"AN ABSOLUTELY lovely pony, with plenty of bone and a good front," stood supreme of the Highland pony line up at the Winter Fair, which was held in the relative warmth of Stirling Agricultural Centre, on a crisp Saturday morning, last weekend.

And, according to judge Gillian McMurray, from Bellstown, at Eaglesfield, in Lockerbie, the champion Rosie of Strathmore is also ready to go on and do her job well as either an in-hand or future ridden prospect.

Rosie, a three-year-old home-bred filly, sired by Strathmore Cameron and out of Maddie Rose of Strathmore, from Charles McQuattie, of Strathmore, Kingsmuir, Forfar, which was shown by Louise Cushnie, had stood champion at Fife and Kirriemuir shows this year, and had also previously been a reserve supreme winner at the Central Highland Pony Show.

Making the best of her debut show outing was Jean Connell's two-year-old filly Siusaidh of Achnacarry, from Pitmenzie, Glassart Glen, Auchtermuchty.

Sired by Glenmuir Lochaber, she was bred out of Fionnalaigh of Achnacarry. Her bloodlines also lead back to the noted prizewinner, Echo of Achnacarry.

Hero of Mendick won the foal championship for John and Kate Dykes, from Mendick Lea, West Linton.

This April-born colt was sired by Dougal of Mendick and was home-bred out of Xenya of Mendick.

The leading Shetland pony was Kinness Verity, from Charles Brown and Son's Kinness Stud, at St Andrews, in Fife. Verity was the top choice of standard and miniature breed judge, Irene Spence, from Suie Vale, Alford.

Sired by Wells Dominator – which was exported by the Kinness Stud to Denmark – and out of Wells Vicci, this eight-year-old home-bred mare is currently in foal for the coming season to Wells Prince.

Previously supreme junior champion at the Central Scotland Group Show, as a three-year-old, and second this year at Perth, Verity's championship rounded off an excellent year for the stud, which won silverware with ponies and bantam poultry at every show attended, as well as topping all the autumn UK Shetland pony sales with Kinness Vision.

The Kinness Stud celebrates its 25th birthday at the turn of the coming year.

Standing bridesmaid was Michael Barugh's three-year-old filly Felicity's Fleur, from Aldbrough, in East Yorkshire.

Sired by North Wells Perseus and bred out of Felicity of Rowanger, she was previously supreme at Oakley and also won five championships last year, as a two-year-old.

In the miniature pony championship, 11-year-old Myreton Talisman came up trumps for Jim and Graeme Wilson, of Leys Farm, at Muckart, who also went on to win the reserve title with his stable-mate Bandit of Haybreak.

Talisman, sired by Romany Krispen and out of Myreton Tuppence, had stood champion at Central and West Fife, Kinross and Perth shows this year. Three-year-old Bandit, which was bred out of Bubble of Effirth and sired by Hazelhead Dynamite, had previously stood best three-year-old at the Central Scotland Group Show.

LEADINGawards:

Highlands (Judge: Ms G McMurray, Bellstown, Eaglesfield, Lockerbie). Champion – Rosie of Strathmore, C McQuattie. Reserve – Siusaidh of Achnacarry, J Connell. Filly foal – 1, Teacake of Whitefield, Messrs GM Baird; 2, Whitefield Queen Tia Maria, GM Baird; 3, Marnonwells Brodie, S Skea and A Groat. Colt foal – 1, Hero of Mendick, Mr and Mrs J Dykes; 2, Moss-side Uillearm Mor, W and J Ralston; 3, Whitefield Lord Tyson, JA Baird. Yearling colt, filly or gelding – 1, Tower Miss-Chief, J Hendrie and A Kerr; 2, Glenochar of Mendick, Mr and Mrs J Dykes; 3, Morag Rose of Strathmore, C McQuattie. Two-year-old colt, filly or gelding – 1, Suisaidh of Achnacarry, J Connell; 2, Glentilt of Rynvan, A McLeod; 3, Kershope Rob Roy, S Clarke. Three-year-old colt, filly or gelding – 1, Rosie of Strathmore, C McQuattie; 2, Eilidh of Mendick, Mr and Mrs J Dykes; 3, Glenbanchor Colum Glass, A Quinn.

Shetlands (Judge: Miss I Spence, Suie Vale, Middle Steading, Alford). Champion – Kinness Verity, C Brown and Sons. Reserve – Felicity's Fleur, MJ Barugh. Miniature champion – Myreton Talisman, J and G Wilson. Miniature reserve – Bandit of Haybrake, J and G Wilson. Stallion – 1, Mawcarse Earl, Mawcarse Shetlands; 2, Wells Prince, C Brown and Sons. Two or three-year-old colt, filly or gelding – 1, Felicity's Fleur, MJ Barugh; 2, Glenwhery Harrier, Almondell Shetlands; 3, Struie Maisie, C Marshall. Yearling colt, filly or gelding – 1, Almondell Virginia, Almondell Shetlands; 2, Mawcarse Envy, Mawcarse Shetlands; 3, Mawcarse Ladt Dionne, Mawcarse Shetlands. Foal – 1, Mawcarse Eries, Mawcarse Shetlands; 2, Struie Dandee, C Marshall; 3, Almondell Vulcan, Almondell Shetlands. Mare – 1, Kinness Verity, C Brown and Sons; 2, Struie Dainty, C Marshall; 3, Warrackston Guylian, J and G Wilson. Miniature four years and over – 1, Myreton Talisman, J and G Wilson; 2, Buxted Exotic, Mr and Mrs S MacKay; 3, Mignon Nutmeg, Mr and Mrs S MacKay. Miniature three years and under – 1, Bandit of Haybrake, J and G Wilson. Young handler – 1, Lisa Wilson; 2, Ellie McLean.