THE 31st Dartmoor Pony Moorland Show at Princetown saw a Widecombe-bred stallion, Shilstone Rocks Lightning, owned by Tracey Elliot-Reep, take the Supreme Championship, with Reserve Supreme Champion going to Barda Apollo, owned by Lizzie Houghton from Bovey Tracey, writes Clare Stanton.

The Silver Plate for the best Dartmoor owned and bred in the Dartmoor National Park had been kindly donated by the late Ian Mercer, past Chairman of the Dartmoor Commoners’ Council. 

The hugely successful Family Dog Show that runs alongside the pony show, attracted 110 entries over 10 classes. Best in Show and Best Pedigree went to Finn Kelly and Pippin the gorgeous Golden Retriever. Finn, who was visiting the UK from New Zealand with his Mum, thoroughly enjoyed showing Pippin who belongs to his Aunt and Uncle.

Reserve Best in Show and Best Crossbreed was awarded to Lily Kitson with little Rambo – small in stature but mighty in character! Show judge was Jan Locke, a qualified Bowen Therapist who has regular animal patients and has Labradors, English Springer Spaniels and Terriers at home.

Shilstone Rocks Lightning won the Stallion class to qualify for the Championship. Apollo had a great show, winning the Gelding class and then going into the Ridden classes where he won Best Ridden Pony and was Reserve Ridden Champion to the Champion Mr L Gilbert’s Blackertor Moorman, before going on to take the Reserve Supreme.

Last year’s Supreme Champion, the lovely mare Shilstone Rocks Countrydance, was looking after her mini jockey, 7-year-old Annabel Stratton, who was second in the Ridden Pony class and the Lead Rein class, before Annabel took her into the Child Handler class which she won – as she did last year!

The Supreme Championship Trophy and rosettes were awarded by Show President Colin Sturmer who was the former Land Steward for the Duchy of Cornwall and served for 44 years, before becoming President of the Moorland Show when he retired 14 years ago.