A “truly awesome” stallion stormed to an easy win during the 2015 Royal Highland qualifier for the Cuddy equestrian supreme.
Wowing Kinross-shire judge Andrew Bowie with his endless stride and impressive movement, the Welsh section D stallion Llanarth Fiery Jack secured his third successive ticket to the in-hand championship final at the Horse of the Year Show in Birmingham’s NEC Arena.
“He just came in and owned the main arena at Ingliston,”said Mr Bowie. “There’s little to say about him other than he is truly awesome. He has a great front end, a lovely head, good limbs and he just really moves himself around an arena.”
Fiery Jack, which lifted the male championship of the Welsh Section D section at Builth Wells last season, came into the arena at the Highland having already scooped the Waxwing Mountain and Moorland in-hand supreme trophy.
Including this upstanding stallion, Mr Bowie had drawn forward a shortleet of four ponies from which to select his Cuddy supreme. Also standing to the fore was the Highland Pony stallion Glenbanchor Gillebrighde, from Inverurie breed enthusiast John Reid; the riding pony breeding champion White Lily, shown by James Crockford for producer Jerome Harforth and owner Martin Wood; and the eventual reserve Cuddy winner the part-bred Arab champion Greenbarrow Madama Butterfly from Chris and Christine Duke.
During the earlier judging of the Sanderson Trophy to decide the best champion from Scotland’s native breeds former RHASS chairman, show director and Highland Pony and Simmental cattle breed judge John Dykes, of Mendick Lea, sent the team from Collessie Clydesdales home with yet more silverware.
He said Ronnie, Mike and Pete Black’s yearling filly Collessie Jennifer was a “superb example of the breed”. Mr Dykes added: “She is a big strong filly, offered plenty of bone, lovely silky hair and whilst it shouldn’t really matter she was also a tremendous colour.”
This was the third year in succession the Sanderson has been awarded to the top entry from the Clydesdale breed.
John Reid and Glenbanchor Gillebrighde were the second top of the natives, taking reserve honours for the trophy on behalf of the Highland breed.
For the first time in recent history, the vast entry of ridden Highland ponies was judged in a tandem effort that saw conformation and ride elements adjudicated independently.
“We had a very good standard of ponies right across the board,” commented ride judge Erik McKechnie. “Both myself and fellow judge Pat Stirling [conformation] were really singing off the same hymn sheet.”
Indeed, Mrs Stirling added: “The marks system worked very well.
“We finished well ahead of schedule, and ultimately the ponies ended up exactly where we both would have each chosen to place them in the final lineups.
“The marks certainly provided something of a shake-up from the initial pull inns but clearly Erik and I have similar taste in ponies.”
During the judging, the new system allowed several ponies to be drawn forward from the ‘back line’ to take home prize money.
Overall champion at the close of play was Clare Fitch’s 11-year-old stallion Strathleven Drumochter, which had originally been bred in Innerleithen by Helen Hamilton. During his career Drumochter has qualified for both Olympia and HOYS finishing second in the Highland championship line-up at Birmingham.
“He was undoubtedly the best ride of the day,”said Mr McKechnie. “He really was stunning to sit on.”
Mrs Stirling added: “He just floats across the ground he was so light on his feet. He shone through for me on his movement and the sheer ‘pony-ness’ of his head and facial features.”
Heather Dick’s former Blair Castle champion Carlung Kylestrome rose through the ranks to be ridden reserve.
During Thursday evening’s judging of the overall hunter championship, Scottish rider Kirstine Douglas prevailed riding Andrew Russell’s former Dublin Show reserve supreme and yet still novice entry the five-year-old gelding Annaghmore Huntsman, which recently won in Fife at the Puddledub Spring.
In the HOYS working hunter contest, Markinch rider Kirsty Aird rode Liz Smith’s multi-discipline heavyweight hunter Toronto AZ to take the championship win.
“He’s such a loving, big horse which really gives his all. He’s matured in both his brain and his body over the last season,”commented Kirsty.
Having already qualified for the Horse of the Year Show, on this occasion the golden ticket for Birmingham was passed down the line to the second place and reserve champion entry Beseeka Red Hot Chilli Pepper. Ridden by Jo Ainsworth for his owner Nancy Orr, from Halbeath Farm, Dunfermline, this nine-year-old gelding had jumped clear in the HOYS qualifier two weeks previously at the Derbyshire Festival.
Nancy bought ‘Red’ unseen two seasons ago as he is a half brother to another of the family’s former Royal Highland champion and HOYS workers Laura’s Pride both being sired by Polling.
The HOYS workers class was the first to take place on the Royal Highland’s new £500,000 all-weather surface, and it was also the first time in recent history the reins for the course were in the capable hands of Scottish designer Graham Barclay.
“It was a brilliant course,” added Kirsty. “It was much more of a ‘horse’ track than in previous years. It encouraged bold riding, but also had tricky elements and suited horses that moved onwards like Toronto.”
equestrian@thecourier.co.uk RESULTS
CUDDY SUPREME IN-HAND Llanarth Stud, the Quakers Farm, Michaelchurch Escley, Hereford, with Llanarth Fiery Jack, a seven-year-old Welsh section D stallion, sired by Menai Sparkling Magic and homebred out of Llanarth Pam Evans. Owned and shown by Simon and Sally Bigley. Previously stood male champion at the Royal Welsh last year and has twice previously qualified for the Cuddy in-hand final. Reserve: Chris and Christine Duke, with the part-bred Arab champion and reserve riding pony breeding champion Greenbarrow Madama Butterfly, a two-year-old home-bred filly by Turberry Top Cat and out of Greenbarrow Geisha Girl, the riding pony breeding champion at last year’s Royal Highland Show. A first-prize winner at the show as a foal, she has been champion at North Yorkshire Sports Horse, and second at Somerford Park and Grantham this season.
WAXWING SUPREME M&M IN-HAND Llanarth Stud, with Cuddy supreme in-hand Llanarth Fiery Jack. Reserve: Mrs DP Staveley, Davington, Eskdalemuir, Langholm, with the Connemara champion Eastland Rashiebrae, a six-yearold grey mare, sired by Lockinge Frederick and home-bred out of Bardsey Trinket, which has stood champion Connemara at the Royal Highland now for three years in succession. Previously stood mountain and moorland section champion and reserve for the Cuddy at Ingliston in 2013 and supreme M&M at the Great Yorkshire.
SANDERSON TROPHY Ronald H Black, Newton of Collessie, Ladybank with the Clydesdale champion, Collessie Jennifer, an April-born yearling filly, sired by Redcastle Brelee Majestic and home-bred out of Ormiston Mains Amber, which was reserve champion at the National Stallion Show and overall at the Winter Fair. Beaten only once during her foal season, she stood overall champion at Kilpatrick, supreme at Forfar and the North of Fife, champion at Lanark and reserve at Kilmarnock. Reserve: John A Reid, Jackstown Cottages, Rothienorman, Inverurie, with the Highland pony champion, Glenbanchor Gillebrighde, a five-year-old stallion, sired by Moss-Side Quercus Rubra and bred by the Hon Mrs AD Leslie Melville out of Glenbanchor Lady Fiona. Bought as a foal, he stood male champion and reserve overall at the Royal Highland, supreme native at the Black Isle and champion at Nairn as a two-year-old. Last season he was overall champion at the Black Isle and this year he began his campaign with a supreme at the Royal Northern Agricultural Society’s Spring Show.
ST JOHNS WELLS Mr and Mrs CJ Anderson, Rushfield Ponies, Nether Stenries, Carrutherstown, with a pair of two-year-old Dartmoor ponies Rushfield Milton Duff and Rushfield Honey Bee both sired by Moortown Crusader and home-bred out of Haven Monique and Hillies Queens Jubilee respectively. Reserve: WKA and JA Allan, Millfield, Knowehead, Freuchie, with Highland ponies, three-year-old filly Mara of Millfield (home-bred out of Meika of Millfield) and two-year-old filly Madeline of Millfield (home-bred out of Myleene of Millfield), both sired by Glenmuir Lochaber.
OVERALL HUNTER Andrew Russell, Torcraik Farm, North Middleton, Midlothian, with Annaghmore Huntsman, a five-yearold gelding, sired by Obos Quality and out of the Cavalier-sired mare Annaghmore Lady Valier, which stood reserve champion at the Puddledub Spring and champion at the Yorkshire Sport Horse Show. Bought last July, he was previously reserve supreme at Dublin. Ridden by Kirstine Douglas. Reserve: Mrs Vanessa Ramm, Nether Warden House, Nether Warden, Hexham, with Bond Street II, a seven-year-old lightweight gelding, sired by Maltstriker and bred by Mary Reidy out of Arctic Investment, which was first at the Northern Horse Show and which was on its first outing in an open class. Ridden by Martin Skelton.
HUNTERS IN-HAND Mesdames Pat Martin and Dorothy Walsh, Osbourne Park, Belfast, with Imperial Choice, a three-year-old gelding, sired by Emperor Augustus, bred by Patrick Gildea out of Artic Ginger and bought as a foal at Goresbridge. Recently first at Ballymoney. Last season champion at Armagh, first at Ulster and a winner at the All Ireland Search for a Star. Reserve: Peter Richmond, Gatebridge Farm, Galphay, Ripon, North Yorkshire, with Jaguar Moon, a six-year-old broodmare, sired by Jaguar Mail and bred by the Aredis Stud out of Knaresborough Moon Beam, which was shown with her first foal, by Russell, at foot. A prolific winner as a two and three-year-old, this season she has progressed to stand champion at Otley and supreme in-hand at the Yorkshire Sports Horse Show.
WORKING HUNTER Kirsty Aird, Kirkforthar Farm, Markinch, Glenrothes, with Toronto AZ, a seven-year-old gelding, sired by Tsar Hero and bred out of the Casmir Z-sired mare Eureka, owned by Liz Smith and bought from Jack McGeoch as a five-year-old. This gelding, which also competes at British Showjumping and finished Fourth in the Six Bar competition at Blair Castle last year, qualified for HOYS and stood reserve supreme at the Yorkshire Sport Horse Show. Also qualified for the Royal International Horse Show as both a heavyweight and working hunter. Reserve and qualified: Nancy Orr, Halbeath Farm, Kingseat Road, Dunfermline, with Beseeka Red Hot Chilli Pepper, a nine-year-old former showjump gelding, sired by Polling and out of Beeseka Supa Sonic, which was second at the Puddledub Winter Workers at Howe. Ridden by Jo Ainsworth for the later half of last season and again for the last fortnight ahead of the Highland, he recently jumped clear in the HOYS qualifier at the Derbyshire Festival.
NOVICE HUNTERS Andrew Russell, with the overall hunter champion Annaghmore Huntsman. Reserve: Robert Walker, Sandybrow Stables, Cotebrook, Tarporley, Cheshire, with Shroughmore Emperor, a five-year-old gelding, bred by H Jackson.
WEIGHTS AND SMALL HUNTERS Mrs Vanessa Ramm, with the reserve overall hunter champion Bond Street II. Reserve: Mrs Susan Carr, Millhill Farm, Cargenbridge, Dumfries, with Primitive Dancer, an eight-year-old middleweight mare, sired by Primitive Star and bred by JP Burdepp out of Dancing Debonnaire, which last year stood second at the Horse of the Year Show, and has won at the Cheshire Premier and White Rose shows.
LADIES’ HUNTER Rachel Smyth, Clonkeen Road, Randalstown, Antrim, with Vantage Point, a 12-year-old gelding, sired by Le One and bred by Oliver Flanagan only its second outing side saddle.
SPORTS HORSES IN-HAND Emma Auld, Perryston Cottage, Dunure Road, Ayr, with Count Delavega, a yearling colt, sired by Diarado and home-bred out of the showjumping mare Wildthing III, which was second at Ayr and first at Drymen. Will be kept entire. Reserve: Ashley Anderson, Ashlea, Bridge Street, Halkirk, Caithness, with Touch of Class, a three-year-old filly sired by Co-Pilot and home-bred out of the un-shown ex-racehorse Weet in Heaven, which last year won at the Black Isle and this season stood champion at the Grand Slam.
RIDING HORSES Mrs Vanessa Ramm, Nether Warden House, Nether Warden, Hexham, with Corbally Lucky Boy, a 10-year-old gelding, sired by Nero Astaire and bred out of Corbally Lucky Star. Reserve: Mrs Kirsty Pickles, Aireview Farm, Harden Road, Keighley, West Yorkshire, with Bowwood Diamond, a 10-year-old mare, sired by Bandmaster and bred by Mr and Mrs A Miller out of Broadstone Diamond Ice, which qualified for the Royal International and Hambleton and was second at White Rose. Last year she stood champion at the Royal Highland and finished sixth at HOYS. In foal to Up with the Lark.
HIGHLAND PONIES UNDER SADDLE Clare Fitch, New House Fram, Glewstone, Ross-on-Wye, with Strathleven Drumochter, an 11-year-old stallion, sired by North Wells Summit and bred by Miss HB Hamilton out of Strathleven Doune, which has previously qualified for both HOYS and Olympia and which has finished second at HOYS. Reserve: Miss H Dick, with Carlung Kylestrome, a 10-year-old gelding, sired by Carlung Ebony and bred by Susan Wardrop out of Carragh of Carlung, which was second in his HOYS qualifier at the Derbyshire Festival and which previously stood champion at Blair Castle.
WELSH A Lady Deborah Shrewsbury, Throstles House, Birds Grove Lane, Ashbourne, with Chetwynd Catkin, a nine-year-old grey stallion, sired by Gredington Calon Lan and home-bred out of Chetwynd Catkin. Produced and shown by Jason Akenbrook since a yearling, he has previously been third and sixth-place junior stallion at the Royal Welsh. This year, he was reserve at Newark and first at both the Derbyshire Festival and at West Mercia. Reserve: Louise Russell, Carston House, Killearn, Glasgow, with Gartconnel Wild Fire, a six-year-old mare sired by Gartconnel Shooting Star and bred by John A Russell out of Gartconnel Waterlily, which last year stood champion at the Great Yorkshire and Royal Cornwall shows. This was her first outing of 2015.
WELSH B Sandy Anderson, c/o Lacey Stud, Bethel Bala, Gwynedd, with Stoke Tuscany, an 11-year-old stallion by Lemonshill Hylight and out of Stoke Taffetta. Shown by Colin Tibby, this stallion was champion at the Royal Highland last year and qualified for the supreme Cuddy in-hand final at Horse of the Year Show as a two-year-old. Previously stood at stud in Holland and Sweden. Reserve: Waxwing Stud, Waxwing Farm, Balgonar, Saline, with Waxwing Peru, a yearling colt, sired by Eyarth Beau Geste and home-bred out of the 2013 Royal Welsh and Queens Cup winning mare Cwrtycadno Perlen, which stood supreme in-hand champion at Fife Show. This colt is a full brother to Waxwing Persuasion, which won the yearling filly class at the Royal Welsh last year.
WELSH C R Hughes, Rhydeilian, Penmynydd, Penmynydd, Anglesey, with Pentrfelin Little Joe, a nine-year-old stallion by Leyeswick Flyer and out of Pentrefelin Poppy. Previously youngstock champion at the Royal Welsh as a three-year-old and during 2014 was champion at Lampeter and reserve male champion at the Royal Welsh. This was its first show outing. Reserve: Nicole Wayman, Greaves Sike Lane, Micklebring, Rotherham, with Abergavenny Hetti, a four-year-old mare, sired by Gwellan Mabon and out of Rhyd Ddu Rosina. Previously first at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair as a yearling and third at the Royal Welsh in 2014.
WELSH D Llanarth Stud, with the Cuddy supreme in-hand and Waxwing supreme M&M champion Llanarth Fiery Jack. Reserve: Mrs P Owens, with Cascob Brenin Dafydd, a two-year-old colt, sired by Gwenllan Deio and bred by Mrs MC Edwards out of Cascob Heledd, which was on only his second ever show outing having previously stood supreme champion at Glenusk. Shown by Alan Hughes.
M&M IN-HAND Glenis Cockbain, Rakefoot Farm, Keswick, Cumbria, with the yearling Fell filly Carrock Elsa, sired by Murthwaite Timothy and home-bred out of Townend Sugar, which has stood unbeaten in her class on the last 15 outings. Previously stood champion as a foal at Crosby Ravensworth and has won three championships prior to the Highland this season. Reserve: Jenny Crane, Main Street, Scropton, Derbyshire, with Murthwaite Windrush, a 14-year-old Fell stallion, sired by Murthwaite Bros and bred by T Capstick out of Greenholme Jess, which has qualified for the Royal International under saddle and was previously supreme champion at the Fell breed show and a winner at HOYS in 2013.
CONNEMARA Mrs DP Staveley, Davington, Eskdalemuir, Langholm, with the reserve Waxwing M&M in-hand, Eastland Rashiebrae. Reserve: Mrs Winsome Aird, The Coach House, Falfield, Peat Inn, Cupar, with Castle Neptune, a two-year-old colt, sired by Glencarrig Knight and bred by Henry O’Toole out of Castle Melody, which won during the spring at NPS Scotland.
RIDING PONY BREEDING Martin Wood, Hill Top Farm, Reynard Crag Lane, Birstwith, Harrogate, with White Lily, a two-year-old filly, home-bred by the advanced event stallion Up With The Larch and out of the former intermediate show mare Bankswood Sophistication. Making her show debut, she was handled by James Crockford and produced by Jerome Harforth. Reserve: Chris and Christine Duke, with reserve Cuddy supreme, Greenbarrow Madama Butterfly.
HUNTER PONY BREEDING Mrs Shelley Hollins, c/o Stanley Grange Show Team, Great Ayton, Middlesbrough, with Leyward Sunrise, a home-bred yearling filly, by Up With The Lark and out of Thatchers First Draft. Champion at Midland County, NPS Area 4 and Hambleton this season. Reserve: Mrs A Pease, c/o Stanley Grange Show Team, Great Ayton, Middlesbrough, with Lemington Starlight, a two-year-old gelding making its show debut by Stanley Grange Cocksure and out of Lemington Marzelle.