When it comes to horses you can wait a lifetime for any dream to happen. Looking forward to the promise of the new show season, Stirlingshire rider Lindsey MacDonald reflects on a magical 2014 with her Highland pony Dunedin Merlin. She told Philippa Merry how each piece of the puzzle finally fell into place.
Q You’ve had a truly amazing year in the show ring, haven’t you? A It has been incredible! I started the year without huge expectations. I had professional exams in March which were always going to be my priority, and Merlin was only in his first open season. Our season started relatively late but then turned into something that only dreams are made of. I was incredibly sad to turn Merlin away in November as it meant that it was really all over.
Q When did horses become a part of your life? A I started riding at five with Mrs Mac at Greenloaning (of Willie Carson fame). As a child I was horribly allergic to horses, but perseverance prevailed. Mrs Mac was fantastic at developing the fundamental principles of riding and horsemanship.
Q How did you become involved in the Highland Pony breed? A When the time came to get my first pony we went through a cohort of unsuitable blood ponies before I met Jill Cousens, at Cromlix, who told me I needed a Highland pony. I was aghast Highland ponies were fat, hairy, lazy trekking ponies! The following week I rode Dunedin Heather Mist (Misty). My previous stereotypes were all dismissed and she arrived seven days later.That was in August 1997.
Q How did Merlin become a part of your family? A After competing with Misty for years I was offered the loan of Dunedin Fair Isle (Fairy) from Anne Mitchell. Fairy was a fantastic mare, which I competed for three seasons. During our last year, Fairy was put in foal to Anne’s Dunedin Marksman with the promise I would have first refusal of the foal. That foal was Merlin, and he has been with me since the day he was weaned.
Q Merlin is entirely home-produced and you work full time. How do you juggle the two? A It can be incredibly hard work but I wouldn’t have it any other way. He is on a livery yard between home and the hospital which makes life easier. My father has always helped a lot with the ponies, whether at home mucking out or driving me around the country to compete. Granny Jill [Cousens] is always on the end of the phone for advice, and Fiona Flynn has been a great instructor this last year.
Q This time last year, what was your biggest and best equestrian, and non-equestrian, achievement? A 2012 and 2013 were great novice years for Merlin. My proudest achievement back then was winning the Royal Highland Show in-hand in both 2012 and 2013. My biggest non-equestrian achievement would be getting my job. I work as a registrar in obstetrics and gynaecology.
Q What was your goal for the year ahead? A My main goal for 2014 was to pass my exams in March. The resit was two days before Horse of the Year Show, so if I didn’t pass them there would be no point in trying to qualify! I passed first time and my goal became qualification for the Horse of the Year Show.This was Merlin’s first proper open season, however, so I would not have been disappointed if he hadn’t got there.
Q It must have been special to win your ridden Highland Pony class and lift the breed championship at the 2014 Royal Highland Show? A The Highland has always been the highlight of my showing calendar. I have competed there for 17 years, and to win the ridden championship has always been a dream. Merlin loves the main ring at Ingliston. In addition to winning in-hand he was third under saddle (4/5/6yo) in 2012 and second (open ridden) in 2013, so to win it this year was just incredible. Going on to get the championship was just totally overwhelming. When we went on to win the HOYS qualifier on the Sunday, the show surpassed all my dreams.
Q Were you nervous ahead of your HOYS qualifier class in the mountain and moorland section? A I wasn’t nervous before the HOYS qualifier; I was contemplating not doing it. I was on such a high from winning the ridden Highland championship I considered leaving on that note. Thankfully I was convinced to do it.To do the double and win both classes was just incredible.
Q When did it finally sink in that you and Merlin would be going the ridden Highland final at the Horse of the Year Show? A I honestly don’t think it actually sank in until the minute we drove into the NEC. Having never ridden there before, the whole experience was completely new and very exciting.
QWhat did you do next? A After the RHS, Merlin had a relatively quiet summer. I have always wanted to ride at the Great Yorkshire Show, so we made the trip toYorkshire. Merlin then had a summer of hacking before doing Blair and a couple of indoor shows. It was an incredibly quiet season.
Q How did you prepare in the run-up to your trip to Birmingham? A We did lots of hacking and had weekly lessons. As a relative novice he hadn’t been indoors particularly often, so we went to a few indoor shows to overcome this. Merlin took the preceding couple of months in his stride and seemed totally unfazed by the various rugs, hoods, boots, bandages, lotions and potions that he was subjected to.
Q Tell us a little about your trip south and your time behind the scenes at the NEC. A I only finished a run of night shifts the morning before we left, so I was slightly disorganised. However the whole trip was great fun! Kirstin McMurray (my doting groom) and I set off early on the Tuesday morning and had a great drive down to Birmingham. As it was our first time, we went with the sole intention of having fun, and that we did. We arrived by lunchtime, settled Merlin in and opened a bottle of fizz. To say I was slightly overawed by the standard of ponies there is a vast understatement. Our allocated warm-up time was 7pm, and I think we raised a few eyebrows. Merlin marched down to the Caldene like an old pro, passing the Household Cavalry, high speed trains and a 200-strong Pony Club games warm-up without blinking. The excitement may have got the better of him when we got into the Caldene arena; he took off at high speeds spronking and bucking. The whole place stopped, there was a resounding gasp and everyone looked on with shock, amazement and amusement. Thankfully he quickly settled and between that and the 5am warm-up we felt well prepared.
Q How did it feel to enter the Caldene arena, and what was it like to ride Merlin in your HOYS final? A There was a huge range of emotions. I was incredibly excited, especially to see so many great Highland pony friends there, anxious that the atmosphere would all get too much for him (there had been more spectacular spronking when the preceding class’s results were called), and just exceptionally proud to have got there. I had two aims for the class: to get my purple and gold finalist rosette, and for him to go well. I needn’t have been worried. Merlin took the whole thing in his stride and was a joy to ride.We were in the first half to be stripped and so had no real idea of how well anyone else had gone. When it was time for us to do our ridden show the nerves really kicked in. However, he went beautifully and so my two aims were fulfilled.
Q When the ponies were called forward in reserve order and you realised you had won, what went through your mind? A I had no real expectations to be in the ribbons, and so when eighth and ninth had been presented I completely relaxed. I had my finalist rosette and so was more than happy. They announced first place as the winner of the Royal Highland Show. However, the commentator was obliterated by the Scottish crowds. It took me a while to realise what was being said. To say I was overwhelmed and amazed is a huge understatement. For the first time in my life I was speechless. The lap of honour was the most incredible experience of my life.
Q Few people ever get to experience riding in a championship final in the main arena at HOYS. What was it like? A The championship at HOYS was just phenomenal. It is, however, a logistical nightmare. All of a sudden I had a navy jacket and stock to buy, a stable and hotel to organise and shifts at work to rearrange. Unlike the class, there is no warm-up in the International Arena so we didn’t really know what to expect. We all gathered in the collecting ring where the atmosphere was incredible. These were the best ponies in the country. At our allocated time we were directed down a long dark tunnel and the heat enveloped you like a blanket. We turned a corner and the splendour of the purple and gold international arena opened up ahead. It was phenomenal. Merlin again behaved impeccably and gave me the best gallop of my life. We were not placed in the championship. However, he will always be a champion in my eyes.
Q What one lasting memory makes the whole experience so special? A My HOYS experience was made extra special by all the people there. I was overwhelmed by everyone who made the journey my dad, my groom Kirstin, close friends and the majority of the Scottish Highland Pony Society. These friends rearranged work and animal commitments to stay for the championship and drive home through the night.
Q What do you plan to do next? A I have no idea! I still have to pinch myself to make the whole experience seem real (the DVD is watched regularly). Merlin is only eight so he will come back out under saddle. He enjoys his jumping and so we will aim to do some workers next season and hopefully try to qualify for Olympia at some point. At the end of the day, though, he is a pet and will be loved regardless if he never wins another rosette again.
Q If you could give other riders one piece of advice ahead of the new show season, what would it be? A Go for it! In March 2014 I would have told you amateurs don’t win HOYS, and they especially don’t win it in their first open season. It’s amazing where hard work and determination can get you.