MARES were in the spotlight at the Highland Pony Breed Show held at Highfield Equestrian at Howe, in Fife, at the weekend, when Mrs Gow's Westray of Alltnacailleach headed up the in-hand section before Katherine Bowling-Hartenfeld's Ruby Rose of Strathmore took the supreme ridden championship.
Mrs Gow's Westray, a nine-year-old Donald of Shielhill daughter, first headed up the class for senior mares competiting in the performance section before Mrs Kate Dykes, of the Mendick stud, tapped her forward as overall champion. She's done well on the show circuit, both in-hand and under saddle, and earlier in the year stood third in-hand and fifth in her ridden classes at the Highland.
In reserve was a two-year-old colt from the Simpson family's Chapelhill stud. Their Chapelhill MacGregor, a Chapelhill Harry Son, was unbeaten in his class as a yearling and earlier this year stood second in the two and three-year-old colt class at the Highland.
Best of the geldings was Bowmore Ben Cruachan, a four-year-old by Moss-side Iain Mor from John and Jacqueline Bonar.
Katherine Bowling-Hartenfeld's Ruby Rose of Strathmore was supreme ridden champion
The overall ridden championship came late in the afternoon, where the winner of the HOYS qualifier and open ridden champion went on to stand supreme. That was Katherine Bowling-Hartenfeld's six-year-old mare, Ruby Rose of Strathmore, a Lochlands Royal Flute daughter. She has been competing in the open section this season, following on from her novice championship here last year as well as first prize in the four, five and six-year-old class at the Highland.
In reserve overall was Aileen Curle's Harris of Mendick, another six-year-old but this time a stallion by Dougal of Mendick. Piloted by Brian Williams, he's already qualified for HOYS and had a great season last year.
Novice champion was another mouse dun Mendick stallion, John and Kate Dykes' Islesman of Mendick which stood reserve ridden at the Highland with Ruth Darling on board. Another Strathmore mare, this time Aileen Curle's Rosy of Strathmore, was reserve novice.
Taking the working hunter title was Sharon Hutcheon's Spirit of Sunnyneuk, a 10-year-old Concorde of Whitefield son, while Lindsay and Mrs Flora Gunn's Lachlan of Gersa, a seven-year-old by North-Wells Super Scot, was reserve.
See the July 15 issue of The Scottish Farmer for the full report, leading awards and photos from the Highland Pony Breed Show.
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