By the time the Iberian Horse classes took centre stage on the fifth and final day of the Show the weather had become hot and sunny - infinitely more appropriate to these breeds than the wet and often windy weather at the beginning of the Show.

The ridden purebred and partbred Lusitano classes in both English and Portuguese dress in particular attracted very strong classes - not to mention the largest crowd of the show around the Eton ring. These classes have succeeded in establishing themselves as one of the highlights of the Show - and perhaps the whole season. There were almost certainly more entries here in the English dress ridden class than at the Society's Annual Breed Show! However, from a spectator point of view the ridden Portuguese style class was the biggest draw.

'Janota' receiving congratulations for his win

It was very encouraging to see several new faces in the Iberian classes, the first of which was won by Janota, an 8-year-old grey stallion owned and ridden by Miss S Pilkington, beating Sue Barker's grey stallion Justiciero II. The Turville Valley horses, Lucca and Milreis, filled the next two places. This was a large class with 17 entries and an absorbing one to watch. As a competitor in the ridden Arab classes commented, "We think we've put on a good show when we have walked and trotted on both reins and cantered a figure of eight - but in these classes the riders think nothing of including the occasional Piaffe or Spanish Walk in their display!" Combined with the flamboyant looks of both breeds this is undoubtedly a major factor in attracting spectators and bodes well for the increasing popularity of Iberian horses in the UK.

The only in-hand classes for Iberians were for purebred Andalusians, which were judged by Jane Rabagliati - not an easy task as she was presented with horses of such disparate ages and at various stages of development. Unsurprisingly she chose two of the more mature representatives of the breed as the winners. Danes Doncella repeated her victory of 1999 as top female, as did Miss Hesketh's Conquistador VII in the section for male horses. He also went on to win the ridden class in English dress with his owner/rider in which he defeated a previous winner, Feliche VI, who is now a 10-year-old. As usual Feliche was ridden by Dale Lassiter who rode him to victory in the Spanish dress class, defeating Marcia Wakeman and the black stallion Destinado XVI. Unfortunately they were the only two competitors forward before the judge out of what was in any case a poor entry of only four. Unless more exhibitors support these classes they can hardly complain if the show organisers drop them from the schedule in the future.

Marcia Wakeman & Milreis

Diane Thurman-Baker and the wonderful Lucca, a Connemara x Lusitano, may have relinquished the cup in the English style ridden class, which she won the previous year, but the Portuguese judge, Dr Lupi, chose them as the winning combination in the Portuguese style class. Almost certainly, Lucca's display, which included Piaffe and Spanish Trot won him over! Once again Marcia Wakeman had to settle for second place - this time on Milreis, ahead of Sherene Rahmatallah and her imposing grey stallion, Jardineiro. An unusually large example of his breed, Jardineiro measures 16.3 hh.

There was strength in depth in the Lusitano classes. Let's hope that the entries of Purebred Spanish horses will be equally good in terms of both quantity and quality in 2001.

Photos © Christine Howe

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