Ring Four Champions Andrew Brown and Quimperlaise, photo by Redwings Horse Sanctuary.
Donkeys, heavies, novices and rescues; Redwings Horse Sanctuary’s annual show attracted a variety of competitors for a day of showing, jumping and most importantly, fun!
On Sunday 14th May, over 100 competitors attended Redwings’ annual horse show at Topthorn Equestrian Centre in Suffolk.
Participants competed in more than 50 classes including Donkey Breed Society affiliated classes, working hunters, novices and those just for fun, as well as the rescue classes in which several Redwings’ ponies competed.
Supreme Champions Tia Wynne-Rogerson and Carylmai Trade Secret, photo by Redwings Horse Show.
The 2017 Supreme Champions were seven-year-old Tia Wynne-Rogerson and her beautiful Welsh pony Carylmai Trade Secret – also seven years old. The dynamic duo had a fantastic show having also won the First Ridden and Young Handler classes, and the Ring Two Championship as judged by Redwings Show organiser Stacey Harvey, plus they won the Working Hunter Pony class in Ring Five, judged by Fiona Harrison.
Tia, from Chedburgh near Haverhill, and her family have owned Secret for six-and-a-half years since he was rescued from the Welsh mountain foothills. Tia’s mother, Gail Wynn-Rogerson, said: “He’s been brought on so well and it’s all been done by Tia. This is the first time she’s been showing on her own and the first year he’d been shown as a ridden pony off the lead rein. It’s amazing what they have achieved!”
Reserve Supreme Champions Zoe Norton and Dilly Daydream, photo by Redwings Horse Sanctuary.
Reserve Champion Zoe Norton put in an equally impressive performance at this year’s Redwings Show. Zoe went Reserve with nine-year-old donkey Romanhill Dilly Daydream having won the Donkey Championship in Ring Three, judged by Diane Randell, and the Mares In-hand class.
Zoe and Dilly made the Supreme Championship in the 2016 Redwings Show, so were delighted to have gone one better this year by taking Reserve. But that was not where Zoe’s success ended, as she also won Coloureds/Palominos and Spots In-hand in Ring Four with cob Little Sharpie.
Spillers Best Condition Champions Acacia Coombe and The Duke, photo by Redwings Horse Sanctuary.
The 2017 Spillers Best Condition Championship went to Acacia Coombe, from Frinton-on-Sea in Essex, and her stunning 19-year-old Thoroughbred x Irish Draft, The Duke, with the pair having won the Veteran Horse/Pony class in Ring One, judged by Cathy Hyde.
Best Condition Reserve went to Jenna Johnston, from Tostock near Bury St Edmunds, with her 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood, Valetino, who also won Ridden Best Condition in Ring Two, judged by Andrea Vilela, and In-hand Hunters in Ring Four as well as Ring Four Reserve Champion, judged by Sue Ledger.
“This is my first time at the Redwings Show,” Jenna explained. “I’ve come on my own, and everyone has been so helpful and supportive. I’ve had Valetino for two-and-a-half years and this is the first time we’ve done any showing together. We’ve loved it – it’s been really good fun.”
Spillers Best Condition Reserve Champions Jenna Johnston and Valetino with Show Organiser Stacey Harvey, photo by Redwings Horse Sanctuary.
Rescue classes were really well attended this year and Redwings’ rehomed rescue horses put in fantastic performances throughout. Redwings Vincent and Redwings Elsey made their showing debut with Guardian owners Mark and Rachel Kennedy, with Vincent winning In-hand Best Rescue and Elsey placed second in Prettiest Mare in Ring Three. Meanwhile Blue Cross Vaughn and Amy Bloomfield also had a fantastic day having won Working Hunter (60m) in Ring Five, Ridden Best Rescue in Ring Two and taking Ring Two Reserve Champion.
Other stand-out performances included Ring One Champions Gemma Lovick and Railstown Captain who won the Riding Horse class, Ring Four Champions Andrew Brown and impressive Percheron Quimperlaise who won the Foreign Breeds and Heavy Horse In-hand classes, and Ring Five Champions Roberta Bradby and Neutrino who won Working Hunter classes at 70cm and 80cm.
Reflecting on another successful year, show organiser Stacey Harvey said: “As well as the incredibly high standard of competitors and their beautifully turned out horses, ponies and donkeys, what really stood out in this year’s Redwings Show was the number of competitors who were showing for the first time or returning to showing after an extended break.
“We’re so pleased to be able to create a welcoming, supportive and fun environment for these competitors, while also providing some healthy competition for those more experienced riders looking to challenge themselves. And despite the changeable weather, we again had a fantastic turnout and high number of class entries – another successful Redwings Show!”
