EXHIBITORS at the Kittochside Heavy Horse Show produced a spectacle for the droves of spectators that turned out at the full-day event held at the National Museum of Rural Life, East Kilbride. 

As well as classes for Clydesdales, Shetland ponies and Highland ponies, there was plenty for the public to see and do, from Clydesdale rides to a hobby horse arena for the little ‘uns and displays from the Riders of the Storm stunt team. 

The grand finale was the champion of champions judging between the Clydesdale and Shetland leaders, where Charlotte Young’s Clydesdale scooped the supreme accolade. That was Crossmakeever Avril, a three-year-old Carnaff Perfection daughter bred in Ireland that also stood champion at Ayr and the Great Yorkshire.

“She’s a big, upstanding mare with good broad bone. She’s got good hair, and plenty of it, and stands well on her legs,” said Clydesdale judge, Eric Johnstone, who runs the Ord stud with his wife, Miranda, in Aberdeenshire. 

Reserve Clydesdale was the male champion that went two better than his reserve male honours here last year, Bryan Lindsay’s two-year-old Dillars Rascal. This Carnaff Perfection-sired gelding was bought in May last year and was best two-year-old at Lesmahagow. 

From a very well supported Shetland section, Janet Lowthian’s Hartside Mulberry was awarded the overall tri-colour by Mrs Jane Whitehouse, who runs the Heathcroft stud in Yorkshire. This seven-year-old black standard mare, by Hartside Benji, was on her first outing of the year but picked up a number of championships during the 2016 season. 

“She’s a beautiful mare that moves very well from the shoulder and typifies the sort of Shetland I’m looking for,” said Mrs Whitehouse, adding that it was extremely close between the champion and reserve, as Louise Wilson’s Champlers Georgia followed Mulberry all the way from the yeld mare class to stand reserve overall. 

Georgia, a seven-year-old by Tweedside Spotlight, joined the Cassindilly stud in May and stood champion at Fettercairn. 

Best of the miniatures was Ken and Ann Scott’s three-year-old Myreton Talisman-sired colt, Kerryston Eddie, which has picked up a number of tickets over the years. He stood ahead of RS Pitcairn’s six-year-old stallion, Eiger Nijinsky. 

Taking the junior championship was Brenda Laing’s Eynhallow Dew, a three-year-old filly by Brockville Vintage that was reserve at Kirriemuir. 

Leading a small entry of Highland ponies was Susan Wardrop’s Querina of Carlung, a six-year-old mare by Carlung Jed. 

A strong turnout of horses and carts saw Charlotte Young’s Percheron geldings awarded the overall title having headed up the pairs and buggy classes. Buck and Jim have been unbeaten in pairs classes and went on to stand reserve at the Highland last month and followed it up with a win at the Great Yorkshire. 

See the July 22 issue of The Scottish Farmer for all the leading awards and more photos.