Welsh ponies seem to bloom in March, with NSW leading the way, followed by the Victorian show later in the month.
The 2024 NSW All Welsh Show was held at the Hawkesbury Showground, Clarendon, which is just west of Sydney before the Blue Mountains.
There were four judges from the United Kingdon – Sarah George (Chalverston Stud), Mark Woolley (Gwyrddparc Stud), Rob Jones (Pontsteffan Stud) and Jan Pearce (Glyncoch Stud).
They were joined by experienced Australian judges Sally Bayles (Nilton Stud), Christine Gray (Elargee Stud) and Kylie Hickman (Bamborough Stud).
Entry numbers increased from last year, a pleasing change in the current times, but unfortunately the extreme heat the day before the show and on the first day resulted in a number of scratchings.
Supreme led Welsh exhibit overall and supreme Welsh Mountain Pony exhibit was the four-year-old mare Woranora Susanna owned by Helen Dohan. She was shown by Taylah Lee in the Welsh Mountain section and Michael Gates for the overall supreme.
Susannah has been best youngstock Welsh Mountain Pony at the show on two previous occasions as well as champion filly at the Victorian All Welsh Show and best Welsh in hand at Canberra Royal.
Welsh Mountain filly and best youngstock Welsh Mountain Pony was Barn Hill Betty Boop owned by Sally Dalby.
Supreme led Welsh pony was the chestnut mare Bells Mountain Portia owned by Ruth Anderson. This mare went on to also win supreme ridden Welsh exhibit.
Best youngstock Welsh Pony and best Welsh youngstock of the show was Queensland-based Tara D’hondt’s Elvonara Park Bootilicious.
Supreme Welsh Pony of cob type was the recently imported stallion Bodynys Kaino owned by Taylah Lee of Kiuna Park Stud, with best youngstock Welsh Pony of Cob Type awarded to Ashley Porter’s colt Vanoca Park All Star.
Best youngstock Welsh Cob and supreme Welsh Cob went to the filly Haluma Park Cerys owned by Hannah-Rose Shilcock.
Following on from his championship at Canberra Royal the previous week, the best youngstock Welsh gelding and supreme Welsh gelding of the show was awarded to the yearling Bamborough Jagger owned by Nicola Tselepi and produced by Michael Gates.
Best senior Welsh gelding was the very consistent Canyon Da Vinci owned by Anne Stephenson.
Best Welsh progeny group of the show was won by Waxwing Peru (imp UK), represented by two Welsh Pony fillies, and best Welsh foal was won by Ffynnonuchaf Cymro owed by Sally Dalby.
The show offers veteran classes and these were well supported this year.
Best veteran Welsh mare was Cataraqui Angeligue owned by Megan Hewat and best veteran Welsh gelding was Kaewing Dartagnan owned by Zoe Andrews.
Home-produced classes are popular at the show, with supreme led home-produced Welsh going to Vanoca Park Lady-Smith owned by Ashley Porter.
The quality in the Part Welsh classes was outstanding and congratulations must be extended to the exhibitors who braved the heat and humidity to compete.
Supreme Part Welsh was the tobiano gelding Little G Royal Parade, owned by Leanne Dalrymple, having his first outing in the Part Welsh ring.
He was also awarded champion Part Welsh mare or gelding over 13.2hh with reserve going to Paulgren Park Vicasso owned by Grace Kennedy.
Champion Part Welsh mare or gelding ne 13.2hh was won by the very consistent Rathowen Red Velvet owned by Roseanne Bowerman. The reserve was awarded to Harrington Park Take A Chance owned by Teresa Hardie.
Best youngstock Part Welsh was the colt Song Bird Lodge Kung Fu owned by Belinda Shepley, with champion filly award going to Westgrove Flower Girl owned by Maia Murray.
Champion Part Welsh youngstock gelding was Bamborough Mr Mysterious owned by Samantha Roots and Katie Kelly.
Best Part Welsh veteran exhibit was Birdwood Romanz owned by Jacqui Langfield. Supreme Ridden Part Welsh was Joemoor Designer Llabel owned by Catrional Sviderskas.
The two-year-old Welsh and Part Welsh futurities are also conducted at this show.
The best Welsh futurity exhibit, as well as champion Welsh Mountain junior gelding, was Tara D’hondt’s Woranora Star-Lord.
The Part Welsh futurity winner was Paulgren Park Vanquish owned by Tricia Pauling and Lyn Bailey.
Harness numbers are increasing every year at the show and this year Christine Gray awarded the supreme Welsh Harness exhibit to Nagero Firefly owned by the Barlow family.
The supreme Part Wesh harness exhibit was Glenwood Pony Stud’s Glenwood Special Effects.
Children’s classes are always popular at Welsh Shows. Champion Welsh leading rein/first ridden pony was won by Woranora Paloma owned by Helen Dohan, with Dakota Park Candy’s Drean in reserve position.
Champion open leading rein/first ridden was won by Woranora Nobleman for Jessica Luscome, with Bamborogh Moonstruck owned by Sarah Pernice Reserve. Nobleman then won the champion open child’s pony with Woranora Paloma reserve to him.
The champion ridden Welsh child’s pony was the consistent Primrose Park Biscuit exhibited by Megan Hewat, with NSJ Enraptured owed by Nicolette Jones-Ryan the reserve.
See the whole gallery at The Regional.
View and purchase Lorelle Mercer images from the event.
This article appeared on The Regional on 20 March 2024.
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