The Clydesdale champion West Glen New Dawn, owned by Captain James Anderson, maintained the breed’s recent 100% record in the Sanderson Trophy when lifting the overall supreme title of Scotland’s native horse breeds at the Royal Highland Show.
The overall supreme judge Cameron Duncan Ormiston, of Ballater, deliberated for some time before deciding upon the Clydesdale.
“She had everything I was looking for – good hair, nice movement, plenty of bone and was well handled,” said Mr Ormiston.
The eight-year-old home-bred mare is by Collessie Cut Above and out of the Winter Fair class winner Fawnspark Holly. She was shown by Ron Brewster.
Unshown this year, New Dawn has previously stood second at the Royal Highland and marked a first championship win for Captain Anderson, who has been involved with the Clydesdale breed all his life.
He said: “Before I retired I was a ship captain and latterly harbour master in Orkney for eight years. Since then I’ve had the time to be fully involved with the breed and have entered for the farm carts class later at the show.”
Standing reserve overall Clydesdale was the male champion – Harry Emmerson’s home-bred yearling Lutterington Harry.
Produced by Ronnie Black, Harry is sired by the Collessie Stud’s Arradoul Balvenie and out of Middlebank Carlogie Anna Maria.
The ridden Clydesdale champion and winner of the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifying ticket was Annette Noble and Peggyslea Andy. The six-year-old home-bred gelding has previously qualified for HOYS in 2016 and this marked a third win in this class at the Royal Highland Show – he was ridden by Mrs Noble’s daughter Ailsa.
Leading the Shetland ponies and overall reserve supreme of the Sanderson Trophy was Louise Wilson, of Cassindilly Farm, Ceres, Fife.
Mrs Wilson was collecting her second Shetland pony championship in four years, this time with Cassindilly Roxy.
Already with two championships collected this season at the Angus and Central Scotland Group Shows, afterwards Mrs Wilson announced the four-year-old mare, a daughter of Southfield Valient and out of Millhouse Rhythm, would be retired from showing.
Judge Ken Scott, from Dundee, said: “It was a beautiful Shetland pony, in good condition and a proper size with a lovely head.”
It was an emotional Shirley Clarke that was called forward as supreme of the Highland section with the home-bred Heather of Conway, champion of the female section. The nine-year-old mare had stood supreme Highland pony at Ayr County last month.
John Dykes judging said: “She was really nice moving, with strong lines and loads of Highland pony character and good legs.”
Reserve was the male champion, the five-year-old stallion Dunedin Mohawk from Christopher Grant and his mother Jan. Sired by Trowan Miracle, Mohawk is a grandson of Dunedin Finale, whom Christopher enjoyed much success, including qualifying for HOYS.
The ridden Highland pony championship was presented to Susan Fox’s nine-year-old mare Holmedown Charlotte, ridden by Miss Kirsty Aird.
Ride judge Marjory Grant said: “She gave me a sublime ride, just what I like to ride up and forward and really covers the ground.”
