Welsh Doll is one to treasure

A Welsh mares steal the show, a young rider impresses in the supreme, and a working hunter champion “gets a grip”

- By BETHAN SIMONS

THERE was female power and charm in abundance in the final in-hand supremes, where two broodmares caught the eyes of the judges and attracted rapturous applause from the packed grandstand.

Overall supreme judge Martin Clunes eventually found his winner in Hannah Owens’ home-bred Cascob Welsh Doll (Dolly), shown by Hannah alongside her sister Ellie handling the foal. The exquisitely pretty and powerful eight-year-old had lifted the Prince of Wales - a section D breeders’ ultimate prize - the previous afternoon, judged by John Kirk appropriately togged in a bespoke Prince of Wales tweed suit.

They also impressed Colin Tibbey to be awarded the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) Price Family supreme in-hand ticket.

Hannah's mother Philippa Owens had been unwell earlier in the spring and said: “Lying in hospital I told myself I'd show one more time here and handle the foal, but when Ellie's pony couldn't be shown due to slipping on the concrete, I knew it was her turn.

Hannah was given Dolly’s mother Cascob Penblwydd Hapus - meaning happy birthday - as an 18th birthday present from her mother and grandmother.

In a testament to the family’s breeding, Dolly's paternal half- brother Cascob Deio Ddu - also by Gwenllan Deio - was shown by Dafydd Jones to finish section D male champion.

STUD MAKES HISTORY

THE Tom and Sprightly, a trophy hard-fought between the four pure-bred Welsh champions in memory of crowd favourites Tom Lloyd Jones and Grove Sprightly, was historically judged by clapometer. Nowadays, a judge presides and this year Dai Harries chose Richard Miller and Meirion Davies’ home-bred Heniarth Sh-Boom as his champion. The plucky Welsh section A oozed star appeal and also claimed the overall Royal Welsh supreme in-hand.