A LARGE crowd turned out for the Dales Pony Society annual spring stallion and breed show at its new venue at Streatlam Farm near Barnard Castle last Saturday.

Although there were some new names among the prize-winners, top honours went to last year's winner, 18-year-old stallion Millgate Baron, once again exhibited by Mr P Gardiner of Dartford in Kent. It was sired by Stoneriggs Alick out of Wolsey Marchioness.

Mr Gardiner took home the Herbert Straker cup for best stallion and the Master John trophy for the oldest stallion as well as lifting the William Watt Jnr memorial trophy for best male pony and the William Watt memorial cup for overall champion.

Among local exhibitors whose name always features among the winners was David Eccles of Middleton in Teesdale. His two-year-old colt Westwick William was the winner of his class, going on to become reserve in show, while his Hodgson Lane What's Wanted, was the best yearling colt.

Westwick Fashion was judged best yearling filly, while Westwick Laura, bred by Mr Eccles, won the ridden mare class for exhibitor Claire Wigley of Sheffield.

Judge Ernest Coulthard of Kirkby Stephen praised the good quality of the young stock and geld mares on display.

Results. - Stallions, 5yrs and over: 1 and William Watt memorial cup, Herbert Straker cup, William Watt Jnr trophy and Master John trophy, Millgate Baron, Mr P Gardiner, Dartford; 2 Rosebarr Laddie, Mr J Sanders & Sons, Kent; 3 Hett Brown Boy, J Sanders & Son. 3-4 yrs: 1 and Norman Bayles cup, Castle Hill Perfect, D Crow, Horbury; 2 Twywell Samuel Pepys, A Debell, Corby.

Colts, 2yrs, eligible to become a stallion: 1 and Frank Collingwood cup, Westwick William, D & A Eccles, Middleton in Teesdale; 2 Wolsey Ravenstar, T Ramshaw & Carly Glasper, Spennymoor; 3 Bowes Daniel, J R Wall, Lartington. Yearling: 1 and Davis trophy, Hodgson Lane What's Wanted, D & A Eccles; 2 Castle Hill Jock, D Crow.

Ridden stallion, 4yrs and over: 1 Waterside William II, I & N Thompson; 2 Millgate Baron, P Gardiner; 3 Stoneygill Will O'The Wisp, Miss E L Heywood, Darlington. Ridden gelding, any section, 4-6yrs: 1 Hollingside Boy, Ruth Henderson, Winston; 2 Stricklands Reuben, Miss A Crisp, Gilling West; 3 Hilton B'George, Mrs M Thompson, Leeds. 7 yrs and over: 1 and Melody cup, Castle Hill Flash, R Riches & D Burton, Gilsland; 2 Ploughcott Seren, Stewart family, Ovington; 3 Leadgate Tudor Boy, Mrs Marina Grayson, Newcastle.

Ridden mares, any section, 4-6yrs: 1 Westwick Laura, Claire Wigley; 2 Killington Kitty, Jillian Fearnhead, Sedburgh; 3 Leadgate Bluebell, Sharron Welford, Leadgate. 7yrs and over: 1 Killington Bess, J Fearnhead; 2 Leadgate Black Beauty, S Welford; 3 Keasbeck Daffodil, Mr & Mrs I M Graham & Mrs K Darnbrook, Halifax.

Brood mare, section A, in or with foal: 1 and Mrs Field challenge cup, Bolam Lady Sophie, J K & M Metcalf, Piercebridge; 2 Wolsey Poppy, T Ramshaw & C Glasper; 3 Dartdale Nancy, W Buck.

Filly, section A, 3yrs: 1 and Urwin & Strickland cup, Tudor Lady Louise, Dale Harrison, Spennymoor; 2 Kebroyd Martinique, Mr & Mrs I M Graham & Mrs K Darnbrook; 3 Lowkbers Tilly Trotter, C & R Parker. 2yrs: 1 and Blandford Tankard, Colliery Emerald II, D Urwin; 2 Twywell Fifi Maybelle, A Debell; 3 Bolam Lady Jane, Mrs J Gosney, Bishop Monkton.

Yearling filly: 1 and Blandford cup, Westwick Fashion, D & A Eccles; 2 Morlandsdale Melody, A W Morland; 3 Bolam Lady Heather, J K & M Metcalf.

Geld mare, section A, 7yrs and over: 1 and Blockley cup, Village Cloud, R Corner, Trimdon Village; 2 Slaypits Cilla, Mr & Mrs I M Graham & Mrs K Darnbrook; 3 Hartbrigg Black Magic, Wilf Burton, Coundon Gate. 4-6yrs: 1 and Urwin & Strickland cup, Village Blackthorn, R Corner; 2 Lowhouses Rebecca, R & F Longstaff, Newbiggin in Teesdale; 3 Killington Kitty, J Fearnhead, Sedburgh.

Gelding, any section, 7yrs and over: 1 Waterside Drum Major, Keith Dickinson, Horsforth; 2 Ploughcott Seren, Stewart family; 3 Leadgate Tudor Boy, M Grayson. 4-6yrs: 1 and Thompson cup, Wolsey Nice Guy, Mrs Joan Lowes, Tudhoe; 2 Castle Hill Clyde, K Dickinson; 3 Mrs M Thompson. 1-2-3yrs: 1 Hartbrigg Super Mac, Wilf Burton; 2 Castle Hill Daniel, C & K Turner, Darwen; 3 Highcroft Paddy, J Daley & Sons, Tudhoe.

Mare, section B or C, 4yrs and over: 1 and Mrs Field memorial cup, Bolam Lady Louise, D Harrison; 2 Keasbeck Daffodil, Mr & Mrs I M Graham & Mrs K Darnbrook; 3 Hodgson Lane Fashion, C & R Parker. Filly, section B or C, 1-2-3yrs: 1 and David Howard cup, Tudor April Blossom, D Harrison.

Mrs Field tankard for best turned out pony and groom: 1 Castle Hill Daniel, Colin & Karen Turner.