Entering a Clydesdale for competition is a continuation of a family tradition for a young Levin horsewoman.
Jess Thomas, 21, paraded the mare “Belle” at the Horowhenua AP and I Royal Show at the weekend, a direct descendant from a breed started by her late grandparents almost 40 years ago.
The late Sidney and Jocelyn Thomas were local farmers and at the age of 60 her grandfather decided to purchase a Clydesdale. When he bought a two-horse wagon a short time later, he needed another horse to go with it.
And so Te One Clydesdales in Levin was born. There were 26 descendants on the farm today, with a new stallion carefully selected and introduced every five years to service the mares and keep the bloodline fresh.
![Levin horsewoman Jess Thomas with Te Tone Coal's Belle at the Horowhenua AP and I Royal Show at the weekend.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/T3VFY7BMOBG4DEICZ4DIKIU7FM.jpg?auth=2e26970784aa5ac9ece68d22020f6cc6a93b793928231e1f09505b9674d6da1b&width=16&height=24&quality=70&smart=true)