Huge thanks to the brave souls who stepped up to give a try to traditional show pony competition for Dales. It's one thing to exhibit in person where you go in, come out, it's done and over but an entirely different experience when your judge is 5000 miles away and you're not entirely sure how it works! Thanks to UK's Sparket Classy Lassy (who is now a Maine resident!) and Zana Jackson for letting us YouTube their DPS videos as How-Tos.
Competitors across the USA from Washington to New Hampshire jumped right in, sending in videos for In Hand and Ridden classes judged by the generous Ellen Maxwell Jones, in Cumbria. Ponies were in western and English tack and riders did their best to exhibit neatly, if not in traditional requisite outfits, as few this side of the pond have tweed jackets in their wardrobes, especially at the height of August's 'dog day' heat.
Having a clean pony coincide with a willing photographer, a dry day, and the regulations requiring a one-take as-is video, were handled beautifully, and we are very proud of contestants' efforts to make it all work.
Our judge kindly gave us feedback for each rider and pony which in summation noted:
- Moving forward with energy and stride lengthening
- Presenting conformation in 'thirds' on video
- 'Spats' of fetlock hair, shiny coats, good manes and tails
- Correct vertical line tip of bottom to point of hock
- Pastern angle which supports that famous Dales action
- Pony standing easily on all fours, weight well distributed
- Standing quietly for judge, well behaved and calm
She also noted that we might want to think about a weight watcher's visit or two for those greedy Dales bellies, remembering au natural is the Dales look-- no trim--and putting more (or less) oomph in the ridden show.
She particularly admired our senior mares and our junior handlers!
Congratulations to each and every competitor who had the courage to go for it-- and here's to 2021!
Winners:
Class 1-A. Mares In Hand.
1st: 117 Red Prairie Anna Bea - Shuna Cerrato 2nd: 118 Raspotnik Arabella - Shuna Cerrato 3rd: 119 Raspotnik Bess- Shuna Cerrato
4th: 103 Canadale Prim and Proper-Jack Covert 5th : 112 Raspotnik Duchess -Viggo Cerrato 6th: 115 Green Mountain Gracie-Ellen Stetson
Class 1-B Geldings and Stallions In Hand
1st: 106 Poederosa Black Magic-Blackshadow Dales 2nd: 120 Kingmaker Talisman- Shuna Cerrato 3rd: 101 Lagniappe Apollo- Katrina Brunner
4th: 116 Blackshadow Superstition, Christian MacDonald
Class 1-C Youngstock
1st: 107. Dakotadales Quicksilver (Ashel)- EriMarie Langsdorf 2nd: 113. Roandale Ragged Robin- Shuna Cerrato 3rd: 121 Cascadiadales Andrew- Shuna Cerrato
4th: `104 Blackshadow Supernova- Blackshadow Dales
Ridden WT and WTC
1st: 120 Kingmaker Talisman-Shuna Cerrato 2nd: 109. Roandale Gay Lad- Meg Robbins
3rd: 101. Lagniappe Apollo-Katrina Brunner 4th: 111 Lagniappe Bri[ania- Rebecca Fawley 5th: 116. Blackshadow Superstition- Christian MacDonald
Best Stallion:
Kingmaker Talisman: Thornville Pride x Manorian Moonstone
Cascadia Heritage Farm, Shuna Cerrato
Best Mare:
Red Prairie Anna Bea: Dartdale Peter Boy x Red Prairie Anna
Cascadia Heritage Farm, Shuna Cerrato
Best Youngstock:
Dakotadales Quicksilver: Rosebarr Gambler x Lagniappe Britannia
ErinMarie Langsdorf
Best Gelding:
Roandale Gay Lad: Colliery Chance x Abbeymead Amy Rose, Meg Robbins