I would be lying if I didn’t admit I had written this blog from the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) repeatedly in my head with happier news to report. We have won a few first place rosettes recently, with Harry (my son) winning his ride at Pony Club camp and Alice (my daughter) being in the winning Warwickshire team at a Pony Club area competition. So I set off to Hickstead with two very in-form ponies and bags of enthusiasm, hoping for a famous blue sash.

It wasn’t our day however, and in fact, the form book in the show hunter pony (SHP) classes was well and truly shaken up. I am delighted that Alice received the top show mark on Annandale Maria, as that is the most important thing for her to achieve. I am not sure the two SHP judges went for the same type of animal having looked at the marks they awarded. This is testament to the fact you can never judge the outcome of a class from the ringside.

I heard the saying ‘it’s only another show’ said several times, but although I tried to use it to console myself slightly, I am not sure RHIS is ‘only another show’. There is a magic about this occasion, and I must thank Roger Stack (Hickstead’s showing director) for putting it there.

Indeed, I thought there were several unexpected results during the first few days across the sections, so it must give encouragement to everyone entering. Competitors all have an equal chance, so with a good performance it could be your day. There were some wonderful surprised faces to see when riders were pulled up from down the line to win.

I must congratulate the show pony champion. A truly beautiful pony, Rotherwood Rainmaker, ridden extremely well by Poppy Carter, who went on to take the pony supreme (pictured right). Thank the lord, Poppy was judged sensibly in her class by someone who didn’t over penalise a tiny blip during her show. Well done to you all.

We managed a trip to the national side saddle championships too, where Alice made her sideways debut on Annandale Maria (pictured below left) who went perfectly to win the SHP class, despite a terrible thunder storm.

I managed to win a good Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) ladies hunter class with Boswell Bay, and I must comment on my wonderful fellow competitors who were so lovely to be amongst. The show has a really lovely atmosphere and everybody was simply having a great time.

Loraine

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The flag has dropped on Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) qualifiers and I am astonished how ready the pony producers are. Horses have always started later in the season so are a bit slower out of the blocks. Many of the top ponies were at the first 3 qualifiers and the results list reads like the RIHS results themselves.

It is interesting to see the numbers in the classes and it definitely shows a lack of 143cm show hunter ponies around. I know a good friend of mine has been looking for one for a long time without any joy. The 133cm and 153cm SHP classes were very well supported indeed with tremendous quality down the line.

We were absolutely delighted with our new pony Annandale Maria, who went really well and achieved great results both days at Onley Grounds. Hightopps Jazz kicked off his summer with a win and a fab round in his first novice nursery stakes class. He will make a super cradle stakes pony one day.

It was interesting to see the different style of course building in the WHP ring over the 2 days. Sunday’s course at the Area 17 show was considerably more demanding than the course provided by Area 6 on Saturday, however the results didn’t alter much with several of the same ponies coming to the fore in WHP classes both days.

It was such a treat to be outside in the sun with excellent facilities, courses and happy competitors. We have some great friends in the WHP set and it is like a step back in time for me seeing many of the same families as when I did it 30 years ago!

Away from the showring

Now hunting is over Harry has a new 153cm pony from Ireland that he has been trialling for the Warwickshire Hunt Pony Club team. I’ve been trying to get him to do a WHP class, but without much joy. I think Alice has her eye on the pony for a few years time as it pops 1.20m with ease. Frightens me to death!

The Cheltenham Festival was great fun this year and the racing was good too. I can’t remember ever seeing so many fantastic finishes and, although there were a few casualties, in general horses were coming home well on superb ground.

It is such a magnificent occasion and I’m now looking on my diary to see if I can fit in a quick trip across the water to Punchestown. What other industry could give so much pleasure?

Loraine

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Harriet Dennison and the charismatic 122cm victor, Crystal Vision, twinkled their way to the show hunter pony title to the cheers of a packed house at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

It was a first HOYS win for Harriet, 11, and also the Birmingham debut-making eight-year-old, who came from Fayre Oaks sale last year and is produced by Rachel Helliwell.

Reserve went to the home-produced combination of Olivia Bowen and her 133cm winner, Kelsington Material Girl, whose season kicked off in style with a win at Windsor. “This has realised our dream,” said Olivia’s mother, Rosanna.

Team Harvey continued its in-form week with a hat-trick of wins and another championship today.

The run began when Rebecca Harvey posted the first of her two victories, partnering the striking show hunter pony, Crafton Waltz of the Toreadors, to head a strong 143cm class. The 10-year-old South Suffolk champion has had a run of second placings this season, but put all that behind him here with a smooth, mannerly show. Sadly, though, it all got too much for him in the main arena finale.

Joseph Thurston continued the Harvey form, conjuring an immaculate performance from the attractive grey, Carnsdale Sir Lancelot, to head a strong 153cm section. The five-year-old, of unknown breeding, won four classes at the BSPS championships, where he also took the Blue Riband title.

Rebecca, 15, then claimed the intermediate title with a rousing gallop on the large show riding type victor, Foxy Formula. This horse also campaigns in riding horse ranks and was runner-up for the Knipe family in that category last year. Although Rebecca was champion here in 2008 — with Rhos Emblem — this result moved her to tears. “I just don’t believe it,” she said.

Reserve here went to the small class runner-up, Valentinos Royal Touch (Becky Edwards) after the class victor, Pendley Majestic — beautifully ridden by stand-in jockey Katie White — became a little unsettled in the championship.

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Saturday showing results

Oggy Oggy intermediate SRT (G Dunkley, S Thomas) sml.– 1, V White & D Thomas’ Pendley Majestic; 2 & res, L Edwards’ Valentinos Royal Touch; 3, L Johnston’s Aimbry Kymara. lge.– 1 & ch, M & R Cooper’s Foxy Formula; 2, Pattersons Horseboxes’ Lochill High Society; 3, A Winbourne’s Daldorn Racing Bow. SHP (Mrs J Dean, Ms J Higson) 122cm.– 1 & ch, S Dennison’s Crystal Vision; 2, S Manners’ Daukester Simon of Warleigh; 3, S Lobb & F Dymond’s Annandale Darcy. 133cm.– 1 & res, L Bowen’s Helsington Material Girl; 2, P Andrews’ Rhoden Master Frederick; 3, S Horne’s Parkhill Beckham. 143cm.– 1, Team Harvey’s Crafton Waltz of the Toreador; 2, V White & D Thomas’ Clemenstone Charleston; 3, L Stockley’s Chiddock Over The Limit. 153cm.– 1, J Thurston’s Carnsdale Sir Lancelot; 2, L Jackson’s Kilmiston Skyhawk; 3, A Baybutt’s Tom Thumb. Carrs BMW SHP LR.– 1, A Evans’ Netherfield Mr Rochester; 2, K Marshall’s Nantlais Gwerthfawr; 3, M Woodman’s Cosford Charabanc.

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Ron and Debbie Thomas almost made it a clean sweep in the show hunter pony classes, the Welsh producers turning out the first three winners Tom Thumb II (Jessica Baybutt), Clemenstone Charleston (Lizzie Smith) and Parkhills Ronaldo (Julie Bankier) who headed their respective 153cm, 143cm and 133cm classes.

In the main ring championship, it was Lizzie Smith and Clemenston Charleston who got the nod from Jo Jefferson and Sue Rawding to take the title. Taking the reserve was the smallest contender Julie Templeton’s Hightopps Jazz who topped the 122cm class for Shannon Meer.

After producing one of only four clear rounds to win their 143cm class, Lucinda Parkes and Folly II claimed the working hunter tricolour. The grey mare was maintaining an outstanding Hickstead record as she has never lowered a rail for Lucinda and her previous rider Alice McCullagh.

Kevin Millman built a traditionally challenging rustic track that included true hunting obstacles such as a bullfinch, log and wall.

Taking the reserve was Crabbswood Nutmeg, who jumped the sole clear for Hermione Gee to win the final 133cm section.

Darren Crowe registered his first RIHS win riding Dr Tiffani Stewart’s PHA Silvern Risalm in the pure-bred Arabian class. The Silvern Sceptre 17-year-old grey stallion has an enviable list of major wins to his credit, and he was having his first outing since winning at Horse of the Year Show two years ago.

“I always seem to be the page boy here as I have been second twice with him (Silvern Risalm), and I have even been second in a show jumping class here, but it has all worked out today” said Darren.

Jonathan Stevens clinched the Ponies (UK) M&M young rider championship riding his mother Lesley’s black Dales stallion Waterside Black Prince. Jonathan is in his second season with the six-year-old who is described by his rider as one of the most laid back ponies on the circuit.

“He always has breakfast in bed — as in lying down,” said Jonathan.

Wednesday 27 July showing results

Sandal – BMW SHP (Mrs J Jefferson, Mrs S Rawding) 153cm. 1, A Baybutt’s Tom Thumb II; 2, J Thurston’s Carnsdae Sir Lancelot; 3, K Marfleet’s Valentino III. 143cm. 1 & ch, K Smith’s Clemenstone Charleston; 2, E Jackson’s Firthwell Champagne Charles; 3, B Edmondson’s Sycamore Candyman. 133cm. 1, Mr & Mrs Bankier’s Parkhills Ronaldo; 2, S Mace’s Wicklea Wakanda; 3, J Blythman’s Westerby Firelight. 122cm. 1 & res, J Templeton’s Hightopps Jazz; 2, E Perry’s Greedown Jake; 3, S Dennison’s Crystal Vision. BSPS LR SHT. 1, Clark & Lucas’s Brookhall Wise King; 2, J Van Praagh’s Joebex Chitty Chitty Bang Bang; 3, R Walker’s Annandale Phoenix. Black Country Saddles WHP (Ms J Darwin, Mrs J MacInnes) 153cm. 1, E Manning’s Kilkenny Kid; 2, S Weir’s Otto; 3, J Cooper’s Mirah Kilgobben Rebel. 143cm. 1 & ch, H Parkes’s Folly II; 2, S Smith’s Todley Hall Noah; 3, S Weir’s Ruby Slippers. 133cm. 1 & res, J Meyrick’s Crabbswood Nutmeg; 2, A Prince’s Noble Toreen Lass; 3, C Thompson’s Keltic Print. Brickell/White Ponies (UK) young riders sml. 1, S Darlington’s Wortley Celebration; 2, A Bromwich’s Waulkmill Redstart; 3, A Lines’s Pumphill Banter. do riders under 18yrs. 1, Lady Vestey’s Kentchurch Charity; 2, D Barr’s Sauvey Golden ; 3, L Bates’s Mowcastle Mickey. interm. 1 & ch, L Stevens’s Waterside Black Prince; 2, T Millard’s Waterside Ben; 3, Ablett, Langdon & Williams’s Tawbitts Mystic Major. pure bred ridden Arabian (Mrs V Ayling). 1, Dr T Stewart’s PHA Silvern Risalm; 2, S Holland’s Tukki Amira; 3, G Ayub’s Dreamcatcher.

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Surrey-based producer Sam Darlington had mixed emotions when the enchanting 122cm show hunter pony, Wortley Celebration, headed a strong class before twinkling again in the main ring spotlight to take the section title at Horse of the Year Show.

The 12-year-old Royal Windsor reserve and Equifest champion was foot-perfect throughout a long day for Georgia Darlington, 11. He also stood second in the lead rein class for seven-year-old Kitty Jewson, having only her second outing on him.

It was an emotional time, though, as he is now being retired from flat classes and will concentrate on workers with Georgia next season.

Reserve went to the Rudd family’s home-produced 153cm victor, Burfordly Sea Lord, beautifully ridden by Briony Rudd to post her first HOYS win.

The Thomas team captured the 143cm class with yet another exciting four-year-old, Clemenstone Charlston, another pony giving its rider a first HOYS win.

“I wasn’t expecting this,” said jockey Lizzie Smith, 16. “I just hoped he would behave!”

This lovely bay is by Chiddock Time Limit, a half-brother to the class runner-up, Chiddock Over the Limit.

Rhoden Frederick and Katie Roberts took the 133cm red rosette back to Wales for the second year running, adding this to wins at Windsor, South of England and the BSPS championships, where they landed the Blue Riband title.

Charn Secret Legend, a five-year-old by Lechlade Quince, landed the hunter pony lead rein title for the Fuge family, beautifully-shown by producer Peter Emerson at the end of a long, free rein.

Yasmin Cuddy and the large intermediate victor, Opium Casa Leona, went one better than last year’s reserve spot to take the intermediate championship. The mannerly bay was also reserve hack last year with owner/producer Adam Winbourne.

Trainer Carol Gilbert-Scott, who helps Adam with the horse, also teaches the intermediate reserve, Henrietta Windsor Phillips, 14, who put up a superb performance to win the smalls on Wesswood Caste a Spell, posting a first HOYS victory for the family. The six-year-old gelding, who came from Australia where he stood at stud, is still technically a novice but has had an amazing season.

intermediate SRT (J Nash, J Burgess) sml. 1 & res, V Windsor Phillips’s Wesswood Caste a Spell; 2, S Hinchcliffe’s Roseberry Highland Fling; 3, L Edwards’ Valantino’s Royal Touch. lge. 1 & ch, A Winbourne’s Opium Casa Leona; 2, S Wood’s Royal Angel; 3, J Thomas’ Roseberry Ladies Day. SHT (H Barton, R Parker Jones). 1, Mr & Mrs M Underwood’s Utah; 2, S Cuddy’s Galtree Park; 3, Y Kobbe’s Jemoon Star Catcher. SHP (J Bettaney, A Lilley) 122cm. 1 & ch, S Darlington’s Wortley Celebration; 2, R Hulbert’s Caridines Little Lord; 3, J Armson’s Hanmere Showman. 133cm. 1, S Andrews’ Rhoden Master Frederick; 2, L Simms’ Missoni Starturn; 3, J Cambray’s Parkhills Ronaldo. 143cm. 1, D Thomas & K Smith’s Clemenstone Charlston; 2, N Haynes’ Chiddock Over the Limit; 3, M Lancaster’s Rhosyr Elizabeth. 153cm. 1 & res, V Rudd’s Burfordly Sea Lord; 2, L Jackson’s Kilmiston Sky Hawk; 3, L White’s Clorogue Touch. LR SHT (S Tanner). 1, K Fuge’s Charn Secret Legend; 2, Wortley Celebration; 3, Mr & Mrs S Welford’s Littlebriars April Louise.

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On their first outing over Hickstead’s challenging working hunter course, Abi Boulton and Pebbly Pipe Dream produced one of the few clear rounds of the day to win the 143cm section at the Royal International Horse Show.

The nine-year-old Irish-bred dun gelding has proved a brilliant all rounder for Abi, and a stunning gallop in the championship clinched the tricolour over 153cm winners Callum Barnes and Noble Rockstar.

The show hunter pony title went to Yasmin Cuddy riding her 153cm winner Midtown Magic. Yasmin bought the six-year-old mare last summer, and their recent accolades include the championship at Midland Counties.

Andrea Boyle and Maleikero scored their third Royal Iternational win when heading the pure-bred Arabian class. Andrea has owned her 17-year-old grey gelding for 13 years, and his previous victories here were in 2003 and 2005.

The P(UK) young rider mountain and moorland finals were well supported, and it was the small breed winners Rebecca Harvey and Susan Rogers’ Annandale Water Lily who took the inaugural championship.

The four-year-old palomino mare belied her age when giving a lovely show in the main ring championship. Taking the reserve was Kilmannan Kilty, who won the intermediate section for Aimee Hoare.

Don’t miss next week’s Horse & Hound (out 5 August) for a special RIHS report, including comment and analysis of all the action

Results

Sandal – BMW SHP (Mrs A Cole & Mr D Kellow) 153cm. 1 & ch S Cuddy’s Midtown Magic; 2, Y Thompson’s Déjà vu; 3, W King’s Mosstown Rockstar. 143cm. 1, N Haynes’s Chiddock Over the Limit 2, J Cambray’s Nutwood Spring Charm; 3, L Parr’s Highmede Night. 133cm. 1 & res, J Cambray’s Parkhill Ronaldo; 2, V Windsor-Phillips’s Dykebeck Wild Foxglove; 3, A Marling’s Stambrook Wedding Belle. 122cm. 1, K Gillott’s Annandale Darcy; 2, V Rudd’s Duntarvie Yogi; 3, L Burnip’s Wingland Make Believe. LR SHT. 1, T Baldwin’s Millay Topic; 2, Mr & Mrs Walker’s Mirabelle P; 3, K Fuge’s Charn Secret Legend. Black Country Saddles WHP (Mr A Perkins & Mrs L Brudenell) 153cm. 1 & res, C Barnes’s Noble Rockstar; 2, C Barnes’s Laughtons Bramble Pie; 3, J Cooper’s Mirah Kilgobben Rebel. 143cm. 1 & ch, L Boulton’s Pebbly Pipe Dream; 2, A Wybergh’s Chandaem Pippaley; 3, S Weir’s Ruby Slipppers. 133cm. 1, G Worrow’s Silverfox II; 2, C Bower’s Zelston Bellquest; 3, C Wheeler’s Tetcott Paper Boy. Kelbie Metals P(UK) young riders M&M ridden (Mrs M Appell & Mrs J Seymour) sml breeds. 1 & ch, S Rogers’s Annandale Water Lily; 2, L Pope’s Glenwood Lancelot; 3, M Syred’s Sidehill Single Malt. do lge. 1, P Moseley’s Whitefield Prince Nettle; 2, D Barr’s Sauvey Golden Condor; 3, Lady Vestey’s Kentchurch Raindrop. intermediate. 1 & res, A Dawson’s Kilmannan Kilty; 2, P Starkie’s Pumphill Bennet; 3, Grisdale & Stevens’s Waterside Black Prince. arab ridden pure bred (Mr S Fleming) 1, A Boyle’s Maleikero; 2, P Pinkerton’s Nequitta; 3, J Bishop’s Muzahla.

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Team Thomas lifted the top accolade when the supreme judges Rose Kelbie and Michael Mac awarded the 122cm show hunter pony Greylands Maid in the Dark the HOYS Pony of the Year title.

“I was looking for presence,” said Rose, “as well as quality and good movement.”

“Manners, definitely,” added Michael, “and a pony that respects the rider.”

Katie Roberts had claimed both the 122cms show hunter pony and the 133cms classes, the later with Sue Andrews’s Rhoden Master Frederick, so Harriet Dennison was co-opted to take the smaller ride and had the honour of taking Greylands Maid in the Dark forward to the supreme.

“Harriet was due to ride Oakstead Banoffee, but sadly he had to be put down on Tuesday which really upset her,” said Shirley Dennison,” so this has really turned her luck around.”

In the final championship of the show the mini show pony titles went to the top two first ridden.

Myles Cooper and the Cooper Corporation’s Cosford Chartreause landed the mini title in their final ride together before Myles moves on to new ponies.

“We weren’t sure Myles would be able to ride,” said Claudia Cooper, “as he fell off his bike last Sunday, and has been having physio all week.”

Alex Payne’s Romany River Anniversary Girl took Ella Payne on the lead rein before elder sister Clara took over to stand second in the first ridden and take reserve on their first HOYS visit.

Katy Carter leading her daughter Poppy Marie on Chagford Lewis was defending their supreme title of last year. However, they had to settle for second place behind Amelia Taylor’s daughter Sophie on Cosford Veronique led by Julie Templeton.

“We’re in our second season with Julie,” said Amelia. “They were third here last time.”

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Ponies from the 143cm show hunter pony section stood both champion and reserve on the second day of the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead. Jane Findlow’s Ellenbrook Master Plan took the tricolour over Debbie Thomas’s Greylands Stardust.

Charlotte Thompson proved an able deputy for Ellenbrook Master Plan’s regular jockey Becky Findlow, who arrived feeling ill after flying into Gatwick Airport from a holiday in Italy. Although shown lightly this season, Master Plan, a seven-year-old by Strinesdale Matador, has claimed championships at Cheshire County and Midland Counties.

The long journey from Dumfries in Scotland paid dividends for Start Sloan, who claimed the working hunter pony tricolour riding Highgrove Valentino, who produced one of only three clears in the 153cm class. In his fourth season with the Haarlam nine-year-old, Stuart recently clinched the title at Royal Highland, and he is also qualified for the intermediate, and open horse classes here at Hickstead.

The reserve went to 10-year-old Emily Ward riding the ultimate schoolmaster Stambrook Pavarotti, who has won here four times in all, with different jockeys. This combination was tipped as one-to-watch in H&H’s RIHS preview.

Sam Darlington’s Wortley Celebration headed a strong lead rein pony of hunter type class for Scarlett Jewson. The five-year-old pony also claimed third place in the 122cm class for his regular rider Georgia Darlington, who is now out of lead rein. Standing top of the 122cm line up was Tarryn Rudd riding Duntarvie Yogi.

Stephanie Zebedee and Piatza claimed top spot in the pure bred Arabian class. The grey stallion had claimed his Royal International ticket on his only other outing this season, at Wales & West.

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Sheila and Hazel Broom’s Paschal High Flyer headed the large show riding type intermediates and took the title after a foot perfect show at HOYS on Saturday.

Paschal High Flyer was bred by the Lucas family, who have been breeding for 35 years. They took Paschal as their prefix as it means Easter, which is when their first foal was born. Paschal High Flyer was bought from Katy Marriott after HOYS last year, and was partnered by Martin Skelton for Team Harvey.

“It is very rare to award a mark of 59,” said ride judge Amanda Nicol, “but this was a brilliant show.”

“I commend the production of these intermediates,” added conformation judge Liz Mansfield, “and the standard here proves that the need for this section is there, and working very well.”

Mountcaulfield Freedom, who had taken the title two years ago, returned with Lucy Day to head the small show riding type intermediates. Lucy is now in her second season with the chestnut gelding. They had to give way to Elizabeth Cross’s second placed part-bred Arab Farancella Valencia who took reserve, after Mountcaulfield Freedom showed some excessive exuberance in the championship.

Kimberley Minchin’s last ride in show hunter ponies before moving up to intermediates saw her head the 153cms with her mother Lesley’s Pretoria. The pair went on to take their first HOYS title. Kimberley enjoyed her first HOYS win in 2005 when heading the 148cms show ponies on Ellenbrook Sophistication.

Gill Thompson has dominated the 143cms show hunter ponies for the last three years with Ellenbrook MasterPlan in 2006, Rotherwood Maybe in 2007 and Jethro Heathcote’s Roseberry Serendipity this year. The six-year-old bay mare ridden by Charlotte Thompson stood reserve.

Results Saturday 11 October

Oggy Oggy Int. SRT (E Mansfield, A Nicol)under 153.— 1, D Day’s Mountcaulfield Freedom; 2 & res. E Cross’s Farancella Valencia; 3, D Thomas’s Crafton Touch of Gold. do over 153.— 1 & ch. S & H Broom’s Paschal High Flyer; 2, A Winbourne’s Opium-Casa; 3, S Schofield’s Royal Angel. Bewley Homes show hunter (R Hetherington, S Jull) 122cms.—1 , L Burnip’s Wingland Make Believe; 2, K Ward’s Beckcroft Best Man; 3, R Cambray’s Rillaton Peter Pan. do 133cms.— 1, L Matthew’s Springwood Pro Set; 2, D Hayman’s Westerby Firelight; 3, G Daly’s Netherfield Callipo. do 143cms.— 1, J Heathcote’s Roseberry Serendipity; 2, N Haynes’s Chiddock Over the Limit; 3, Templeton show team & L Jacksons’s Thimbleby Final Edition. do 153.— 1& ch. L Minchin’s Pretoria; 2, S Cuddy’s Galtee Park; 3, M Coster’s Northern Fanfare.

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