Glorious almost summer weather attracted a cracking line-up of horses to the Royal Northern Spring Show, where the overall judge Jane McInnes, Maryculter, found her supreme in the performance Mountain and Moorland champion.

"It has been a hard job, but my top four are all very good, nice horses. The champion was shown by the youngest and smallest handler here who showed fantastic horsemanship. She also had a very sweet pony," said Mrs McInnes, who found her reserve in the champion Shetland.

Taking centre stage was local producer, Kirstine Birss' BSPS working hunter, Thistleview Meghan, a five-year-old pony shown by nine-year-old Iona Wynne. Reserve at Turriff Show last year, she was bought privately almost a year ago and was on her first outing of the season.

Just pipped at the post was the Shetland champion from John Watson who had travelled all the way up from Jedburgh. His show stopper, Kerloch Rupert, a 13-year-old stallion is no stranger to the limelight having scooped the breed honours at National Stallion Show three years in succession and at the Great Yorkshire. Bred by Shirley Moro, he is by Stow Review and out of Burnbank Veda.

A strong show of Clydesdales was led by a previously unshown filly from Ronnie and Mike Black, Newton of Collessie, Ladybank, Fife. Their popular winner, Collessie Kirsty, is the first foal shown by Collessie Challenger which was bred by the Carricks, at Littleward, near Stirling, and bought privately after standing first in his class at Kilpatrick Foal Show. The dam, Collessie Jennifer, by Redcastle Brelee Majestic, is also a well known show winner having previously lifted the tri-colour at the Highland.

LEADING awards:

Clydesdales (Judge: B Duncan, Balmalcolm). Champion – RH Black, with Collessie Kirsty, an eight-month-old filly foal, by Collessie Challenger. Reserve – A Merchant and S Campbell, of Rolling Thunder Clydesdales, with Rolling Thunder Mr Bojangles, a six-year-old gelding by Singlie Storm out of Heatherwick Lady Penelope. Reserve at Kirriemuir and Fettercairn. Colt born 2018 – S Morrison. Filly born 2018 – RH Black. Foal born 2017 – I Young. Mare – B Warburton. Gelding – Rolling Thunder Clydesdales. Young handlers – Sophie Mitchell.

Shetland (Judge: J Roberts). Champion – J Watson with the 13-year-old stallion, Kerloch Rupert, by Stow Review. Reserve – B Larsen and T Skappnord, Bergli Stud with Black Rose Av Bergli, a 13-year-old mare by Timothy VS Geerhof. Stallion – I Watson. Mare – Bergli Stud. Two/three-year-old, yearling – HP Sleigh and Son.

Miniature Shetlands (Judge: J Roberts). Champion – L Cochrane, Ayr, with Parlington Viola, an 11-year-old mare, by Parlington Maverick, that was reserve at Kittochside Show last year. She was bought in Dorset last year and is out of Parlington Faye. Reserve – B Larsen and T Skappnord, Bergli Stud, with the Bergli Tindra, a yearling foal. Stallion – A Irvine. Mare – L Cochrane. Two/three-year-old – Matthew and Jack. Yearling – Bergli Stud. Young handlers – Ashleigh Watt.

Highland ponies (Judge: Mrs A Barron, Arbroath). Champion – Mrs L McDonald with Islay Mist of Coynach, a rising two-year-old filly by Stone Roses Na Dailach, out of Valentine of Coynach. Home-bred, she was shown by Lynne's father, Bill Chapman and was champion at New Deer last year. Reserve – Miss S MacIntosh, with the four-year-old mare, Louise of Strathmore, bred by Charlie McQuattie. Overall supreme native at Keith Show, she won her class at Blair last year along with several awards at shows in the North-east last year. She is by Pipi Major of Whitefield. Stallion – S Yeaman. Mare – S MacIntosh. Senior gelding – N Rae. Two/three-year-old – Mrs L McDonald. Yearling – Mrs B Cole.

Performance Highland ponies (Judge: Mrs A Barron). Champion – S Knowles, with the previously unshown Overhall Iris, by Mosside Lairig Ghru and bred from the Irish draught horse, Betty.

Mountain and Moorland (Judge: J Munro, Wick). Champion – Dr Aylwin Pillai, with the rising three-year-old stallion, Fandango Na Dailach, a son of Glenwest Castle Loch Rannoch, bred by Marguerite Osborne and out of Rhianna Na Dailach. She was champion at the Tayside Foal Show and champion Mountain and Moorland at Brechin. Reserve – M and H Snowden, with Essiecroft Mary Rose, a 22-month-old daughter of Westwick William. Stallion – Dr Aylwin Pillai. Senior – H Lambert-Fraser. Two-three-year-old – M and H Snowden.

Performance Mountain and Moorland (Judge: J Munro, Wick). Champion – K Birss, with the five-year-old Thistleview Meghan, shown by Iona Wynne.

Ride and drive (Judge: R Skelton, Wick). Champion – M Bowman, with Blue Phantom, a 10-year-old. Reserve – K Logan, with the second prize winner to the champion Bogton Hero, a four-year-old by Bogton Renoun. Senior – M Bowman. Junior – Mrs C Robertson.

Light horses and ponies (Judge: R Skelton, Wick). Champion – Miss C Chisman with Tylo Lillie Langtry, a three-year-old by Small-Land Entertainer. Reserve – D Shand with the nine-month-old Achilty Top Gun, by Triumph de Muze. Foal – D Shand. Two/three-year-old – Miss C Chisman. Senior – J Jeffries. Young handlers – Iona Wynne.