Heavy Horses at the Cranleigh Show

'Webster', who finished second in the class, works on an almost daily basis, removing timber from the local woodlands, so it was fitting that the top two places were filled by horses who actually work and do not only exist to perform in the show ring.

Daniel Brown with his winning mare 'Sandholme Amarantis Gem' and her foal

It was a delight to see the Best Mare class won by Daniel Brown's good-looking Suffolk Punch, Sendholme Amarantis Gem, who had a well-grown colt at foot. In recent years Daniel has been a stalwart supporter of the breed - which certainly needs every bit of help it can get. Winning this class obviously gave him considerable pleasure and we can only hope that the youngster will add to his laurels in the years to come. The Suffolk was represented by another mare in this class - the bright chestnut 'Marshland Penny', beautifully shown by Philippa Verry, and she was awarded third prize.

In second place was Mrs Townsend's handsome shire Cowhill Duchess. This was a creditable effort since the mare has only recently returned from stud where she was covered by Snelson Magnus and she was not in show condition after so many months away from home. She did not have a foal on foot but she was successful at Cranleigh in 1998 with her foal. The latter obviously made an impression with the judge since he later purchased the colt with a view to keeping him entire and maintaining his bloodlines.

'Cowhill Duchess' who had to settle for 2nd place in 1999

Sadly only one youngster appeared before the judge for the Best Yearling or 2 Year Old - that was Mr D Morris' Davmau Sir Harry - but he was still properly judged and his handler was quite happy to win 'another First'. Lack of competition shouldn't detract from the individual. The same thing happened at the Southern Counties Heavy Horse Association's Ploughing Match and Championships last Autumn. The youngster winner, Sladbrook Stewardess, had a walkover in her class but she was still adjudged Champion of the show. The parade of the prize winners in the main arena provided a wonderful spectacle and it must have seemed a little like 'old times' for the more senior members of the show.

Good line-ups were the order of the day at Cranleigh