Champion Young Handler went to 8 year old Cooper Bennett who was also our Ridden Champion on the Lead Rein riding Hestigarth Ultra.

A beautifully turned out exhibit, 5 year old chestnut mare Lloegr Snap Back was the winner of the Driving class for Jessica Downham.

The day concluded with some difficult decisions for our Judge. The Overall Miniature Championship was won by Trudy Waterhouse with her stallion Witcombe Kingston with Frank and Carol Hodder’s mare Eiger Ursula in Reserve.

The Overall Standard Champion went to David and Sally Bowden’s mare Lakehead Moonstone with David Hodge and Julian Walters taking Reserve with their stallion Sharptor Aries. These two homebred ponies went on to stand Supreme Champion and Reserve.

We started with the Young Handlers, all seven of them beautifully turned out presenting their lovely ponies. The Judge’s Champion was 8 year old, Cooper Bennett with the Reserve Champion going to 9 year old, Lily Pink. The Ridden classes were next. Again all smartly turned out and with some great combinations. The Leading Rein pony Lovaton Hamish with rider Freddie Rase did a great show and ended up winning the Ridden Championship with the Open Ridden pony Laddyll Jet with rider Tegan Stephens doing a foot perfect show taking Reserve.

Following on were the In Hand classes. Every class had entries forward. A lot of stunning, quality ponies. The Miniature Stallion class had six entries which we have never seen before and two in the Standard Stallions. The Judge had some very difficult decisions to make.

Some of the main Championships results – the Miniature Gelding Tawna Sunny Jim shown and owned by Mrs. J. Stidwell took the Gelding Championship. Reserve went to the Standard Gelding Lovaton Hamish with owner Georgia Rase. The Overall Miniature Championship was won by the 9 year old black Stallion Witcombe Kingston owned and shown by Mrs. T. Waterhouse. The closely chosen Reserve Champion went to the Miniature Youngstock Champion Halstock Asteroid a bay roan yearling Colt, owned by Mr. D. Hodge & Mr. J. Walters. What a great start to the season for a yearling. The Overall Standard Championship went to Mr. D. Hodge & Mr. J. Walters stunning black 11 year old Stallion, Sharptor Aries. This Stallion ended up taking the top honours of the day, winning the Supreme Championship. The Reserve Supreme Championship went to the Leading Rein combination Lovaton Hamish, ridden by a very tired jockey Freddie Rase. Tired he may have been but still managed to do a lovely show with his Mum as the leader. Well done to you all.

Thank you to the Judge, Steward and all the Exhibitors for making this such a lovely Show.

Members and friends all enjoyed a super Group Christmas Lunch at Trethorne Leisure Park. It’s great to be able to relax and have a good chat over a meal without ponies for once. The results were announced of our annual Accumulator Competition with Members receiving their rosettes.We would take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Youngsters and adults alike enjoyed a fun filled time. The jumping is always great with lots of laughter. Really good entries in the Novelty Show classes presented our Judge Hannah Merson with some difficult decisions.

A great day ended with a popular in hand Agility Course. A big thank you to everyone for supporting this Event.

Here are some photos taken by Keith. You are welcome to help yourself to any.

Entries were good In Hand but down on the Ridden and Young Handler Classes. The Judge Ms. Gill Wright from the New Forest had some very difficult decisions to make. She said that she had not been to a Show with such high standards for a long time, the quality was outstanding. That was great to hear.

We started the day with the Ridden classes. It was disappointing with only three entries in the Leading Rein Class. The winner of the class, Ridden Champion and Bronze Medal winner went to the grey Mare Sharptor Silver Skyline of Brynony Wellings-Hodge. Skyline was led by Brynony and ridden by her six year old daughter Millie who did a foot perfect show. The second placed and Reserve Champion Ridden went to Mrs. Jackson’s pony, Rolster Thumper. Led by Mrs. Jackson and ridden by Savannah Jackson who also did a beautiful show.

The Young Handler Champion and Reserve Champion both came from the older section of the 9 – 14 years old. There was really serious competition going on between two best friends. The Judge’s Champion went to Harvey Fletcher-Hodge with Sharptor Silver Skyline and Reserve Champion went to Ruaidri Watmore with Foxsedge Hathor.

Now to the In Hand classes. Entries were up and down. Our biggest class of the day was the Standard Mare class with ten entries. Followed by the Miniature Yearlings and the Miniature 2 & 3 year old, both had nine entries.

The Overall Miniature Champion and Bronze Medal winner went to Anne Fairweather’s dark bay Filly Melini’s Dawn Phoenix. This Filly won the 2 & 3 year old class and went on to take the Junior Miniature Champion before the Overall. Anne certainly had a good array of rosettes. The Overall Reserve Champion went to Megan Dyer’s home bred Filly Sunridge Blizzard which also came through the Youngstock section winning a very strong class of Yearlings and the Junior Miniature Reserve Champion.

The Overall Standard Champion and Bronze Medal winner came from the Adult section and went to David Hodge and Julian Walters beautiful home bred bay Mare Sharptor Dionne. Closely followed for the Overall Standard Reserve Champion which went to another Sharptor pony, Alice Gould’s 6 year old, black Stallion Sharptor Democrat.

To end off our Show on such a hot afternoon the Supreme Champion went to the Overall Standard Champion of David and Julian’s, Sharptor Dionne with the Reserve Supreme Champion going to the Stallion of Alice Gould, Sharptor Democrat.

Congratulations to all the Prize Winners.

A big thank you goes to the Judge Gill Wright. Also to all the Exhibitors for taking part and supporting the Show.

Photo’s by: Martha Morgan Photography

Thanks to Tanja Davis Photography for the photos

PHOTO

Presentations were made to our Accumulator Points winners with not one but three joint Champions with Jackie Wilson, Jane Smith and David Bowden collecting their rosettes.

It was great to have a number of our younger members join us who did well in the Ridden and Young Handler Sections.

We must say a big thank you to everyone who provided gifts for a successful Raffle and Auction.

April this year Henry, aged 4 and his trusted Shetlands participated in the Canter for a Cure Challenge. The aim was to ride 50k throughout the month of April to support the Bone Cancer Research Trust.

The Bone Cancer Research Trust is the only Charity dedicated to this disease. They fund ground-breaking research, life-saving awareness initiatives and provide dedicated and trustworthy information and support to patients and all their loved ones. They rely 100% on people supporting their work through donations. Every 10 minutes somewhere another child, teenager or adult is diagnosed with this brutal disease and they face a 5-year chance of survival at little over 50%. This drops even further if the disease is discovered late and has already progressed.

Henrys mum read about the Canter for a Cure Challenge thought this would be a great way to support a fantastic Charity whilst also getting Henry and the Shetlands out and about.

The challenge was explained to Henry he was soon eager to start covering some miles to ‘raise money to help some poorly people’ Henry and his Shetlands Darklake Pirate and Darklake Dior exceeded their 50k target finishing the challenge on 53.2k and raised over £500 for the charity!

An amazing achievement for Henry and his Shetland’s! Well done team!

RESULTS:

JUDGE – Mrs. J. E. Jones, Pevensey, E. Sussex (Buxted prefix)

Class 1. Young Handler 3 – 8 years old
1^st Mabel Cook with Jamilla of Jopa
2^nd Emma Cosgrove with Witcombe Eros

Class 2. Young Handler 9 – 14 years old
1^st William Tamblin with Collytown Bella

Young Handler Championship
Champion – William Tamblin with Collytown Bella
Reserve Champion – Mabel Cook with Jamilla of Jopa

Class 3. Junior Novice Pony Standard or  Miniature 1, 2 or 3 year old (not to have won a 1^st prize at any SPSBS Affiliated Show)
1^st Lovaton Rose Petal                 Mrs. A. Foster
2^nd Lovaton Black Diamond        Mrs. A. Foster
3^rd Tegen Sceptre                         Mr. W. Merrell
4^th Stepley Charlton                     Cozens Family
Best Yearling – Lovaton Rose Petal      Mrs. A. Foster

Class 4. Lead Rein Pony
1^st Sharptor Debutante               Mr. L. Gilbert                    Rider – Macie Gilbert

Class 5. First Ridden Pony
NO ENTRIES

Ridden Championship
Champion – Sharptor Debutante                  Mr. L. Gilbert              Rider – Macie Gilbert

Class 6. Standard, Yearling, Colt, Filly or Gelding
1^st Lovaton Rose Petal                 Mrs. A. Foster
2^nd Zennor Red Man                    Mrs. M. Matthews
3^rd Kalmara Cloudy Genisis         K. Hodge
4^th Lovaton Black Diamond          Mrs. A. Foster
5^th Tegen Sceptre                         Mr. W. Merrell
6^th Stepley Charlton                     Cozens Family

Class 7. Miniature, Yearling, Colt, Filly or Gelding
1^st Tawna Apollo                           A. Runnalls & F. Hammond
2^nd Tawna Sweet Charity            Mrs. E. Lawrence-Carlisie
3^rd Halstock Glad Rags                Mr. L. Gilbert

Class 8. Standard, 2 years old, Colt, Filly or Gelding
1^st Bellever Morning Glory         Mr. D. Bowden
2^nd Tegen Amber Storm              Mr. W. Merrell
3^rd Gwel an mor Playboy            Mrs. D. Cosgrove

Class 9. Miniature, 2 years old, Colt, Filly or Gelding
1^st Robin’s Brae Diamond           Mrs. J. Smith
2^nd Fordhouse Magic                   L. Rowland
3^rd Tawna Martini                        A. Runnalls & F. Hammond
4^th Carmaco Jeremya                  Cozens Family

Class 10. Standard, 3 years old, Colt, Filly or Gelding
1^st Sharptor Dionne                     Mr. D. Hodge & Mr. J. Walters
2^nd Trythall Silver Fox                  Mr. M. Cosgrove
3^rd Sharptor Tarot                        Mrs. J. Wilson

Class 11. Miniature, 3 years old, Colt, Filly or Gelding
1^st Tawna Red Ember                  Mrs. F. Lawrence
2^nd Tawna Cherie                         A. Runnalls & F. Hammond
3^rd Helenbrie Lil Ti Jay                A. Allen

Standard Junior Championship
Champion – Sharptor Dionne      Mr. D. Hodge & Mr. J. Walters
Reserve Champion – Lovaton Rose Petal      Mrs. A. Foster

Miniature Junior Championship
Champion – Tawna Apollo      A. Runnalls & F. Hammond
Reserve Champion –  Robin’s Brae Diamond      Mrs. J. Smith

Class 12. Driving Class (not affiliated to the SPSBS) Stallion, Mare or Gelding, 4 years old & over driven to an Exercise Vehicle. Open to both two and four wheeled exercise vehicle.
1^st Saithseren Diamond Sparkle    Mrs. S Fox

Class 13. Senior Novice Pony Standard or Miniature, 4 years old & over, Stallion, Mare or Gelding (not to have won a 1^st prize at any SPSBS Affiliated Show)
1^st Darklake Moki                         Mrs. L. Tropman
2^nd Lakehead Moonstone           Mr. D. Bowden
3^rd Gatsby of Fairwood                Mrs. S. Ford
4^th Stepley Duchess                      Cozens Family
5^th Collytown Bella                       W. Tamblin
6^th Shimmering Bubbles              Mrs. D. Eggleton

Class 14. Newcomer Owners not to have owned or shown Shetland Ponies for more than 4 years. Pony any age and any sex.
1^st Gatsby of Fairwood                Mrs. S. Ford
2^nd Halstock Jack Fox                    A. Rix
3^rd Lakehead Moonstone            Mr. D. Bowden
4^th Collytown Bella                       W. Tamblin
5^th Shimmering Bubbles              Mrs. D. Eggleton

Class 15. Midi. 4 years old & over, Stallion, Mare or Gelding. To exceed 34” but not exceeding 38”
1^st Zennor Jigsaw                          Mr. A. Cosgrove

Class 16. Standard 4 years old & over Geldings
1^st Clothie Quibell                         K. Hodge
2^nd Gatsby of Fairwood                Mrs. S. Ford
3^rd Saithseren Diamond Sparkle   Mrs. S. Fox
4^th Zennor Jigsaw                          Mr. A. Cosgrove

Class 17. Miniature 4 years old & over Geldings
1^st Tawna Angus                            Mrs. P. Tabb
2^nd Tawna Crunchie                      A. Allen
3^rd Sunridge Nightshade              Mr. L. Gilbert
4^th Halstock Jack Fox                    A. Rix
5^th Shimmering Bubbles              Mrs. D. Eggleton
6^th Collytown Casino                    Mrs. S. Fox

Class 18. Standard 4 years old & over Mares
1^st Zennor Roseanne                    K. Hodge
2^nd Sharptor Amazon                   Mr. D. Hodge & Mr. J. Walters
3^rd Darklake Mississippy              L. Rowland
4^th Lakehead Moonstone            Mr. D. Bowden
5^th Darklake Moki                         Mrs. L. Tropman
6^th Sharptor Debutante             Mr. L. Gilbert  

Class 19. Miniature 4 years old & over Mares
1^st Eiger Karisma                           M. Dyer
2^nd Halstock Alexandra                Mr. D. Hodge & Mr. J. Walters
3^rd Robin’s Brae Tilly                    Mr. G. Smith
4^th Tawna Bracken                       Mr. & Mrs. K. Locke
5^th Jamilla of Jopa                        Cozens Family

Class 20. Standard 4 years old & over Stallions
1^st Zennor Tempest                     Mr. A. Mrs. D. Cosgrove

Class 21. Miniature 4 years old & over Stallions
NO ENTRIES                   

Gelding Championship
Champion – Clothie Quibell                             K. Hodge
Reserve Champion – Tawna Angus                Mrs. P. Tabb

Standard Senior Championship
Champion – Zennor Roseanne                       K. Hodge
Reserve Champion –  Sharptor Amazon        Mr. D. Hodge & Mr. J. Walters

Miniature Senior Championship
Champion – Eiger Karisma                              M. Dyer
Reserve Champion – Halstock Alexandra     Mr. D. Hodge & Mr. J. Walters

Overall Standard Championship
Champion – Sharptor Dionne                         Mr. D. Hodge & Mr. J. Walters Reserve Champion – Zennor Roseanne        K. Hodge

Overall Miniature Championship
Champion – Eiger Karisma                              M. Dyer
Reserve Champion – Halstock Alexandra     Mr. D. Hodge & Mr. J. Walters

Supreme Championship
Supreme Champion – Sharptor Dionne              Mr. D. Hodge & Mr. J. Walters
Reserve Supreme Champion – Eiger Karisma    M. Dyer

Teddy has had a go at all of these but is happiest when he’s being driven around the lanes and countryside.  

Teddy is now 13 years old and was already broken to drive when I bought him in November 2020.  I was a complete newbie to driving and needed a pony that would allow me to ‘take the reins’ and give me confidence – I couldn’t have wished for a better pony!  Without Teddy and the support of the wonderful ‘Team Teddy’ I wouldn’t have achieved what I have.

We have also competed at ‘indoor’ driving competitions over the winter months which we both enjoy – Teddy particularly enjoys the cones. 

Last year we attended our first “Gateway” competition which was a real challenge but again, we both had a lot of fun.  These events comprise 3 disciplines – precision & paces (dressage), cones and obstacles.  Below is a photo of the obstacles at Gateway competition.

This year we attended our first Concours D’Elegance show – something different again for us both and we came away with Reserve In-hand Champion, quite a day to remember.

Of course, there is always the fun side of having a Shetland pony in your life and Christmas is an ideal opportunity to dress up as an elf, reindeer and Christmas tree.

So yes, a Shetland pony can be a companion pony and your best friend but it also has a lot more to offer its human slave.

Our Judge Jane Lonsdale had some difficult decisions to make with many super ponies forward. We are pleased to be continuing with an Unaffiliated Driving Class at our Group Show. Top honours of the day went to David Hodge and Julian Walters with the Miniature Champion Halstock Annie taking the Supreme Championship and their Standard Champion Blackertor Magneto going Reserve Supreme.