THE hall erupted in cheers and applause as the National Stallion Show supreme championship was awarded to the filly Shielhill Diamond Jubilee - a popular winner, this three-year-old is owned and bred by Robert Sibbald of Thorn, Dollar, and his grandmother, Mrs Rimmer.

Although Mrs Rimmer wasn't at the show, her daughter and Robert's mother, Beth, was at the ringside with tears in her eyes as the filly was given the supreme honours.

By Mollinhillhead Celebrity and out of the Bratlach Refiner-sired mare, Shielhill Sheer Delight, the filly had been senior champion at the breed's Winter Fair last November.

She was initially the pick of female judges, Peter Keron, of Madderty, and Sandra Henderson, of Northern Ireland. Peter was quick to praise the filly: "She has a tremendous hind leg and great action, and was in perfect show condition, which just gave her edge over the reserve female which had easily led the yearling filly class. Overall, the quality of females on show was second to none and the breed should be very proud."

The event was making its inaugural visit to the Royal Highland Showground, at Ingliston, and the move appeared to be a huge hit with exhibitors and spectators.

The show's chairman, Captain Jim Anderson, was delighted with how the day had gone. " All the work and planning that went in to organising this year's show at the new venue certainly paid off. While there were inevitably some areas that will need some attention the feed-back from the vast majority was very positive and complimentary. The atmosphere in the Lowland Hall when all four rings were working, was most enjoyable with a good buzz."

The Cawdor Cup went home with Robert and Jean Hamilton, of Dillars, Lesmahagow, and will stay there, having now been won outright as this was the fourth time that Robert has lifted the trophy. This year's winner, Dillars Excel, is a three-year-old by Dillars Scottie Boy, out of Collessie Cut Above daughter, Littleward Lucinda.

For the full report and pictures from all sections, see this weeks TSF.