Paul Wright: Welsh Cobs & The Royal Welsh Show 2008

“Frankfurt approach this is Aer Lingus Three .. Two .. Nine at Flight level Three .. Five .. Zero..”

Carolin was already aware of the incoming Boeing 747 which had appeared moments before on her radar screen at Frankfurt airport. Responding politely, in perfect English, she said:

“Good morning Aer Lingus Three .. Two .. Nine.”

She monitored the Irish airliner as it continued along its approved flight path - along with five other approaching aircraft - and then spoke with authority into her VHF radio:

“Aer Lingus 329 descend to altitude 2500 feet, QNH .. One ..Zero .. One .. Five.”

What, you may ask, has this conversation between an air traffic controller in Frankfurt and a Boeing 747 pilot got to do with the Royal Welsh Show?

Allow me to explain.

Last week Wendy and I were attending Europe’s largest agricultural show with more than 230,000 visitors. The Royal Welsh Show is held in Builth Wells and we, alongside other trade ex

hibitors, were showing our new silver and gold jewellery designs for the 2008 season - including the popular silver and gold daisy jewellery collection!

Our Guest House accommodation in Wales is something quite extra-ordinary. Each morning, at the crack of dawn, we are treated to one of Biddy William's famous full 'Welsh' breakfasts. In the evening there is always a delicious roast dinner served once we return from the Show at 8.30pm sharp! We all sit around a large 18th Century oak dining table and share experiences with the other guests who have come to attend the Royal Welsh Show at Llanelwedd. This year two German air traffic controllers, Carolin and Stefan Klose, had flown to Wales from Frankfurt and booked into the same Guest House - a small Grade II listed cottage in a picturesque valley not far from the Showgrounds. We all immediately became firm friends and Carolin, also a semi-professional photographer, kindly agreed to provide the pictures for this our ‘Royal Welsh’ blog.

Princess Anne opens The Royal Welsh Show 2008

Carolin owns a Welsh Cob stallion called “Old Radnor” and she and Stefan had come to see the famous Welsh Cob Pony competitions held every year at this world renowned event. One of the most stunning spectacles at the show is undoubtedly the running of the Section D Welsh Cob Stallions on the Wednesday afternoon. This attracts huge numbers and the noise from the crowds is matched only by the most excited football fans at a top international game! This is partly down to their enthusiasm for these very special horses and partly as an attempt to actually influence the judge who must make the difficult decision of declaring a very highly prized winner!

This year’s event was judged by the Synod stud breeder Doreen Jones of Gellihen Farm who, along with her husband Cerdin, was also staying at our Guest House ... making our Tuesday evening roast dinner all the more interesting! This appointment is a once in a lifetime honour and one that Doreen was taking very seriously indeed. The winning Stallion can instantly become a

priceless asset as far as future stud fees are concerned! The judge must make a completely impartial and 'objective' decision based on the criteria laid down by the British Show Horse Association. We enjoyed discussing the enormity of the task that lay ahead of Doreen the following day!

Apparently all sections of the Welsh pony and Welsh cob competitions demand horses that are sure-footed with sound feet, dense bone, and that display very hardy characteristics. The ponies should also have a well-laid back shoulder, deep chest, short back, well-sprung rib cage and strong hindquarters. Their legs should be “clean" with good bone, short cannons and correct hocks. Indeed they must exhibit the substance, stamina and soundness of their ancestral bloodstock!

DROGEDA ‘Stormy Tempest‘, a beautiful chestnut displaying lively action and striking beauty in equal measure, was finally named the Stallion Champion Cob by our recent acquaintance, Doreen. It took more than an hour of careful studying of nearly fifty fabulous entries, and a whittling down to an impressive shortlist, before she could be sure. And the George Prince of Wales Perpetual Cup went to junior mare, Trevallion Racheal’s Miracle, a glossy-coated and spirited bay, with quite unusual markings.

DROGEDA ‘Stormy Tempest' - Champion Cob 2008

I am pleased to say that our display of silver and gold jewellery attracted almost as much attention as the famous Welsh Cobs! We were happy to see our regular customers, who have been enthusiastically faithful to us over the past twelve years, at this event. We were delighted to have assisted with two romantic engagements at our stand too and we will be making very special diamond engagement rings for these happy couples!

I must, of course, thank Carolyn Klose for her photographic contributions which have made this blog a really special one. She and Steffan are now on their way back to Frankfurt and I leave them with the rest of my fictitious recording taken from Frankfurt radar control to the approaching Irish 747 jet:

"Aer Lingus Three .. Two .. Nine, you have traffic, a Fokker at one o'clock, two miles, Eastbound," Carolin warned the incoming jet.

The Aer Lingus pilot quickly responded:

"Frankfurt approach .... I've always wanted to say this... I've got the little Fokker in sight!"