IT was a busy day for Highland ponies and their owners at Blair Castle, last Thursday, when strong entries in the morning's in-hand classes were backed up by large numbers in the ridden section in the afternoon. 
Standing to the fore in the in-hand classes under judge Sandy Baird, was the first prize mare from the non performance class in the shape of Makaila of Millfied from father and daughter duo, Willie and Jennifer Allan. This seven-year-old by Rannoch of Achnacarry has only been lightly shown and on her only other outing this year stood second in her class to the champion at Kinross Show. Bred out of Millfield Morning Mist, which is in turn out of a previous Blair champion, Makaila secured the third championship at Blair Castle for the Allans.
Tapped forward to the reserve spot was Islesman of Mendick from John and Kate Dykes. Their four-year-old stallion by Moss-side Iain Mor has certainly made his mark in the show ring having stood champion at the Winter Fair twice as well as champ at the National Stallion Show earlier this year. Most recently, however, he was awarded the supreme championship at the NPS Spring Show and hasn't been out since as he's currently riding out under saddle having been broken just a few weeks ago. 
Jane McNaught's seven-year-old MacCallumdene son, Heather Jock of Fourmerk, continued his form from last year's Breed Show to take the best gelding title while Kate Lawson and Willie Sinclair's Lochlands Arizona Lady, a two-year-old by  Strathmore Cameron, was the best of the one, two and three-year-olds. 

A strong working pony section was led by the Highland Show winner, Shona Halford's Gaolean of Croila, a four-year-old by Danny Boy of Croila.
Competition was fierce in the ridden section as many of the country's top ponies in recent years were out to claim the top title but it was from the largest of these classes, the 19-strong open class for those above 14hh, that produced the champion in the form of Lynn Paisley's Jura of Meggernie. This Ben Ruadh of Meggernie son out of Juno of Meggernie hasn't been in the show ring in recent years but was making a successful return since he was gifted to Lynn by his previous owner, Jean Carnegie. The 12-year-old has qualified for HOYS twice and is a past reserve champion on NPS day at Blair, but is being aimed for the British Dressage Team Quest regional finals in a couple weeks as part of the Hi Ho Highlands team of Highland ponies which is currently at the top of the leader board. 
Taking the reserve supreme ridden title was Gillian McMurray's Trailtrow Lille, a nine-year-old by Dunedin Marksman ridden by Gillian's daughter, Kirstin.
There was further success for the McMurrays in the working hunter ring when another Marksman-sired mare, Trailtrow Tanera, this time out of Trailtrow Teal, secured the championship, while Sophie Beamont's Glenmore of Roisbheinn, a nine-year-old gelding by McNab of Denmill, was reserve.

See this week's issue of The Scottish Farmer, out September 3, for the full report and results from Blair.