Firecrest soon to retire

Press, 6 February 1982, Page 7

Firecrest soon to retire

Few horse owners can boast having won nearly 500 awards with the same horse. But, for Mr Len Bush of Oxford, his harness horse. Firecrest, is nearing this milestone.

Firecrest, a 22-year-old bay hackney, has won 489 awards m 15 years.

He collected his one hundredth champion ribbon at the Canterbury Agriculture and Pastoral Show last year. Added to this he has "won three supreme champion ribbons, two gold medals. 14 reserve champion awards. 213 first prize ribbons, 35 action first prize ribbons, and has taken 72 minor ribbons

Mr Bush, who has been showing horses since 1937, believes Firecrest' is the best harness horse in New Zealand. He has . won champion ribbons from Nelson to Invercargill. This year will be Firecrest's last year of public performances. After the Royal Show in Christchurch this year. Mr Bush intends to retire Firecrest. But he will not be turned out and forgotten. He will remain on Mr Bush’s I.2ha property in Church Street.

Firecrest was bred by Mr .Eric Stevenson of Roxourgh. He was sired by Fireflash and his dam was "Foxfire. He was not broken until he was six years old and he has

always been a very spirited horse that has required a lot of nard work and patience. Mr Bush leased him for two years before he returned to his owner. He was later offered to Mr Bush for sale.

“He was tough when I broke him in. But they have got to have spirit to get the best out of them. You really have to hang on to Firecrest as it is the only way to get him to step beautifully," said Mr Bush. Firecrest will have the opportunity of collecting more prizes on Saturday at the annual Canterbury Harness Horse and Pony Society Show at Kirwee. Last year he took the most points at the show.

Entries are high and will provide an interesting spectacle. Hackney, non-hackney, draught, and Shetland ponies will all be shown in harness. There will also be a musical dance. Interest in harness horses has grown over recent years. Much of this interest in Canterbury can be attributed to the interest and enthusiasm of Mr Bush. At the age of 72 Mr Bush still holds an instructor’s day at the Oxford Showgrounds to pass on his knowledge to other interested people, and his truck and horses are a familiar sight at local shows. He said he became interested when he brought a X 12 gig and a £22 10s set of harness in the days when he could not afford a car.

“My interest began then. I decided to show. I have started many people in the same way. They come along to see what iS happening and take an interest,” he said.

However, today it is a very different matter when it comes to buying a horse, gig. and harness. Mr Bush said that the price of ponies 10 years ago was about $2O. Today they cost $lOOO. A gig would cost at least $2OOO and a set of harness $2OOO also,

Riding and showing harness horses has always been a family affair, with Mr Bush's daughter Marion Clifton, and two of his sons. Keith and Colin, taking an active interest. His son Wayne is known for his ability as a rugby player. Mr Bush’s late wife showed a Chestnut Cob, Bold Ribbon IT. Bold Ribbon was awarded 75 champions in saddle. Mr Bush recalls the days of travelling to 10 shows "a year with two harness horses and one horse each for the family. Today he travels to five shows and one-day events with his three horses. Firecrest. Firebrigade, and Cheiftain.

One of Mr Bush’s prized animals, Midnight, had to be put down last week after it became entangled in a barbed wire fence. Midnight who had been retired, was’2B years old and had won more than 50 champion ribbons and one silver medal.