OUR TOP COBS
AND THE WAY THEY WERE.....
(photo courtesy of Real Time Imaging)
Polaris
(aka Blue Gray Amazement)
(Silver Jasper RID x Clannad Bess RID)
This little superstar was a very impressive youngster. Right from the start he had that something about him. At 2yrs old he was Supreme In-hand Champion at the Southern Irish Draught Show (below). He had the presence and that little bit of mischief and sparkle. Francis knew that he was special. He was sold as a 2yr old colt to a stud owner in Henley who wanted him as a teaser for her mares. Two years later she sold him on to Lynn Russell
and the rest is history. Polaris, a pure-bred Irish Draught, matured at a little over 15hh, and over the next few years became one of the greatest heavyweight cobs ever.
He had everything, charisma, presence and great movement and was virtually unbeatable. After 6 years at the top
and at the age of 11 this great little cob retired from major showing with an incredible 55 Championships under his belt, including:
Cob of the Year (1999) and reserve in 2000 and 2001
Champion at the Royal International 4 years in succession and reserve in the 5th.
Winner of the British Isles Cob and Championship with a prize of £3000.
Supreme Champion at the Nationals in 2002 his 50th Title
In 2003 Polaris retired after winning 55 major Championships,
an accolade that surely can never be equalled.
He must go down in equine history as surely
one of the most successful show horses ever.
Left: With his breeder Francis after winning Supreme in-hand Championship as a 2 yr old colt
(photo courtesy of Real Time Imaging)
Kelston Madam Butterfly
Blue Henry x Clannad Chance Desire (Clannad Bess)
Pure-bred Irish Draught, born 1994
We earmarked her for a cob but left her to mature until she was 5 yrs.
The transformation to date is quite remarkable re-affirming the statement that Irish Draughts mature around 7 yrs.
She is cousin to Polaris, the link being the grand-dam, Clannad Bess. She is a lightweight. She has had considerable success so far with many wins and Championships to her credit and qualifying for RIHS and HOYS four years in succession from 2000 to 2004.
She must be one of the most successful show cob mares and one of the very few competing with Grade 1 RID status.
As well as her success as a show cob she has also had many wins and places in sidesaddle classes and in affiliated dressage and
dressage to music. She also is very talented over jumps and in 2005 will be competing in Working Cob classes!
Butter has accumulated over 6000 performance points with the IDHS and won well over £1500 prize-money todate.
Competition record to date.
Butter below as a three year old.
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