The Jersey Horse Society Annual Summer Show, report by Phyllis Gouédart.
Phyllis Gouédart had an amazing day driving Kim Murray’s Dartmoor Hill Ponies Moorlands Murphy and Middle Lake 3 (Ben to his friends) winning all her classes. In the morning Murphy won both Exercise classes, On the Move class and On the Move Championship, he also won the single Long-Reining class in the hands of junior Sheona Le Roy, who also won the In-hand. Long-reining and junior whip class with her cob Spencer. In the larger division, dad Stephen won Senior Novice Whip and On the Move to stand Reserve Champion to Murphy, Another Murray pony, The Love Bug was making his debut led by Adam Murray winning the In-hand class and In-Hand Championship reserve was Rachelle Robinson’s Ovington Hermes well into his twenties, he deservedly won the Veteran Class. Karrie Davies brought her two year old for the young stock class.
The judge for the show was Jean Clayden from Essex who had some great years at the top competing with her Hackney Glenshane Prince.
Image: Phyllis Gouédart with judge, Jean Claydon.
The afternoon programme is devoted to the more traditional carriages. John and June Vibert keep the traditional Van class going, John winning but June won the Godel Memorial trophy for Best Brass, the Country class was won by Ivor Barette with his pair of black Dutch horses Duke & King driven to a Roofseat Brake, Vincent Obbard with Rizzy driven to a Canterbury Cart second. Ivor won the Combination class from John driving Yorkshire Ben and Burnhead Jester as tandem.
With few entries the Private driving classes were amalgamated in the ring though the trophies were presented for the appropriate classes. Winners were Phyllis Gouédart (Ben) driven to a C spring gig, Sheila Vetier (Danny) and Vincent (Rizzy)
These qualified for the Show Championship, Phyllis won the Pony and Vincent the Horse Championship, Ivor (having qualified as a pair) and Phyllis were sent round the ring again to decide the Supreme Champion Ben was asked for and gave more effort to clinch the title to the amazed delight of the driver.
The Concours D’Elegance was judged by Constable Deidre Mezbourian she chose Phyllis above Ivor, no easy task with such diverse turnouts.
The whip classes are judged solely on the driver’s ability to drive coachmen style and produce the best performance, Phyllis to the fore again from Ivor rounding off a special day for this octogenarian.
The Ride and Drive class require horses to do a show and to jump which attracts encouragement from the audience. Young Sheona sat tight as Spencer gave a huge leap to win with Vincent second and Sheila and Danny third.
Finally the Trotting Derby, two rounds of the arena without a break of pace, this goes back many years when riders rode bareback on their farm horses which generated a lot of fun. Margaret Robinson with Danny won for the seniors and Sheona Le Roy for the juniors. The show committee appreciate the many people behind the scenes who give of their time to ensure the success of the show.