Our stallions, mares and foals are taken to shows throughout the year and shown in breed-specific classes. This allows them to be exposed to life outside the Stud Farm, which prepares them for new environments and accustoms them to different sights and sounds. Successfully preparing horses for the show ring and presenting them at shows is a skilled art, and acts as a great advertisement for both our own horses and the breed in general.
On this page you will find...
Positive experiences and new skills
Participating in shows exposes a horse to life beyond the Stud Farm, helping them adapt to new environments and become familiar with various sights and sounds.
Ultimately, they becomes a better behaved animal and less prone to being spooked or distracted in unfamiliar situations. Showing helps horses to stay in practice and builds confidence, which in turn maintains or enhanced their value.
Horses have unique personalities and abilities, which, when harnessed in the right direction, can produce remarkable results in the ring - a setting where many believe they truly shine.
The special bond between horse and handler (Groom) grows and develops as they work together to compete in the show ring, building skills that go beyond competition.
Showing a horse requires problem-solving, goal-setting and organisational skills. The handler must face issues as they arise and determine how best to resolve them, whether it relates to the horse, logistics or even time-management. Showing also requires incredible attention to detail, down to tack, appearance and performance, so the ability to prioritise and execute — often under pressure — are vital.
Looking professional
Suffolk Stallions, Mares and Geldings are all presented in the same way.
Manes: Fully plaited with bass (raffia). The bass is soaked prior to plaiting and as it dries it holds in tight – plus it’s easier to work with and stretches a little.
Flights: These are ‘Tulip’ style. They are a simple upright flight, normally without bows. There are 7-11 flights in total that are plaited in with the bass.
Tails: Suffolk’s have full tails which are fully plaited with bass, then end rolled back, and nearly sown in. Three or four bows are then tied in down the plait to match the flights.
Neck band: This is used to hold the competition number and can be one colour or two, to match the flights.
Forelock: A bow can be tied in the forelock – again in a matching colour to the flights.
Colours: Traditional colours such as red as the most popular colours used but all Suffolk breeders have their own different colours. Ours is yellow and blue.
We encourage our supporters to join us at our upcoming shows so you can really appreciate our Suffolk Punches at their best.
Classes for heavy horses, such as the Suffolk Punch horses, are:
Colony Helena II
2nd, Filly, 2 or 3 years old
Shown by Katherine Whitwell
Colony Haze
3rd, Filly, 2 or 3 years old
Shown by Kayleigh Lambert
Colony Haze
1st, Filly, 2 or 3 years old
Shown by Kayleigh Lambert
Colony Helena II
2nd, Filly, 2 or 3 years old
Shown by Rob Lambert
Colony Wren
2nd, Ridden Heavy Horse
Qualified for Equifest, 1st – 4th August 2024, Allington, Lincolnshire
Shown by Emily Windsor
Colony Eli
1st, Stallion
Breed Champion
Shown by Lily Hammond
Colony Eli
1st, Stallion, 4 years old and over
Champion Stallion
Shown by Lily Hammond
Colony Gremlin
2nd, Stallion, 4 years old and over
Reserve Champion Stallion
Shown by Rob Lambert
Colony Wren II
3rd, Ridden Heavy Horse
Shown by Emily Windsor
Colony Gremlin 9237
Reserve Champion Suffolk Stallion
1st, Stallion, 4 years old and over, foaled in or before 2020
Stallion with the best feet (The Arthur Pratt Memorial Perpetual Challenge Cup & The G Philip Woodward Perpetual Memorial Trophy)
Shown by Tracey Pettitt
Colony Helena II 28840
1st, Filly, 2 or 3 years old (The Mowson Perpetual Challenge Cup)
Shown by Rob Lambert
Colony Haze 28841
3rd, Filly, 2 or 3 years old
Shown by Kayleigh Lambert
Colony Wren II 9077
Ridden Heavy Horse
Ridden by Emily Windsor
Colony Eli
Supreme Champion
Champion Stallion
Colony Jada
2nd, Filly Foal
Colony Eli
1st, Stallion 4 years old and over
Reserve Champion Stallion
Colony Gremlin
1st, Stallion 2 and 3 years old
Champion Stallion
Colony Eli
Supreme Champion Suffolk
Champion Stallion
1st, Stallion 4 Years and over Class
Colony Gremlin
1st, Stallion 2 or 3 Years old Class
Colony Boo
3rd, Mare 4 Years old and over Class
Colony Eli
Stallion Champion (Qualified)
1st, Stallion 4 Years and over Class
Colony Gremlin
1st, Stallion 2 and 3 Years old Class
Most shows are ticketed for the public, and fees vary. For more information on each show, please get in touch with the event organisers.
Show | Date | Info |
---|---|---|
Suffolk Show | 29th and 30th May | See Results |
Royal Norfolk Show | 26th and 27th June | See Results |
Framlingham Show | 13th or 20th July | See Results |
Suffolk Spectacular | 1st September | Website here |
Palace House Day | 6th October | Website here |
Foal and Yearling show | 13th October | Website here |
Visitor Centre
The Suffolk Punch Trust, Woodbridge Walk, Hollesley, IP12 3LA
Colony Stud and Postal Address: The Suffolk Punch Trust, Sink Farm, St. David's Lane, Hollesley, Suffolk IP12 3JR
Dogs Welcome
Special thanks to these photographers: Jeff Welch, Elizabeth Ebsworth, Richard Allenby Pratt, Claire Le Roy, Jemma Martin, Sonja Moon.