Duthie Park played host the 27th annual running of one of the north-east’s most popular native equestrian events the Aberdeen Highland Pony Show.
The show, dedicated solely to the Highland breed, attracts entrants from all over Scotland and a turnout of more than 60 ponies descended upon the park on the banks of the river Dee in order to compete.
A “great quality, beautifully turned out pony,” was judged by Robin Stewart, of Stablesbrae, Durris Home Farm, Durris, to stand as the overall in-hand best of breed.
This was Ulrika of Whitefield, from Sandy, Alan and George Baird, of the Whitefield Stud, Burrelton, Blairgowrie.
“She had lots of style and presence in the ring,” Mr Stewart said of the two-year-old filly.
This daughter of Oliver of Forglen a stallion loaned to the Bairds from Gordon and Ann Towns for the 2011 season which was home-bred out of Queencake of Whitefield, had taken the championship at the Winter Fair at the end of last season.
The reserve in-hand was won by the yearling filly Lochlands Moondance, from Kate Lawson and Willie Sinclair.
In the ridden ring, the best of breed was found in Karen and Robin Stewart’s consistent stallion, Coulnacraig Jacobite.
Judge for the ring, Virginia Osborne, of Kingoldrum, praised him for being “a beautiful pony” which was “very forward going with lovely flowing paces”.
The reserve champion was Rhinns Point Sendac from Lesley McNaughton-Wells.
Judge Willie Allen, from the Millfield Stud in the Howe of Fife, took centre stage to judge in Mr Stewart’s place for the overall contest.
After much deliberation, the services of umpire Hugh Duncan, from Turriff, were required to split the decision.
Drawing Jacobite forward as show supreme, he said both ponies were “of exceptional quality” and he had a particularly difficult to separate them.
Ultimately, the stallion won through on the basis of his “manners and conduct” in the ring as a ridden stallion.
Jacobite was ridden by Maggie Ingles, on behalf of the Stewarts, and he has had a successful season both in-hand and under saddle.
His 2014 wins include at Blair Atholl, Tarland, Turriff, Banchory, Stonehaven, Brechin and NESHPES.
equestrian@thecourier.co.ukResults
Supreme: Karen and Robin Stewart, Coulnacraig Jacobite. Reserve: Messrs GM Baird, Ulrika of Whitefield.
Best member final: Karen and Robin Stewart, Coulnacraig Jacobite. Reserve: CA Gunn, Murraypark Saffron.
In-hand champion: Messrs GM Baird, Ulrika of Whitefield. Reserve: K Lawson and W Sinclair, Lochlands Moondance.
Stallion: 1 Charlie McQuattie, Pipe Major of Whitefield; 2 H Duncan, Piper of Craignetherty. Junior gelding: 1 N MacDonald-Lewis, Corrybrough Callum.Senior gelding: 1 Lesley McNaughton-Wells, Rhinns Point Sendac; 2 Alexandra Clark, Dougal ‘O’ Noth; 3 M Anderson, Scaraben of Auchincrieve. Yeld mare: 1 CA Gunn, Murraypark Saffron; 2 CA Gunn, Murraypark Sylvanna; 3 L McCulloch, Iona of Denwood. Veteran: 1 H Duncan, Piper of Craignetherty; 2 J Christie, First Lady of
Ruthven Glen; 3 Carol Ogilvie, Murraypark Strathbrodick. Yeld mare (in-hand only): 1 Lynne McDonald, July Mist of Coynach; 2 A Barron, Kincardine Nightingael; 3 Liana Ballingall, Connie of Craignetherty. Broodmare: 1 JA Baird, Oliviette of Whitefield; 2 Lynne McDonald, Morven of Coynach Tifty. Foal: 1 JA Baird, Foal by HS of Fourmerk; 2 L McDonald, Ruby May of Coynach. Three-year-old: 1 F and M Lawson, Prosen Mist of Craigieloch; 2 L Price, Sugarmouse II of Auchlethen; 3 K Richardson, Trowan Patrick. Two-year-old: 1 Messrs GM Baird, Ulrika of Whitefield; 2 Lynne McDonald, Stone Roses Na Dailach; 3 A Barron, Kincardine Rona. Yearling: 1 K Lawson and W Sinclair, Lochlands Moondance.
Ridden champion: Karen and Robin Stewart, Coulnacraig Jacobite. Reserve: Lesley McNaughton-Wells, Rhinns Point Sendac. Under 14hh: 1 CA Gunn, Murraypark Saffron; 2 K Legge, Balloch Ceilidh; 3 Susanne Shepherd, West Lodge Alexander. 14hh and over: 1 Karen and Robin Stewart, Coulnacraig Jacobite; 2 Lesley McNaughton-Wells, Rhinns Point Sendac; 3 L McCulloch, Kincardine Laochan. Novice: 1 F and M Lawson, Firefly II of Craigieloch; 2 M Ingles, Miriam of Turinhill; 3 L McCulloch, Iona of Denwood. Veteran: 1 Carol Ogilvie, Murraypark Strathbrodick; 2 Melissa McPherson, Fergus of Alltnacailleach; 2 J Christie, First Lady of Ruthven Glen.
Young handlers: 1 Keona Eastwood, Edindurno Lady Olivia; 2 P Moncur, Morven of Coynach; 3 A Christie, First Lady of Ruthven Glen. Progeny: 1 Edindurno Glen Clova (Dougal O’Noth, Morven of Coynach and Glensaugh Rainbow Rhona). Fancy Dress: 1 A Christie, First Lady of Ruthven Glen; 2 L Thornton, Gissings Lily of Lorne. Traditional Working Harness: 1 L Ballingall, Highfield Lord Solas; 2 L McCulloch, Kincardine Laochan.