Heavy horse exhibitors celebrated the 182nd show with a tremendous turnout in all sections culminating in the champion miniature Shetland winning the prestigious Sanderson Trophy for the first time.
The award for the champion of the Scottish native breeds, was presented to Dryfesdale Martina owned and shown by Sophie Robertson-Imrie from Haddington. This six-year-old mare bred by Eileen Carlyle is out of Elangata Margaret and sired by North Wells Rory. Martina is also the first mare to win the miniature Shetland here and previously stood reserve overall at Fife Show.
Reserve for the Sanderson Trophy was the standard Shetland champion, Kerloch Rupert, an 18-year-old stallion from John Watson, Jedburgh. He was bred by Shirley Moro, is sired by Stow Review and is out of Burnbank Veda. A veteran show winner, the stallion boasts five Shetland championships at Ingliston, alongside The National Stallion Show and two big wins at the Great Yorkshire Show.
Clydesdales
Taking home the overall championship in this section and winning the Cawdor Cup was the yearling filly, Howgillside Blossom from sisters Jackie Marshall and Christine Halliday, Lockerbie.
Home-bred, this filly is out of Howgillside Sapphire and is sired by Cawdor Cup stallion and previous Highland champion winner, Muirton Spirit. Blossom was overall champion at both Lanark Foal Show and The Clydesdale Horse Society Winter Fair.
Reserve was the runner-up female and the second prize winner to the champion from Robbie Morton, Lanark. His yearling filly, Stobilee Bonnie Jean, has collected multiple first prize rosettes and last month stood reserve at Lesmahagow Show. Sired by Singlie Limited Edition, she is out of Stobilee Alexa.
Male champion was Forfar-base Jim Greenhill’s yearling colt Tulloes Sensation, shown by daughter Louise. No stranger to the show ring, Sensation is the current winner of the male Cawdor Cup which he won at The National Stallion Show, in March when he stood male champion. Full brother to the 2022 World Show champion Tulloes Emily, he is out of Tulloes Lady Jane and sired by the Cawdor Cup stallion Arradoul Balvenie.
Reserve male was presented to Robert Bedford’s two year-old colt, Littleward Harvie, from Yorkshire. Bred by Matthew Carrick from Stirling he is sired by Collessie Monarch and out of Littleward Natalie. He stood first at The National Stallion Show.
Ridden Clydesdale
Some 16 entries were forward for this championship and HOYS qualifier which saw the supreme presented to Brian Bisset from Thurso with his six-year-old gelding Ha Durran Harry, ridden to the top by daughter Isla Miller.
This is the second time he has qualified for HOYS having been placed sixth last year in a strong line up. Harry is sired by Doura Woodhouse Real Deal and out of Ha Durran Primrose.
Reserve ridden and best mare was Burgess Outon Miracle from Colleen Marshall from Wigtownshire. This home-bred mare which qualified for HOYS on her first outing at Fife Show, was ridden and produced by Kaitlyn Marshall (14). Despite just starting out under saddle, she is no stranger to the top awards having previously collected awards including winning the Cawdor Cup in 2021 when paraded in hand. She is sired by Eskechraggan Ernest and out of Rashillhouse Jessica Jean.
Kaitlyn also won the The Clydesdale Horse Society Young Handler of the Year in a strong class of 19 on the Sunday.
The Young Stocksman class saw 10 entries forward and was topped by 15-year-old Erin Ralston from Campbeltown with the family horse Redhill Alex. Erin was the 2023 Young Handler of the Year.
Heavy horse turnouts
As always, the heavy horse turnouts were a spectacle for all across all four days of the show. Overall champion and winner of the six-horse hitch was John and Margo McIntyre’s Clydesdale team driven by Ron Brewster and produced by his Bandirran stud team. The team from Perthshire comprised Ginny, Thistle, Esmie, Val, Kate and Leo.
John and Jayne Goodwin from Kent, won the reserve honours with their Shire horse Dizzy B after winning the single trade class on Thursday.
Harness and grooming
For the second year running, Benny Duncan and his grand-daughter Blythe Duncan from Fife, won the overall harness and grooming championship. His wool harness caught the eye of judge Annette Noble Penicuik upon his gelding Geordie.
Reserve spot was Elvis Inspiration from C McCulloch and L Cooks with their floral harness.
Highland
Overall champion was John Reid’s male supreme, Ben Macdui of Strathavon, a seven-year-old from Aberdeenshire.
Bred by Dr Beth Wells, he is sired by Dunedin Marksman, out of Esha Ness of Strathavon and earlier this year stood champion at the Royal Northern Spring Show at Thainstone after winning supreme at Turriff in 2023.
Female champion and reserve was Shirley Clarke’s Kershope Breagh from Lockerbie. The six-year-old mare is from champion bloodlines being sired by Glenbanchor Gilliebrighde – a former supreme at the Royal Highland – and out of Bethoc Of Conway which was reserve female here in 2022.
Carlung Ben Nevis took the reserve male honours on his show debut for Susan Wardrop from Ayrshire. This home-bred two-year-old colt is sired by Glenvale Guardsman, out of Venus of Carlung
Reserve female was JA and A Baird’s home-bred yearling filly, Whitefield Princess Flute from Blairgowrie. She was reserve champion at Fife Show and is sired by the previous Royal Highland Show champion Whitefield Prince Platinum and out of Finchies Flute.
Shetland
Kerloch Rupert, the male champion provided John Watson with his first supreme win in 10 years exhibiting at the Highland.
Female champion and reserve overall was Louise Wilson’s six-year-old mare Cassindilly Joeleen, from Cupar. This mare also took home best bred by exhibitor award and is out of Jasmine of Milton and sired by Southfieldgate Valiant.
Mawcarse Lady Dionne from Donna Lochtie, Perth, took thte reserve female spot. This 14-year-old brood mare, is sired by Stow Vulcan and out of Halkdale Dixie.
Taking the equivalent amongst the males was the six-year-old home-bred stallion, Millquoy Jedi, from James Slater, Finstown. His pedigree features the mare Millquoy Jade and sire, Drum Premier.
Miniature Shetland
Overall champion and winner of the Sanderson Trophy was Sophie Robertson-Imrie with her yearling filly, Dryfesdale Martina.
Bred by Eileen Carlyle and bought from her last year, Martina topped a strong class of 13 mares before going on to land the supreme.
Lynda Cochrane took the reserve with the runner-up female, Chasend Lady in Red, the second prize winner to the champion. This mare was bred by Mrs SE Jones and is sired by Athelney Lightening out of Chasend Lady Tara.
Best amongst the males was Milday Valentino from the Chesterwood Stud, Midlothian. The eight-year-old stallion is sired by Tawna Rebus out of Milday Darashane.
Penroyd Valentine from Lynday Cochrane took the reserve male honours. Sired by Mardlebrook Valentine and out Parlington Valerie this two-year-old colt was bred by A and S Preston.
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