" My Family have been competing in Cardigan Stallion Show for many years. It has become a family tradition to parade our fine stallions around the town. We always knew the showing season was here when Cardigan Stallion Show had been.

My Grandfather, Sidney Harries, was a regular competitor with his Arabians in the late 70's. My father, Mr. William Harries of Blue Rock Arabian Stud, followed in his fathers footsteps with great success.

His first win was with Seneshal, a 15.2hh liver chestnut Arab stallion. This stallion won the trophy for three consecutive years. Another was Sheradan, another liver chestnut stallion.

Throughout the years we have competed with many Arabs who were all placed first. There were a few years where we were unable to attend the show due to illness or family bereavement, but on return we always came home successful. Never have we competed with an Arab and not returned with the trophy.

However, our greatest success was with 'The Professor', A 15.2hh Grey Arab stallion. He was bought by my father in 1984 as a yearling when he was handsome dapple gray and he soon became the pride and joy of the family.

His first time at the show was as a two year old where he led the Arabs for the first time. He must have enjoyed this position as for ten consecutive years he made sure he was always at the front to collect his trophy.

Whilst having his photo taken he always revelled in the lime light and looked at the camera, knowing he was the centre of attention.

During his reign, my father bred another colt by him. This colt was called 'Larabinta', a dark dapple grey. When father and son were both shown they were always placed first and second.

As I, Miss Melanie Harries and my sister, Miss Rebecca Harries got older, we couldn't help but gain great interest in the stallions and our enthusiasm and passion never ceased to grow. In 2000 my father handed us the reins and allowed us to show his two prize stallions in the show while he watched from the far wall, the same place his father had watched him.

It was a very proud day for me, to show the stallion I had cared for and looked after since I was seven years old. He was a gentle, wise soul and brought great joy to my childhood.

It was a pleasure to have known and worked with such an intelligent creature. His large dark eyes were filled with kindness and never did I feel fear of him.

'The Professor', and I were placed second to 'Larabinta' and my sister. 'The Professor was eighteen years old and the judge said he could see him ageing. However, I was still proud of my sister for her achievement.

While we stood in the field, waiting for the other classes to finish, I overheard the lady who was placed third talking to the gentleman that was placed fourth. She said , "I won this class last year when they weren't here, they've won it for years, they're good."

The parade around the town is the most exciting part of the day. I remember as a child being amongst the crowd, with the metal barriers which lined the street, colourful streamers hanging from the lampposts, and the sound of hundreds of hooves trotting down the road.

I used to glow with pride watching my dad receive his prize. Although being in the centre of it all, leading a stallion through a crowd of hundreds of spectators, is a much better experience.

I could feel the eyes watching us and hear comment from all around. I felt so proud to be holding my excited elegant stallion.

He always enjoyed the parade as well and knew how to play the crowd. He pranced his way around, neck arched and tail held high enjoying his day out.

Sadly, several weeks after the show, my beloved stallion passed away suddenly. Words can not express the sadness I felt and still do. I shall never forget the joy he brought to me that day in Cardigan and to many others years before.

His son, 'Larabinta', passed away five years later and unfortunately, we as a family no longer breed pure Arabs. This is due to the lack of interest in this wonderful breed in the local area.

Cardigan Stallion Show will always be an exciting event for me. The joy of attending this show has been passed down now to the fourth generation of our family. To be part of a great tradition is a wonderful experience. Over recent years I have noticed a declined in the number of Arab stallions taking part in the show and I feel this is a great loss.

However, it is still nice to watch all the other wonderful breeds parading through the town.

Article by Melanie Harries.