The Percheron Triumphs again in 2006

July 2006

The Percheron is the only heavy horse breed to attain Supreme In-hand Horse and Pony Championship at the Royal Show. To achieve this accolade is a great triumph in itself, but to do it for three consecutive years and each time with a different mare speaks volumes about the quality of the breed. Willingham Marie took the Title in 2006 and it is the second year running that owner Gordon Bailey has done this, the first time was with Willingham Crystal in 2005. The first Percheron to take the title was Hales Uni in 2004. Hales Uni is owned by E Garner & Sons. Both the Hales and Willingham Studs are in s ituated in the Village of Willingham, Cambridge.

La Route due Poisson 2005

Updated 10 October 2005

Percheron Members and their horses performed outstandingly well during La Route due Poisson 2005. The Team entered by the British Heavy Horse Driving Trials Club were 3rd out of the 16 teams taking part, 11 of the 22 horses in the team were Percheron. A full set of results can be found at www.laroutedupoisson.fr.

None of the British Horses incurred any vetting penalties. Preparation before the event had been thorough and hard work during the race by the support teams and the vet', supplied by the Club's major sponsor Hilton Herbs, were a major factor.

The team also gained a number of good results in the Specials, these play a large part in deciding the final placing. Percheron Horses were involved in the two quick changes coming 2nd and 4th also the Town Driving with a commendable 6th.

Crystal Sparkles at the Royal

Updated 1 September 2005

For the second year in succession a Percheron mare won the coveted Supreme In-Hand Champion at the Royal Show. Willingham Crystal, bred and owned by Gordon Bailey of E. Bailey and Sons, took on the best of the equine entries from all sections of the Royal Show and as Hales Uni did last year, showed them a clean pair of heels.

Crystal is an upstanding dappled grey mare, and at nine years old is in the prime of her showing career. Due to the Willingham stud having other championship show horses for early in the season, Crystal is saved for the big occasions, and had already won the female championship at the Breed show this year, and the previous week, when showed by Gordon's loyal and trusty groom Patricia, scooped the Percheron breed championship at the Royal Norfolk Show.

In the last seven years she has won many breed and mixed breed championships, and is a credit to both the breed and her owner. One of the few remaining offspring of Richard Johnson's stallion, Three Holes Grenadier, out of Willingham Lady, herself a many times champion, Crystal is typical of the British Percheron type and very reminiscent of the type of mares shown in the 1950's and 60's.

Promotional unit takes to the road

Updated 20 April 2005

The Society's promotional unit is now on the road and will be visiting shows through out the summer. Look out for the van and drop in for a chat.

See timetable