WITH just short of 230 entries, the three rings at the recent National Pony Society Area 32 spring show in Danescroft Equestrian Centre were kept busy all day, as were their respective judges and stewards.

Veterinary surgeon Esther Skelly-Smith, who is a regular contributor to the Horse Sense pages of The Irish Field, judged The Horse Trust ‘Weight to Win’ award in three of the day’s class. This scheme aims to promote correct condition and long-term equine health by rewarding ponies that are presented at an appropriate, healthy weight.

Skelly-Smith’s winners were the Darcie Jackson-ridden Musselborough Darcie in the tiny tots lead rein class, the Rosalie Wells-partnered Shantiks Boy in the young riders’ Mountain and Moorland large breeds’ class and the Ellie McClelland-ridden Thistledown Dancing In The Moonlight in the Mountain and Moorland novice lead rein class.

It was a long day for many with the show, which started at 9am, not concluding until roughly 7.30pm, when James Clelland’s extremely flashy Welsh Section D stallion Budore Nelson, who had earlier taken the in-hand title, was crowned overall supreme champion. The ridden champion, Littlebyrom Limited Edition, stood overall reserve in the hands of Kjerstin Chissel.

The supreme mini champion was the Charlotte Cassidy-partnered Beltoy Panthere who, last weekend, was also contesting mini championships as a first ridden pony at the Northern Ireland Festival in Cavan. The reserve supreme was the mini lead rein champion, the Mia Armstrong-partnered Ronelle Ebony.