A good catalogue entry of horses and ponies for this year’s Royal Northern Spring Show was decimated thanks to the weather.
However, there was still strong competition for the overall supreme horse title, which went to the Highland stallion, Danny Boy of Croila, which is by Sunny of Runivraid.
Although he was the only Highland there, this nine-year-old on loan to Shona Halford, Muirside Steading, Brodie, from Sylvia and Dochie Ormiston’s Croila stud, has nothing to prove having won supreme at the Black Isle, both Thursday and Friday at Blair Castle and several other north-east shows last year.
Reserve supreme and repeating her success of last year was the Clydesdale filly, Tulloes Blossom, by Collessie Stepping Stone, from Ally and Jim Greenhill of Upper Tulloes, Forfar.
This three-year-old had a good showing season last year winning at the Angus, Alyth and Kirriemuir shows.
The reserve champion Clydesdale also came from the Greenhills.
This was Tulloes Lady Claire, by Doura Kingmaker – a yearling filly which was second at Forfar Foal Show on her only other outing.
Champion in the standard Shetland pony section was the yearling colt, Strocherie Benny, by Westpark Eagle Star.
He was put forward by Hamish McLay of Bachlaw Projects, Upper Seaview, Cornhill. This one was brought out and exhibited by Kyle Wilkie and was being shown for the first time.
The miniature Shetland championship went to Ann Irvine of Kininvie, Rothienorman.
She won with her eight-year-old stallion, Rocky of Haybrake, by Hazelhead Dynamite. He has previously won many north-east shows.
Reserve in both the standard and miniature classes were entries from 15-year-old Reece MacLeod of Loch Fleet, Dornoch, Sutherland.
He has 15 Shetlands at home and shows them all.
His reserve standard champion, two-year-old black colt – Lochfleet Exult, by Stow Vulcan – was junior reserve at Keith and Dornoch last year.
The miniature reserve, six-year-old mare Standuff Kindred Spirit by Waltzer of Brindister, took reserve junior champion at the Spring Show a few years ago and last year was reserve champion at the Black Isle and Dyce.
