North-east competitor's perspective of the World Clydesdale Show
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FOR the first time in history, this year’s World Clydesdale Show followed the roots of the Clydesdale horse back to Scotland when it was held over four days at the P&J Live in Aberdeen from October 20-23.
With thousands of spectators during the four days and over 600 Clydesdales present, this was the first time the show had been held outside the USA or Canada since 2007.
Actor and keen Clydesdale enthusiast and owner Martin Clunes presided over this year’s Show.
Featuring in-hand, ridden and driven classes, the World Clydesdale Show showcased the best of this “at risk” breed.
Bringing the World Clydesdale Show home to Scotland enabled top breeders and competitors to showcase these gentle giants.
Local riders were of course in the spotlight.
Aberdeenshire rider Keely Gordon scored a hat-trick with three top six placings in three classes on her six-year-old 17.1hh bay gelding Bogton Ironman (Ronnie), who she’s owned from being a two-year-old. Ronnie was bred locally by Bogton Clydesdales, Mergie, Stonehaven.
What is all the more remarkable was that this was Ronnie’s first season of proper competition, having done only one show pre this year’s Royal Highland Show and two after.
Keeley’s success story started with a sixth-place win on Thursday (October 20) in the in-hand geldings 5-9 years.
With 25 in the class, the standard was incredibly high.
“I felt bad as I hadn’t done any in-hand with him this year “explained Keely.
“Ronnie’s quite small compared to other Clydesdale geldings so I’d entered that class to get ring experience before the ridden.
"Honestly, it was the one I thought I thought I had the least chance of being placed in.
"I was shocked to be placed sixth!
"He stood up and ran much better than I thought he would do.
"He really is easy to handle.”
Thursday afternoon saw Keely and Ronnie moving on to the ridden classes, taking fifth out of 37 horses, all the others in the top six having been to Horse Of the Year Show (HOYS).
“I really really really had no expectations whatsoever so had very few nerves so I really enjoyed it.
"You can’t prepare for something like we went into at the Clydesdale Show – the atmosphere, the people, the lighting.
"Ronnie got quite a buzz off the atmosphere.
“It’s always a nerve-wracking moment when the judge rides as, yes they’re so talented but you know the buttons for your own horse. I’m lucky in that Ronnie is confident enough in himself that he is fine other people getting on.
"He was on his A game.
“Considering I broke myself at my first show in our canter extension, I had practised this a lot and he felt great. At no point in the whole show did I feel Ronnie go abit green.”
Keely’s third class – the novice ridden - was 32 strong but they were pulled in second, just behind Valerie Smith’s Bandirran Charlotte ridden by Olivia Streetfield James.
“That particular conformation judge really liked him so was getting very good conformation scores.
"Ronnie remained confident so when the judge rode him, he gave the judge a very good ride.
"The show and the experience have been totally amazing.”
Old Rayne based Sharon Ennis rode her own 13-year-old gelding Strathorn Edward to victory in the cross-breed class on Sunday.
Bred by George and Ruth Skinner of Strathorn Farm Stables, Inverurie, Sharon purchased Edward as a newly backed four-year-old and credits him with helping her “on all levels”.
“I am so so proud of him,” said Sharon.
“He has an amazing temperament, always gives 100 per cent and always takes care of you.
“Edward had never been in a big lit arena with a spotlight on him!
"He did have a look around but settled really well and just knew there was a job to be done.
"He felt a little tense, but he stayed on his job.
" I was so proud when judge got on and Edward did everything he could.
"He simply could not have done anymore.
“I could not believe we won the class.
"I was so overwhelmed and couldn’t believe we were now forward to the ridden championship.
"For me, I was honoured and proud to represent the part-breds, the breed and so proud for George and Ruth Skinner.
"It shows the versality of the cross-breed where the temperament of the Clydesdale comes through.
"If you take care of them, they can compete in any discipline; it’s our responsibility to educate them appropriately and slowly.
“When I heard the World Clydesdale Show was coming home, my first thought was if there’s a class, I’m going for it! I don’t do a lot of showing with him but I felt that entering the world show would help me on so many levels.”
Sharon explained about the support network she has experienced: “The support we have had from everyone to be here has been phenomenal – from the Strathorn family to the Ladyleys family where Edward is liveried.
"People have been so generous and behind us.
"We even had to borrow a trailer to get to the show!
“When I think back about Edward, it was a time in my life when I didn’t really intend to buy another horse..but I kept seeing him and his brother Henry, and, well he just caught my eye.
"I thought the last thing I needed was a youngster but the rest is history!
And Edward is definitely not a one-trick Clydesdale as he turns his hoof to showing, dressage, jumping, has done the riding club nationals at Lincoln and even a 100 mile Macmillan Cancer coast to coast ride from Ullapool to Bonnabridge.
Also taking part was Karen Campbell from Birkenhills, and her 9 yr old Gelding Auchengree Shuggie.
Karen commented: "It was a totally surreal experience and one that I will never forget!
"Arriving on Wednesday night, as per the Show Rules Shuggie was checked over by a vet and had his temperature checked before being allowed to unload.
"The atmosphere driving into the underground car park at P & J Live at 5.30pm that evening was absolutely out of this world.
"With hundreds of fluorescent lights along the ceiling lighting the place up, the tannoy announcements giving competitor information, a sea of green uniformed vets in front of the car and stewards in hi viz directing each vehicle into the designated unloading bays, as well as the noise of horses whinnying or being led on the concrete floor.
"It was like arriving on the set of a Star Wars movie for Clydesdale horses.
"Neither Shuggie or I have ever attended an event of this magnitude and I still have to pinch myself now that we were actually there.
"Shuggie was stabled for the four day show but we took every opportunity to walk about in the huge car park in our free time and meet the public at the barriers near the farrier display each day. "Shuggie and I took part in the 5-9 year old Gelding class on Thursday where we were not placed, however a huge class of 26 horses and it was an awesome feeling to be in that huge arena.
" On Friday he took part in the Novice Ridden Class with Iona Campbell, another huge class of ridden entries and behaved admirably.
"On Sunday we participated in the Fancy Dress class that I had really been looking forward to, and we were placed 4th with our Nessy and the Bagpiper entry.
"I must thank Jackie Hepburn and the Turriff Pipe Band for loaning me a precious No.1 Dress Jacket for the occasion, and to Beverley Walker and son Keiran Walker of Cuminestown, for allowing me to borrow his white spats and a broch for my costume.
"Everything else was handmade and I must thank my daughter Eilidh for her encouragement and help in the days leading up to the show to complete my vision in time.
"Also ,good friend Jean Brammer from Fyvie, who helped with sewing the lycra when we did run out of time.
"Shuggie was an absolute saint of a horse for that event, not only accepting my outfit which included an extra large kilt and fake bagpipes, but his own lime green suit complete with fins, a moveable tail, clydesdale sized sporran and a tartan hat .
"In order to get the horses to the arena from the car park every competitor had a 10,-12 minute walk up the car park ramp and out onto the roads surrounding the venue, through the traffic lights and round to the service gate at the rear of the arena.
"For many years to come I don't think I will forget the feeling of riding my very own Nessy in convoy with all the other entries with aeroplanes from Aberdeen Airport taking off overhead.
"That is something that doesn't happen day to day in Turriff for either of us.
" It has been an amazing week in Aberdeen, Shuggie has surpassed all of my expectations and just taken on board all of the new things he has seen and been exposed to.
" I will treasure my World Show Rosette for years to come and remember the day Martin Clunes attached it to his bridle".
The Supreme Ridden World Champion went to Isla Miller on Stobilee Zac.
This was after taking the ridden championship where Kirsty Aird on Glenside Mathews Flower of Scotland was reserve.
Isla also led the way in Saturday morning’s dressage class.
Jessica Crannell-Menarr and her Clydesdale Towerview Theo travelled 6000 miles from the USA to Scotland to compete in the show.
They sat second in dressage, headed the western riding and were second in the Concours D’Elegance.
