Front cover……..
Received my British Appaloosa Society Autumn Edition 2014 newsletter today, never did I think when Reus was born with NO SPOTS would he ever make a front cover………Absolutely delighted, thank you so much BApS X
On a High………..
Our last event for 2014 showing season,
High Horse Showing Society Championship Gala at Rodbaston Equestrian Centre.
Being the third lorry to enter the show ground, we soon got our bearings of this well-organized event. There were three rings running, delighted to find our ring outside far from the novice area, with so many children and ponies around it was a huge relief to know Reus and I would be out of their way.
Waiting quietly for our first class….
The morning was dry and sunny, all the horses were gleaming and Reus was no exception, starting with a 4th in the Best Turned Out and the Open Young Stock any breed. Obtaining 2nd place in the Best Stallion / Colt qualified us into the Evening Championship.
With eight or so classes to go before our next class The Appaloosa / Spotted, we put Reus back on the lorry.
As we sat back to relax, we watched my children entertain us, an idea taken from “A” another……horse!
By the time we entered the Appaloosa class, Reus was an absolute dream to handle.
He had urinated on the lorry which I have noticed at the previous two shows makes a huge difference to his concentration and performance.
This proved to be an asset for the next two classes, winning the Appaloosa / Spotted and the Hunter Type Horse / Pony.
Absolutely delighted and very proud of his performance.
With hours prior to the evening Championship, Reus was grazed in hand as a reward!
Winner of Hunter Type Class
Winner of Appaloosa Class
As it got dark we headed over to the warm up ring, everyone who had qualified were dressed up with their top hats and evening wear.
After taking his rug off, one thing Reus was quite keen to do……….get down and roll!
Quite amusing for the spectators as he got himself into some entertaining shapes.
The loud music is always enough to lift the spirits late at night, over 60 competitors headed into the evening performance.
Champion Appaloosa 2014
It had been a very long day and to be awarded Champion Appaloosa left me On a high……..
Non Appaloosa for the day..……..
One advantages of owning a solid Appaloosa is that you can enter a variety of NON APPALOOSA classes.
On this occasion we headed off to Addington Manor for The British Show Horse Association National Championship Show.
Reus was against a high standard of competitors that resulted in a 4th place for us.
Compliments……
I received with compliments from The British Appaloosa Society some memorable photos from their National Breed Show.
BAPS NATIONAL – FEMALE CHAMPION
BAPS NATIONAL – YOUNGSTOCK CHAMPION
BAPS NATIONAL – MALE CHAMPION
BAPS NATIONAL – SUPREME CHAMPION
HONOURED.
Foreign and Rare……….
Today we travelled to the Royal London Show held at Onley Equestrian Centre near Rugby.
Our first visit to this show ground was five years ago, each year structural improvements have been made but this year I can honestly say the development has increased the premises to a higher standard.
The schedule offers many classes to suit the “spotted” horse, we have successfully competed Peyres Catori Cat and Princesse Pascale in earlier years but Reus doesn’t fit the criteria – No Spots.
The “Spotted” Championship at Royal London Show 2014
Foreign and Rare Breeds in hand young stock.
Delighted to say we won.
Pre-Judging
We were unsuccessful in the evening under spot lights with loud music but we had a very enjoyable day.
The Evening Performance
Representing “The Appaloosa” in the Rare & Foreign Breeds at Royal London Show 2014
Postal surprise……
What a lovely surprise in yesterday’s post, a picture of Hevans EV Catorrius at Royal Windsor Horse Show in May 2014.
Winner of young stock & Reserve Champion
Redhearts together………
There is something very special that I cannot explain about being in the ring with my mother. I know she is proud of me and I know she is apprehensive about leading the babies. My mother completes the task without question and gives it her all. I am very proud of her and am thankful for her dedication in supporting me.
Back in the ring at Hartpury, my mother and I stood side by side in the BApS In Hand Grade Championship.
Reus was awarded Champion Grade A and Evee Reserve Champion Grade A .
This Championship was not declared on the card and was very much a surprise and appreciated.
Thanks to The British Appaloosa Society for exceeding the possibilities of more awards.
This award has enhanced Redheart Appaloosas, giving us another opportunity of recognition for what we are trying to achieve.
Preserve, improve, promote and enhance The Appaloosa Breed, along with every one else who has a passion.
Thank you.
The right day……….
Arriving at Hartpury Equestrian Centre on the ‘right day’, was a good start.
Hevans EV Cattorrius & Hevans EV Pascalius were both warmed up, shown around and dressed over in time for our first class. The first thing I noticed was the amazing surface in the indoor arena, level and compact made running easier for the daisy cutter……
I will admit on this day both horses turned out exceptionally well, competing English style made a huge difference in their appearance.
British Appaloosa Society National Breed Show 2014
Hevans EV Catorrius
As the day unfolded it was clear he was the Judges ‘type’, his manners better although he still insisted on proclaiming “I am a two-year old colt”! Words of wisdom from people with their own experiences, keep telling me “don’t give up, he will grow out of it…..” I find very encouraging and I appreciate any advice given.
Reus excelled himself winning the Best Conditioned, Most Colourful Other and second in the 2 & 3-year-old Colt’s class’s. Qualifying for the Championships he won Champion Young stock and was awarded the Audrey Callis Memorial Trophy. Winning the Champion Male he was awarded the Oslo Plate and he gained Reserve Champion in Most Colourful and Champion of Champions.
Winning the Supreme In Hand Championship made the day being awarded the Linda McCartney Trophy was very special for obvious reasons.
Hevans EV Pascalius
Evee was placed down the line in her first class and an honourable 3rd in Most Colourful Other.
In her defence she has never experienced so many horses in one place, it took a while for my mother to settle her.
Thanks to my mother, by the time I entered the ring with Evee for the Yearling Filly Class she was settled and “with me”.
Evee tracked up and completed her show without putting a foot wrong.
Standing beautifully before the Judges, she was awarded a well deserved and appreciated 1st place.
Another outstanding performance resulted in her first Champion award in the Female Championships.
This was certainly the right day for Redheart Appaloosas.
The night before, the night before …………….
Friday 15th August.
There is a lot of preparation the night before a show. Finishing work I collected my girls from their “Kids Club”, got the horses in from their fields, worked Reus, bathed and plaited him. Frank came and worked Evee, I then bathed and plaited her. A few other jobs completed and all was good to go.
Saturday 16th August.
Fed horses at 5am, loaded and on road for 7am to Hartpury College / Equestrian Centre , it was only a short drive away which meant no pressure. Our arrival was like entering a ghost town.
Not sure how many people have done this but I can confirm I am now one person that has gone to a show a day early, better than a day late I guess. Thankfully the short journey home was most entertaining as my children thought it was hilarious funny, as I explained it was “a trial run”
Surprised to be un-loaded at home, the horses enjoyed a relaxing walk around the lanes.
Hevans EV Pascalius
Hevans EV Cataorrius
“All dressed up and nowhere to go”
The worse thought;
I knew they would need bathing and plaiting the night before (again) the British Appaloosa Society National Breed Show ON Sunday 17th August 2014.
Progress at the Nationals……..
Keen to leave at 5am, I then realise it was too dark to turn Hevans EV Cateaster out into the field because she has night blindness. As soon as it was light enough Easter, Catori and PP were turned out and we loaded Hevans EV Pascalius and Hevans EV Catorrius into the lorry.
A straight run up the M5 to Warwickshire College, Moreton Morrell for the ApHC UK National Breed Show.
Frank very kindly warmed Reus up, he always needs to exert some energy.
Crystal ensured Evee had stretching her legs, had a good look around and was settled.
A fantastic day for Crystal and Evee, 2nd in the Yearling USA filly class, 4th in the FPD Halter female open and following in her mothers foot steps (PP) she won the UK Yearling filly class taking the APHC UK Nutland Carpet Salver. Crystal qualified for the ApHC UK young stock championship and was placed Reserve Champion. Absolutely delighted for Crystal and Evee, a promising second show and an exciting future for another potential brood mare at Redheart Appaloosa’s.
I have worked Reus hard over the last three weeks to enhance his performance at the shows. I believe this effort had paid off, he won the ApHC USA two year old colt class and the USA FPD Halter open male. He then went USA Grand Champion Stallion winning the USA bronze trophy.
In the UK class for two year old colts he took first place which qualified him for the UK Grand Champion Stallion which he won and was awarded the Tiptoe Stud Shield.
We also won the Spotless Salver in the non characteristic class.
However, he let him self down in the ApHC UK Supreme Championship, even though I believe we were in the running for Reserve (being asked for a repeat show), Reus clocked him self in the arena mirror and was very aroused by his reflection. I totally get that!
ApHC UK National Breed Show 2014
A well deserved day for the horses and a very enjoyable day had by all, topped off with a super picnic supplied by Frank. Just Brilliant.
More pictures updated on the horses pages.