Posted: 13th August 2015 | Back to news feed
Equifest 2015 kicked off to a great start, with hundreds of fabulous horses and ponies impressing the judges. The day’s events included a wide range of classes from Ridden Hunters to Best Turned Out, Working Hunter and M&M’s.
There were also some very useful training classes to give combinations helpful tips before going under the judges.
Show secretary Betsy Branyan said: “It was a brilliant day all round we couldn’t have asked for more.”
The first Evening Performance of the show created much excitement and anticipation. Proceedings got underway with the Concours D’Elegance Lead Rein and First Ridden championships. The Lead Rein class went to Carylmai Trade Secret ridden by Tia Wynn-Rogerson. The pony went beautifully for her young jockey who looked fantastic in her costume, they then went on to win the championship. The First Ridden equivalent was landed by Maisie Dixon riding Waxwing Rose King. The combination was a joy to watch and thoroughly enjoyed their time in the spotlight.
Following these talented ponies and jockeys came the Amateur Cobs who contested their championship. The title went to Moortown May ridden by Lucinda Tann while Emma Green and Blaze picked up the reserve position after another great performance.
The Amateur Piebald and Skewbalds were the next to enter the championship ring, with several stunning horses in the line up. Miss Marple II ridden by Lyndsey Birtwell was the judges’ choice to take the championship.
The Amateur Hack and Part Bred Championship was claimed by Amy Bosworth aboard Sharlen Royal Enclosure. This beautiful six-year-old bay gelding performed with grace and sparkle to impress the judges.
The Pure Bred Arab Championship went to Oas Plashaal ridden be Claire Doxey, what a beautiful grey.
Champion Amateur Riding Horse was won by the winner of the Small Riding Horse Epic Tale ridden by Kirsty Harris another great performance.
Jennifer Martin and Jonas O’Shannon took the Side Saddle Concours D’Elegance Period Costume Drama title to much applause.
The Amateur Ridden M&M championship provided a fantastic spectaclewith a variety of quality native ponies vying to impress. The red rosette was handed to Calingford Enchantment and Miss L Campion, a stunning Connemara.
Morse Code ridden by Jamie Ryder-Phillips was called forward as the champion Amateur Ridden Hunter to a huge round of applause.
The TSR members waited eagerly to enter the ring to compete for the TSR Members Supreme Championships. To much delight William Parkinson was crowned Champion In Hand with the delightful Ryehall Cheval Noir.
The Amateur Maxi Cob championship was won by the coloured Ballustree Quality Street ridden by Henrietta Spence while April Hall and the Welsh Section C - Dabernon Diva were declared Champion Amateur Ridden Welsh.
A great effort from Eleanor Howes on Kilmannahan Red Rum saw them claim the Amateur Small Hunters before The BSPA Members Supreme Championship saw a fabulous performance from Tom Partridge and the two-year-old Freckleton Real Class.
At around 9.30pm the evening was concluded with the Barley Hill Stables & Hood Hill Farm Supreme Amateur Championship. This eagely awaited class was the culmination of a fantastic days display of amateur combinations and saw Sharlen Royal Enclosure and Amy Bosworth crowned the worthy winner of this brilliant championship.
So after a great first day at Equifest, we look forward to the rest of the week’s competition. Betsy Branyan concluded: “It was an amazing first day at Equifest 2015, with some great championships in the evening performance after a glorious sunny day of showing.”
For further information and to book your tickets contact Equifest on (01733) 363500or visit www.equifest.org.uk
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