Michael and Remus
We are still celebrating our successes at the Garden of England Circuit Summer Show held on the 21-23 June at the Bodiam International Arena. The team came away with a total of eight class wins and two Silver Medals, with two of the horses being produced by Michael from babies.
Michael took three wins on his own home-produced mare Smart Rebel Girl (Baileys) in the BR Limited Open Reining, NRHA Intermediate Open Reining and the AQHA All Ages Ranch Horse Pleasure (a first for both Michael and Baileys).
He then went on to ride Tally Wade’s five year old gelding Smart Little Reynard (Remus) to victory in the NRHA Limited Open Reining, NRHA Rookie Professional Reining and the British Reining Rookie Professional Reining. A great achievement for what was this horse’s third ever show.
Emma and Flint
Further to Michael’s own successes, clients Emma Collyer (an FEI level event rider) and Sara Hills also came away triumphant. Emma, at what was her third ever western event, took the Green as Grass and Rookie Reining classes amongst great competition riding Jackie Langford’s A Winning Tradition (Flint). This gelding is another produced solely by Michael from a two year old.
Michael, Sara and Nando
The icing on the cake was Sara Hills and her Norwegian Fjord, Nando. The pair took two Silver Medals for the WES Novice Horse High Point Circuit Award and the WES Novice Rider High Point Circuit Award, following some great performances in the WES Western Pleasure, Trail and Horsemanship classes, holding their own against experienced Quarter Horses.
‘More important than the blue ribbons is the sense of achievement I get when I look at what we have achieved with these horses,’ said Michael. ‘I produced both Flint and Baileys myself from babies. Nando is a delight and has taken to western brilliantly, holding his own despite not being bred for the disciplines, and Remus is a horse that we have wanted to bring on slowly and has taken to the show pen really well.
Mary, Naomi and Nando (Pic: Sue Williams)
‘As for my clients, they are all fantastic and I couldn’t be happier for them. It’s been particularly fun working with Emma who has made the transition from high level event rider to reiner incredibly quickly.
‘I must also mention Mary Stephens who despite not taking home any first places did an awesome job working on her horse in the show ring and ironing out some problems. It takes a lot of guts to throw classes for the good of schooling and it is something I admire in any competitor. She also did a great job in the Small Fry with her four year old granddaughter Naomi.’
