Melanie and Gemma Stanford’s prolific Highland stallion Benbreac Of Croila has died aged 17 after a brief sickness. He was one of the constant native ponies of recent occasions, turning into the primary native to win the supreme on the Royal Worldwide Horse Present (RIHS), in 2018.
By Ulleam of Croila out of Shelagh of Croila, Benbreac of Croila — often called Breac at dwelling — he was bred by the late Cameron Ormiston.
Melanie and her daughter Gemma purchased Breac as an unhandled yearling.
“Mum purchased two yearling colts; Breac was truly meant to be a companion as Mum most popular the opposite pony,” Gemma mentioned. “Breac was the definition of an unsightly duckling who blossomed right into a swan. I put a lot time into him as a teenager and generally I’d have a look at him and assume ‘I’m wondering if I’ll ever lead you in a championship’. We had an unimaginable bond.”
Breac made his debut within the present ring on the again finish of his three-year-old yr, and as a four-year-old he achieved his first main win when he stood in-hand champion on the Nationwide Pony Society Spring Pageant.
“I bear in mind he obtained an image in H&H after that win,” mentioned Gemma. “Throughout his profession he was additionally an H&H horse hero and a canopy star.”
For almost all of his profession, Breac was proven underneath saddle by Matt Cooper, and Gemma took the lead in in-hand lessons.
He grew to become a two-time Royal Windsor M&M in-hand supreme winner and he was additionally M&M ridden champion there twice, qualifying for London Worldwide on each events.
His different outcomes embrace lifting the general supreme on the British Present Pony Society (BSPS) Heritage championships, successful the supreme Heritage championship on the BSPS summer season championships and claiming the £1,000 supreme ultimate at North of England. He certified for Horse of the Yr Present (HOYS) six occasions, successful as soon as and standing second twice. He was better of breed at London Worldwide 4 occasions, additionally ending third total in 2015 and reserve total in each 2016 and 2019. He received in-hand titles on the Nice Yorkshire, the Royal Highland, Royal Cornwall and Royal Norfolk. He was additionally ridden champion on the Royal Highland.
Gemma added: “He received all the pieces a Highland pony may presumably win. At Hickstead, he broke all data and made historical past.”
He retired from the ring in 2019 after London aged 12.
“In 2019 I had a child and he solely did 4 exhibits that yr,” Gemma mentioned. “He certified for HOYS and London, and contested the 2 finals. Then, Covid hit, so his retirement was effectively timed.”
His inventory has additionally excelled within the present ring; his daughter Finglands Flora loved many wins on the novice circuit and his son Finglands Braveheart adopted in his sire’s footsteps when he received the £1,000 supreme ultimate at North of England, additionally showing at HOYS.
Gemma added: “It was his showmanship and unrivalled presence that was so uncommon. If anyone noticed him within the ring, they’d perceive what I meant. He would go from being the quietest stallion that anybody may deal with to being the final word showman. He lived for the present ring and thrived on outings. He got here alive when he stepped into the ring and was probably the most unimaginable performer. He’s irreplaceable and can go away the most important gap in our hearts. He’s a pony of a lifetime.”
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