It is hard to believe that yet another show season is over and we are looking toward the 2008/09 competition.    This year we had 33 entries with sadly only 18 returning their cards, come on guys there are rosettes and certificates for everybody scoring over 300 points. 

This season we were lucky to have been sponsored by Fox Grant Rural Estate Agents; our thanks goes to Mr Tom Grant, Managing Director for their kind sponsorship.   

The scheme was brought about to promote the versatility of the Irish Draught Horse and is open to all ages, the only criteria is that your horse must be registered with the Irish Draught Horse Society(GB).  For further information please contact Liz Langford on 01432 353468 or -

Overall Performance Award and Veteran Winner – Embla Yarrow & Heather White

Embla Yarrow is a 17 year old ¾ ID x TB mare by Embla Statesman out of Embla Jade and is owned and ridden by Heather White and was also the 2006/07 award Champion.

Well what a year it has been!  Nothing much has gone to plan.  It had been our intention to move up to Elementary and spend more time training to get there, however, with our trainer, Lee Pearson, off to Hong Kong to win more Paralympics gold medals, training had to take a back seat or be done by text message which was quite entertaining.  Despite his pressing and very important commitments however he still went beyond the call of duty to train me by phone even whilst he was in Hong Kong. 
In addition my partner moved to a new job which meant no holiday for us this year but instead meant I had my whole holiday entitlement available for competition days.  With 20 days holiday entitlement and reduced training opportunities we grabbed the chance to get out competing with both hands. 
We had to re-evaluate our goals and decided instead to try and establish ourselves more consistently at Novice. We also set our sights on the Summer Regional’s at Prelim, the Petplan Finals at Novice and then to try and go for the hatrick and qualify for the Winter Regional’s also at Novice.  Our one other aim for the year was to hit the 70% mark at Novice. 
Well, with a lot of hard work and  a few strategic training sessions squeezed in, we managed to achieve all four.
So, it has been a hectic year, with plans being changed at the last minute and general mayhem, but with lots of hard work and perseverance my horse has done me proud and we have had another year of achieving more than I ever thought possible.  She is a superstar!
Heather White

Unaffiliated Winner – Crimson Sapphire & Carole Stead

© Real Time Imaging

Crimson Sapphire has had brilliant start to her ridden competitive career this summer. 
It all started back in May, When I decide to go to a local dressage competition, I went with the idea that if we came home with more than 50% that I would be more than happy.  We did a prelim class on a sand arena and a walk trot test on a grass arena, as Crimson Sapphire is still finding her balance.
When the results where posted she had scored 70.6% in the walk trot test and was placed 1st  and 70% in the prelim test and placed 2nd. I was highly delighted with both scores and placings. I couldn't ask for a better start.
Crimson Sapphire has gone from strength to strength in each competition we have been to she has never been unplaced. Crimson Sapphire has been a pleasure to own and ride she is a very quick leaner. She has lots of character and is a very loving horse, who just loves attention.
Carole Stead

RID Winner – Milady’s Pride (Milly) - Lindsey Millar

It’s been an eventful past year. What with moving yards, sending Milly to stud and only starting competing again in July, we’re really impressed to have done well in the Performance Awards. I think I need reminding that it starts in November…but then again, if you’ve ever seen Milly in the winter months, you’ll understand why we don’t get out and about as often as we should. 
The 2008 season has been really fantastic. Our first competition was at the Royal Show in July and our last show was the ID Breed Show at Lincoln in September. Over the year we really have worked hard, with Team Milly. The team includes me (chief bather, clipper, plaiter and rider for the flatwork classes), Jan Carey (top in-hand show lady who really shows Milly off superbly) and Liz Tyley (who has done a fantastic job on the jumping work with Milly). Team Milly ended up bunking off work to drive all the way to Lincoln from Somerset in September and we had a fantastic time, winning the Performance Horse class, the Performance Horse Championship, the Mare class, the Mare Championship, and the icing on the cake, the Supreme Championship for 2008. I always knew she was the bees-knees, even under all that winter mud! And our plans for 2009? We need to improve our dressage and show jumping throughout the indoor season and hopefully aim to be in foal this spring.
Lindsey Millar

In-Hand Winner – Tyson’s Diamond Cove (Daisy) – Liz Langford