Autumn is the time of year that breeders start bringing in the foals born last season and assessing the development of those from the previous year.
Foal shows provide an opportunity to not only give the youngsters some ring experience, but for the humans to meet up and have a natter as well.
They are happy and often very noisy events and the North Central APSB Group foal show at Heathcote in Central Victoria was one of the first of the season.
The best foal overall was Robert Cockram’s Deanhills Declaration, a Riding Pony gelding that will mature over 14.2hh.
There were some outstanding Shetland Ponies on show and Jenny Diaco’s filly, Cataraqui Flossy, was judged as the best youngstock overall.
The Welsh Ponies were out in force with Taylah Lee showing her sprinting ability to run out the grand supreme APSB foal Woranora Narrator for owners the Dallu Stud. The youngster was decked in ribbons at the end of his first show.
Taylah also showed Wingana Flying Colours to win the supreme welsh foal. Richdale Harry Potter, owned by Judy Ritchie, also stepped out for the first time to win the sash for champion Section A colt/gelding youngstock.
The supreme Welsh youngstock exhibit was Jarickni Delta owned by Jan Beckwith and Chloe Walls.
The grand supreme APSB youngstock sash went to Fontain Park Prince of Peru, a two-year-old Welsh colt by Waxwing Peru owned by Logan Spittal.
Debby Cheeseman took out the supreme led overall senior with Keira Park Unforgettable, a buckskin pony she describes as her “heart horse” by Keira Park Cascade.
“I bought him, (Keira Park Unforgettable) when he was only a day old after his breeder, Liz Carlisle, posted a photo on Facebook,” Debby said.
“Covid killed much of our youngstock show plans but when we have gone out, he has done really well.”
Libby Greshner has for many years produced some lovely home-bred ponies and took out the supreme ridden with Beauparc Wizardry.
Karen Parrish and her daughter Jahnae showed a charming Dartmoor colt, Mundoora Park River Rush, which was named the supreme other registered breed pony.
“I enjoy breeding the Dartmoors because they are a quality and very versatile breed, with the most brilliant temperament that suits either a little one requiring a reliable mount for pony club, or one competing in top level showing,” Karen said.
“They are safe leading rein and first ridden ponies for the little ones out showing, and for those a little older, working hunters because of the good jump on them – fabulous for a breed whose maximum height is 12.2.
“Everyone needs a Dartmoor in their lives – once you have one you’ll want another.”
Karen runs the Mountain and Moorland (M&M) Australia group and is busy gearing up for her own Winter Fair Mountain and Moorland Show this weekend at Tatura.
“It’s been a mammoth eight weeks getting the show together and the team at M&M Australia are thrilled with how entries are going so far,” she said.
“We will miss some of our lovely M&Ms who are not representing their breed for our UK judge, but at last count we still have around 60 youngsters entered which is great.”
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This article appeared on The Regional on 24 May 2023.
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