Once again the Garden of England Show was a resounding success. Following hot on the heels of the Youth European Cup as soon as the youth were on their way back to their respective countries the 118 International Show competitors were arriving.

The Indoor arena with its new very orange surface proven its durability during the cup classes and it was decided that subject to weather the reining would be held indoors and all other classes out. That worked very well until on Friday it decided to rain so we quickly moved the show indoors for the day and then as the weather improved moved the rail classes and halters back outside.

Everyone seemed happy with this except for Jonathan Vine-Hall who was half way through a Western Riding pattern when a B52 bomber came directly over the showground very low, I was told low enough that they saw the pilot had blue eyes. Jonathan is a regular and successful competitor and we have not yet found the culprit who arranged the bomber’s run at that time!!!

We had International competitors from France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland. Austria, South Africa and Mexico. The competition was fierce in all classes and Chris Dalton hot from his successes in the Youth Euro Cup showed many of the adult competitors a clean pair of heels in many classes.

The CRI with 20 entries, judged by Lyle Jackson, was won by Doug Allen with Jacs Little Sunrise scoring a 71.5 with Lee Rutter on Lita Pocock’s Santa Cruz Whiz in second place scoring 70.5. Three horses tied for 3rd Pierre Barret and Julien Legrand from France and Francesca Sternberg with Smart A Little, who then went on to be a leading light with Francesca’s daughter Tabitha in the small fry classes.

The Open reining classes were small but full of quality, one of the judges thanked us for inviting him to come and judge reining of such a high standard. The Oakridge Quarter Horses $2000 added Lawson was won on the by Rudi Kronsteiner on Marco Franchini’s AB Lay Topsaillena with a score of 149, in joint second were Rudi again with Fabrizio Bevilaqua’s Star Spangled Whiz and Doug Allen on Jacs Little Sunrise both scoring 147.5　 The $5000 added Lawson in show 2 was thrilling to watch Rudi scored an amazing winning 　153 with Star Spangled Whiz and took second with Chic n Roost with 150.5. Doug and Jac were the last to go, they entered the arena as though the devil was on their tail showing the arena’s capabilities with a first stop that brought a gasp from all who saw it they scored a 149 to take 3rd place.

9 horses contested show 1’s Non Pro $2000 added Lawson which was won by Marc Verstappen on AJ Dunnit Smart with a score of 144 with Tammy Greaves and her palomino stallion Jac Wonders Who close behind scoring 143 and in 3rd place Francesca Sternberg also with her palomino stallion Just Gotta Shine with a score of 142, who then went on to take 2 Grand Championships in Halter. Show 2’s Collins Jewellers $3000 added Non Pro Lawson again had 9 horses competing. Francesca and Inwhizable Juan and Tammy with Jac Wonders Who tied for 1st with scores of 145.5 and agreed not to run off after a week of hard work for their horses. Andrea Castrucci from Italy was 3rd with MRH Chisum scoring 145.

The NSBA classes, which grow in popularity each year, were held in the outdoor arena. On Saturday the Open and Non Pro Hunter under Saddle were won by Val Nalbantian and her elegant grey mare Absolutelycaptivating with 2nd place being taken by Jane Wallace’s　 handsome black 3 year old Make Me Invited in the Open ridden by Tanya Rowe and in the Non Pro by Jane herself.

The western pleasure was also able to be held outside on the Sunday, the rain threatened but held off for the classes. Carrie Coles gelding Cee Ed Zip won both the Oakridge Quarter Horses Open and Non Pro, kindly sponsored by the Nalbantian family, ridden in the Open by Jessica March and by Carrie in the Non Pro. In the open 2nd was taken by Lee Rutter riding Mike Adams Kay Cee Dene and 3rd place went to Alan Payne and This Shieks Blazing. In the Non Pro second went to one of out International visitors Nicole Fuhrmann and Zips Radical Cuties and 3rd to Annie Gravett riding Hotrods and Harleys. The standard of these Hunter and Pleasure horses in the NSBA classes was exceptional and it was a joy to watch horses and riders of this calibre.

The Small Fry classes, always the hardest fought classes of the show, were hotly contested by 8 young ladies with the honours shared amongst them. The preparation before these classes and the concentration on their faces far out did the Open and NonPro reining competitors.

Circuit awards were well spread out. Open and Youth All Around HiPoint Chris Dalton and Hesa Classy Shadow Amateur Nicole Furhmann and Zips Radical Cutie Novice Amateur (sponsored by East Coast Circuit) Henrietta Campbell with Best Chex Yet Open Halter Stallion Caroline Barnes Smart n Spooky Nic Amater Halter Stallion Waralee Mr Montana owned by Douglas McGuire Open and Amateur Halter Gelding Annie Gravetts Hotrods and Harleys Open Halter Mare Adrian Brazier Whatta Fancy Blace Amateur Halter Mare Mike Adams Kay Cee Dene Showmanship Tammy Greaves with Zip in Harmony Huntseat Equitation and Trail Cee Ed Zip owned by Carrie Coles Hunter Under Saddle Jane Wallace’s Make Me Invited Western Pleasure and Horsemanship Chris Dalton and Hesa Classy Shadow Western Riding Evelyn Dash Arabis King Bee There was a special Reining Award, an elegant NRHA watch that was presented to the rider with their best 2 horses hipoint scores and this went to Lee Rutter riding Lita Pocock’s Customs Remedy and Santa Cruz Whiz.

The show started at 12.30 on Wednesday and finished at 7 pm on the Sunday evening, a BB Q and dance to a live band on the Saturday night gave everyone time to let their hair down. The sponsor’s tea, while watching the high quality reining, was also attended by Donald Sinden who has become a regular visitor after performing our arena opening ceremony last year. The new surface proved to be a hit with all the reiners and showed its capabilities with some outstanding stops from the top riders, reflected by the high scores given. With a little more preparation work this surface will also be ready for the top pleasure and hunter horses to show their paces in the near future.

Once again this show would not have been possible without the hard work of officials and helpers. Our 4 judges Lyle Jackson from Canada, Sylvia Katschker -Austria, Rick Lemay - Sweden and Jan Boogaerts from Belgium. Our tireless ring stewards Mick Carder and David Lloyd, who spend more hours on their feet during these shows than anyone. Rosie Coles, who religiously sorts and presents, along with our sponsors, the ribbons and awards. Emma Cawte, John and Abby Ayles, Dawn Berndt, Chris Valle and Terri Rogers who all dutifully manned and organised the collecting ring and gate, making sure all competitors were there for their classes and in the arenas in time. Simon Barnes and Jan Holmes who were in charge of stable management, man management (excluding Jane who is impossible to manage in any way or form) and generally keeping the show moving in a timely manner and ensuring all were fed and watered. Boris Kook who not only commentated excellently but sorted the scoring and resulting of the reining and NSBA classes. The Sterling barn staff who arranged stables and the supply of bedding and hay and were also on hand to lay out and clear way the arenas after trail and western riding. Michael for raking and watering the arenas (when Doug would let him near the new indoor surface). Jane Muir for being her usual grumpy self in the show office. Mary Lepla for all her hard work in the lead up to the show organising travel, accommodation, health papers, export licences and a million and one other things that no one else thinks about and then ended up in hospital going through a seven hour operation while everyone else was at the show enjoying themselves.　 Francesca and Doug for allowing everyone to invade their home and barns and arenas to have the best horse show in the country.

Finally a big thank you to all our sponsors without who it would not be possible to run a show of this level and quality