Nicoll Show Team

A busy few weeks for the Nicoll Show Team

We left for the BSPS Winter Champs a day early as the snow was tumbling down and if we had not left when we did we would not have got off the farm.

The weather on the way down was changeable all the way but we arrived to a nice evening and after unloading the ponies and bedding them down we eventually sat down to supper and to arrange the class orders for the following days judging.

Rotherwood Rainbow and Kimberley were pulled top in the RIHS P/B Arab qualifier but after the ride judge having a lovely ride Bow decided to have a little fight with her towards the end of her show and they ended up 3rd in the class.

Marshbrook Ltd Edition and Zoe-Martella had a great show coming 2nd in their RIHS qualifier and 5th in their HOYS qualifier.

Kimberley rode our new Connemara Carlingford Cherub into 3rd place in the RIHS Connie and NF qualifier. They achieved the highest ride mark which we were delighted with.

Zoe-Martella rode her new show pony Jack of Diamonds and they had a good show notching up a 9th in the RIHS qualifier, a 4th in the restricted qualifier, and a 7th in the HOYS qualifier.

Riversdale Poker had an amazing show winning the Open 153cm Show Hunter Pony class. This was totally unexpected as we went down to educate him in the open classes. He started out on the first day a bit novice but by the end of the show he was just getting better and better and I think he really grew up at the show. He also managed to gain a 8th in the RIHS qualifier, 9th in the HOYS and a 5th in the Restricted.

The weather was a bit wet now and again and the show field looked a sea of mud where some of the lorries were parked, I was so pleased we were on hard standing and parked next to the ring so we could watch from the warmth of our lorry. We left around tea time and were back home on the yard by 11 o’clock that night.

The next weekend we headed out to Ingliston Equestrian centre to their Grand Slam show, another weekend away for us and the ponies although we did have the pleasure of a luxury wooden lodge on site for the first night!!

We started off the day with Lucinda riding Carlingford Cherub in the tack and turnout where they were 2nd and then they Won the Young Handlers class just after.

Zoe- Martella rode Marshbrook Ltd Edition in the 143cm SHP which they won and she also Won the 148cm Show Pony with Jack of Diamonds.

Kimberley rode Rotherwood Rainbow in the Part Bred Arab class which they also won.

Saturday evening performances came around so fast and we had to get all four ponies ready one after the other. Zoe was Reserve Champion with Harry in the SHP and with Jack in the Show Pony championships. Zoe also rode Rotherwood Rainbow in the Conquers de Elegance class where they came 2nd as Bow was not sure of the dress that was draped over her bum and was a bit fidgety!

Sunday saw the start of a new days showing and we started off the day with Zoe winning the Inhand Show Hunter class with Harry. Kimberley was 3rd in the M&M ridden with Cherub and she won the Intermediate SRT with Rotherwood Rainbow.

Evening performances came round again where Kimberley was Reserve Champion Intermediate with Bow and Zoe was Reserve Champion In hand with Harry.

6 Firsts and 4 Reserve Champions at the one show was not bad going we thought. We were so glad to hit our own beds that night and I’m quite sure the ponies felt the same way.

We have a lovely new addition to our team a bay 12 year old gelding called Ramble On (Bumble to his friends). We shall be contesting Intermediate Show Hunter classes and we shall also try a few Small Hunters with him.

Mary Nicoll