Devon County Show success for Richard Oliver

Richard Oliver celebrated a breeding double at Devon County and followed it up with a HOYS Cuddy Breeders’ Supreme In-Hand ticket.

On the first day, Chantry Clover Girl lifted the hunter breeding title, while stable companion Chantry Deacon took the three-year-old colt or gelding class. Clover Girl then returned on the final day to stand top in the Cuddy Supreme.

Judged on a strict mark system, Clover Girl was the decisive winner from 20 hopeful champions coming forward to the Natwest Ring. The three-year-old bay filly by Clover Hill is full sister to Chantry Riverdance – who clinched the Cuddy Championship at Devon in 2004.

Expertly handled by Bridget Millington, Clover Girl was making only her second appearance in the show ring, having taking reserve in the Cuddy at the West Midlands Stallion Show at Malvern.

“I never thought we would have the chance to win this again,” said Richard, who is based at Chantry, near Loddiswell, South Devon. “Bridget is one of the best producers in the country and has now won this twice for me. If you had seen the horses in the back yard you wouldn’t believe your eyes,” he said.

“I would also like to dedicate this win to Bertie Hill who instilled in me the love of horses. We both started from the bottom with one horse and a half share in a horse box. Now all our horses are bought with the view to go eventing and tomorrow we’ll be heading to the local hunter trials.”

“My champion had a grand foreleg,” said judge John Chugg. “I have been fortunate enough to do quite a few of these Cuddy championships, but the strength of numbers and the quality before me was the best I have ever judged. I thought my champion was full of quality and beautifully balanced.”

Read H&H’s full report from Devon County in next week’s magazine (31 May, ’07)

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