A PONY that is proving hard to beat at the National Stallion Show is John Watson’s standard Shetland stallion, Kerloch Rupert, which secured a third supreme Shetland championship in a row. 

That’s no mean feat considering the large Shetland entry numbers, and while they were depleted slightly this year due to the change of date, the Shetlands forward still managed to outnumber the other sections entirely. 

The stylish 12-year-old Rupert, by Stow Review, in fact won here back in 2014 with his previous owner, Nicola Maternaghan, and, with John, has twice been champion at the Great Yorkshire. Bred by Shirley Moro out of Burnbank Veda, he also won the supreme in-hand championship at Cumberland Show, last year, and will be standing at stud this coming season. 

“The ponies were of an excellent standard and there were very few I wouldn’t have been happy to take home. The champion is an absolutely cracking type and just typifies what I like about Shetlands – he’s got the presence and movement, and is a real all-rounder,” said Mrs Sandra Seward, from Wales, who judged the standard section. 

The reserve standard from Dougal and Susan Dick’s Transy Stud followed Rupert through to stand reserve supreme Shetland, and was described by Mrs Seward as ‘a lovely mover that is very feminine but with great presence’. That was seven-year-old Rosekate of Transy, which is full of home breeding, being by Elderberry of Transy and out of Roseseljord of Transy, a show-winning mare that has lifted the females championship at the Royal Highland Show. Rosekate herself has only been lightly shown, and stood second at last year’s Shetland Pony Society Breed Show on her only other outing. 

Sticking with the 50-mare Transy stud and another bred from the Roseseljord mare was junior champion in the shape of Roselucy of Transy. This three-year-old is another to stand second at last year’s Breed Show, and is sired by Charles of Transy. 

Among the miniatures it was Katherine and Peter Thompson’s coloured stallion, Halstock Jeopardy, that stood to the fore. Bought as a three-year-old from his breeder, John Hodge, the now six-year-old has been lightly shown and his pedigree features Halstock Reggae on to Halstock Janie. 

“He’s perfectly in proportion with a beautiful head and great bone. He moves well with great action, is very typey and has plenty mane and tail,” said the judge of the miniature section, Mrs Di Johnston, from near Leyburn. 

Reserve here was the junior champion, Elspeth Crawford’s yearling filly, Plumtree Jolie, which was making her debut show outing. Sired by Merrylees Camelot and out of Applegarth Jenny, she was bought from her breeder, Lorraine Waite, at the end of last year. 

LEADING awards:

Standard (Judge: Mrs S Seward, Grogwynion, Porthrhyd, Carmarthen). Stallion – 1, standard champion, supreme stallion, supreme Shetland champion, J Watson’s Kerloch Rupert; 2, HP Sleigh and Son’s Westpark Royal Star; 3, Eynhallow Stud’s Eynhallow Dutch Prince. Two or three-year-old colt – 1, HP Sleigh and Son’s Wells Craig; 2, J, G and L Wilson’s Myreton Gustavo. Mare – 1, reserve standard and reserve supreme Shetland, Transy Stud’s Rosekate of Transy; 2, J Watson’s Heidrun av Bergli; 3, J, G and L Wilson’s Birchmoor Delight. Gelding – 1, J Whitaker’s Hildasay Skerri. Two or three-year-old filly – 1, standard junior champion, best black junior, Transy Stud’s Roselucy of Transy; 2, HP Sleigh and Son’s Wells Prosecco; 3, HP Sleigh and Son’s Wells Eloise. Yearling – 1, HP Sleigh and Son’s Wells Admiral; 2, Eynhallow Stud’s Eynhallow Contessa; 3, J Watson’s Lathom Jonnie. 

Miniature (Judge: Miss D Johnson, Parlington Stud, Horsehouse, Leyburn). Stallion – 1, best coloured stallion, miniature champion, Mrs K and Mr PD Thompson’s Halstock Jeopardy; 2, Alichbrae Shetlands’ Kerswell Merlot; 3, J and J Mitchell’s Zorcho of Berry. Two or three-year-old colt or gelding – 1, Alichbrae Shetlands’ Alichbrae Eddie; 2, L Cochrane’s Foula Uno; 3, A McConville’s Creamline Rory. Mare or gelding – 1, K Thompson’s Halstock Melrose Sox; 2, T Howard’s Blackertor Sunflower; 3, S Robertson’s Alichbrae Dixie. Two or three-year-old filly – 1, L Cochrane’s Enigma Tabitha; 2, S Cook’s Halstock Alexa; 3, S Valvert’s Doonpark Cinderella. Yearling – 1, miniature junior champion, reserve miniature, E Crawford’s Plumtree Jolie; 2, L Cochrane’s Alichbrae Tobias; 3, S Robertson’s Dryfesdale Amber.