North Wales Arab Group

The small but merry band of helpers welcomed old friends and new faces to the North Wales Arab Group spring show on Sunday 18 April. A firm favourite in the calendar for many, judges and stewards were once again impressed with the clean, safe and peaceful facilities, while exhibitors were fortunate enough to hire stables for the day and horses rested contentedly between classes.

Ridden judge Kathryn Oldroyd was a popular choice, with many bringing their novices forward to test the waters for the rest of the season. Kicking off the day was the pre-novice pure-breds won by a smiling Jodie Gibson on her charming grey Saqqara Qazam, who was making his debut. Kirsty Nelson’s stallion Sahir Al-Badi stood second in a promising start to the season, which he continued as a gelding. The novice pure-bred win went to Emma Meredith aboard Symphony, with AH Djava Bey in second under the guidance of young producer Emily Cooper. Paula Shenton’s El G Sanan stood third and Michelle Mee on Bashir Shahir took fourth. The novice part-bred class saw locally bred Derw Tiger Feet give an honest display for his mere four years, much to the satisfaction of his rider Hannah Owen and her family team of grooms. Anne Rowley’s Kneen Tiger Lily stood second and gained experience from this class and their win in the open, though she declined the Cherif qualification. These two combinations later stood in the same positions in the junior riders class for under 16s.

The open pure-bred ridden was headed by Rebecca Brown and her loveable gelding Maeander with Jane Miller’s Azif in second; quite the advert for the worth of the gelding. Vicky Marsh’s stallion El Sahir took third with Kirsty Nelson up, despite having a long layoff over winter, while Madryn Meluana stood fourth for Rachel Howard. The over 148cm Cherif open ridden Anglo and part-bred saw some reshuffling of the line-up after the first pull. It was all taken in good grace and regular exhibitor Beverly Duncalf was delighted to win with her small hack Precious Little Time. Emma Meredith’s Merrymore First Edition was her usual vocal self and in super condition in second. Pricklegate Minim, ridden in this class by Emily Cooper, was dropped to third after being pulled in top but I am certain that owners Shirley and Emma Didlick still took home the right horse. Fourth was Helen Evans’ coloured mare Kavanagh’s Royale Sensation, looking and feeling rather well as she gave the judge an exciting ride. Just two exhibitors came forward for the junior riders class for 16 to 21 year olds. Rebecca Brown won on Maeander, while Emma Didlick rode Pricklegate Minim to second.

Maeander was named champion of both the affiliated section and mixed section of the ridden classes, taking home the silverware to Manchester. Beverly Duncalf had to settle for the reserve champion title of the affiliated section and Jodie Gibson’s pre-novice winner made a worthy reserve in the mixed section. She beamed as she revealed that this was her five-year-old’s first ridden show outing and thanked her trainer, Jane Miller, for all of her advice and support. Overall, the ridden section saw plenty of quality and potential, with room for development as the season progresses.

The in-hand judge for the afternoon classes was Sandra Plant and she was treated to some super displays. Her eventual champions would take similar titles nationwide.

Susan Brown’s Sulan Red October stood second followed by Pricklegate Minim. The classic head class is always a happy addition to the schedule and was won this year by Saqqara Qazam, with Rebecca Niotis’ feminine Africah in second. The junior pure-bred classes were populated by youngsters in gleaming coats and fine fettle. Winning yearling was the Canadian-bred filly RD Feeonix with Ryan Jones on the lead for a Saudi Arabian client; second was HT Oriole ahead of Strinsedale Fascination. Russian Design won the two-year-old for Karen Eggleston with High Tor Stud taking the top spot in the three-year-old class with HT Fernandez ahead of Nikki Lewis’ demure Rosina Bint Halima. It was RD Feeonix that would take away the Junior Championship trophy for a superb start to her season, with Russian Design in reserve. The pure-bred mare class was probably the strongest of the day with a range of stamps on show. The deserving winner and overall champion was Alf Hallworth’s big and beautiful FS Zaafinah. A scopey mare, impeccably presented, she treated onlookers to her rhythmic and dynamic trot, as well as her feminine outlook. She went on to stand Overall Halter Champion. Second in the mare class was Ryan Jones with the Versace daughter Vasha for another Saudi client, ahead of Africah in third. The gelding class was once again well supported and topped by HT White Nyle for his happy owner Avril Meadows. Jodie Gibson’s Saqqara Qazam stood in second with Angel’s Bahcardi in third. Stallion winner was four-year-old Vlacq Bakir Kayal (Shah Shadow x Quarida) making his debut and taking it all in his stride as spectators made a fuss of him in the stables. Camargue Too took the veteran title and looked to be in perhaps the best shape of his life. He stormed his way to the reserve champion title.

The committee would like to thank members and exhibitors for their support and wishes them all the best of luck for the season ahead. We also sincerely thank our stewards Alec Knott, Steve Georgeson and Catherine Lindley, whose conscientious work and happy disposition play a large part in the friendly and inclusive atmosphere.