27 new showing classes make up the schedule for the extra day of the Armathwaite Hall Strongid-P Horse Trials & Country Fair on Friday June 30th. Affiliated to five national societies, the classes carry qualifiers for The BSPS Dennybeck Classic, The BSPS Summer Championships, The Intermediate of the Year, 122cms Show Hunter Pony of the Year, Ponies (UK), The Side Saddle Association and the National Hunter Supreme Championship. All the classes are well filled and the event organisers are very pleased at the response they have had.

Support for the showing classes has been more than generous and the main sponsor of the horse trials, Strongid-P are giving EVERY competitor a goodie duffle bag containing a polo shirt, baseball cap, a Strongid-P wormer and half a litre of Vi-sorbine, plus a badge.

Spillers Speciality Horse Feeds are providing baseball caps to the winners in each class and together with Dodson and Horrel, are awarding a horse rug to the Champion animal in each section. The top prize money of the day goes to the Supreme Champion of the Show, who will receive £250, with the Reserve Supreme Champion trotting off with £100.

Many of the entrants taking part come from the area around Bassenthwaite, Cumbria, but there are a few exceptions who hail from as far afield as Yorkshire, Hertfordshire and Scotland.

The side saddle classes will prove an elegant spectacle against the backdrop of the picturesque Armathwaite Hall Hotel and estate, whilst the tiny jockeys in the lead rein and first ridden classes are always a delight to watch.

All three of the hunter weight classes are well subscribed and local judge Hilary Park-Johnson will be joined by 1999 Horse Of The Year Show judge Mike Florence who will preside.

Some of the country’s best-known ponies are entered in the British Show Pony Society qualifiers, including Yorkshire’s Sarah Ambler, who will ride both Flashdance and Riverdance. These two lovely animals have between them won a host of major titles.

Many of the entries in the show pony and show hunter classes have qualified to compete at both the Royal International Horse Show and the Horse Of The Year Show later in the season. They include Chiddock Limited Edition, Tamarind Star Attraction, Crossbrook Glitter, Deanhills Royal Symphony and Brookvale Groomsman.

The show will culminate with the Champions of each section contesting the Supreme Champion of the Show. This lucky rider will win £250 and ‘The Equestrian Magazine’ Perpetual Trophy.

Although it was difficult to obtain qualification to the larger shows this year, it is hoped that this showing day at Armathwaite will act as the flagship for a bigger and better event in the future. Plans to incorporate working hunter pony and mountain and moorland classes in the schedule next year are already underway and hopes are high that many of the classes will carry Horse Of The Year Show qualification status.

Further information about the showing classes at Armathwaite Hall from Cath Hutchinson on 01204 882615/0976 265629.