The 160th Royal Show at Stoneleigh Park had an air of sadness this year due to this being the last ever Royal Show. However the New Forest pony competitors took the opportunity to show at the prestigious venue for the last time with large entries forward in the in-hand and ridden classes. With twelve ponies in the stallion class the ring was a little small and a back line up was created. Mrs K James’ choice for first and second were Mr & Mrs Andree-Parsons’ homebred chestnut stallions, Sabinas Gold Nugget and Sabina’s Gold Sovereign, both by Peveril Peterborough. Third was last year’s breed show supreme Fiona King’s 5-year-old, Fijal Jupiter, whose grand-sire is also Peveril Peterborough. Fiona King was having a tremendous day having won the New Forest and Connemara ridden class earlier in the morning with Jupiter’s sire Green Cottage Ambassador and booking their place to the Horse of the Year Show. The final line up for this ridden class was refreshingly full of New Forest Ponies with only two Connemaras in the top eight placings.

Green Cottage Ambassador New Forest and Connemara ridden class Champion Royal Show 2009.

Another strong class was the mare and gelding class with 13 entries. The winner was Miss A McGrath’s Vernons Valeta shown by Malcolm Fry. Valeta is in foal to Fijal Jupiter. Second was Mr & Mrs Paul Armitage’s Willoway Madeline. Another pony from the Armitage’s stable Willoway Royal Oath topped the 2 & 3 year old class ahead of Emma Collis’s Dorridge Mayqueen.

Vernon Valeta New Forest Mare Champion Royal Show 2009.

The yearling class was won by Mr and Mrs Bailey’s homebred Applewitch Maid by Magic, by Applewitch Pure Magic. Second was a charming bay filly Picket Post Precious owned and bred by Rohays Gray, by Willoway Double Gold. Third place was a striking palomino Burley Gold Rush owned by Mr and Mrs John Lowth.

The Mare champion was Vernon Valeta, with Sabinas Gold Nugget standing overall New Forest Champion.

Full results can be viewed on the Royal Show website www.royalshow.org.uk

Sabinas Gold Nugget New Forest Stallion Champion Royal Show 2009.

Report by Kerry Humble. Photos by Kay Bailey