At the beginning of the month, the 2011 Orsett Show saw the prestigious Essex Final of the Marriages’ Riding Club Pony of the Year take place, which was won by local pony club girl Taylor Booker and her stunning coloured gelding Shiloh Star.
The regional final, judged by Sue Ockendon-Evans (To see an interview with Sue pick up a copy fo the September 2011 Issue – out now) took place in the late morning at the Orsett Show on Saturday 3rd September.
Winner of the 2011 Essex final – Taylor Booker & Shiloh Star
The Marriage’s Riding Club Pony of the Year has been running for the last twenty-four years. Marriage’s runs these ridden showing competition for riders under sixteen and their ponies. The competition comprises of up to sixty qualifying classes at local shows across East Anglia and the South East, with four regional finals and a grand final at Ponies UK South Show.
The Marriages’ classes run by Angela Howe, who also runs the Marriage’s Country Stores in Colchester.
“The competition grows larger every year,” Angela says, adding “ it is a popular concept with many because confirmation is not strictly part of the marking. This allows good ponies to do well, even if they’re not your typical ‘show pony’.”
Sweyne Park School student Taylor, who was back competing in the Marriages’ Essex final for the second year in a row, was thrilled to win;
“Shiloh really improved as the day went on, placing forth in the ridden coloureds and forth in the unaffiliated novice riding horse/pony before going on to win the Marriages’ final. I can’t wait to go to the grand final and I’m already looking forward to coming back to Orsett to compete again next year.”
The top six were:
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Congratulations to everyone who took part, it was a strong class with seventeen combinations taking part in the final, which took approximately two hours to judge.
For a full report of the Marriages Final along with a full report, photos and results of the entire show please pick up a copy of the October Issue out soon!
Subscribe now by clicking here.
