It was a early rise for the heavy horse exhibitors on the first day at Ingliston, as the in-hand classes got underway and spectators got to enjoy a glorious day of sunshine while watching strong classes in all sections being put through their paces.
Taking home the Sanderson Trophy and the Queens Cup this year, was the winner of the Clydesdale section, Macfin Delta Dawn which took the overall honours for the Hanna family from Balllymoney.
Their three-year-old filly is sired by Muirton Sabre, out of Macfin Crystal Gail and has numerous show wins under her belt including championship honours at Balmoral Show in May. The Hanna family also won the Queens Cup, which is circulated round the beef, sheep, dairy and heavy horse sections, with the latter being the recipient this year, for a second time having previously landed the accolade in 2016.
Standing in reserve for the Sanderson trophy was Unigarth Evangeline, the Shetland pony champion from Steven Sinclair. All the way from Orkney with the three-year-old home-bred filly which was on her first outing of the year..
Clydesdales
Another strong turnout of Cydesdale horses saw in excess of 70 entries forward for the in hand judges Thomas Clark and Christine Halliday, who found their female winner in Macfin Delta Dawn.
Female judge Thomas Clark said: “The champion has tremendous motion, size and power for a three-year-old.” The Hanna family are no strangers to the show ring and this big win was providing a second Royal Highland championship having previously taken the prestigious Cawdor Cup back in 2016 with Macfin Diamond Queen.
Reserve overall and the silverware for the runner up female went to William Mitchell with his two-year-old filly Ainville Miss Moneypenny. She is sired by the Cawdor Cup stallion Redcastle Brelee Majestic and out of Ainville Eilean Donan. The family had a successful winter show season with this filly which included a reserve senior championship at Perth Foal Show in November.
Leading the males was the yearling colt Singlie Sargent from Tom Tennant. Bred by John Drummond from Northern Ireland, this youngster is only on his second outing having previously stood reserve overall champion at the County Londonderry Horse Breeding Society Foal Show. He is sired by Bratlach Mollinhillhead Gladiator and out of Bratlach Ailsa.
Standing behind him to take the honours for the second best male was Annette and Ailsa Noble's Tulloes Monte Carlo, a two-year-old gelding bred by Jim Greenhill. He is sired by the Cawdor Cup stallion, Doura Magic Touch and out of Rose Hall Victoria.
Ridden Clydesdale
The ever increasingly popular Cydesdale ridden class again drew the crowds with more than 20 entries forward.
Top marks and the champion sash went to Stobilee Zac from Isla Miller and Brian Bisset. Zac, an American Ben Franklin-sired gelding and the reigning World Clydesdale Show champion in this discipline with rider Lucy Stewart was securing a second championship here. At 11 years of age, has also qualified for HOYS on no fewer than five occasions.
Highland pony
The male champion, the grey dun stallion, Dunedin Iolare, from Christopher Grant, stepped up to win the supreme overall in the Highland ponies.
This seven-year-old was bred by Miss A Mitchell and sired by Moss-Side Iain Mor out of Dunedin Fiona. Lightly shown this season, he has already had some great results to include a championship win at Ayr Show while also qualifying under saddle for the Royal International Horse Show later this year. Mr Grant said: “He is a working stallion with foals on the ground at home which we are really pleased with. He is also a lovely boy to deal with.”
Heather Kerr's female champion, Tower Victoria, was also presented the reserve overall. Her home-bred five-year-old mare on her show debut is sired by Rannoch of Achnacarry and out of Tower Fraoch, which has produced several winning progeny.
Shetland pony
Unigarth Evangeline was victorious in the Shetland section, standing overall champion for owner and breeder Steven Sinclair.
She has had previous success including reserve overall at Orkney and Dounby Show last year. Her dam Unigarth Elvita, previously landed the reserve junior championship here and is sired by Wells Real Lucky.
Taking home reserve honours was Claire Connor with her 10-year old mare, Gaby V. Stal Heidezicht. Bred by Stal Heidezicht, she is sired by Alex V.D Pony Hoeve and out of Wanda V.Stal Heidezicht.
Miniature Shetland
Supreme honours amongst the miniatures were presented to Lynda Cochrane with her six-year-old stallion Halstock Denver. Bred by J Hodge, he is sired by Halstock Yahoo and out of Halstock Dazzling. Although this is his first show season, he is already making his mark having won the reserve miniature at Ayr and West Fife as well as the championship honours and reserve native at Fife
Trotting into reserve was Hjaltland Hirta from Macleod family of Lochfleet. The brood mare which was shown with her colt foal at foot, is sired by Vallendale Geordie and out of Fenella of Houlland. Now 13-years-old, she boasts many previous successes under her belt including reserve miniature here last year.
Heavy horse turnouts
Once again the heavy horse turnouts were greatly supported across all classes by enthusiasts. This year's judge was James Kuepfer from Canada who has a vast amount of knowledge and experience in the section with one of his most memorable successes being a championship win at the 2015 World Clydesdale Show with his six horse hitch.
The quality throughout this section was outstanding and top pick for James was the winner from Saturday's single cart class – Elaine Ramsay from Millisle Clydesdales with Yorkie. He qualified at Suffolk for the new HOYS cart class and has now won the cart class for the second time.
Thundering into reserve spot was the four-horse team from John and Margo McInyre. This team was driven by Ron Brewster of the Bandirran stud and included the well-known mare Glenside Flower of Scotland, a previous HOYS winner in the ridden class.
Harness, grooming and decoration
For the second year in succession, Benny Duncan from Balmalcolm Clydesdales, won the top accolade with his gelding Geordie. The Balmalcolm team also secured the red rosettes in both best kept harness and best decorated with their traditional Scotch harness.
Young stocksman
It was an early start on Sunday morning for the young stocksman class with six enthusiastic youngsters forward. For the competition, entrants have to prepare their horse to be shown which includes washing, grooming and tail decoration. Taking top marks were taken by 17-year-old Sophie Mitchell, who helps out the Young family from Arradoul and is always on hand before shows and also helps around the yard.
Young handlers
Another strong class of young handlers in the Clydesdale section was judged by a previous winner in this section – Kevin Wilson from Blueton Clydesdales, who was most impressed by the number and quality of entries forward.
“It’s great to see so many exhibitors forward. They are the future of our breed,” he said presenting the top award to 14-year-old Erin Ralston from Campbeltown. Erin comes from a family heavily involved in Clydesdale showing including in hand, ridden and driving classes. She competed at last year's World Clydesdale show with great success for her and her family.
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