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Western Region Show

After a week of glorious sunshine, the weather on the weekend of the show took a slight turn for the worse with blustery winds and showers (but a god-send for horse and rider). Poor Mel looked like she was going up in a hot air balloon when her gazebo was taken apart & had to be fastened down with anything that was heavy.

The show was expertly organised by Jan and had its usual relaxed and friendly atmosphere - for example the in hand classes were rearranged for our Morgan enthusiasts from Cornwall who came to show their support and poor Peter Berry who had a blow-out in his truck. The classes were well attended in nearly all divisions.

First in the ring where the inhand classes all horses looked great and our judge Gertrude I am sure had a difficult job in placing the horses. Mares in hand went to our own Moon Dancer who stood like a rock and really strutted her stuff to the other younger mares as if to say you may be younger but just look at me! The geldings again a strong class Caracara winning and then going on to be reserve champion. Even the veterans class was well supported, won by Music man with Fly second showing him that being new to the division does not mean the younger wins. The young stock class was well supported with six youngsters in the ring with Chris and Les’s lovely two year old Autograph taking top honours much to Chris’s surprise (we heard you “but it’s only Jamie”!). It was nice to see what the Judge thought of our new colt with his high white socks, being placed second in this strong class. The stallion class went to Chain Reaction who went on to take inhand champion.

Lunch break followed and all horses were prepared to a high standard which showed in the first class, the best turned out - a popular class with lots of entries. First place went to Liam on Music Man (good job we bought him the new coat he wanted). It only seemed fitting second place went to the youth leader Hilary. The new class this year, giving people the chance to take young horses in a class is a great idea and encourages people to step into the world of showing with Peter Berry doing a great job with one of his young horses. The pleasure classes all were to a high standard with our Marty Mcfly going wonderfully (except for Tim’s ring craft skills which we will not talk about - all we will say is husband and wife in the same class not always a good idea) Sorry we do not remember all places as we get too involved in watching our horses. It was nice to see the driving horses with the pleasure class won by Chris’s wonderful three year old Whispering Jesse who drives like a seasoned performer over our Monnington Aspire again driving with skill beyond her three years. Tim drove Marty in the laid back class like a true professional considering that both have only been driving for a couple of months - look out for them at the Championship show! The performance champion was won by Caracara with Music Man taking reserve champion.

After a hard day’s showing we were invited into John and Angela’s house for the youth art display which was held to raise money for the BMHSY. Looking at the pictures on display, we have a lot of talented youth. Once we had all spent our money on paintings, which I’m sure will be worth millions one day, we were fed by Cornie, Rhian, Barb and Mel who made BBQ Burgers, sausages, salads and snacks. We were then yet again entertained by Tim by setting the karaoke up, the youth and of course Trudy kept us entertained all evening. On Sunday after a late night John drove the pair with Tim driving Marty, Mel (or was it Elie) driving Orchid and Jess, Louisa and Charlotte rode behind as we went round the orchards. A great time was had by all and a wonderful end to a great weekend (and week!).

Thank you to Monnington for allowing us to hold the event at their farm and a big thank you to Jan for organising the event and last but not least, well done to all that took part.

Click here to see our pics of the show

See some outstanding pictures below of the show, provided by professional photgrapher Sally Blair.

Thank you for allowing us to publish these great shots on the website!

Sally's contact details are below the photographs.