I am encouraged that at least three pony enthusiasts read last month's column which obviously motivated them sufficiently that they felt the need to write letters to the SF in defence of their much loved Eriskay breed.

Generally they took exception to my claim that the breed is not suited to the show ring however it seems to me that all three make a case which endorses my view rather than denounce it. I do wonder however if their view really expresses a personal need to compete in the show ring rather than their favoured breed.

Hardiness and excellent temperament (as I said in my column) are the mainstays of the Eriskay breed and as such are very difficult, if nigh impossible, to assess in the show ring. In a recent discussion on this very point with Eoghan MacLachlainn from South Uist, (breeder of this year's Royal Highland champion, Gretel, and the owner of a pilot herd of Eriskay ponies living naturally on the Islands), he agreed that the Eriskay pony was never bred for the show ring. Unlike the other native breeds of ponies, some with a century of experience, the Eriskay pony until recent times were not to be found at shows; presumably the islanders had more pressing things to do.

Reading between the lines, I sense that the three writers feel I don't approve of the breed, which in fact, couldn't be further from the truth; it is because I do support the Eriskay pony that I feel strongly that the show ring, with all its fashions and prejudice against what is considered to be the 'norm', is not the place to show case it. That doesn't mean to say that I haven't taken advantage of the show ring as a means of promoting the Eriskay.

Some of you may recall that I enjoyed much success with Scalpay Alba, considered by many to be one of the best representatives of the breed to appear in the ring. Produced for the Countess Granville, who lived at Callernish, North Uist, Alba was champion on each of her three appearances at the Royal Highland Show over a period from 1996 to 2000.

Interestingly enough, our production of Eriskay ponies for Lady Granville came under considerable criticism at the time as it was considered too artificial, in other words appropriately fed, groomed and trained for the show ring when frankly few others were at the time. That tide soon turned and higher level of production by other exhibitors soon prevailed. Funnily enough, we didn't require other shows to put on classes to ensure good performances out of 'our' Eriskays at the Highland; this is called 'schooling at home' and I recommend that to anyone who intends to exhibit any pony at any show let alone the Royal Highland. Lack of ring practice is not an excuse for poor performance particularly when there are many local shows offering alternative classes; additionally, the dressage arena is frequently used by showing enthusiasts to bring on young animals for the show ring. Besides, the mainland Eriskay Pony Society runs its own show concurrently with the Scottish NPS Show in June prior to the Highland, so no excuses.

I remember when the famous Scottish-owned show pony, Gay Sovereign, first appeared in the show ring under showing supremo Andy Crofts; no practice for him but straight into the open classes at Royal Windsor where he took the championship. The same pony was ridden show pony champion at the Royal Highland several years later produced from the Hollings yard in Lancashire; the year was 1997, one of the wettest recorded at Ingliston. Along with Colbeach Martina, owned by Philippa Grant of Rothiemurchus (now Countess of Dysart), Gay Sovereign gave all breeds (including Eriskays) a demonstration on how to operate on water-logged going as he skimmed across the surface of the main ring to take the championship. As the memories rush back, I also remember taking Alba into the in-hand qualifier for the Horse of the Year Show that year, not with any hope of winning the ticket to Wembley but by way of advertising the breed.

With only 20 pure bred mares available in 1972 and no pure bred males until the patriarch of the breed, Eric, was located in 1973 by Tiree vet, Robbie Beck, it is no wonder that such a limited gene pool has restricted the number of ponies bred but thankfully the number is rising. The breed's mother society, Comann Each nan Eilean was formed in Eriskay in 1972 with the objective of conserving the Eriskay Pony, one its prime movers being the late Father Calum MacLellan, himself a native of Eriskay, who is often quoted as having said: "Without the people of Eriskay there would be no pony but without the pony there would have been no people on Eriskay."