THERE was sunshine and blue skies at Streatlam Farm, near Barnard Castle, on Sunday, May 7, when competitors took to the rings for the Dales Pony Society’s spring stallion and breed show.
One day later than normal to avoid a clash with the coronation, organisers of the show were delighted with the level of entries.
Show secretary Kate Waite said: “We had more entries than the spring show last year and it’s been a good turnout.”
Competitors arrived from all over the country but there was also a strong local field. Pumphouse Pearl, owned by Lee Daley from Tudhoe, won the in-hand championship.
The four-year-old mare was reserve champion and youngstock champion at last year’s show.
Mr Daley said “We normally have Highcroft in our name but even though Pearl was sired by one of ours and was by one of our mares, my dad sold the mare and it turned out she was in foal, but we were able to buy it back. She doesn’t have the Highcroft name, but she is one through and through.”
Lisa Hargreaves, from Rossendale, in Lancashire, was over the moon with her debut to the Teesdale-based show, winning both the gelding championship and traditional ridden championship with five-year-old Highcroft Major II. She also picked up the gelding reserve with eight-year-old Earnwell Sterlin.
