EQUINE NEWS

29th September 2005

NPA Champion of Champions

Barguse Riding Centre was the venue for the Native Pony Association's 30th Anniversary Champion of Champions Finale, and there was a super turnout of ponies, all of which had qualified by winning Mountain and Moorland Championships at more than a dozen shows around the County during the season. First the in-hand colts and stallions were put through their paces for judge Peter Honey, then came the mares, fillies and geldings. No hint was given as to his winners, but his decisions were recorded and sealed in a box until the end of the proceedings.

Next the ridden Champions were judged, first the Leading Rein and First Ridden ponies, and then the Open ridden, again the results were sealed and put in the box. After the interval, a parade of the ponies took place, with a commentary of each of the pony's breeding and prior successes, then it was time for the presentation of awards.

Finally there was an end to the suspense, the box was opened, and Mr. Honey announced his in-hand winners, Champion being Natalie Budd's lovely palomino Welsh Sec B stallion, Kalevan Amarillo. Eight year old Amarillo was bred by Iain Thomas near Stithians, and is by Kalevan Mystic Pride and out of Kalevan Amilla, so is truly Cornish- bred.

Reserve Champion in-hand was Sarah Pursall's beautiful liver-chestnut Welsh Sec C mare, Finglebridge Firebird, from near St. Columb. Sarah's parents are Joyce and Ian Johns, who have been very successful in the past at this event, so her win was rather keeping up the family tradition. The third award was the Home-bred rosette, which went for the second year running to Anne Lee's eye-catching 2 year old colt, Bochym Royal Romeo, by their own stallion, Barkla Royal Highlander, out of Bejowans Red Rose.

The ridden ponies came next, and the chosen Champion was the New Forest stallion, Woodrow Prince Harry, owned by Sally Carpenter and Mike Panell, looking every inch a Champion, and ridden by Charlotte Harlow. Reserve was another pony from the same yard, and part of the Pannell Commercial Show Team, the Welsh Sec C, Little Beechen Idris, ably ridden by 12 year old Zoe Barberry from Newquay, a very deserving winner.

Best home-bred in the ridden section was awarded to Sarah Wilkinson's super Lead rein pony, Little Hadley Flashdance, ridden by her daughter Jessica,. this lovely pony's paces and manners had been sure to catch the judge's eye.

Finally, the big moment came, as the Supreme Champion of Champions, and Reserve were chosen. First to be brought forward, for the greatest honour, was Kalevan Amarillo, much to the delight of the Budd family, who were absolutely thrilled and said it was a fitting end to his show career, as he is now going to be standing at stud.

Reserve Supreme was Woodrow Prince Harry, who at 9 years old is already a prolific winner on the flat and doing Working Hunter courses, intermixed with his regular stud duties. Mr. Honey was full of praise for the quality of ponies forward, and said he had thoroughly enjoyed his day. He had been particularly looking for good bone and substance, with nice free movement, and had been very impressed with all his winners.