A RECENT judging trip to Ireland with its border control and foreign currency, brought home to me the need for all of us to concentrate our minds on the impending Scottish referendum.

It is hard to imagine that it may well have come and gone by the time readers consider my next column with the shackles unleashed from our British neighbours and the monster called independence on the verge of being released from its cage.

It would be disingenuous of me not to say that I am anxious about the outcome should the latter prevail, particularly when our country's future may be determined by a bunch of school-age youngsters who, unlike many of their serious-mined peers, have voted just for a laugh or a protest against society at large.

Nevertheless, with a passion for Scotland and a keen interest in young people, I can easily identify the victory of a team of young Scottish judges last weekend as a seasonal highlight for me.

The occasion was the annual Welsh Pony and Cob Society's young judges competition which was held in conjunction with the National Welsh Championship Show, at Malvern. With almost 30 individuals in 11 area teams from all over Britain competing, the Scottish youngsters aged 10 to 17, talked their way into the prime position landing a bursary of £100 for the Scottish Welsh Association.

Enthusiastic member, Laura Aitchison, won the middle age group, having previously won it in 2012, with team mate, Sophie McEvoy, a close second.

Meanwhile, in the youngest age group, it was 10-year-old Alexandra MacMillan, from Cardross, who blew the judges away with some mature reasoning for her decisions as well as an extensive knowledge of conformation. Not only did she secure a class win, but also went on to take the overall award.

It beggars belief that should Scottish independence go ahead, Alexandra and her team would have competed in an 'overseas' category. Given that there were no other entrants in this category this year, it would have meant a clean sweep for the Scottish team and Laura and Sophie demoted to second and third as Alexandra emerged the victor in a competition only comprising of Scots.

How satisfactory a victory would that appear?

It all may seem fairly trivial in the bigger scheme of things for Scotland, however the smaller things do count to many so sight of them shouldn't be lost.

For my own part, I hate to think that our Waxwing ponies will have to be registered in the 'overseas' register of a century old Welsh Stud Book in which they have rightly earned their place in the full register to date. Worse still, will their selling price be in pounds sterling or euros?

If this is a concern for me (and to date we have no definite answer on fiscal policy in an independent Scotland) what must it be like for those in both the service and manufacturing industries?

Having gone to some length to follow the independence debate in the media, not least The SF, it surprises me that our key equestrian societies and associations have failed to enter the debate and describe the vision for their members, should independence come to pass.

I'm a member of several pony societies, but no letter about it has dropped through my letterbox and no e-mails received. Perhaps, all the many Scottish-based councils and committees haven't considered a non-British equine complexion; perhaps there is no Plan B; perhaps they have no equestrian future in an independent Scotland. Does anyone smell coffee?

I am also a life member of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society whose voice on the issue is deafeningly silent. From a practical point of view, will the Overseas Pavilion at the Highland Show be able to cope with all the English, Welsh and Irish visitors in an independent Scotland? Will the Scottish members happily finance all the extra sausage rolls, cakes and biscuits?

More worryingly for the horse owner, will the interest in Scottish agriculture currently voiced by the Scottish Parliament be consistent with one to be voiced by a Scottish Government? What will happen to the agricultural industry in Scotland if Scottish politics revert to the Labour vote which was so prevalent in post war Scotland until recent years?

Indeed, is there anything certain in politics other than the fact that we go to the polls on September 18?

On a lighter and less depressing note, I have been unusually busy judging at shows, recently, starting with one of my favourites, Ardoch Agricultural Society's Show, best known as Braco.

Tasked with placing the working hunter ponies on the famous 'Braco' hill course, I really do fail to understand why some people view the 'workers' as the second class citizens of showing when I consider them to be at the top of the pile.

Although a bit disappointed at numbers forward for judging (sadly a pattern is emerging at many shows this year), I thoroughly enjoyed my day. Again, it's the youngsters who make the competition for me and it never comes as a surprise when the best rounds are often performed by riders who also support their Pony Club badge.

Some fired up with inspiration following Pony Club camp, some totally exhausted by the experience, overall these riders are generally more effective riders than those who restrict their competition to flat classes. It takes all sorts so, thankfully, both disciplines will last.

Visits to the Irish Pony Society and National Pony Championship followed in quick succession, the former celebrating its 40th birthday and staged in the remarkable equestrian centre of Cavan.

With three large adjoining indoor rings, international-sized outdoor arenas and seemingly acres of hard staging, it is little wonder that the centre has attracted a great deal of government funding for equestrian activities ranging from international show jumping to premier sales.

If this is what independence can bring to Scottish equestrianism, perhaps my concerns about independence should be more muted.

Until such times arrive, let's encourage Sport Scotland in its current form to push the boat out for enhanced equestrian facilities sooner rather than later.