RICHMOND Equestrian Centre proved to be the ideal setting for the North Eastern Counties Welsh Pony and Cob Association foal and youngstock show, which incorporated Ponies UK winter ridden qualifiers for the first time.

The judges were Brynle Williams for the Welsh classes, Dewi Evans for the Riding Pony breeding, part-bred Welsh and Mountain and Moorland and Karen McTiffin for the young handlers and the Ponies UK ridden classes.

The Section C filly foal Coathamdene Tiger Lily, owned and bred by Alyson Carr, was the supreme in-hand champion after winning both the supreme foal and supreme youngstock titles. Mrs Carr's eldest son, Tom, also won the novice first ridden on the Section B gelding Rhoson Sionc.

Reserve supreme youngstock was the Section D youngstock champion, the three-year-old colt Malnor Forest King, ably shown by Suzanne Bennett. This pair have had a wonderful season, including champion young handler at the Royal Welsh and winning their class at the Great Yorkshire Show.

Reserve supreme foal and Section A foal champion was Mrs G M Farrow's Waitwith Jillian.

The Section A youngstock champion was the two-year-old gelding Synod Tom Jones, owned by Karen Greenwood. Sold as a foal at a Welsh sale for £15, he was also Riding Pony youngstock champion and reserve youngstock champion in the hunter pony breeding.

Mr and Mrs Kevin Stewart dominated the Section B classes with the Elvet ponies. They took the Section B foal championship with the home-bred colt foal Elvet Challenger and their stud stallion, Defaelog Luke, sired the first three ponies in the Section B filly class. Elvet Challenger was also hunter pony foal champion.

The Stewart family were also successful in the Section B youngstock championship with the three-year-old filly Thornberry Amber, and they also bred the reserve champion, Elvet Lonestar, owned by Jackie Hetherington.

One family also dominated the Section D foal championship. Mr McNeal and his sons bred and produced the champion Hillgarth Rocky and also bred the reserve champion, Hillgarth Jubilee, a surprise birthday present for owner Ian Thompson.

The Ponies UK winter young handler classes were well supported, with very able handlers. The winners were Samantha Wallace leading Pentiwood Penny Black from the younger section and Rebecca Rawlinson leading Clarmont Star from the older section. Rebecca was also champion handler.

The ridden classes were well filled with quality exhibits. Brother and sister, Joshua and Hannah Atkinson, won the Colne lead rein and the Waxwing first ridden respectively