In showing there's always something to surprise you

Unlike two years ago when I saw a young rider use a similar make-shift stable to get her Welsh pony ready for the ring, this time is was for protection from the sun rather than the rain. In both cases it seemed like a very sensible idea to me and yet another example of man's (or in this case woman's) ingenuity.

It's true what they say about necessity being the mother of invention and I hope this was the case of the judge of the Royal Welsh's qualifier for the famous Cuddy in-hand finals at the Horse of the Year Show, whose unorthodox appearance had to be attributed to something other than taste.

He was none other that the famous dressage rider Carl Hester, who had been given the honour, but whose invitation obviously made no mention of dress code. This normally well attired equestrian appeared in the ring with what appeared to be grey trousers/jeans, fitted black jacket showing his white shirt cuffs, tie and a bowler hat which looked as if he had lifted the wrong one off the peg in the cloak room. Dear me, it was not a good look. So disappointed was I, having never seen him other than in photographs, that I have chosen to believe that he left his suit case at home by mistake.

I would be the first to say that his attire did not reflect his judgement and even I, as a challenger for the qualifying ticket, would have to admit that his choice of champion was impeccable. The Welsh Section C 15-year-old brood mare, Synod Lady Lillian, last appeared in the Builth Wells show ring as a yearling when she stood reserve youngstock champion of her section. She was subsequently bought from her breeders by Gareth Williams from Cardiff for his family, who are great showing enthusiasts. The family have cost Mr Williams a pretty penny over the years but I'm sure money well spent when he sees what they have achieved. Handling the foal, he was present in the ring for once to enjoy the moment as his mare went through the card winning championship after championship.

In a climate where many exhibitors feel that only the professionals have access to the major championships, hopefully her victory will inspire others. However, it must be said that she was immaculately produced and packed in amazing performances on each and every time of asking, a quality seldom seen in brood mares. That's what often separates the amateur from the professional but it can be done as this victory demonstrates.

The Shetland pony exhibitors will be pleased to read that I saw many lovely little Shetland ponies in Wales but maybe not so pleased to know that I thought they were turned out, on average, much better than those seen round our Scottish shows. Pony after pony was produced immaculately and went very well for their handlers; there were no rough coats, bridles fitted and they trotted obediently round the ring.

High class production surely enhances the native pony and takes nothing away from its native credentials. Ignorance of how to do it only holds good for so long and there does come a time when exhibitors end up letting their ponies down by not showing them to their best. "But they are native ponies," is an excuse that just doesn't hold water in my book. Besides, when judges make the effort to look smart to judge classes, it is incumbent on exhibitors to do likewise for both themselves and their ponies.

It certainly was case of smartest on parade for the young judges recently when they exercised their skills at the Welsh Pony and Cob Society's annual young judge's competition which was held at the National Welsh Show at Malvern. Young Scots have a good record in the competition with Greig Stables and David Russell past overall winners. Last year Laura Aitchison from Kippen won her age section and she was a member of the triumphant group representing the Scottish Welsh Pony and Cob Association. With entrants travelling the length and breadth of Britain to compete, it was the furthest travelled, Gaving Ingram from Huntly who took both the senior award and overall title this year. This 20-year-old, competing for the first time, impressed the judges, Gill Simpson from Derbyshire and Joanna Shiel from Mid Wales, with his extensive knowledge and common sense approach. Laura Aitchison, although not successful this year individually, was in the winning Scottish team along with Jane Brisbane from Blairdrummond, who won the middle age section.

Returning to our smallest native breed, funnily enough it was not the Shetland pony, Cruachan IV, the Royal Regiment of Scotland's mascot, which caught my eye at a recent visit to Edinburgh's Military Tattoo, but Joey, the life-size puppet horse which is soon to appear in the National Theatre's production of War Horse at Edinburgh's Festival Theatre in January. If the animation by the puppeteers who bring life to the model was anything to go by, theatre-goers and horse lovers alike are in for a treat. It was uncanny how they brought the model to life from the twitching of Joey's ears to the resting of a leg as he became a bored with proceedings. While the obligatory bag of sweets will be required for the performance, I understand that tissues are an essential as well.