Spectacular
The annual Suffolk Punch Spectacular is now in its 27th year and is a firm favourite in the heavy horse calendar. Sunday 9th September 2007 saw the Suffolk Horse Society’s prestigious event returning to Kentwell Hall at Long Melford where we were once again blessed with glorious sunshine.
An enthusiastic audience was thrilled to see 50 Suffolks going through their paces. Also in attendance were three part-bred Suffolks, two Shires, two Percherons and a Thoroughbred. Owners came not only from East Anglia but also Leicestershire, Dorset and Northamptonshire to take part and enjoy the day.
The skill events of Timber Snigging and Balance the Beam were won by Chris Pratt and Rudy Matus respectively. Both of them work for Bunting and Sons.
First in the Working Carthorse competition went to Matt Bundock and the Banham Zoo team. Best dressed horse in harness was awarded to Paul Smith and Son for a resplendent Colony Hope. Fiona Fleming took the braiding prize, beating daughter Heather into second place, whilst Laura Thompson was awarded Young Braider. The Young Handler prize went to James Crockford with Fenland Gem. The New Judges competition saw a strong field of 12 entrants with the final outcome being joint first prizes awarded to Norma Bradley and Steven Grimsey.
The gymkhana is always very popular and this year three teams competed and gave a spirited performance. Iain Ames team using Colony Novus, known as Aragorn, came first by a long head but that is understandable given that Aragorn is half-Suffolk and half-thoroughbred with a champion racehorse in his pedigree.
Iain and Aragorn, as it happened had stepped into the breech earlier in the day. The Society had hoped for a special guest who was to give a riding display but at the last minutes she could not be with us. Luckily Dreda Randall and Christina Lines were there with Sendholme Arnold Sunrise and Christina and Arnie performed a perfect “set” without any rehearsal.
To show the true versatility of the Suffolk Iain and Aragorn also stepped up with a performance in the ring. Aragorn is learning dressage and is proving a natural. The audience appreciated their efforts and gave both immaculately turned out riders and their perfectly schooled mounts a big round of applause.
Horse events were boosted by appearances from the ever popular Banham Zoo Birds of Prey team, by the local Classic Car Club and by displays of machinery ranging from a “home-made” armoured car of World War II vintage to a truly enormous combine harvester.
Ray Hubbard was on hand with a display of artifacts representing the Suffolk Horse Museum, and the Long Melford Silver band played from the lawn in front of the house. In addition to a range of craft and food stands John Tiplady was present explaining the skills of a wheelwright from his gazebo, Bunting & Sons had brought many of their stud horses to take part and also brought a display of plans for the Horkesley Park Heritage and Conservation Centre, and Diana Flack put in a word for another member of the Suffolk Trinity by bringing the Red Poll Cattle Society promotional wagon.
Thanks are due to all who took part and who supported the event by helping behind the scenes. Judges were Bernard Adams, Neil Adams, Cheryl Grover, Dennis Hayter and Sidney Smith. Stewards were Norma Bradley, Ken Goudy, Steven Grimsey, Trevor and Yvonne Mouncer, and Colin Willcox. Commentators were Martin Goymour and Nigel Oakley. Stalwart volunteers on the day were Hilary Cadman and her grand-daughters Tasmin and Jessica, Mark Clixby, who came up by motorbike from Kent, Pippa Marson, Anne Richards and, of course, the indefatigable Kelly and Andy Bennett.
Suffolk Punch Spectacular 2007 Competition Winners
Balance the Beam Competition
1st Chris Pratt
2nd Bill Smith
Best Dressed Horse in Harness
1st PT Smith & Son: Colony Hope
2nd Glen Cass: Kentwell Paigale
3rd Andrew, Chris & Laura Thompson: Pencader Percival
Braiding Competition
1st Fiona Fleming
2nd Heather Fleming
3rd Christina Lines
Reserve Norma Bradley
Young Handler Competition
1st James Crockford, 13: Fenland Gem
2nd Eli Squirrell, 15: Craigogantlet Ida
3rd Laura Thompson, 18: Gateridge Appleblossom
Young Braider Competition
1st Laura Thompson
2nd Elie Squirrell
New Judges Competition
Joint 1st Norma Bradley
Joint 1st Steven Grimsey
2nd Rachel Drew
3rd Charlotte Adams
Reserve Sam Malloy
Timber Snigging Competition
1st Rudy Matus
2nd Chris Pratt
3rd Bill Smith
Working Carthorse Competition
1st Bunting & Sons
2nd Matt Bundock for Banham Zoo
3rd Mr Goodridge
The Raffle was drawn in the ring at the end of the day
Prize / Donated by / Winning Ticket
Turkey Voucher / Bernard Matthews Food / Yellow 66 - Mrs Blaine of Birmingham
Case of 6 bottles of red wine / Mr N Smith / Yellow 175 - Mrs Buckle of Ipswich
Case of 6 bottles of white wine / Mr N Smith / Yellow 119 - Mr Davies of Ross-on-Wye
Case of 6 bottles of wine / Mrs G Buckle / Green 579 - Mrs Bradley of Soham
Bottle of whisky / Mr & Mrs J Fleming / Green 550 - Mrs Grey of Sudbury
Bottle of Red wine / Mr & Mrs P Ryder-Davies / Yellow 99 - Mr Salmons of Chatteris
Bottle of Red wine / Mrs J Crisp / Yellow 168 - Mrs Buckle of Ipswich
Two other prizes were unclaimed and re-raffled at the Annual Dinner
Bottle of white wine Ticket Number Green 700
Cuddly Tiger Ticket Number Green 895
Artist Joanna Roberts held a draw in her tent. In return for a donation people put their name and address details into a sealed box. The first name drawn at the end of the day was entitled to a painting of their pet by Joanna. The name drawn was Charlotte Stimpson of Bunwell
58 horses were present at the 2007 Suffolk Punch Spectacular, including Kentwell residents. 50 Suffolks, three part-bred Suffolks, and, by invitation, two Shires, two Percherons and one Thoroughbred.Thank you to everyone who brought along their magnificent horses.Colony Novus PB25 Ames, Mr Iain
Bazoo Nell 28462 Banham Zoo
Bazoo Tuscany 28567 Banham Zoo
Colony George 8814 Banham Zoo
Milden Charles 8920 Banham Zoo
Glanrhocca Golden Grandson 8928 Barrett, Sue & Hutton, Andy
Fenland Gem 28448 Bradley, Mrs Norma
Nedging Millennium 28451 Buckle, Mrs Gill
Nedging Tulip 28523 Buckle, Mrs Gill
Auchenhamper Early Morning Surprise 28497 Bunting & Sons
Easton Bruce 8871 Bunting & Sons
Easton William 8870 Bunting & Sons
Horkesley Park Boxer 8964 Bunting & Sons
Horkesley Park Grace 28561 Bunting & Sons
Horkesley Park Sovereign 8960 Bunting & Sons
Nedging Bertram 8976 Bunting & Sons
Shotleyfield Northern Star 8943 Bunting & Sons
Ikon Shire Cass, Glen
Kentwell Paigale 8938 Cass, Glen
Roc Shire Cass, Glen
Euston Amethyst 28396 The Countess of Euston
Euston Jasper 8971 The Countess of Euston
Euston Liberty Belle AA002 The Countess of Euston
Mellie Thoroughbred Fleming, Heather
Queen of Sheba PB52 Fleming, Heather
Eyke Opal 28425 Fleming, John and Fiona
Eyke Sir Winston 8996 Fleming, John and Fiona
Landmark Bronze Bear 8946 Hallett, Jeff
Donway Camilla 28535 Kelleway, Martin & Jo & Donsworth Mark
Donway Elizabeth 28582 Kelleway, Martin & Jo & Donsworth Mark
Moyns Petra Penny 28456 Kelleway, Martin & Jo & Donsworth Mark
Whitton Violet 28536 Latham, Mr John
Milden Opal 28576 Morley, Mr P
Milden Tess 28313 Morley, Mr P
Horning Hall St James 8981 Murrell, James & Clare
Milden Harvey 8953 Murrell, James & Clare
Milden Duke 8973 Oakley, Nigel and Chris
Samford Amethyst 28578 Paul, Mr George
Samford Sapphire 28320 Paul, Mr George
Samford Topaz 28543 Paul, Mr George
Kentwell Comfrey PB40 Phillips, Mr & Mr Patrick
Kentwell Mayflower 28319 Phillips, Mr & Mr Patrick
Kentwell Peony 28494 Phillips, Mr & Mr Patrick
Winyards Violet 28154 Phillips, Mr & Mr Patrick
Sendholme Arnold Sunrise 8767 Randall, Mrs Dreda
Ludwell Atlas Percheron Scurrell, Malcolm
Willingham Flo Percheron Scurrell, Malcolm
Block Fen Lucky 28342 Smith, Mr Nigel
Rede Rebellion 8975 Smith, Mr Nigel
Colony Hope 28368 Smith, Mr Paul
Lockspit King Louis 8907 Smith, Mr Paul
Craigogantlet Ida 28520 Squirrell, Mr Peter
Colony Elite 28322 Suffolk Punch Trust
Besthorpe Ruby 28522 Syrett, Neil
Gateridge Appleblossom 28558 Thompson Alan, Christine & Laura
Pencader Percival 8797 Thompson Alan, Christine & Laura
Tollemache Dorothy 28422 Tollemache, Mr Michael
Whitton Daisy 28463 Walne, Mr Tom & Hewett Miss Sandy
The Suffolk Horse Society is grateful to the following for their sponsorship of the Suffolk Punch Horse SpectacularAnchorage Veterinary Hospital
Ashton Graham
Banham Zoo
Barker Gotelee
Bernard Matthews Foods Ltd
PH Betts (Holdings) Ltd
Bidwells
Binder
Blocks
Boyton Hall Equine Centre
The Chadacre Trust
Charnwood Milling Co Ltd
Clarke & Simpson
WA Deacon & Sons Ltd
Debach Enterprises
WL Duffield Ltd
LS Eaves Ltd
Mrs S Eley
Mr & Mrs R Erith
Farmhouse Cooking Ltd
Mr B Gillings
Lady Shauna Gosling
Mr & Mrs PC Morley
NEC Phillips
Notcutts Ltd
Mr & Mrs N Oakley
Prestige Bars
Suffolk Agricultural Association
Summers Wykes-Sneyd
Thurlow Nunn (Standen) Ltd
Titchmarsh & Goodwin
Mr & Mrs M Tollemache
Wincer Kievenaar- and to -
Mr & Mrs Patrick Phillips
and their staff at Kentwell Hall
If you missed the Spectacular this year you might want to note that in 2008 it will be held on Sunday 7th September at Euston Hall.