The New Forest in hand classes at this years Bath & West were exceptionally strong and Mrs G Evans had an unenviable task in sorting through her classes, coupled with the awful ground conditions following the previous day’s torrential rain. First in were the New Forest mare classes for 4 years old or over. From start to finish Mrs Evans chose James Young’s and Trudy Nineham’s Brock Baccarat ahead of Mr & Mrs Baileys Applewitch Roan Fantasia. Baccarat looked in excellent condition having been an escort ride for Trudy and James’ riding school this year.

Brock Baccarat Winner of the Mare Class.

One of the strongest classes was the yearlings, with 10 entries forward. Kate Robb’s homebred chestnut colt Knavesash Alchemist took first place ahead of Sabine Andree-Parsons colt, Sabinas Gold Zigzag. Alchemist is by the late stallion Willoway Pipers Gold and definitely had his father’s presence throughout the class.

Knavesash Alchemist Winner of the Yearling Class.

In the 2 and 3 years class, 11 entries were forward with John and Wendy Adams’ 2-year-old bay colt Hollybrooke Rambler heading the line up.  Rambler looked in fabulous condition and not overtopped as so many youngsters can be.

Hollybrooke Rambler Winner of the 2/3 Year Old Class.

The New forest Gelding class was well filled with a real mix of types ranging from the true ponies to more up-to-height riding ponies. Mrs Evans’ winner was Miss E Collis’s lovely bay gelding Dorridge Lone Piper who is a true example of a pony type, no doubt inherited from his famous father, Peveril Peter Piper. In second was Mrs K Gorman’s Greencottage Countryman, by another great stallion Peveril Peterborough.

Dorrdige Lone Piper Winner of the Gelding Class.

Finally in the Stallion class another Peveril Peter Piper-sired pony scored when Willoway Minstral was chosen as the winner ahead of Mr and Mrs Pidgley’s Longcopse Elton.  Willoway Minstral, owned and bred by Mr & Mrs Large, went on to stand overall New Forest Champion with Brock Baccarat in reserve spot. Later in the day Minstral won the New Forest and Connemara ridden class.

After the class Mrs Evans commented that she wished she had more rosettes, as the classes were full of exceptional ponies. She further commented that she really judged the ponies on the way they coped with the atrocious ground conditions and that all of her winners could still move on, even in the mud, which is more than can be said for some of the handlers she added!

Willoway Minstral Winner of the Stallion Class and New Forest Champion.

Report by Kerry Humble. Photos courtesy of Kay Bailey.