A LOCAL riding pony breeder is in high spirits this season as her home-bred ponies have once again been on top form winning the most prestigious awards in the equestrian showing world.

Judy Jackson and her son Toby from the Crafton Stud, in Tan-y-groes, near Cardigan, have been celebrating since seeing the 11-year-old broodmare Crafton Blithe Spirit being awarded the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) Cuddy In-hand Supreme Champion title of 2018 at the NEC in Birmingham.

It’s been quite a year for the stud, established around 40 years ago. With wins at all levels, 2018 is one of the highlights.

Judy said: “It was just fantastic to see Blithe Spirit being awarded this prestigious title.

“Both my son and I went to watch the competition and it was such a proud moment for us to see her producer Jerome Harforth of the Stanley Grange Stud showing her so well and to meet her owners Mark and Rosie Buckley.

“The pony never disappoints, having also won Supreme Champion Ridden Show Pony at the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) in 2015.”

Judy’s string of ponies over the years has seen the talented bunch gaining excellent results with Crafton Touch of Gold being awarded HOYS 14.2hh Pony of the Year both in 2010 and 2011 as well as Cuddy Reserve Finalist in Pembrokeshire County Show this year.

Crafton Waltz of the Toreadors was HOYS Show Hunter Pony of the Year in 2005 and 2011; Crafton Moonlight Serenade was 6th in the 13.2hh Show Pony 2010 with Crafton Pink Panther gaining a 4th in the14hh Show Hunter Pony 2001.

Crafton Golden Memories was HOYS Intermediate Show Riding Type 2000 and Champion Intermediate Show Riding Type RIHS, with Crafton Carolina Moon gaining a 5th in the 14.2hh Show Pony 1994, Show Pony Champion RIHS and Supreme Champion at the BSPS Championships.

And although the riding ponies at the Crafton Stud have excelled themselves over the last 40 years, so too have the Standard Shetland Ponies both in hand and under saddle.

In 1995 their Shetland Stallion Ross of Colden Water was reserve in the

Templeton (now Cuddy) HOYS qualifier and also Reserve Supreme Champion of

Show at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show.

He is now 32 years old and his three-year-old daughter, Rosemary of Crafton, has won six championships this year plus the Supreme Championship at the South & West Wales Shetland Spring Show.

"The achievement of Ross and Toby at the Royal Welsh Show

and Spirit winning the Cuddy at HOYS were among the best moments of my

life," said Judy.