The three judges at the 97th annual North of Fife Foal Show could find little fault in Newton Glens Kara, their top Clydesdale foal of the day.
Jim Aitken, of Phesdo, Fettercairn, began the proceedings at Pusk Farm, Balmullo, judging in tandem with Captain James Anderson, of West Glen Farm, Kilmacolm, but due to a family connection, umpire John Pollock, from Glasgow, also joined the fray.
“She was just such a very good example of the breed in every respect,” Captain Anderson said of the filly they selected to sweep the board as supreme of the day.
Owned and home-bred by Sandy Aitken, of Newton Cottage, Newton of Inchewan, Memus, this upstanding filly defied her junior age in both height and stature.
Bred out of Mr Aitken’s successful show mare Redcastle Pretty Amazing Grace, this daughter of Muirton Sabre topped first the junior foal class, having been born on May 11, before taking the top foal plaudit and then overall supreme.
“She was good on her legs, had good hair, a good top line and overall was just very feminine,” Captain Anderson added.
Before Cupar, Kara had been placed reserve champion for Mr Aitken at Kirriemuir Show, was second at Aberdeen and most recently took the overall at Teen Ranch, Inchture.
Although unable to play his part in the foal and supreme placings, judge Jim Aitken said he certainly agreed in the final placings and paid credit to the standard of entries.
“Overall the quality was really good,” he said. “I think the good summer has played its part in helping the foals to come out looking well this year,” he added.
For his part, Mr Aitken also saw his selection as senior champion progress to take the reserve overall title.
This was Ronnie Black’s three-year-old mare, Ardoch Lady Margaret, which he bought at the same show last year after she similarly stood reserve supreme.
Bred by Peter Kinloch out of Ardoch Hazel and sired by Doura Perception, the mare took the reserve female ticket at the Royal Highland Show for the Black team from Newton of Collessie, Ladybank, and also stood champion at Kinross.
Just falling shy of the overall placings but taking the reserve ticket for the foals was the senior filly leader from Iain Johnston, of Kirkton Farm, Bothkennar, Falkirk.
This was the mid-April born Roughlands Jasmine, home-bred out of Roughlands Roslin and sired by Collessie Redcastle Hallmark.
She was on her first show outing.
Reserve of the senior championship was Charlotte Young’s yearling filly, Doura Rihanna, a daughter of Doura Jackpot, which won the senior championship at the Kilmarnock Foal Show the previous day.
Results
Supreme champion Sandy Aitken, Newton Glens Kara (by Muirton Sabre). Supreme reserve Ronnie Black, Ardoch Lady Margaret (by Doura Perception). Foal champion Sandy Aitken, Newton Glens Kara. Foal reserve Iain Johnston, Roughlands Jasmine (by Collessie Redcastle Hallmark).Senior colt foal 1 Ronnie Black, Collessie Angus (by Arradoul Balvenie); 2 Charlotte Young, un-named. Junior colt foal 1 Ronnie Black, un-named (by Collessie Stepping Stone); 2 Jacqueline Pettigrew and Matthew Burks, Auchengree Blackjack (by Dillars Top Gun); 3 Vic Peterkin, Bogton Fergus (by Doura Jackpot). Confined colt foal 1 Ronnie Black, Collessie Angus; 2 Ronnie Black, un-named. Senior filly foal 1 Iain Johnston, Roughlands Jasmine; 2 Ronnie Black, Fordelhill Lucinda (by Great American ben Franklin); 3 George Skinner, Strathorn Ruby (By Bogton Druid). Junior filly foal 1 Sandy Aitken, Newton Glens Kara; 2 Charlotte Young, Doura Lucky Charm (by Doura Jackpot); 3 A and J Greenhill, un-named (by Collessie Stepping Stone). Confined filly foal 1 Ronnie Black, Fordelhill Lucinda; 2 David Young, Finmount Ruby (by Mollinhillhead Celebrity). Senior champion Ronnie Black, Ardoch Lady Margaret. Senior reserve Charlotte Young, Doura Rihanna (by Doura Jackpot). Yearling filly 1 Charlotte Young, Doura Rihanna; 2 Vic Peterkin, Bogton Elizabeth (by Bogton Druid). Two-year-old colt or gelding 1 Laura Henry, Collessie Pride (by Mollinhillhead Celebrity). Mare 1 Ronnie Black, Ardoch Lady Margaret; 2 Vic Peterkin, Bogton Ruby (by Collessie Sir Alex); 3 David Greenhill, Fordelhill Heather Mhairi (by Collessie Cut Above).