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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Before
Another change made at Redheart Appaloosa’s has involved the purchase of a few sheets of ply board, a few pots of paint and the help of my daughters.
We have had great fun at the start of the School Summer Holidays making a secure “round pen” to help build the relationship with the young stock!
During.
The decorated panels should enhance a bold approach to similar surroundings in the future for the young stock.
After
Hevans EV Pascalius was amazed!
Hevans EV Catorrius quietly walked around looking at each design!
The round pen certainly has brightened up the training / education sessions, as we head back to basics with Reus and prepare Evee for the Appaloosa Horse Club UK National Breed Show.
Achieving the “mileage” on the showing circuit with Hevans EV Catorrius, today we attended the APHC UK Southern Show at Pachesham Equestrian Centre in Surry.
Gaining 2nd place in the male under three years and Reserve Champion Young Stock.
Assessing Reus behaviour recently in the ring, it is my assumption he has realised during his “show”, there is an opportunity to play and show off without being reprimanded!
This behaviour is totally unacceptable especially so late in the season!
He has learnt to “switch off” outside the ring, he will walk around the ring with other horses and will stand for the judge.
Being aroused by the ladies and getting his penis out is nature, I only try to distract him, dealing with his behaviour and gaining his concentration is key and seems to be working.
Reus was imprinted at birth and has been educated to a high degree of manners and understanding. There is nothing I cannot do with him at home, he is a very sweet, calm and intelligent natured horse and a very quick learner. Nothing phases him and his inquisitive nature enables me to achieve more in his education than most two year olds I have dealt with. Perhaps this is one trait of the Appaloosa shining through?
It is the testosterone that switches Reus character at the events. The presence of this hormone gives him a thicker “cresty” neck and a more muscular physique. On occasions his presence makes him head strong and hard to handle and sometimes he is unpredictable with his actions.
I am always on my guard for a high leg or a swing from his head,
aware of the danger and consequence should he get loose in the ring.
It is not in Reus’s character to intentionally misbehave, It is my understand that he is pushing the boundaries and testing me?
Just like “the terrible two’s” of a child!
My aim is to persevere and change his attitude, going back to basics at home. We need to enhance our bond, I need to regain his trust and respect starting with a change of routine. A possible change to future showing maybe to compete English style, this will give us more control in a bridle and the bonus of being allowed to carry a showing cane will help reiterate who’s boss!
We have a few weeks before the Nationals, I hope to achieve a significant difference by this show!
Time will tell….
An early start for Hevans EV Catorrius, a straight run on the M5 and M6 to the Appaloosa Horse Club UK Northern Show, held at the very impressive venue of Myerscough College. Preston. Lancashire.
We arrived an hour before the first class to allow Reus to stretch his legs, have a look around and warm up. He was an absolute dream but as the horses started to arrive and the first class got under way the hormones kicked in…….again!
Although he won the APHC USA main registered Appaloosa young stock, placed second in both the APHC UK colts under three and Open Colts / Stallions any age he was an absolute nightmare to handle!
There was no way he could possibly get a place in the Championships as he spent most of his time on his hind legs with his penis out! We don’t get this problem at home even though we have four females in his surroundings, therefore it is very difficult to reprimand him at the shows.
I am sure (hope) this is a phase he is going through and in his defence the indoor arena was very humid with the scent of either a “in season” filly or the scent of female urine held in the surface of the indoor arena?
This show was our first indoor venue for 2014 but an experience to remember for next time….…….