LADIES were certainly to the fore at the Highland Pony Breed Show held at Brechin Castle, on Saturday, when mares claimed the majority of the top titles.

It may have been the type of dreich and drizzly day not expected in mid-summer, but the exhibitors didn't let it dampen their spirits as they and their ponies put on a great display.

Leading the first championship of the day was Alan Baird's nine-year-old mare, Pavlova of Whitefield, a Lancelot of Whitefield daughter bred out of Zola of Whitefield. She was only shown once before taking the tri-colour at Brechin, but marked the fifth in-hand championship for the Bairds at the Breed Show - four of which have carried the Whitefield name.

Following her all the way from the non-performance yeld mare class to take the reserve honours was Lauren of Carlung from Susan Wardrop, husband Hugh and daughter Zara. Sired by Brisbane Glen of Carlung and out of Tower Islay, this 10-year-old stood fourth in her class at the Highland this year.

Bob Davidson's Trowan Maverick, a seven-year-old Ruaridh of Mendick son bred out of Trowan Mabel, won the best opposite sex to the champion when shown by Mary McCall Smith.

Over in the ridden ring, Carlie Rafferty's Margaret of Meggernie claimed her HOYS ticket when piloted by Jo Jack. This eight-year-old by Tower Clyde and out of Rhiona of Croila already has a number of in-hand and ridden championships to her name, including, most recently, the supreme in-hand and M and M ridden titles at East Fife Show.

Standing second to 'Peggy' in the HOYS class was Susan Fox's Holmedown Charlotte, but there was a swap of places in the open ridden section when 'Charlie' was placed at the top when ridden by Susan's daughter Sarah. Charlie, an eight-year-old Glenmuir Buzzard daughter bred out of Holmedown Cobweb, has only been with the Fox family since late last year but stood reserve in the ridden section at the NPS Spring Show.

It was, however, Carlie's Peggy that won the supreme ridden championship.

Leading the novice entry was Katherine Bowling-Hartenfeld's Ruby Rose of Strathmore while Aileen Curle's Harris of Mendick stood reserve.

Heading up the working hunter section was Mrs Heather Gow's Westray of Alltnacailleach, an eight-year-old Donald of Shielhill daughter out of Kilda of Alltnacailleach. Rideen in the ring by Jennifer Adam, she won the novice section before standing supreme over Kirsten McMurray's open winner, Trailtrow Texa Beag, a Rummlegairie of Trailtrow daughter out of Texa of Carrick.

Nickie Saunderson had plenty to celebrate, too, when she rode her Birchcroft Romeo, by Chapelhill Hamish and out of Roseie of Westbank, to victory to claim the highest dressage score as well as winning the prize for the best novice or beginner, and Elinor Steven's Glenbanchor Somerled, by Moss-side Iain Mor and out of Glenbanchor Lady Fiona, won both of his driving classes.

See this week's issue of The Scottish Farmer, out July 16, for the full report and results from the Highland Pony Breed Show.