Mares have been making their mark at the SHB(GB) gradings.

At the National Hunter Show grading the Thoroughbred mare Beseeka Dawn Fox (Roviris-Mandalus), who was overall champion sport horse and best Thoroughbred, gained the very high marks of 9.93.

Beseeka Dawn Fox was bred by Marina Hughes of the Beseeka Stud, and purchased by Jenny Womersley as a four-year-old. After performing as an all-rounder and breeding two foals she is now on loan to Jane Townshend of the Classic Top Stud who has put her in foal to the SHB(GB) graded stallion Up with the Lark.

"All credit must go to Jane who has done all the hard work and produced her so well," said her owner. "It is lovely that she is back out showing and I am really looking forward to watching her and her foal next year."

Successful small hunter and working hunter Crack the Code, also received high marks (9.5) at the National Hunter Show grading. The mare owned by Jill Elkington was bred by Rory Gilsenan who also produces her.

At Strathearn Eventing in Perth, Southills I Propose was another high scorer (9.35). Owned and bred by Fiona Thomson, she is by the part-bred Welsh pony stallion Knights Playboy out of a mare by Stonegrove Ace.