One of the most prestigious classes to win is the Diana Rainey Memorial Equestrienne Trophy. Diana was a very successful and highly-respected showing competitor and judge, and it is great to see her memory perpetuated with this event. There are a number of parts to the class, from turnout, conformation, paces and manners, riding and overall look. Each section has a different judge. Moores Riding Wear sponsor some great prizes, as do Coriander’s Indian Restaurant.
Dorothy Lennard judged the turnout, which includes an inspection of the rider as well as the horse.
Alan Windle judged the conformation, Jo Jefferson the paces and manners, Celia Warren-Shrimpton the rider, and Jackie Hall the overall.
Congratulation to Allie Harper for winning on Rosari Ringo Star.
The Saddle Cobs were on this morning as well. Danielle Hughes won the overall champion with Candyman, and Lyn Chamberlain took reserve with Just Billy.
The Donkey section wasn’t large but had some high quality donkeys in it. The overall champion was Smugglers Cove Brandy Wine for Margaret Salkeld. Margaret has been showing and judging donkeys for over 30 years and says this might be her last time, but with such a lovely young donkey as Smugglers Cove Brandy Wine, nobody believes her.
‘Brandy’ lives on Margaret’s property on the hill just out of Sumner in Christchurch, with two other donkeys, one of whom is 35 years old! Margaret says she’s very cheeky: “She has a mind of her own. Sometimes we can’t catch her, but if you have a brush in your hand, she’s fine!” Brandy’s success was attributed to her good bone, and that she is very strong in the shoulder and hindquarters. She is an English-Irish cross.
Brandy won the Champion Young Stock Donkey, and had to compete for the championship class against Sheryll Green’s Flaxton Green Macauley who was the Champion Adult Donkey.
Washington won the Working Hunter over 163cm this morning, ridden by Olivia Mitchell.
Karla Meredith with Jubilee Silver Knight won the best presented non-hackney in harness.
Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, we were not able to stay to cover the afternoon’s activities.
