National Welsh 2025

National Welsh 2025 - Lignières (18)

I am using one of my favourite photos from the weekend as the main one for the post, 3 month olf "Harry", with minimal practice beforehand and at only 3 months old, was our star of the show.

He trotted up in the ring like a professional, with no fuss, but with his natural presence, which along with his quality and flashy looks, made him very eye catching to the very experienced judges.

"Dallas" was very hot in the section Championship, after winning his class, which I do think went against him and affected his chances - he does know his job very well but this time his excitement got the better of him.

"Easy" made us very proud - the first time back in the showing ring since last year, the consistent work has paid off and he is much more balanced with self carriage than he was before, which definitely contributed to his excellent placings!

Results :

Hilin Dallas, 1st place - 3yo Section B colts

Prince Harry de Maïka 1st place - Section C Foals

Prince Harry de Maïka, Overall Reserve Champion Section C

Prince Harry de Maïka, Reserve Champion Foal All Sections

Easy Rider de Maïka, 3rd place - Section D stallions, 4+ years

Easy Rider de Maïka, 2nd place - Open Ridden 137cms+

Easy Rider de Maïka, Overall Reserve Ridden Champion

 3rd place Overall/All Sections, Welsh Breeders Challenge 2025

  Welsh Performance France, 2025 - prize/points award (Easy Rider de Maïka - for his Hunter/Dressage performance)

I am hugely grateful to "the team", for driving, doing ponies at home for the weekend, photos, helping generally... We couldn't have done it without everyones involvement and dedication.

Massively indebted to the breeders of these wonderful ponies - Hilin Stud, Elevage de Maïka, for giving us the opportunities with them, but also for their selection and the true quality of their breeding programmes.

A very (very) big thankyou - to our Association (AFPCW), the committee, the helpers, for making the weekend enjoyable and for the huge effort they make (as always). We also had an AGM just after the show finished on the sunday, to re-elect the council members. It is a shame that more people didn't step forward to be on the committee, me included, but it is difficult when everyone is so busy - which makes me appreciate their efforts even more, because I know that they all have lots to do also. Maybe one day...

A special thank you to the judges, Stacey Cuddy and Andrew Thomas, for their time, their advice/opinions and for coming to judge at our show.

We got home safely and at a very respectable hour, so it was great to then unwind and recap.

Onto the next show , the Youngstock/Winter show which will be held at Pompadour in mid november. We will be very busy in between, with departures and arrivals, general daily work and other competitions for the "non welsh"