WINDSOR / AYR / WHITE ROSE

What a weekend! One horsebox headed South to Windsor and one North to Ayr Show. Starting a fabulous days results on Saturday 10th May was Basford Playboy, only just recently sold to Bridget Garner and Kinvara - they picked up their International ticket at Windsor, first time out!! On a roll, Emma Jackson then qualified in the 148cms Show Pony on Highmead Sheer Chance and also got her Champion of Champions ticket when she went Champion in this section, Reserve was also on the team - Caitlin Galbraith and Strinesdale Distinction. Whilst they were just about to come back to the horsebox and unplait, we were told there was a Supreme Show Pony from the ridden and Inhand sections. On home ground Caitlin and Sparky took this Supreme title which was their route through to the Supreme of Show.

Back at Windsor our own and Janette Birds, Rhos Elise had been pulled top in a large 138cms Novice Show Pony class, did a beautiful show, stayed to win and topped it off by taking the Reserve Champion. Ella's breeders were there to watch along with a rather large Julie Templeton Show team contingency to cheer her on. Thanks to Sally for standing in and helping out with plaiting and marking etc, that extra pair of hands definately came in helpful!

Pennymore Quillet and Cerys Wyn Jones travelled from Angelsey to Ayr to compete in the RIHS 133cms Show Hunter Pony. The journey certainly proved worth it when they won the class and also took their Champion of Champions ticket.

Caitlin brought out Groveside Bellboy as it was her local show, even though he is meant to be on a year off before he comes out to do Veterans next year, she said Billy wanted to do it and was entered in the RIHS Small Intermediate. Billy won and took Reserve Champion, meaning he qualified for the International again - his 3rd time at Ayr Show!

With 3 ponies from the yard through to the Supreme of Show - Champion Show Pony, Champion Hunter Pony and Supreme Show Pony. It was definately to be Caitlins day on home ground - she took Supreme of Show with Strinesdale Distinction and collected more rosettes than she could fit on her jacket!!

After such a great day we all headed to White Rose. In the ring on Sunday Alexa pulled off a great show on Fofsway Perdita in the RIHS First Ridden, qualified and went Mini Champion - making her the 20th pony/rider combination to qualify for the Royal International. Marissa Haddon was 2nd in the RIHS 128cms Show pony only just missing qualifying, however she then went into the championship and did an amazing gallop to come up and take Reserve Champion. Jane Foster led Georgiana on Waxwing Pop-a-long in the Lobster pot qualifier, won and went Champion ,then into the Heritage Lead Rein and won and took Reserve - very good day all round!

Whilst at Ayr we had every season, however down in Windsor the sun apparently shone all day! Duncan had to work ride in a heat wave, whilst Caitlin and Emma work rode in the pouring rain. Just remember Duncan 3 - 1 !! Scotland did win on this one occasion.

Thanks must go to Lisa and Kevin Galbraith for letting us stable at Ayrshire Equitation Centre the night before Ayr and to Kati and Richard for allowing Julie to stable the night before Windsor,  also to Vera and Gordon from New Hall Stud who let Emma and Marissa look round all their amazing race horse foals - we nearly  had an extra one on the lorry to bring back home!