The Southern Counties Heavy Horse Association

Great All England Ploughing Match Championships and Show of Heavy Horses
Sunday 18th October 1998

Continued...

Robert Sampson and his Percherons

I had seen Robert Sampson s team of Percherons before, but on this occasion he had a team of six horses - a sight which must have been commonplace once on the prairies of North America. These horses always work tirelessly throughout the day and so must have been well suited to working the vast open places in America. Many Percherons were exported to the U.S. in the mid 19th century where they were much in demand.

Randy Hiscox's team of suffolks - beautifully turned out.

Some of the teams were most impressively turned out with magnificent harness and beautifully plaited mains and tails, whereas others were in normal work turnout - but of course they were mainly there to be judged on results - not on appearances! Naturally most of the skills involved in ploughing with horses, including their turnout, have been handed down through families from one generation to another - but should you be interested in trying this for your own pleasure even though you don t have the background experience, do not be deterred. You can learn sufficient skills to compete if you really want to - witness Clive Kennett who finished second in the Novice Ploughing. He has dedicated his retirement to learning to care for his Clydesdales Bonnie and Clyde and has learned to drive them in a waggon and to plough with them - thus fulfilling a long held dream.

Best Gelding in the show - Cyril Knowles's Sam.

Although the spectators never abandoned the ploughing matches there was also plenty of interest taking place in the main ring with the in-hand and harness classes.

The Working Horse Trust took the first class with Apricot. This was for the best of any breed other than Shire of Clydesdale. Apricot is just one of the Ardennes horses owned by the Trust who also had Scarlett, Unity and Ruby II placed in this event - it was almost a whitewash!

Sladbrook Stewardess - Show Champion.

Best Gelding in the show (3 years or over) was Sam owned by Cyril Knowles. Sam was also a winner later in the day in harness when he and Mac were shown as a team to win the Pair Trade turnouts. This was a really strong class since second was Bill Clark with his highly successful team of black shires (*see Unsung Heroes - this issue) Duke and Earl, and Fullers Brewery were in third position with Pride and Griffin.

Medstead Royale - winner of the Horse in Cart Harness Class

Best Mare (3 years and over) was Tremoelgoch Gem owned by W & C Slade and the best foal Sladbrook Stewardess. The latter scored a walk-over as this was the only poorly supported in-hand class in the show. Perhaps she scared off the competition because hers was no pyrrhic victory. The judge considered her exceptional and the best foal he had seen for some time. She was considered so good that she was chosen as the In-hand Champion - it is quite an unusual feat for a foal to defeat mature horses, so she is definitely one to keep an eye open for in the future!