From 238 entries from all over Wales and as far as Buckinghamshire, the Show supreme, the in-hand section C mare Rangeview Rhiannon and the reserve supreme, the ridden section D mare Haighmoor Gwenllian were both novices, Rhiannon entering the show-ring for the first time ever and Gwenllian making her debut under saddle.

Rhiannon, produced by the Gloucestershire Popsters Stud for Derek and Debbie Conti of Salisbury, is a daughter of Synod Romantica, the top-priced section C at 1,500 gns when bought by the Contis as a foal on the 1988 Brightwells Royal Welsh Sale to start their Stud and this was the first time the ten-year-old Rhiannon had ever left home. Rangeview Stud only breed from their mares in alternate years and since this was her barren year after having produced four fillies, it was decided that this was the year for showing. Rhiannon’s sire Synod George was also once owned by Rangeview Stud and is still alive and well at 26 years. Her sister Rangeview Rosa (foaled in 1998) qualified at BSPS Area 6 for the ridden M&M championships at the Horse of the Year Show in 2003. Rhiannon is an exceptional mare to beat all the seasoned campaigners at her first attempt.

Rangeview Rhiannon
Champion Section C and Supreme

Julie Evans’ seven-year-old Haighmoor Gwenllian had only been with Beth Simons at Narberth in Pembrokeshire for four weeks to be broken to saddle after having an illustrious in-hand career which included twice winning the Royal Welsh Winter Fair and being youngstock champion at the Royal of England in addition to winning countless County Shows. From her exemplary performance she could well be mistaken as having been ridden for years.

Haighmoor Gwenllian
Reserve Supreme ridden by Beth Simons

Reserve to Rhiannon for the in-hand championship was the very worthy section D champion, the seven-year-old mare Penstrumbly Norma Jean. Bought by the Prater family of Cwrtnewydd, Llanybydder for 3,000 gns at the Penstrumbly Sale in 2005; her sire Menai Firestorm sold to Abergavenny Stud for the same price on the same Sale. Norma Jean is one of the most exciting cob mares to enter the showing scene for years and is another who went straight to the top on her first attempt. Reserve to Gwenllian for the ridden championship was John and Ann James’ section B mare Sianwood Amelia ridden by their daughter Phillipa and Amelia also collected the section B in-hand championship. Amelia’s dam Abercrychan Antonia is a grand-daughter of Antonia which the late Mrs Lena Thomas bought to start the Abercrychan Stud. Antonia is also grand-dam of Harmony Bubbling Champagne, the 1974 Horse of the Year riding pony champion.

Penstrumbly Norma Jean
Champion Section D

The riding pony mini champion was Hywel and Yvonne Davies’ six-year-old section A lead-rein winner Penllyn Plover, one of the Penllyn ponies which the late Mrs Homfray had gifted to her helper Ike Davies. When Hywel went to collect her last year, Plover had produced a filly foal so he got two for the price of one! Reserve mini champion was Jenny Thomas from Blackwood with the four-year-old part-bred lead-rein Little Lord Fontleroy which Jenny had reared on the bottle since he was rejected by his mother at birth.

Penllyne Plover
Mini Champion with Mrs Sue Cooke

Kathy and Joanna Sheil’s seven-year-old stallion Dukeshill Darcy was section A in-hand champion. Darcy won five championships last year and his sire Dukeshill Magnum, now sixteen-years-old and running out with his mares qualified for the Horse of the Year Show Cuddy In-hand championship at the Three Counties in 2002.

Dukeshill Darcy
Champion Section A with Mrs Jocelyn Price

Anne Prichard-Simmons’ five-year-old stallion Cupidhill Calvados was in-hand part-bred champion and he has twice won at the Royal Welsh. His sire Trellech Courvoisier died at the Stud last year aged 25 but has left one mare to foal to him this time.

Cupidhill Calvados
Champion Welsh Part Bred

Judges were Mrs Jocelyn Price (Courtway) section A & B; Mr Cemaes Evans (Cathedine) C and WPB; Mr Meurig Thomas (Cruglwyd) D and Mrs Sue Cooke (Marl) ridden.

Report and Photographs by Dr Wynne Davies

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