AT A sunny Royal Northern Spring Show, at Thainstone Mart, Inverurie, it was Claire Chisman's own riding pony stallion Small-land Entertainer that was judge, Joyce Simspon's choice for the supreme title, while being watched by Princess Anne.

The four-year-old stallion, a son of Small-land Maytino and out of Small-land Extremity, won 11 championships and three supremes in 2011, including Echt, Keith and SWPCA shows. This will be his first season for stud duties.

"He caught my eye from the moment he entered the ring," said judge Joyce Simpson. "His manners were impeccable and he was beautifully turned out. His paces were straight and elegant, but for me the manners were the most important part and it couldn't be faulted."

Reserve supreme was the sport and riding horse champion, Quetzal De Brenil, from Tullibardine Stud, and shown by Nick Mason. The eight-year-old chestnut gelding is usually shown in riding horse classes and at last year's Royal Highland Show won the novice and large class, qualifying for HOYS with James Munro in the saddle.

Nick's partner, Claire Newlands, plans to ride the Concorde-sired gelding this year and also is undertaking dressage lessons with Verity Jenner.

"Its coat gleamed and its manners were also impeccable," said Mrs Simpson.

With a revised schedule, the classes were well supported, and, boosted by the glorious weather, there was a feel good atmosphere at the show.

Reserve to the riding pony champion was Beryl Bruce's stallion, Brookwater Indigo Bunting.

The 13-year-old is by Barkway Georgio and out of Blithbury Snowgoose and was riding pony champion last year as well as reserve supreme at Bonnyton Show and the Northern Welsh Group Show.

Among the sport and riding horses, the reserve championship went to Andrew and Andrea Nicol's 18-year-old stallion Rebell Run. By Maximillian Salut he has showjumped to foxhunter level and is a past ridden champion at Banchory Show. This year they plan to concentrate on veteran showing classes.

The traditional cob section was won by The Mighty Mop, shown by Fiona Menzies. The eight-year-old piebald stallion was purchased in November after being placed second at the Horse of the Year Show.

Fiona has qualified The Mighty Mop and two other horses for the novice final of the Rowallan/The Scottish Farmer winter dressage championships at Rowallan.

Reserve was the second placed stallion, Cwmdistaw Jigsaw. Owner Kim Gill bought the five-year-old piebald stallion four weeks ago, from Craigie Equestrian and the previous weekend won a novice ridden class at Fountain EC.

Lynneann Cameron and Alison Walker's stallion, Cadlan Valley Georgie Boy, won the mountain and moorland tri-colour.

The 11-month-old Welsh section B Palomino colt was purchased privately in September and is by Newtonhill Naughty Boy Charlie and out of Cadlan Valley Georgette, which is a past Royal Welsh champion.

In reserve was the Welsh section A stallion Dukeshil Darcy, a 13-year-old by Dukeshill Magnum. Owned by the Murphy family, he is a past silver and bronze medal winner and last season was fourth at the Royal Welsh and third at the International Welsh Show.

Jean Connell judged the Highland ponies, selecting John Reid's two-year-old Glenbanchor Gillebrighde as her champion. By Moss-side Quercus Rubra, the dun colt was champion and reserve supreme at Strathbogie Farmers Show last year.

Frank and Morven Lawson's Firefly II of Craigieloch was reserve. The three-year-old filly is home-bred and by Oakley of Whitefield and is the last foal from their late mare Glensaugh Mayday Megan. Firefly was reserve at the Grampian Foal Show here in December.

Shetland ponies was one of the busiest supported sections and the champion was the past champion of the show, Wells Masterclass, from HP Sleigh and Son. The 10-year-old is by Wells Command and out of Wells Peach.

Reserve was Winnie Anderson's home-bred six-year-old black mare Strocherie Pleasure. She is by Westpark Rising Star and out of Strocherie Puzzle and has previously been a brood-mare. She was champion at Echt Show as a two-year-old.

In the Clydesdale lines it was the Texas-born filly 2S Explorers Fanciful Inspiration from John Anderson that was champion. This filly, shown in Canadian style with a white leather show halter, trimmed face and ears, as well as a docked tail, was imported in October 2010 after the Michigan State Fair.

Last year she was champion at Angus, Fife and the Clydesdale Classic shows. The three-year-old is by Millisle Explorer and out of 2S Fanciful Inspiration.

Reserve was David Walker and Beverly Brown's home-bred three-year-old filly Glancantray Angel. By Heathwick Perfection and out of Ord Jubilee Girl, she was hand reared from a two-week-old foal after her dam suffered complications and is due in foal this year to Doura Defiance. Last year she was champion at Ayr and the Black Isle shows.

LEADINGawards

Supreme (Judge: Mrs J Simpson, Lathro Farm Cottage, Milnathort, Kinross-shire). Overall – Small-land Entertainer, C Chisman. Reserve – Quertzal De Brenil, Tullibardine Stud.

Clydesdales (Judge: P Tennant, Brookbank, Rowhead Terrace, Biggar.) Champion – 2S Explorers Fanciful Inspiration, J Anderson. Reserve and best bred by exhibitor – Galcantray Angel, D Walker and B Brown. Yearling colt – 1, Bogton Denver, V and M Peterkin; 2, Galcantray Rob Roy, D Walker and B Brown; 3, Bogton Daybreak, V and M Peterkin. Filly yearlng – 1, Anguston Iona, N Christie; 2, Cluny Silver Shado, L Tulloch; 3, Galcantray Tigerlily, D Walker and B Brown. Two-year-old – 1, Bogton Reknown, V and M Peterkin; 2, Recastle Golden Dawn, J Anderson; 3, Barns Lady Fiona, J Ingram. Mare, three years and over – 1, 2S Explorers Fanciful Inspiration; 2, Galcantray Angel; 3, Anguston Amber, N Christie. Gelding, three years and over – 1, Barns Danny, G and R Skinner; 2, Strathorn Jeff, G and R Skinner. Young handlers – 1, L Stewart; 2, S Phillips; 3, S Flett.

Shetland ponies (Judge: K Adams, 51 Pitfairn Rd, Fishcross, Alloa). Champion and best bred by exhibitor – Wells Masterclass, HP Sleigh & Son. Reserve – Strocherie Pleasure, WM Anderson. Stallion, two years and over – 1, Wells Masterclass; 2, Westpark Three Star, K Milne; 3, Isle of Mona Telstar, L Steward. Mare or gelding, four years old and over – 1, Strocherie Pleasure; 2, Hestigarth Claudette, Z Robson; 3, Westpark Princess, W Anderson. Yearling – 1, Strocherie Pippa, W Anderson; 2, Strocherie Poppet, W Anderson; 3, Threapwood Thor, D Burnett. Minature stallion, two years and over – 1, Rashiburn JR, W and K Campbell; 2, Kentsto Kingfisher, NS Wilson; 3, Romany Sebastian, D Burnett. Miniature mare or gelding, four years and over – 1, Tillyorn Little Princess, W and K Campbell; 2, Croft Jenna, NS Wilson; 3, Hazelhead Maisie, M Smith. Miniature filly, two or three years old – 1, Henson Lupin, J Allan; 2, Burland Sunset, D Burnett; 3, Mingulay Infanta, NS Wilson. Miniature yearling – 1, Lily of Haybrake, A Irvine; 2, Rashiburn Island Rose, D Burnett; 3, Midnight of Ore, C Payne. Young handler – 1, K Milne; 2, S Mitchell; 3, M Leith.

Highland ponies (Judge: Mrs J Connell, Pitmenzie, Glassart Glen, Auchtermuchty, Fife). Champion – Glenbanchor Gillebrighde, JA Reid. Reserve and best bred by exhibitor – Firefly II of Craigieloch, F and M Lawson. Mare, four years and over – 1, April Mist of Coynach, L McDonald; 2, Morven of Cynach, L McDonald; 3, Oronsay of Whitefield, A Middler. Gelding, four years and over – 1, Rory of Forglen, G and A Towns. Three-year-old filly or gelding – 1, Firefly II of Craigieloch; 2, Valentine of Coynah, L McDonald; 3, Drumbulg Edeavour, S Childs. Two-year-old – 1, Glenbanchor Gillebrighde, JA Reid; 2, Corrieben Breagha, H Manson and CD McNeill. Yearling – 1, Drumbulg Morning Mist, S Childs; 2, Royal of Coynach, L McDonald.

Mountain and moorland (Judge: AJ Anderson, Colliehill Farm, Longhaven, Peterhead). Champion – Cadlan Valley Georgie Boy, L Cameron and A Walker. Reserve – Dukeshill Darcy, Murphy Family. Stallion – 1, Dukeshill Darcy; 2, Tullibardine Ballyhoo, Tullibardine Stud. Four years and over – 1, Forlon Emma, Fifeshill Stud; 2, Thistledown Lady Di, Murphy Family; 3, Merieston Daisy Duke, L Cameron and A Walker. Two or three-year-old – 1, Blackertor Burlington Bertie, S Murray; 2, Osbourn Rory, E McGowan; 3, Mombo's Bramble, E McGowan. Yearling – 1, Cadlan Valley Georgie Boy; 2, Brynseion Sea Witch, L Cameron and A Walker; 3, Tarnash Rosie's Rebel, Murphy Family.

Sport and riding horses (Judge: Miss F Reed, Puddledub, Auchtertool, Auchtertool, Fife). Champion – Quetzal De Brenil. Reserve – Rebell Run, A and A Nicol. Four years old and over, under 15.2hh – 1, Rebellious, A and A Nicol; 2, Hart's Desire, MA Hart. Four years and over, exc 15.2hh – 1, Quetzal De Brenil; 2, Sinonia, A and A Nicol; 3, Toux Seamus, A Western. Stallion – 1, Rebell Run; 2, Wonderful Noir, B Everard. Three-year-old – 1, Sunside Star, A MacDonald. Two-year-old – 1, Sunside Caper, F Menzies; 2, Cuthelton Special Blend, L McDonald. Yearling – 1, Sapa Flo, S Seed; 2, Craighil Royal Jester, A Westwick; 3, Living for Livius, S Craighead.

Arab, Anglo-Arab, part-bred Arab and ponies (Judge: Miss C Powell, Bonnyton House, Auchterhouse, Dundee). Champion – Small-land Entertainer, C Chisman. Reserve – Brookwater Indigo Bunting, B Bruce. Ex 14.2hh – 1, Tes Mujarrad, E Duncan; 2, Roseanne's Songs of the Wood, L Heasman; 3, Craigneils Mr Darcy, J Paterson. Stallion – 1, Small-land Entertainer; 2, Brookwater Indigo Bunting; 3, Craigmancie X Factor, A Middler.

Traditional cobs (Judge: Miss F Reed). Champion – The Mighty Mop, F Menzies. Reserve – Cwmdistaw Jigsaw, K Gill. Four years and over, exc 14.2hh – 1, Jigsaw, Y Stronach; 2, P C H B, K Turner. Four years and over, not exc 14.2hh – 1, Tom's Blue Eyed Boy, K Turner; 2, Caron Apple Blossom, G McIntosh. Stallion – 1, The Mighty Mop; 2, Cwmdistaw Jigsaw. Three-year-old – 1, Park Gabriella, G Stewart; 2, Park G and T, F Menzies; 3, Feith-Hill Fergal, W Gayler. Yearling – 1, Lionheart Don't Give Up, S Winn.