A broodmare contesting her final season in the show ring fulfilled all ambitions to land the HOYS Cuddy Breeders Supreme in-hand ticket.
It was the moment Cathy Wood will never forget, and one she will cherish forever leading her own broodmare to glory in the top in-hand accolade at Royal Cornwall Show.
Having taken the riding horse broodmare championship with Woodlander Ilena, the Devon breeder returned to collect the HOYS ticket the following day.
The 12-year-old black mare sparkled as a packed grandstand followed Marion Thomass close inspection of the quality line-up of 18 finalists, which she eventually reduced to five.
This mare has brought us a fantastic foal every season, said Cathy, who jointly owns Ilena with Margaret Boyles. We never normally do the Cuddy so I was already packed up ready to go home. We then decided we would give it a go so I had to ring my boss and ask for an extra day off, she added.
By Woodlander Idor, Ilena has bred six nice foals this years filly, currently unnamed, also won her class at the Wadebridge venue, while Ilenas three-year-old son Elusive II, stood reserve to her in the riding horse brood mare and young stock championship.
Shes a lovely mare who is so free moving and so correct, said Marion. She is producing nice animals because shes so good herself. And I can see she has a lovely attitude to life.
Cathy said: I always think its fantastic to win against their own type, but to compete against other breeds is a different ball game all together.
Don’t miss Horse & Hound’s full report from the Royal Cornwall Show, on sale 21 June, ’07
