Herefordshire | Archive | 2005 | October | 20
From the archive, first published Thursday 20th Oct 2005.
FIVE young Herefordshire-bred horses - all by Jane and Martin Manning's RID stallion Roma Diamond Skip standing at Kilpeck Stud - have been competing against the best in the country.
Much of a Muddle, bred by Jacky Skelton at Eardisley and ridden by Louise Skelton, jumped a double clear in the six-years-old class at intermediate novice level at the British Pavo Eventing Breeding Championships held at Tweseldown. They had qualified at Tetton Hall, Cheshire.
Also competing at the British event was Classic Diamond Charm, bred by Betty Smith of Dorstone, who qualified by winning at Royal Bath and West, Stockland Lovell, and Hatherleigh.
The other three progeny of Roma Diamond Skip involved in top national competition were taking part in the Horse of the Year Show at the NEC Birming-ham.
It meant a return to this country for Jack O'Diamonds. The seven-year-old, bred by Roy Baker at Lyonshall, was sold to Northern Ireland last year.
Brought back for the Royal Highland Show this year, he took supreme champion hunter and qualified for the lightweight hunters at the NEC.
Another seven-year-old, Rock A Fella, bred by Sarah Champness at Ullingswick, qualified for the lightweight cob class after success at the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead.
Cutting Edge ll, a six-year-old bred by Mrs Vine at Sollers Hope, qualified at the New Forest Show for the middlewight hunter class.
With over 40 horses to stud in 2005, Roma Diamond Skip is proving an outstanding sire with his stock sought by aspiring amateurs and professional riders alike.
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