Report on the Crabbet championships held at the AHS National Show
at Malvern 2009.
THE DUCHESS DOES A DOUBLE
Frances, Duchess of Rutland again walked away with the Crabbet championship
- for the second time. This year, her home-bred 6-year old dapple grey
Imad son, Silvern Surprise, took the Gadebrook Shield for overall Champion.
Two years ago, his dam, the gracious Silvern Princess, had won it. Previously
the Shield had gone to Geoffrey Plaister's Imperial Silver Star. But this
year, the 12-year old grey was placed only third behind another Imad son
Daas in the stallion class.
With the sad death of WAHO-winning stallion Imad at the age of 24 this
year, it was particularly poignant to see so many of his stock excelling
this year.
Held for the first time in conjunction with the AHS National Show at
Malvern, the four Crabbet championship classes presented themselves before
Mrs Ann Hooley, normally more at home judging ridden Arabs. But Mrs Hooley
obviously liked the quiet way of going, with no poses, twirls or other
tricks of showmanship. The eyes of the crowd at the main Ring A soon swivelled
to Main ring B once they realised the quality of the horses parading -
so much so, it is rumoured the Crabbet Championship will be invited into
the bigger main ring next year. You read it here first.......
To qualify for the four
in-hand classes - Geldings; Mares; Stallions; Youngstock - the horse
had to have a minimum of 75% Crabbet blood and have won or been placed
2nd in a Crabbet class during the past three years, in hand or under
saddle. So there were no tail end Charlies; the entries were consistently
high, though the atmosphere took its toll on the behaviour of one
or two colts and stallions not used the size of the Three Counties
Showground. |
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Photo of Anne presenting Duchess and Silvern
Sceptre
with Gadebrook Shield
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First to enter the ring were five strapping geldings, all power and breadth
and girth. A tough contest between 1st and 2nd saw 10-year old Zinjadi,
a strong chestnut with four white stockings, take the Gelding title for
Lisa Breeze over the free-moving Ibn Aboud son, Astrologer.
Owners brought in some beautiful mares for the Senior Females class,
with little to choose between the top three. But the Zarafah Trophy (and
later the Reserve Overall championship) went to the well-balanced bay
mare Redhouse Zinderella, owned by Davina Ransley, above the ethereal
white grey mare Silvern Moonlight (Silvern Sceptre x PHA Silver Heart).
Both these mares have won frequently at top level under saddle. In fact,
Silvern Moonlight has qualified for the ultimate ridden challenge at the
Horse of the Year show in October for the first time. Jane Kadri's impressive
mover Gold Elyse came third, followed by the Imad daughter Gemima owned
by the Duchess of Rutland.
Tension mounted for the stallion class - and a show by mostly professional
handlers. Ian Woodward sprang into action with Silvern Surprise, chased
by Dean Ingham running Daas. Perhaps Imperial Silver Star, eventually
3rd and Elizabeth Archer's Indian Idyll (5th) were too laid back in this
company - but hey! They're Crabbets!
The exquisite crystal rose bowl engraved with the famous frontage of
the Crabbet Park clock tower entrance donated by Llain Arabians to the
Youngstock Champion went to Dhay, a handsome yearling chestnut colt by
Spearmint out of the Imad daughter Daleela a thrilling win for owner Tina
Bennett. A fine-boned grey Imad yearling filly Autumn Dew moved up from
third place to take the Reserve, above the Duchess of Rutland's Charade,
so far, the first and only offspring of Silvern Surprise.
Altogether, a fine display of Crabbet Arabians which in the words of
judge Ann Hooley "were a pleasure to judge, with good limbs and bone,
and naturally powerful movement."
Photo: Duchess of Rutland with Overall Crabbet Champion Silvern Sceptre
receiving Gadebrook Shield from Anne Brown
Copyright: Anne Brown 2009
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