Record horse show turnout (From Free Press Series)

Record horse show turnout

THERE was a record number of 67 entries at this year's South Wales Shire Horse Society show in Abergavenny on Saturday.

Competitors travelled from as far afield as Humberside, Derbyshire, Cheshire, Cornwall and Anglesey to take part in the Shire Horse of the Year Championship qualifier at Bailey Park.

Chairman of the show Malson Phillips of Hollybush, Blackwood said: "It has been a marvellous day with a wonderful turnout. We've never had a better day and one of the judges said it was the best quality horses he has ever judged.

"This show has now taken over as the second best shire horse show in the country, after Peter-borough."

Another committee member Ray Brydon said they had advertised the show extensively on radio and in the neighbouring counties of Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, and he was certain this had paid off with a record attendance.

The Three Salmons Cup for the champion horse went to three year old filly Bodafon Lucinda Rose owned by D and A J Williams from Anglesey, with the barren mare Caerbellan Gift owned by W G Jones of Towyn as runner up.

Winner of the Abergavenny Autos cup for champion foal was Flaxley Hyacinth owned by Miss Margaret Swinley of Gloucestershire, with Meadstead Maxamillian, owned by B N Willis of Devon winning the Penbuallt Rossette trophy as reserve.

The show president Leslie Moulden gave the president's trophy to Eric Such of Redditch for his enthusiasm and for being a tremendous supporter of the show every year.

He said he is always a great favourite with the crowd at Abergavenny.