Native heavy horse judges in the spotlight at The Showcase

Introducing the last of our main breed judges for next week's Royal Highland Showcase – the native heavy horses – all of whom have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share.

Clydesdale females – Eric Johnstone

With Clydesdales in the Johnstone family for generations, there are few more fitting to take on the female adjudicator role than Eric Johnstone from Muir of Ord.

Although a plant fitter for the past 16 years with MGL MacDonald groundwork contractors, Eric’s heart lies with his four Clydesdale horses.

“My family has been born and brought up with Clydesdales and they are so easy to work with and in general, have a caring personality,” said Eric, who exhibits his horses at local shows, as well as bigger events further south, to include the Royal Highland Show, where he took the supreme in 2018 with the two-year-old filly, Ord Tinkerbell.

On the flip side, Eric is no stranger to the judging, having officiated at various shows across the country to include Stirling, Kinross, Doune and Dunblane, Rothesay (Bute) and Orkney, to name but a few.

“I am looking for an animal that has nice long silky hair on her legs, a good level back, strong boned without being rough and overall be good on her legs, with tall hind legs on them. Character has got to shine, with their head held high and look the part, to catch my attention,” said Eric.

“The show circuit is one of a kind, for the world-wide friends that you meet, as well as the horses of course! It's allowed us to combine our hobby, our friends and travelling the world.

“The Royal Highland Show brings everyone together, it is a whole week of socialising. It is the pinnacle of the year for the female Clydesdale breed and with the Cawdor cup presented at the Highland all is to play for – that's what everyone is trying to take home,” added Eric, who bagged the trophy in 2018.

“I am really looking forward to the Showcase for all it is going to be different to the Highland and no one knows how it will pan out. It is just good to get out to a show in some form before we forget how to show our animals,” said Eric.

James Ingram

Clydesdale males – James Ingram

Taking the reigns as Clydesdale male judge is none other than the well-known breeder, James Ingram from Banchory.

With his late father running a busy dairy and commercial cattle unit, as well as breeding and showing Clydesdale horses back in the 1950s, it's no surprise that the admiration for these gentle giants passed through to James, who breeds his own under the family's 'Barns' prefix.

"Growing up I remember using the Clydesdales on the farm for field work, so they were very much an important aspect in the running of the farm," said James.

"My father always had Clydesdale horses and even when we stopped working them in 1958, he continued to breed and show them. The horses were eventually handed over to myself and I still have Barns Clydesdales to this day," he added.

Having worked within agriculture up until 30 years ago when he shifted to quarrying work, James is now however, now happily retired but continues to breed and show Clydesdale's as a hobby.

"I've always worked with Clydesdales – the breed runs in my blood. The conformation and movement of horses are great but they have changed a bit in my time and the present day Clydesdales don’t stand up to work on a farm like they used to. They are docile animals, with lovely natures and are easily handled," commented James.

James' Clydesdales have enjoyed success within the show ring, having previously secured the championship and supreme overall at the Royal Northern Spring Show, with the two-year-old filly, Barns Camilla. James has also sported the judges' badge on quite a few occasions as well – all experience that will help him select his champion.

"I've judged at Orkney Show, Coventry, Caithness and a lot of my local shows too.

"At the Showcase, I'll be looking for something that has good and close movement, good conformation and masculine with a bit of bone. I like a bay with four white legs, however as the old saying goes, a good horse is never a bad colour," James added.

James is also looking forward to what he hopes will be a day filled with top quality horses on parade.

"Personally I don’t know how the show is going to be without spectators as they do contribute to the atmosphere, however, I am looking forward to seeing the various horses on show.

"It's a great honour to have been asked to judge at the biggest show in the country and the main show within the Clydesdale calendar," James stated.

"I can see Clydesdales growing in popularity. The riding aspect has proved a great boost to the breed, especially amongst the males and there are now more people coming into the industry. When you go to a show now, you'll struggle to find one with less than 30 Clydesdales so that goes to show how far the breed has come over the years. I would say it paints a very positive outlook for the breed," he concluded.

Highland female judge, Bruce Haliburton who owns the Inverdarroch stud

Highland pony females – Bruce Haliburton

Looking into pedigrees and bloodlines to breed Inverdarroch Highland ponies has been a life-long goal of Bruce Haliburton who takes on the big job of Highland pony female judge at next week's Showcase.

“Horses are a hobby of mine that I love. I have had Highland ponies since my teenage years and the more I got into breeding them, the more I caught the bug for exhibiting them,” said Bruce, who shows his ponies locally and nationally and has bagged the breed championship on three occasions at Ingliston.

Bruce who has also ventured over to Australia for six weeks to help Scott MacGregor show his ponies now runs nine ponies – a much more manageable and enjoyable number compared to the 25 he had at one time.

“I have always had an interest in the native breeds. I did breed Shetlands for a while, but Highland ponies are the ones for me. They are an easy breed to keep and are easy on the eye.

When it comes to the Showcase, Bruce is looking for an animal that is true to type, catches the eye and looks happy in itself. It needs to look right on the day, he said.

Well experienced at the job in hand, Bruce has judged the Highland ponies at Ingliston three times, as well as at the last Royal Show, Blair Castle – both in hand and ridden – and at the Highland Pony Society’s breed show.

“The showing circuit is so enjoyable due to the social aspect it creates. At the Highland you are meeting up with folk from one year to the next, and a year without shows has just emphasised that.

“It has been a long time without shows, so it will be great to get back out there and it will be the same for the exhibitors. Although it is not quite the same it will be good to see nice new ponies, youngsters and fresh stock about,” concluded Bruce.

Pat Stirling

Highland pony males – Pat Stirling, Blainslie

When it comes to judging horses of all varieties, there is no one better suited to the job than Pat Stirling, who is taking centre stage as male judge of the Highland ponies at this year's Showcase.

With her grandfathers having a fond love for horses, it was no shock that Pat would form the same passion, with her family running riding holidays in Perthshire, back in the 1960s. After marrying in the 1970’s and moving to Fife, she went on to work with thoroughbreds and hunting horses, in between bringing up two daughters who also enjoyed their ponies.

"I've had horses all my life and in the late 1980s, we had some of the best Scottish working ponies in the country, before moving into the racing and point-to-point with my children," Pat said.

"My initial love for horses came from both my grandfathers as one was a master farrier and the other was a fantastic horseman. I received my first pony at the age of four in the form of a part-bred Shetland, and my love of horses has stayed with me ever since."

Now happily retired after spending her days on the farm, Pat now resides in Blainslie. This however this hasn't stopped her from judging at various shows up and down the country, as well as in Ireland and in recent years also HOYS and RIHS.

"You'll usually find me stewarding at the Highland most years, however, I have had quite a bit of judging experience at the show too, having previously judged the Highland males before as well as the ridden Highlands, the working ponies, working hunter ponies and having the honour of judging the Sanderson Trophy. I've also judged various breed shows, local shows and also mare grade for the Sports Horse Breeding of Great Britain organisation," explained Pat.

When it comes to finding her ideal within the Highland male classes, Pat knows exactly what she is looking for too.

"For the males, they’ve got to be correct and have to have good conformation, as well as follow the breed standard. They also have to look like a male and be masculine rather than just ordinary – I want them to come out saying 'I am a future stallion!' or be able to give me that impression. Temperament is also a big aspect and has to be reasonably good too," stated Pat.

"I've worked with Highland ponies, ever since my school years. They are a steady and sensible breed, as well as being an all-round pony that will suit anybody," she added.

"I'm looking forward to seeing exhibitors and breeders after a year out of the show circuit, however, it will be interesting to see how the event is going to be run this year. I'm also looking forward to seeing what ponies are up and coming – it's all a big adventure!"

Irene Spence

Standard Shetland ponies – Irene Spence

Taking to the fore as standard Shetland Pony judge at the Showcase is be well-respected breeder and judge, Irene Spence from Aberdeenshire.

Although not from a farming background, Irene’s deep-founded love for the popular native breed is derived from her great uncle who had a passion for Shetlands and Clydesdales.

"It was through my great uncle that my interest for the breed flourished and I got my first Shetland Pony from him at the age of 15, in the from of a standard chestnut filly," Irene commented.

"I now mainly breed Shetlands, however, my niece and I share a Welsh B pony which is used for rallying and show jumping."

Although a retail manager for a busy Tesco's supermarket in Aberdeenshire, horses very much play a lead role in her life.

"I have four Shetlands now, including a 27-year-old so they make sure I’m kept busy outside of work! I love how versatile the Shetland can be – you can do anything with them. They can be ridden but can also be driven, so I view them as a real dual-purpose breed," said Irene.

"They have a lovely nature and are great to handle. They're like any animal – if you treat them right they will give you so much back."

Irene has enjoyed numerous successes in the Shetland show ring too including winning the foal class at the Highland Show, as well as various championships at local shows and further afield.

As well as showing, Irene has also made a name for herself as a reputable judge, having adjudicated at various events from Caithness down to Devon. She also took on the big job at Royal Highland Show in 2015.

"I have showed on several occasions for more than 30 years and also stewarded since 2006. It was a great honor to judge the Highland in 2015 and to be asked again in 2021 is an absolute privilege. I am looking forward to judging the first ever Royal Highland Showcase, which is the first of the shows getting back to some sort of normality," added Irene.

She is also crystal clear about what her choice of Shetland champion will have to portray on the big day.

"I will be looking for something that is true to the breed, in tip top condition and has been turned out to a high standard. The animal has to stand out from the rest and catch my eye right from the start," she explained.

"It will be strange with no spectators watching on and it will be interesting to see how the day pans out but I’m sure the quality of the ponies won’t disappoint, and they shall be turned out to perfection," she said.

"The breed is growing tenfold in popularity, especially with children. I have judged the ridden classes before, as well as in hand, and have witnessed small adults riding Shetlands too so they are popular in that anyone can reap the benefits of the breed."

Miniature Shetland judge Derek Burnett

Miniature Shetland ponies – Derek Burnett

Having the task of placing the miniature Shetland ponies is Aberdeenshire-based, Derek Burnett, who has had a love of the breed for the past 44 years.

Working in security by day, a holiday up to Shetland is always on the cards for Derek every year, to attend the pony sales in October and keep his herd numbers up – and that's after cutting numbers back in recent years.

At present, Derek owns just four ridden Shetlands now, which are used by handicapped children at a riding school.

Showing has always been a huge part of Derek’s life, having exhibited at all the local shows on numerous occasions. Latterly, however, he has taken on more of a judging role, selecting the top winners at eight to 10 shows a year throughout Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales.

“I am looking for good movement and conformation – a typical-typed Shetland. It has got to be a small headed pony with a long body that is not too fat, with a long mane and tail to bring the breed characters out.

“I am thoroughly looking forward to the Showcase, although it is a pity it isn’t like a normal show, it is the best we could have hoped for under the current circumstances.

“The different people you see once a year at the Highland always makes it a good one to catch up and have a nice day out, if the weather is on your side. It is a show that always has a parade of strong, good quality animals,” concluded Derek.