Despite the cancellation of livestock classes due to the bluetongue restrictions, the local community turned out in force to support Abington Show to see the pony champion crowned supreme.
With only the champion pony and dog winners able to compete, it was 10-year-old Lottie Hamilton and the 13-year-old British riding pony, Seamoor Jeremy Fisher, owned by Jenni Fisher, that took the tri-colour.
A pony with show-winning credentials, this grey boasts numerous accolades having stood champion at Haddington, Border Union and Dumfries this year alone and champion at Puddledub Summer Show in Fife.
The usual strong show of dogs was topped by a four-month-old black labrador puppy from Michael Russell. His Ash was show in the ring by young Robert Kerr.
While there was no livestock at the show, the cow and calf classes were judged on farm prior to the event. Champion was a Limousin cross cow with a March-born Limousin cross bull calf at foot, by Dyke Topman, from Malcolm Coubrough, Hartside.
Reserve was the second prize winner to the champion from Messrs Stewart, Crookboat.
Another highlight towards the end of the show day was a ‘Tossing the Sheaf’ competition with a strong field of 35 competitors ably stewarded by show chairman David MacArthur.
The hotly contested event eventually saw Davie Gilchrist, Ingraston narrowly outcompete David Galloway of the show’s main sponsor Bidwells.
There was no less competition in the ladies section with the title jointly shared by April Forrest and Marian Thornborrow.
Some outstanding exhibits in the industrial tent saw Annabel Henderson win the handicrafts section with a painting/drawing; Rhian Taylor took the top award in the baking with a home-made loaf and Margaret Waddell topped the savoury section.
The floral art was won by Marion Shearer while Marion Hamilton led the horticulture section.
Another good show of shepherds crooks and walking sticks was won by Barry Frizell with John Reidy leading the novice section.
LEADING awards
Cattle judged on farm. Cow with heifer calf born 2026 – 1, I McGarva, Nether Abington; 2 and 3, A and J J Forrest, Hillend.
Cow with bull calf born 2026 – 1, M Coubrough, Hartside; 2, Messrs Stewart, Crookboat; 3, Nether Abington
Dogs – Most handsome – 1, Heather Stewart with Duke. Prettiest bitch – 1, Davie Gilchrist with Meila. Any variety puppy – 1, Michael Russell with Ash. Best trick – 1, Marion Forrest with Bailey. Dog judge would most like to take home – 1, Michael Russell with Ash.
Handicrafts – Hand knitted article – Virginia Bennett. Crocheted article – Abigail Hyslop. Sewn/embroidered article – Aliston Shearlaw. Get well card – Allison Hyslop. Snapshot farming in action – Jen Craig. Any other article – Helen Findlay.
Baking – Three treacle scones – Jo Hamilton. Banana loaf – Jenna Driffe. Three pan scones – April Forest. Three chocolate muffins – Eilidh French. Egg sponge no filling – Elizabeth Warnock. Handmade loaf of bread – Rhian Taylor. Three empire biscuits – Lynn Cochrane. Three oat cakes – Rosie Leonard. Individual lemon posset – Allison Hyslop. Three pieces of traybake – Jenna Driffe.
Savoury – Favourite jam – Margaret Waddell. Lemon curd – Lynn Cochrane. Three peppermint creams – Elizabeth Warnock. Three tattie scones – Linda Renwick. Jar of chutney – Margaret Waddell. Potato salad – Karen Macdonald. Open sandwich – Anne French. Three haggis bonbons – Kayleigh Mitchell. Homemade rhubarb gin – Tammy Mitchell.
Floral – All classes – Marion Shearer.
Horticulture – Three potatoes, two leeks, four pea pods, three onions – Virginia Bennett. One cabbage, three carrots – Marion Hamilton. Three tomatoes, three globe beetroots – Margaret Waddell. Box of six different vegetables, wonky vegetable – David Mitchell.
Shepherds crooks – Hornhead plain, woodhead plain one piece, woodhead fancy one piece – Ian McConchie. Hornhead fancy, thumb stick – Steven Docherty. Woodhead two piece plain, leg Cleek – Richard Russell. Woodhead two piece fancy, any other stick, full crook – Barry Frizell. Novice – John Reidy.
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