AMONG the Highland ponies it was a case of two at the top for John and Kate Dykes when two home-bred ponies lifted the champion and reserve titles at the National Stallion Show. 

Catching the eye of judge Susan Wardrop, of the Carlung Stud, to take the tri-colour ticket was the five-year-old mouse dun stallion, Islesman of Mendick, which also won the same award here back in 2015. He’s been lightly shown of late but stood supreme champion at the NPS Summer Show, last year, as well as reserve at Blair Horse Trials, and will turn his hoof to some novice ridden classes this year with Ruth Darling on board. 

Standing reserve for the husband and wife duo from Mendick Lea, West Linton, was their yearling colt, Marksman of Mendick, which is, notably, bred out of the same mare as Islesman in the shape of Gissings Luscardene. Born in April last year, Marksman is by the late Strathmore Airlie and previously stood second in his class at the Winter Fair on his only other outing. 

See this week's issue of The Scottish Farmer, out February 18, for all the leading awards from the National Stallion Show.