High standards were once again set at this years Scottish Sports Horse Annual North Of The Border Foal Show. Judging the classes was British Breeder Lynn Crowden of Woodlander Stud in Wales, who has been breeding and producing successful horses for racing, eventing, jumping and dressage for twenty five years. In addition Lynn is secretary of the Warmblood Breeders-UK Studbook, Chair of the Sports Pony Stud Book (SSPS) and evaluator for the BEF Futurity classes held Nationally across the UK.

Lynn commented that the standard and quality of the Sports Pony Foals was exceptionally high “something to be very proud of ” she announced to the audience prior to revealing her results for the first class.

Third and fourth places with equal scores of 66 points went to Harry Aird of Hanleen Stud’s DF.Carwyne and “Little Miss Button” by Buttons Blue out of “””Country Rose” D.F Carwyne was described as being an exceptionally well developed colt with a lot of power in his canter with a great deal of masculine presence. His sire is the legendary International Grand Prix Show Jumping, Welsh Pony Stallion “Machno Carwyne” out of Dibberford Jabbis. Carwyne showed all the qualities of making a top show jumping pony of the future. Little Miss Buttons gained her place based on the result that no score was below an 8 and was described as being a very useful and correct sports pony of the future.

Another prize for Hugh Patterson, this time fifth place with “Miami Chuckles” an elegant Dun filly again by by “Wian Master Darron” out of the recently deceased 1st premium SSH Mare “Miami Bubbles” full sister to “Miami Troubles” by Solway Cruise. Bubbles was dam of this years third placed loose jumping pony “Bubblegum” and dam also to “Hulabalou” 2009’s highest scoring stallion at the annual SSH stallion Grading by Balougran Z and winner of the 2008 pony loose jumping championship. Bubbles was also dam of “Suds” the highest priced yearling foal sold at Aintree sales last month.

In sixth place was "Scholland Croesan" a skewbald colt, owned & bred by, D.Maas of Scholland Stud, Colinsburgh, sired by SSH sports pony stallion “Copybush Charlie Whisker” x “Trellech Courvoisier” out of an SSH Ster mare “Rushiefauld Bethaney” x “Tullibardine Bonheddwr” dam also to the SSH stallion “Rushiefield Havannah”. “Scholland Croesan” also picked up the prize for being the Highest placed foal by an SSH Stallion and was admired for the lightness to his step.

Sports Horse Foals 2009

With only one entrant in class two the decision was made to combine class two and three into Colts & Fillies Born before 31st May 2009. Thirteen entrants came forwards and once again the high quality forwards was commented upon. The winnerof class 2&3 combined was the elegant long lined chestnut, filly “Clara” sired by Kroongraf x Burggraaf x Amor out of Lillian by Flemmingh owned by J & K , Steel of Perth and bred by the late Margaret Coyle in Ireland. “Clara” obtained high marks for conformation 8.25 with a 9 for canter 8.5 for movement and 8 for presence with an overall score of 67.5 points and went on to take the Reserve Champion of the sports horse foals born in 2009 collecting her total prize money of £100.

Class four for foals born after 31st May found the overall Sports Horse Foal Champion 2009 “Editor” by Darius x Darco x Ramiro owned and bred by Balcormo Partnership. He earned his first place with the overall highest score of the day with 9 for walk canter and presence and a total overall score of 72 points, gaining the first place and Champion prize money of £150 but also the bonus prize money of £25 as the highest placed SSH passported sports horse foal bringing his total to £175.

“Editor’s dam VDL Torrete Isolde by Matterhorn has been a fabulous broodmare for the stud. Her first foal “Zorrette“ by the show jumping sire Indorado won the loose jumping championship in 2007 and is also dam to this years overall sports horse Champion at the Royal Highland Show “Brunette” by Cavalier Royal. Brunette was also the highest scoring SSH mare at the 2009 SSH Gradings.

Fifth & Sixth places were awarded to two more of Balcormo Studs foals, “Ello Ello” a chestnut filly by the late SSH stallion Secundus x Rigoletto out of “Lotus” by Goodtimes and “Emily Little” another SSH 1st premium bay, filly by VDL Douglas x Darco out of Vinini by VDL Emilion x Wellington.

The foal show also provided the ideal opportunity to present this years Mare & Young stock Grading awards, with Jackie Low-Mitchell receiving her cash prize of £250, trophy and sash for breeding the highest graded SSH mare “Brunette” who scored an overall 80%. Jackie was also presented with her cash prize and rosette for breeding the highest graded SSH colt foal “Ere Am I” sired by the SSH stallion “Calvaro”

A prize of £50 for the highest graded SSH Gelding owned and presented by Molly Barclay went to the Palomino Pony “Andy Pandy” also bred by Balcormo Stud sired by the late “Court Jestar” out of Silver. Andy Pandy scored an overall of 78% with equally high marks of 8 for conformation, trot and canter.

In addition the prestigious Central Breeders Prefix Award was presented to Mr Hugh Patterson for his life time contribution to breeding and in recognition of the prefix “Miami” with a special “Owner” Award for “Miami Roberto”

The nominated horse, Miami Roberto, a dun colt was "North of the border foal show"  champion in 2008 at the same show Hugh also took reserve with Miami “Sandyman” and in 2007 produced the Sports Pony Champion Foal “Miami Goldrush” Over the last few years Hugh has dominated the foal show with his pony foals taking  numerous top places, Championship & Reserve titles.
 
Hugh now in his 70's, has been a prolific breeder of SSH Sport Ponies, which now go by the Miami prefix. He has consistently produced National JA ponies, working hunters, Inhand and Loose Jumping Champions as well as 1st premium stock. His most recent success is that of “Cree Crusier” sired by the late SSH stallion Goldhills but also produced the Gold medallist at the European Championships in Italy “Miami Gold” by SSH stallion “Hocki” out of a daughter of Hugh’s foundation mare “Chippie, a mare of unknown breeding, suspected welsh x arab who is now in her late 20s and can be found in the pedigrees of the majority of Hugh’s blood stock.

The Scottish Sports Horse would once again like to express their gratitude to all of its breeders for attending this event and wish you all the very best for the future. A very special thank you to Lynn Crowden for making the journey to Scotland as her input and comments were invaluable and greatly appreciated.

Photographs Couretsy of Jim Crichton

Next Event the Scottish Sports Horse Loose Jumping Championship 2009 at Ingliston Equestrian & Country Club Thursday the 3rd December 2009 commencing 6.30pm with fun auction and initial judging of conformation.