51AVÊÓÆµ

Catching Fire lifts King George V trophy at National Shire Show

The Shire Horse Society brought its national show back indoors and to Stafford Showground over three days. Jacqueline Pettigrew reports

clock • 2 min read
Herkules Catching Fire
Image:

Herkules Catching Fire

ÌýTaking the male championship and King George V trophy was Herkules Catching Fire from Christer Paulsson, Sweden. The six-year-old by Moorfield Ted, out of West Winds Cari Ann, produced by Paul and Matthew Bedford, Thorpe Hill stables, North Yorkshire, lifted the top award last year and will remain in Yorkshire to cover mares this forthcoming season.

The reserve male championship went to Manor 51AVÊÓÆµMagic Mike from the Callwood family, Ollerton, Cheshire. This three-year-old, which had earlier lifted the junior championship, is by Penrhos Braveheart, a former King George trophy winner and out of Horsmans Sunshine.

The final day saw the females take to the ring and it was the four-year-old filly, Batley Pepper Gray, which came out as supreme champion. Owned by Robert Bedford, Liversedge, Pepper Gray was bred by the late Arthur Smith, West Yorkshire, and is by Toc Hill Sir George, out of Batley Alison Gray and was taking the top award for the second year in succession, having lifted the Horse of the Year Show final championship in between.

Batley Pepper Gray

Mark Richardson, Hull, East Yorkshire, stood reserve in the female championship with his five-year-old mare Bewholme Glenda, a home-bred daughter of Hillmoor Double Trouble out of Bewholme Blue Smoke.

In the gelding classes, Janet and Matthew King, Cotebrook, Cheshire, took the championship with Cotebrook Alistair's Whats Wanted. Bred by the late Alistair King, this four-year-old gelding is by Leverton Leonardo, out of Cotebrook Loch Laggan.

Standing reserve gelding was Woodhouse Twenty Four Carat,aÌý three-year-old from Danny Roberts, Devon. By Woodhouse Rainman, out of Woodhouse Miss Dynamite, it had was bred by Martin Fountain, Ashbourne, and had earlier lifted the junior gelding championship.

The ridden championship went to Abigail Wagstaff, York and her five-year-old mare, Sutton Forest Elegance, a daughter of Acle Challenger. The following day's HOYS qualifying class saw victory for David Drake aboard Acle Mojo, a horse owned by Neil Wray.

Sutton Forest Elegnace ridden by Abigail Wagstaff

The turnout championship went to the single turnout of Thwaites Brewery, Blackburn, Lancashire, driven by Richard Green, while Elaine Ramsay, Wigtown, took the cart championship.

Pip Read, Norfolk, had the champion traditional harness set, worn by Hillmoor Armani, while the champion floral set came from Charlotte Webb of Alton, Hampshire.

It was 16-year-old Jamie Croot, Derbyshire, who was picked out as champion young handler, while the reserve championship went to 12-year-old Kayden Barnett, Cheshire.

Ìý

Turnout winner from Thwaites Brewery Blackburn

More on Livestock

Farming Matters - Adrian Fellows: "If reducing antibiotic use is our goal, shouldn't we make it easier for farmers to test solutions?

Farming Matters - Adrian Fellows: "If reducing antibiotic use is our goal, shouldn't we make it easier for farmers to test solutions?

This week's opinion from throughout the world of agriculture: Adrian Fellows, chief executive of infection control specialists Aga2Tech

Adrian Fellows
clock 22 November 2025 • 3 min read
Popularity of Zwartbles sheep continues to grow among farmers

Popularity of Zwartbles sheep continues to grow among farmers

It is 30 years since the Zwartbles Sheep Association was first established in the UK – and with 12 flocks on the books in 1995, compared to 526 today, it is clear that the love for this big, bright, black-and-white breed continues to grow

Lynsey Clark
clock 21 November 2025 • 6 min read
What are the benefits of regen livestock management to farmers?

What are the benefits of regen livestock management to farmers?

Vet Lee-Anne Oliver, founder of the UK's first vet-led regenerative farming service, believes farmers can benefit financially from taking a more holistic approach to livestock management

clock 19 November 2025 • 5 min read