filidori and out of Ardenhall Spellbound, ridden by Hilary Cowie. This former HOYS finalist, which finished sixth in Birmingham in 2013, stood as overall Scottish show pony champion at the BSPS Summer last year and this year was champion at Braco.
MINI SHOW PONIES Emma Cowie, with the reserve overall pony, Oranmore Sweet Millie, ridden by nine-year-old Hilary Cowie.
NOVICE WORKING HUNTERPONIES Olivia Grant, with Skellorn Lord of the Dance, an eight-year-old Connemara gelding, sired by the three-times Cuddy finalist Skellorn Harrison and out of Dominique Donna, which this season stood supreme champion of the Puddledub Winter Workers Show at Highfield at Howe, reserve supreme at the North Highland College, won at the Puddledub Spring and was reserve champion M&M WHP at the Scottish Horse Show. This former Connemara breed show champion, was previously placed at Windsor and qualified for the Royal International. Reserve: Jane Maher, with Rosedale Spun Gold, an 11-year-old Welsh section B mare, sired by Rosedale Oberon and out of Tanygroes Spun Rush, which was reserve show hunter pony at Fife and reserve open M&M WHP at Braco. Ridden by 10-year-old Sophie Maher.
OPEN WHP Linda Tinson, with Pebbly Grey Fox, a 13-year-old Irish-bred gelding of unknown breeding, which won and qualified for the Royal International at Ayr Show this year, and which has formerly been placed third at Hickstead and qualified for HOYS. Ridden by 17-year-old Madeline Tinson. Reserve: Sarah Houlden, with Pebbly Principal Boy, a 10-year-old coloured gelding, sired by Hollyland Cranberry and out of Lystep Lacewing, which was first at Braco, reserve mini worker at Doune and Dunblane, first at BSPS Scotland Summer, champion at Central and West Fife, reserve champion at Fife Show and which previously qualified for HOYS as a 133cms WHP. Ridden by James Houlden.
MINI WHP Sarah Houlden, with the reserve open WHP Pebbly Principal Boy, ridden by James Houlden.
SHOW HUNTER PONIES Charlie Cousens, with the supreme of show and overall pony, Westerby Fireflight. Reserve: Mrs P Simpson, with Conundrum Bilbo Baggins, which also stood reserve champion of the ridden Arab ring. Ridden by Emily Simpson.
PERTHSHIRE PONY David Da Silva, with Brad, a 14-year-old gelding of unknown breeding. Ridden by Jessica Garnett. Reserve: Bonnie Brown, with Rosie, a 13-yearold mare, sired by Court Jester and out of Strawberry.
MINI M&M WHP Sarah Houlden, with Pontsarn Sidan, a 16-year-old Welsh section A mare, sired by Baledon Vendicor and out of Pontsarn Swynol, which stood supreme working hunter champion at the NPS Scotland Summer Show and champion at Central and West Fife. This former HOYS champion this year stood reserve champion at Fife and won the cradle stakes at BSPS Spring. Ridden by James Houlden. Reserve: Mrs G Lang, with Silvarian Custard Pie, an 11-year-old Welsh section A mare, sired by Fieldcote Ghuld and out of Gleniant Cherry Pie, which was second at Fife and Northumberland shows. Ridden by eight-year-old Easter Lang.
OPEN M&M WHP Sarah Houlden, with the M&M mini WHP champion, Pontsarn Sidan. Ridden by James Houlden. Reserve: Becca MacMillan, with Coathamdene Just-Dylan, a 10-year-old Welsh section C gelding, sired by Tyreos Survivor and bred by Mrs A Carr out of Popsters Just Devine, which was reserve at Braco, champion at Border Union and reserve at Central and West Fife. Last year, Dylan stood champion at the Horse of the Year Show, having stood champion M&M worker at the Royal Highland.
SUPREME M&M Emma-Jane Murray, with Eastlands Tushiebrae, a six-year-old Connemara mare, sired by Lockinge Frederick and out of Bardsey Trinket, which is a former broodmare and which this season stood reserve Connemara and won the Picton Novice ridden at the Border Union Show. Reserve: Jennifer Green, with Gwynrhosyn Demelza, an eight-year-old Welsh section A mare, sired by Waxwing Hurrican and out of Callnerish Cara, ridden lead rein by Rebecca Green. Stood mini champion at Braco, Doune and Dunblane and Central and West Fife shows, qualified for the RIHS in Heritage lead rein class, and was first at BSPS Scotland Summer.
M&M IN-HAND Emma-Jane Murray, with the supreme M&M, Eastlands Tushiebrae. Reserve: Misses Liz and Pat Rennie, with Lomondside Juno, a yearling New Forest gelding, sired by Lomondside Emperor and home-bred out of Willoway Josephine, which stood hunter pony champion at Drymen, reserve M&M at Doune and Dunblane, second at Braco and third at the Royal Highland.
M&M RIDDEN Hazel Adam, with Frasmaron Claddagh, a six-year-old Highland Pony, sired by Lancelot of Whitefield and owned by Helen D’Lara. This pony stood junior ridden champion and silver medal winner the previous weekend at Braco, junior ridden champion at NPS Scotland Summer and overall champion at NESHPES. Ridden by Katie Blewitt. Reserve: Mrs P Simpson, with Pepperwell McVitie, a Welsh section B, sired by Moelview Mohawk and out of Pitlessie Primrose. Ridden by Emily Simpson.
MINI M&M Jennifer Green, with the reserve supreme M&M, Gwynrhosyn Demelza. Reserve: Bruce Walker, with Harviestoun Romanov, a 14-year-old Shetland pony, sired by Harviestoun Phoenix and out of Harveistoun Romanda, which was first ridden by Mya Duncan Walker and which stood champion at the Scottish Grass Sickness Show.