April has been a great month for us, all the horses are blossoming and really coming on. We have a lot of novices and it’s so great to see them gaining experience and confidence.
On the 15th April we went to the BSHA Northern Spring Show at Bold Heath near Warrington. We took two horses and they both won. Albert (Carnsdale Graffiti) won two classes and got two reserve championships in the Royal International Coloureds and the Amateurs with his owner Rachel Cooper (below left). They both went superbly and we couldn’t have been more pleased. Albert is a real pro and just loved being back in the show ring.
It was also Teddy (Copenhagen’s) first ever show under saddle and he was called top and won his novice class, giving the ride judge a great ride belying his years. We were thrilled at how he coped at his first show. It was as if he’d been there before. He’s such an enthusiastic horse and he always looks to be enjoying himself. Teddy was in hand cob champion last year at The BSHA National Championships and came unbroken from Ireland.
We then had a real heat wave at home and we saw such a difference in the horses. They really enjoyed being out in the field and it was a welcome time for them to have some well-deserved relaxation.
Then on the 22nd April we went to BSPS Area 5, Three Shires Show at Arena UK and yet again the cobs did not disappoint. We took two horses and both duly won their classes. Ginger won the novices with Natalie and Max won the Royal International Qualifier for the Maxi Cobs. It’s great to see them keeping up good form. Max was second last year at the Horse of the Year Show as a four year old and this year he has really matured. The novice cob Ginger, a registered Irish draught cob, has started this season tremendously with some great wins and although a novice has already qualified for the Royal International. Ginger and Max’s next stop is Royal Windsor.
We also took the young coloured cob, Benji, for a ride around and he coped brilliantly with the atmosphere. Benji was only broken by us last winter.
On the 30th April we went to Keysoe and again the cobs were unbeaten. Teddy (Copenhagen) won another novice cob class, making it two out of two wins for him and to top it off he also went reserve champion against all the open cobs. It was fabulous for his owner Harriet Richardson to see him compete and Harriet’s other cob, the maxi Colourprint also won the RI qualifying class. As Simon had won with both her cobs, Harriet rode Colourprint in the championship. Harriet herself has already qualified him for the RI as a coloured.
What a brilliant day!
