ELITE AMONG THE SHOES AND FEET
ELITE AMONG THE SHOES AND FEET
AN ANONYMOUS donor endorsed the old adage "No foot no horse" by contributing £1000 to swell the prizes in the best feet and best shod horse competition at this years National Shire Horse Show.
Fellow of the Worshipful Company of Farriers Jim Ferrie from Newmilns, Ayrshire, accepted the task of inspecting the feet of every Shire forward in the in-hand classes of the two-day event held at the East of England Showground, Peterborough.
At the end of the second day he brought four forward for a second look, the two horses to which he had given the most points on the Saturday, stallions day, and similarly two females from Sundays classes. Awards in this competition are shared by the exhibitor and his farrier. The donation meant an extra £200 each for the winner and his farrier, and extra money for those placed second, third and fourth too.
Philip Woof took two of the farriery awards. He tends the feet of the winner, L N Harrisons Dansons Border Belle, which was placed second in the four-year-old mares class. He also shoes the Shire placed fourth in this competition, F J Liveseys Regis Bess, which was also fourth in the three-year-old fillies class.
George Bray shoes the runner-up, S R Hasemores stallion Snowhill Magic. Banyak Chantek Buddy was placed third and J F McCormick received both awards as he shoes his year old colt himself.
The most prestigious award in the show, the King George V champion challenge cup for the best stallion, was won by P E Mosss five-year-old bay, Walton Supreme, which is by Dothan Masterpiece and was bred by E W Roberts. Reserve was R T Mortimers three-year-old black, Earnshaw Ideal, which was sired by Whittlesey Winston and bred by the exhibitor.
A three times winner of the King George V cup, Deighton Commodore, sired the female champion, Walt and Paul Bedfords three-year-old bay filly Craven Zara, which was bred by D Sunderland. This was the 10th time the Yorkshire farming brothers have taken the NSHS female championship since 1985; they missed competing in two shows as they were judging.
Reserve champion female was K C Parrish & G T Brownlows four-year-old brown filly, Sandalwood Lincoln Locket, which is by Blackden Mascot and bred by D T Smith.
The Bronze Model trophy was awarded in the gelding championship this year and went to T J Yates three-year-old, Spring Bank Pride. Reserve was P & W Bedfords Deighton Hotspur.
The turnout championship was won by Whitbread Hop Farm, winner of the team class. Reserve was Cyril Knowles Ltd, winner of the pairs class. The open single heavy horse turnout class was won by Frederick Robinson Ltd.
The agricultural single turnout class was won by G & B Finch and Banham Zoo won the agricultural pairs class.
P & W Bedford won the trophy for the exhibitor gaining most points and the young handler award went to 16-year-old Matthew Burks.
Ann Rogers
Shire Horse Society president Clive Lidstone presents and awards won by Dansons Border Belle in the best feet and best shod horse competition.
Above right: Paul Bedford with the filly Craven Zara, winner of the female championship.
Jim Ferrie inspects an entry in his last class – the senior female one – as he comes to the end of his two day stint as judge of the best feet and best shod horse competition.
Cecil Burton of Haddenham, Cambs and Mike Horler of Radford, Soms consider entries in the pairs class. They judged geldings as well as turnouts.
Bulk powder transporter Cyril Knowles from Essex won the pairs turnout class with Sam and Tim driven by Alan Tillier. Groom was Tony Motsley.