SHEER VERSATILITY PERFORMANCE STALLION PARADE
By Jan Clarke & Photos By Eric G Jones

Despite a cold northerly wind a very good crowd of spectators from across the South West gathered at the West Wilts equestrian centre for the Sheer Versatility Stallion Parade. The event is organised by Judy Phillips from Mere and showcases the talents of Arabs, Partbreds and Anglo Stallions that have achieved success in Open ridden competition. Sheer Versatility also aims to raise funds for a Bursary worth £500 that is awarded every year to a young rider (aged under 25) who is competing on a horse registered with the Arab Horse Society.

The show opened with 2 stallions from Holmes Farm in Devon – Edeon and Ekwipunek – both bred in Poland but owned now by Patricia and Sonia Lindsay. These 2 lovely boys performed a “pas de deux” to music, ridden without bridles!

Edeon Grey Pure bred Eldon out of Emigrantka
Photos By Eric G Jones

Ekwipunek Bay Pure Bred by Eukaliptus out of Equitana

Sue Rich from Bristol brought 4 horses in all – her 2 Stallions Oakleaze Farm Czarus, aged 19 and his son Oakleaze Farm Czaro, and 2 bay geldings OF Czelo and OF Czarko. Both stallions are successful across a wide variety of disciplines including Dressage, Endurance and Show Jumping, and Czarus has just started Trec – being placed in his first competition!

Oakleaze Farm Czaro Grey Pure bred by Czarus out of Roundhills Rhapsody.
Photos By Eric G Jones

The Biddesden Stud from Andover – breeders of 3 day eventer Tamarillo ridden with such success by William Fox Pitt– showed 3 stallions; well known pure bred ridden show horse Sisyrinchium, and 2 Anglos All That Jazz and the homebred Persiflage. In the Potential Sport Horse class they did well in the part bred section taking first place with home bred 3yo colt Zucchini (Sisyrinchium – Hannah) and second with Agouti (All That Jazz – Tara).

Sisyrinchium Grey Pure bred by Dhruv out of Sakuntala
Photos By Eric G Jones

Harroway Mr Harlequin is a Tobiano Part Bred International Ridden Pony. He was shown today under side saddle and his jockey 14yo Helena Lambert was riding in side saddle for the very first time. They gave a charming display, with a commentary (and instruction!) from Mr Harlequin’s owner Lucinda Sims. Mrs Sims had a busy day as not only did she have her stallion on parade she also judged the Potential Sport Horse classes.

Harroway Mr Harlequin Tobiano Part bred by Chiddock Fankino out of Harroway Procession.
Photos By Eric G Jones

The winner of the 2006 Sheer Versatility Bursary was Lucy Ash riding Toners Meshack who is doing well in ODE and affiliated Dressage. Lucy is away in Australia at the moment but Meshack’s owner Thirza Ashelford brought him up for the parade and rode him herself. In the ring at the same time was Samiracle, a pure bred mare by Samad who is an International Trec competitor and British National Champion. These 2 very different horses proved how well horses of Arab blood are doing out in the wide world.

Lucy Ash riding Toners Meshack
Photos By Eric G Jones

Just before the afternoon programme began there was a presentation in the ring of photos of the 2 UK WAHO trophy winners; PHA Silvern Rissalm in 2004 and Franzara in 2005. Silvern Rissalm was photographed by Marilyn Sweet at Malvern 2005 when he did that amazing dressage display in the main ring, and Franzara was photographed by Eric Jones as she raced to second place in the 2006 AHS Marathon. Eric mounted and framed the pictures and Judy Phillips presented them to Finn Guinness to be displayed at Windsor House.

Eric G Joes, Judy Phillips, Finn Guiness
Photos By Eric G Jones

The jumps were put up after lunch and Turning Point, Lynne Lidbury’s hugely successful Anglo stallion was first in to show what he could do. He was followed by the 2 bay stallions from Biddesden – Persiflage and All That Jazz – and the jumps went higher and higher for all three!

Turning Point Bay Anglo by Roviris out of Theobalds Lovely Linda
Photos By Eric G Jones

Persiflage Bay Anglo by Primitive Rising out of Doyenne
Photos By Eric G Jones

All That Jazz Bay Anglo by SS City Lights out of Berlingo.

In a complete change the next horse in was Mark Smallman’s ethereal white stallion Istfahan a winner on the racetrack and in-hand. Istfahan wears his 22 years very lightly and after trotting him up Mark took off the lead rein and allowed him to dance at liberty. The crowd got behind him and clapped and cheered and the old boy loved it and really strutted his stuff!

Istfahan Grey Pure bred by Aurelian out of Istashra
Photos By Eric G Jones

Following on was another showman – Suzanne Keevil’s part bred Lusitano/Arab Icon – who showed his extravagant Spanish Walk and finished off with a bow to the crowd. Icon isn’t just a pretty face though; he is an Intermediate eventer ridden by Suzanne’s sister-in-law Charlotte Keevil and they also have Dressage points.

Icon Palomino Part bred by Idolo out of Lunifah
Photos By Eric G Jones

Nelly George brought 2 very different horses to the parade – her well known Anglo Fool’s Magic – racehorse, endurance and Marathon specialist and her young grey pure bred Ryminni who is just starting his racing career.

Fool’s Magic Bay Anglo by Al Mansour out of Lacey
Photos By Eric G Jones

Ryminni Grey Pure bred by Abu Shanab out of Bint Harida

Huge thanks must go to Judy Phillips who organises this wonderful day single handed – and gives us all an opportunity to see so many lovely stallions in one place. Her final comment of the day was “Never again”, but she said that last year!