SCROLL DOWN FOR SHOW REPORT

E.A.S.P.G IN HAND SHOW
report and photographs by Diane Randell

After months of show planning it seemed that everything was in place and we were looking forward to the Group In hand show. Then an email arrived from the SPSBS panel judge to say he was unable to fulfil the invitation – panic set in! Twenty-five phone calls later, over a period of two days, and time was ticking on towards the show day - still with no judge! Then we were saved, Mrs. C. Jones from Wales agreed to judge. But we only had 6 entries – where were all the Shetlands? Had they forgotten?! Suddenly over the next two days before entries closed, much to our relief, the letterbox rattled welcomingly resulting in a total of 54 ponies and 100 entries!
Many new group members were showing for the first time at this show and the classes were full of lovely quality ponies, well worth the 580 miles round trip, which our judge had travelled to officiate. After the judging Mrs Jones said how pleased she was to see so many good classes well filled with nice stock.
The show started with a miniature young stock class for one, two and three year olds, which was won by Piebald stallion, Romany Santos exhibited by G. Needham. The Standard equivalent saw the Wood Family’s Hose Rainbow in first place. Best Miniature yearling was Brandeston Luke exhibited by E. Hinchley and Best Standard Yearling was awarded to Loanin Eva exhibited by C. Boyle, All the first prize-winners of each class were awarded with a cup to keep and smart speciality rosettes which were interlaced with tartan.
The two first prize-winning stallions went on to stand again in the Junior Championship with Hose Rainbow taking the Champion rosette and Romany Santos Reserve.
The show likes to encourage the next generation of handlers; therefore the following class in the schedule was purely for young handlers under seventeen years of age. Mrs. Jones was thrilled to see eight young enthusiasts forward for this class, she thought it an excellent idea, and gave some pointers were necessary. Over all she was very impressed with the handling skills and professionalisms of those taking part. J. Johnson won the class.
It was good to see five stallions shown within the Miniature and Standard classes and six geldings. Laugherne Smurf exhibited by C. Boyle won the Miniature class with P. Brighton’s Westpark Chieftain heading the Standard.
The Miniature mare class only had three entries but Mrs. Jones liked to see one brood mare with a foal at foot. Arlington Shoecroft Marie La Vo won the class exhibited by J. Kelly-Mayston.
The ring was full of twelve mares for the Standard mare class, a strong class for the judge to deliberate over. Seventeen-year-old black mare, Fendale Echo, headed the class exhibited by R. Land. Two foals were forward for the foal class, both had presence and showed themselves well, with the first prize and SPSBS Best Foal rosette going to Too Hoots New Addition exhibited by C. Boyle.
By this time the sun was high in the sky and the indoor arena at the ILPH venue, resembled a sauna! Heat was rising in the schedule also as the Championships were next! The highest placed geldings from earlier classes assembled for the Gelding Championship. It was good to see that geldings were taking part and holding their own in the showing classes. Champion Gelding was awarded to R. Lake’s Springway Invader.
Romany Santos was having a grand day as he went Miniature Champion. Reserve was awarded to Laugherne Smurf. The Standard Champion went to black stallion, Westpark Chieftain, and reserve to black mare, Fendale Echo.
The finale of the SPSBS affiliated classes was the Supreme Championship where the Miniature Champion competed against the Standard Champion.
EASPG Supreme Show Champion 2006 was awarded to Westpark Chieftain
with Reserve Supreme Show Champion Romany Santos.

During the afternoon the unaffiliated classes were in full swing with some classes having up to thirteen entrants. Mrs. E. Bambridge, from Blickling, Norfolk judged these classes, which included Progeny Pairs, Condition and Turnout, Novice and Driving type.