11th December - SQH Christmas Show.

According to the Met Office Weather Report we were in for a horrendous day of heavy rain.   Needless to say, the tropical climes of the Fens, or more specifically Horse Creek Farm meant that although Sunday 11th December was chilly (it is afterall December), we didn't have the forecast weather.  Early arrivals at the show were "thrilled" to be greeted by a festive duet by the show secretary and Sandra Mitchell, their unique presentation of "Jingle Bells" cause much laughter, some covering of ears and swift confiscation of the microphone, and the batteries were taken out.. just in case they found it again!

Judge Mick Carder along with his ring steward the wonderful Dorothy Coleman had a great day, good class sizes meant it was a very competitive, if informal and fun show.  Our winter shows are designed so hopefully competitors can arrive and leave in daylight, but the smaller showbill didn't mean smaller prizes!  There were rosettes and prizes to all competitors including some wonderful hand made mini christmas cakes, as well as the usual HCF welcome present.  The festively decorated cafe did a roaring trade in wonderful home cooked food.

Barbara Bell definately won the best dressed award at the show, decked out as Mrs Christmas and her horse Flicka as Rudolph, complete with red nose!

Thank you to everyone who came, with horse, or without, you made it a fabulous day and we're looking forward to seeing you in 2012.

Youth High Point Winner:  Claire Evans with Remedy
Youth High Point Reserve: Charlotte Cripps with Sir William

Adult High Point Winner:  Liz Freman with CB Cookie Gold Bar

This show forms part of a winter high point, with cash prizes to the winners.  The next show is 5th February, with another on 4th March, and the Final on 15th April (following a pre show training day).

The results can be viewed below
 2011sqhxmas 12/12/2011,10:37

A beautiful October weekend saw Horse Creek Farm play host to a pre show training clinic and the final of the TX Challenge.  The TX Challenge offered someone the chance to win a weeks holiday at the famous TX Ranch in Montana.  This competition was open to any horse and rider combination who earned the most points during the 7 TX Shows held over the summer of 2011.  We are grateful to the Fenland Quarter Horse Shows who hosted four of the shows in June and August with the others being held in June, August and October.  These shows are designed for all levels of horses and riders and all breeds of horses in western tack.  The shows are informal with great prizes and a lot of fun with everyone helping each other.

The October Show and Clinic was also generously sponsored by D Harrison Metals Ltd, which allowed us to offer discounted stabling, discounted clinics along with an AQHA Novice Youth and Novice Amateur Show running alongside the SQH/TX classes.  In addition, D Harrison Metals Ltd generous sponsorship allowed us to provide sashes and silver rose bowls to all class winners as well as prize money down to 6th place in some instances.  Our thanks to David and Shelley Harrison for this generous sponsorship.

40 horses were on site for this show, with AQHA Judge Bob Mayhew ably assisted by the Wonderful Mick Carder as his scribe.  With very large classes in some events - which obviously meant increased prize money, Bob had great fun judging at this show, especially as we provided him, along with all the competitors (and some of the spectactors) with their very own goodie treat bags.

Janelle Norton riding the 11 year old gelding Doc Duz It Easy, owned by Ashley and Amanda Watts has had a very consistent summer riding in the SQH/TX shows.  Her ambition this year was to win a sash, and she won 7 of them this weekend, along with trophies, and many other prizes as she won the TX Challenge Holiday, Summer High Point Champion, and was the October Show Adult Champion.  The smile on both her and husband John's face when they realised that Dually and Janelle had won was fantastic.  Dually ended up more sash than horse as he had his photo taken with all his prizes.  Liz Freman with her new horse CB Cookie Gold Bar was a worthy runner up in the TX Challenge.

Youth rider, Sophie Mead had a very good show too with Lucy Adam's This Chicks Smokin who she has had on lease for 2011 for the AQHA shows.  Sophie and Trixie won the Youth Summer High Point, as well as the Youth High Point for the October show, winning sashes, trophies and a headcollar and lead rope generously donated by Camilla Calverley-Halford.

You can download the results here
 txoct11results 65.51 Kb

We're now looking forward to the Winter Series of Shows, December 11th, February 5th, March 4th and April 15th is the Winter Final.   We do hope that you can join us.

We've got great news, a generous sponsor who wishes to remain anonomous has given us a brand new pair of Lamicell Metal Lab Engraved Spurs for this shows Adult High Point Award

Thank you to Camilla Calverley-Halford and Wranglers Teeny Lena who have provided a really nice rope halter and lead rope for the over Youth High Point Winner at this show.