Eddie's First Ever Show

“Well, I seem to be the owner and breeder of a licensed stallion.

Eddie (Stolen Escador) and Sonnar Murray-Brown were amazing today. It was Eddie's first ever show and it was a combined Futurity assessment and grading assessment to become an AES stallion.

The venue was Hartpury and it was bustling as the annual PRE show was on at the same time. We didn't know how Eddie was going to react. Taking any young horse to their first show is daunting. Taking a 4yo stallion is 10x more daunting. Would he find everything a bit scary and turn to Sonny for reassurance? Or would he boil over and become a testosterone fuelled lunatic? Until they've been out, you just don't know. I'm happy to be able to report that Eddie was a very good boy.

He walked and trotted up for the vet like he's been doing it all his life. We then tacked him up and took him in the warm up. Effie led him and Sonnar round so he could see the banners and mirrors. He was great and very relaxed. Then the youngster that was in the next door arena needed a bit of encouragement to show their paces so the handlers started cracking whips. It sounded like pistol shots. Eddie was terrified yet still held it together, bless him. Sonnar decided a hack around the car park was a safer place to be and Eddie agreed.

Once the whip cracking had finished Eddie came back into the warm up and was incredibly brave as he went round, cool as you like. Bless him! He could have had a melt down (I know a ginger 7yo who would have done just that. Yes, I'm looking at you, Dawn!) yet Eddie coped brilliantly.

The organisers were lovely. They invited us through to the main arena and allowed Effie to lead Eddie and Sonny round before starting their warm up. Since they were being live streamed on Clip My Horse there was extra pressure on.

Eddie was wonderful. He didn't put a foot wrong. Sonnar and he are forming a fantastic partnership and it was lovely to see Eddie trusting Sonny while being asked some big questions. Banners? Cameraman? Judges? No problem. I'm so proud of them.

The result was

Conformation 9.0

Walk 8.0

Trot 9.0

Canter 8.75

And Eddie AKA Stolen Escador (Escamillo x Riccio x Parademarsch) is a graded stallion with the AES

He's still a big gangly puppy at the moment so that's his competing over till next year. When he's 5, let's just say, we have big plans.

Thankyou Sonnar for producing him so brilliantly. Thankyou Effie and Greta for your help. Thankyou RS Equine for backing him. Thankyou Yvonne and Amber for looking after him when he was a baby. He couldn't have done this without you all.” -Stolen Silver Sports Horses