HPEC Review of the Year 2018

Highland Times Highland Pony Enthusiasts Club

Review of 2018

Reports from the Royal Highland Show, Great Yorkshire Show, Royal Bath and West…..

Results from HPEC shows Features Brownbread Easter Rabbit Flora’s Story Fourmerk Highland Ponies Amanda Hart Stocks Ruaraidh…….

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Editor’s comments It’s been another active year in the North-east and Pennine areas where members are well versed in organising their own events.

Nationally members are catered for with the Summer Show at Peterborough and through the Performance Card activities.

Hopefully the 2019 season will see more areas having a ‘go’ at organising something locally.

2019 sees a change of ‘Chair’ and I must take this opportunity to thank Chris Grant for his support to me as Editor. I look forward to working with the incoming ‘team’.

On a personal note 2018 has been a mixed year. The highlights being the birth of my two foals as they are the first crop by my young stallion Daibhaidh. The low point of my year was breaking my ankle in three places, with all the associated fallout from the accident. However onwards and upwards - I look forward to an improved 2019 and being fit enough to show my mare at the RHASS which is my main target for the immediate future.

Contents Results P8-9 P24-26 P28-30 Reports P10 P11 P14-15 P16 P17 P21 P22-23 P36-38 P45 P52-53 Features P4-7 P12-13 P18-20 P27 P32-35 P40-44 P46-51 P54-55

Pennine Area Spring Show Performance Awards 2016 Pennine Area End of Season Show Honley Show Native Pony Festival NPS Summer Championships Border Union Show Dumfries Show Devon County Show Great Yorkshire Show HPEC Summer Show South of England Show The Royal Highland Show Flora’s Story A trio of birthday celebrations Amanda Hart How not to succeed in the ring Stocks Ruaraidh Joan Alexander in the hot seat Foal’s Gallery Brownbread Easter Rabbit

Alison Payne

Cover photo Ellister Islay Royal Fern and her dam Willowdene by Liz Mangham

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A word from the Chairman….

My Last Report…..Wow, where does time go? It doesn’t seem that long since I took over the role of Chairperson back at the AGM nearly three years in Berkshire and in a short time I’ll be handing over the reins to the next budding volunteer. I would like to say thank you to everyone who has supported me during this time but in particular to the hard-working and brilliant Committee. We are so lucky to have such a lovely club and they all make it possible, all working in their spare time to keep the club going. They have made all the meetings trouble-free and friendly and are full of ideas to keep things vibrant and fresh. Vibrant and fresh I am sure will continue with our incoming Chair, Penny Daniels, whose enthusiasm for the club and the Highland Pony Breed will be hard to match. I wish her every luck in the role and hope I will be able to support her in the ‘hot seat’ like the Committee have me.

Looking back to when I first joined the club, fifteen years ago as a thirteen-year-old boy, I have so many terrific memories but more so, so many terrific friends who I would not have met without being at the club. All with the common denominator of Highland Ponies. It is so nice to meet up with friends, old and new and long may this continue.

On the topic of long may it continue, we are always in need of new ideas, new skills and new people to continue to keep it vibrant. If you feel you can offer even a small amount of time, please get in touch. I can’t tell you how rewarding it is and a privilege to meet all the lovely people and see all the lovely ponies along the way.

The club has enjoyed a stellar year, starting with the AGM in Sheffield, followed by an array of events across the North of England including Camps, Shows, Social Get together’s and more.

Unfortunately less has taken place in the south, which hopefully can be rectified and I encourage members down there to get together and get the ball rolling again.

I will continue to support the club in any way I can, continuing my role as a committee member in the North East. I look forward to meeting more of you in years to come and my final word will be enjoy it, it’s there for you to use and use it you must.

A final vote of thanks goes individually to Alison.

Thank you for the marvellous job you do producing Highland Times, a task I do not envy but something I enjoy when it lands in the inbox, you are true gold.

Chris x

Feature

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Flora’s Story My name is Beverley Kelly and I am a Highland Pony Enthusiast and hobby breeder, breeding a couple of ponies every other year. I have Demerlay Maeve and Demerlay Mayfly (full sisters). Maeve is yellow dun and May is mouse dun and both were put in foal to Tower Scottish Pride who is a beautiful mouse dun. When dropping them off for covering I did put in an order for 2 mouse dun fillies as we already have Trulie a yellow dun from 2015 Flora - a two day old dummy foal out of Maeve, although sadly May did not hold on that occasion.

On the 31st March 2017, the bank holiday weekend, after being at the yard for most of the day I left at 3pm with no signs of imminent labour from our two mums to be who were still around 3 weeks away from their due date. My husband returned at approximately 5pm to lock the hens away for the night and found May had given birth. I received a phone call and rushed round to see the new arrival. She was a beautiful large filly but as soon as I saw her, I knew something was wrong. She was lying down with May trying to get her up. I phoned the Vet and my daughter Sarah who left a works do to come and help and arrived just as the vet was leaving. The vet stripped some colostrum from Flora - in intensive care May which was tube fed to her.

She was given four injections, one of which made her smell so badly of chemicals I was worried May might reject her. My daughter questioned whether she was dummy however the vet had seen her suckle so advised she wasn’t.

We moved her to a stable and warmed her up, my husband and Sarah stayed with her all night as she needed guidance to the milk bar and would only suckle for a

5 Fact File few seconds.

As a foal is born, a natural sedative is released The next morning, I went into it to keep it immobilised as it travels down straight to the yard and although the birth canal - a lot of mares would be lost if she was standing and walking, the foals weren't sedated by this chemical. A she was not acting like a normal dummy foal can occur if the birth is too quick, or foal but kept getting stuck in the for other unknown reasons. The foal can stay corners of the stable. I called the sedated for up to 10 days but they must come vet again, who came and took out of the dummy state within ten days. bloods and said to syringe milk Rainbow Equine Clinic have never known one go into her - so another night in the beyond the 10 day period. stable for Sarah and my husband.

My husband was also sent on errands to get goats, lamb, calf milk and various size teats just to see which she preferred, unfortunately she didn’t take to any. After a couple of arguments with Sarah who was convinced she was a dummy foal and I thought no way as our vet had confirmed she wasn’t, I phoned another vets practice “The Equine Vet Centre” in Doncaster as by now our Vet was out of the Country on holiday. They agreed to come out with some plasma to do a transfusion.

Upon arrival the Vet couldn’t get a vein and her blood pressure was barely registering as she was fading in front of us. We were given 2 options get her to Rainbow Equine Hospital or let the Vet give her something to help her on her way.

We couldn’t give up on her and vowed to fight if she kept fighting. We were asked her name and until then we hadn’t agreed on one for her, but we couldn’t let her go anywhere without a name. Sarah who was sat with her said Flora and the name stuck. Sarah then went for our horsebox and off we set for Malton about a 1½ hours’ drive a tense journey as we Flora - back home were prepared for the worst and not really expecting her to be alive upon arrival.

We had to ring the hospital when we were 20 mins away and they had a team waiting for our arrival even a syringe to sedate May. They lowered the lamp, the Lead Vet who must have super human strength scooped up Flora and ran with her to the treatment room, followed by Sarah leading May. Flora was placed on soft mat in front of May who had been put in a stock with Sarah holding May’s head up from the bar so more of the team could work on Flora. The vet cut into her neck scooped out her vein made an incision and tubed her, so they could run fluids. Everything was happening so fast but in slow motion, we heard a vet say she is weeing which

6 we knew was a good sign and we hung on to that. The next few hours were critical she had sepsis and was on IV Antibiotics and round the clock supervision.

We were dreading the phone call the next day as we were told her chances of survival were slim. However, we were surprised to learn that more tests were being done and she was being tube fed. Flora was fighting, my little 49kg of Highland pony foal was fighting the fight of her life and I knew that if she was fighting, I would do whatever it would take. The cost of her care was £1000 per Flora - a very normal little filly night whilst she was in intensive care where she stayed for four nights so it was a relief when they were moved across the yard to routine care.

May was amazing and took everything that was happening with good grace, she is a nervous Mare and is not always friendly to people she doesn’t know. I think she must have known they were helping Flora. May and I have reached an understanding; whilst she tolerates me as her carer and food source, she loves Sarah and my husband but has always disliked me. I worried about this with Flora so ill, but she was amazing, and we drew a truce. I used to tell Sarah I was selling May and she has threatened to never speak to me again if I do. When push came to shove May stepped up. It was confirmed that Flora was indeed a dummy foal and advised that they never go longer than 10 days, the usual being four, Flora waited until day 9. We then received a call saying come and see her, Sarah and I drove over and couldn’t believe it. There was our 9-day old foal like a day-old foal, suckling, tail swishing and a brightness to her eyes she had spent her first 9 days Flora - the windswept leg looking vacant and confused. A few days later she was turned out with May into a side paddock. There was some concern over her leg as she was windswept, we were told not to worry as the priority was that she healed from the sepsis before remedial treatments. We were excited the day she was allowed home we collected her and

7 May and her big bag of medicine. She was on antibiotics stocked by only 2 vets in this country which you had to wear gloves to touch. Flora became used to syringes of medicine which Sarah and my husband Derek administered with increasing difficulty as she grew stronger and her feisty nature became clear—it was probably the feistiness and the stubborn highland spirit that kept her fighting in the first place.

The next battle she faced was to correct her windswept leg. Our vet contacted remedial farriers and managed to find one 3 miles away from us who using her Xrays for reference made her plastic shoes which did a little bit of good. But the improvement wasn’t enough, and time was against us as she had to have the operation before her growth plates closed otherwise she wouldn’t be able to hold her own weight as a Mature highland. Flora had her operation and bone was removed from one side and wires put in both sides. She was bandaged and had to walk on a level surface on restricted turnout. Flora wouldn’t be restricted she would run and jump, and we would hold our breath as she did rocking horse impressions.

Over the next few months her legs straightened, Flora is now almost 18 months old she lives in the field with her mum, her Auntie and her half-sister Trulie and Gillie a 2-year-old I bought from Caithness, she is happy and healthy and loves everyone people and ponies and food. I am so grateful to my vets Equine Vet Centre and Rainbow Equine Hospital, Derek and Sarah and to May and to Flora. The total cost to date is £11,000 and I have had mixed comments about it.

Some people think I am crazy to pay so much money but when I watch Flora playing and having fun, truth be told I would do it again if I had to. Floras health issues were not genetic but possibly the result of an early, quick traumatic birth she will be a brood mare in time and I know Flora - early 2018 when I watch her with her foals I will know we did the right thing. Sarah, a believer in Karma, said you will be repaid in some way be it good health or happiness and I didn’t really believe in any of that and then was stunned to receive a letter from my bank not long after providing a cheque for £10,000 for an endowment policy so perhaps there is such thing as Karma.

Bev Kelly

Results

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Pennine Area Spring Show Results Judge: Mr C. Grant, Northumberland (Dewley)

Youngstock Condition 1st & Res Perburn Annabella Catherine Taylor 2nd Braeford Fieldfare Sheila Heyes 4th King Fearghas of Croila Croft Caroline Beech Maturestock Condition 2nd Owlsend Kameron Sandra Paterson 4th Lagalgarve Grouse Mandy Sant 5th Indiana of Ryeburn Gillian Sear

Perburn Annabella

Braeford Fieldfare

Highland Youngstock 1st & Ch Braeford Fieldfare 2nd Perburn Annabelle 3rd Moss-side Yeva Christine Bassett 4th King Fearghus of Croila Croft

Highland Mares 1st & Res Lagalgarve Maroa Catherine Whetton 2nd Sydbrook Molly May Margaret Woosey 3rd Windgates Rhianna Carole Forrest

Lagalgarve Maroa

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Highland Geldings/Stallions 1st Owlsend Kameron 2nd Lagalgarve Grouse 3rd Indiana of Ryedale 4th Lagalgarve Ben Ghuilean Mandy Fairclough

Owlsend Kameron

Nursery Novice Ridden 3rd Lagalgarve Maroa 5th Lagalgarve Grouse 6th Indiana of Ryeburn Novice Ridden 1st & Best Ridden Highland Lagalgarve Capercaillie Emma Clarke Intermediate Ridden 1st Ballantrae Bruce of Castle Green Emma Longden 2nd Lagalgarve Ben Ghuilean Open Ridden 2nd Lochranza of Langley Sally Beal Utility Pony 2nd Ballantrae Bruce of Castle Green

Photos courtesy of MB Photography

Lagalgarve Capercaillie

Report

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Honley Show It was Sarah Doran's day at Honley this year. Starting the day with a win in the youngstock highland class with her homebred colt Watermillock Maverick she also took the adult in-hand with Whitefield Prince Valiant who is Maverick's sire. Valiant then took the Championship with Maverick in reserve. In the ridden classes Sarah's Holmedown Niagara Falls won the open ridden class and went on to be ridden champion. The lovely mare then stood reserve supreme to the in-hand champion Whitefield Prince Valiant. Honley show is a great day out for all the family with plenty to see and do with an array of classes for competitors. With a selection of Highland only classes it was well sponsored by the HPEC Pennine group, Brittleton Highland Pony Stud, Elizabeth Mangham and Penny Daniels. It would be nice to see more support from Highland competitors next year as the in-hand classes had decent numbers but sadly the ridden classes were lacking.

Penny Daniels

Whitefield Prince Valiant

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Report

The Native Pony Festival The Native Pony Festival was set up by a group of enthusiasts in the North East of England to provide a fun and friendly show for all breeds of Native Pony. The Committee has representation from most of the breeds and sections for all individually. Now in its fifth year, it is cemented as a firm favourite in the calendar.

Judging the Highland Ponies this year was the well-known Debbie Spears travelling to Newcastle from her base in Milton Keynes. A respectable turn out of highlands came forward for her to judge. Winning the Youngstock class and taking the Highland Pony Championship was Trailtrow Gabhan, a two-year-old gelding owned

by Viv Ruddick bred by Gillian McMurray and shown by Chris Grant. Second and third placed ponies in the Youngstock class were both owned, bred and exhibited by Isy Berguis, this was Ezna and Florence of Over Langshaw respectively. A win in the Adult In-hand class began a good day for Sarah Doran with Whitefield Prince Valliant. The duo stood Reserve Champion in the Highland In-hand classes before going on to be Reserve in the Supreme In-hand Silver Medal Championship against the other breeds. They repeated their result in the ridden ranks with a 1 st and Reserve Champion in the Young Ridden Pony section. Second placed in the In-hand classes went to Dunedin McGregor owned by Chris Grant and bred by Anne Mitchell. They were also second in the Intermediate Ridden class. Third place was awarded to Mardy Fawcett with Tower Highland Piper bred by James Hendrie and Alvean Kerr. Other ridden results of note for Highland Ponies was a pairing of placings for Milli Mason and Kaizer Chief Na Dailach. They were placed second in their Junior ridden class and third in the Amateur Ridden. The Native Pony Festival will take place in 2019 on Sunday 19 th May and will play host to its usual array of classes.

Chris Grant

Trailtrow Gabhan

Feature

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A trio of birthday celebrations Three Highland Pony ladies reached a Birthday milestone in 2018 and of course their Children couldn’t let the occasions slip by unnoticed, so planning began the prior Autumn. A shopping trip and lunch to Edinburgh in early January to spend their Christmas pennies with her daughter Kirstin, proved actually to be a secret sixtieth party for Gillian McMurray. They arrived to the LeMonde hotel, just off Edinburgh's busiest street to a room full of Highland Pony friends all ready to celebrate Gillian’s birthday. The surprise on Gillian’s face was priceless and a most enjoyable lunch and afternoon socialising amongst friends was had.

The beast from the east at the beginning of March scuppered party number two, which had to be rearranged last minute to enable folks to travel to Northumberland.

Held under the guise of a Moorland Mousie Fundraiser as it was the only way we would get her there, Jan Grant even helped plan her own party without knowing and was in the Kitchen until her old friends from work arrived and she realised that she was at her own sixtieth party. A brilliant night with supper, games and dancing saw some party goers carry on into the early hours of the morning!

The last celebrations belonged to Joan Alexander who entertained friends with a sit-down dinner at the local Gargunnock Inn just outside of Stirling to mark her seventieth birthday at the beginning of August. Although not a surprise party for Joan, daughter Vicki had the task of keeping Joan’s special present under her hat.

Both Gillian and Jan found out earlier in the year on their respective birthdays that they would be flying over the Irish Sea that summer for a trip to the Royal Dublin Horse Show.

However, with the flight to the show being only five days past Joan’s Birthday, Joan had much less time to anticipate the trip ahead. Upon her arrival at Edinburgh airport with Vicki and Colin she was stunned to be met by friends Gillian and Jan with Kirstin and Chris. The planning between Kirstin, Chris and Vicki from eight months previous were underway and after a quick bite and a bit of Dutch courage for the flight we were soon

13 landed in the Emerald Isle.

A quick pit stop at the Ballsbridge hotel where we were staying to drop off bags, we were soon at the Royal Dublin Society Showground after a five minute walk. Set in the heart of Dublin City, the Showground has a permanent site and is very beautiful. The show itself is like Mecca to the Irish and everyone is so friendly. Upon our arrival we headed straight for one of the rings to watch the Working Hunter Ponies, gutsy ponies and riders jump the most terrific of courses, the spectators around the ring were four deep so we were lucky to have a good vantage point. Between browsing the brilliant selection of trade stands, many different to what we see on British soils, we also enjoyed the Irish draft breeding classes, a super Showjumping masterclass with George Morris from the USA and the spectacle of the Ridden Hunter Championship. Every corner turned there was something different to see and we were all in awe. We had bought tickets for the evening performance which included the hotly contested and nail-biting puissance eventually won by four riders, all of whom cleared the 7ft 2” wall in round four but attained four faults in round five at 7ft 4”. We later returned to our hotel to enjoy dinner and lucky for the younger ones our hotel also played host to the official show after party!!

After a sumptuous breakfast we were quickly back for our second day at the show.

High on our list of things to watch was the International Connemara Challenge where a team from Ireland and a team from GB go head to head in a WHP style competition.

It was thrilling to watch and interesting the see the difference between the British and Irish ponies – the Irish were much more horsey in type but with more substance and a lot more ‘gung-ho’ in their way of going. With it being the final day of the show, a lot of shops had some superb reductions and a good bit of retail therapy was had, well as much as we could fit into hand luggage. Vick and Chris also entered numerous competitions, one of which they found out afterwards they came first and second in, with the prize being a weekend trip to the Harvest Festival in Armagh! Once shopped out we settled for the afternoon to watch the first round of the Irish Grand Prix, such a spectacle seeing some of the best horses and riders in the world. Unfortunately, our time was up and we were headed back to the airport for our trip home. For any equestrian, a trip to Dublin is a must on your bucket list, there is so much to see and do and it is a spectacle from start to finish. We all had the most brilliant time celebrating Gillian, Jan and Joan’s birthdays and are wondering if we really have to wait ten years to do it all again!

Chris Grant

Report

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NPS Summer Championships The National Pony Society Summer Championships was held once again under the watchful eye of the Malvern Hills at the Three Counties Showground. Boasting a three-day catalogue with a comprehensive range of classes including the important Summer Finals which ponies spent the season qualifying for. Highland Ponies collected some brilliant results across the show to fly their flag amongst the other breeds. The show begins on Tuesday which is seen as a ‘warm up’ day with last chance qualifying classes before most of the finals. Starting of an excellent week for their stud Gillian and Kirstin McMurray both collected Reserve Championships in their classes on the opening day. Gillian riding Trailtrow Lille in the Amateur Ridden Qualifier, whilst Kirstin flew round the Novice WHP qualifier on Trailtrow Tanera to win the largest height section. Gillian also rode Lille to second place in the Shearwater Ridden Highland, a standalone section with the prestigious Country Life Cup for the Champion. Ellister Islay Spruce kicked off a brilliant week for Julie Barton by leading the Shearwater Highlands before receiving the Linnel Cup for the best Highland, Fell or Dales pony in the evening performance.

Cantering out of the evening performance under the spotlight after scoring the Championship in the HyEquestrian Young Rider Final was Molly Barker riding Elizabeth Etchell’s gelding Dunedin Maurice. Other Trailtrow Tanera Highlands receiving Championships on the first day were Highland Chief of Talisker who headed the Picton Novice Ridden qualifying section for Amber Thorpe whilst in the Highbrook In-hand qualifying section Emilie Bagnall and Lochlands King Roger were given the Championship nod. Majesty of Mendick won the Youngstock class in this section with Lucinda Dargaval. A bumper dressage entry which saw the class closed due to high numbers had two Trailtrow Tanera Highlands finish within the top six, Bowmore Lady Laura and Mirren Hay, part of the HeighHoHighlands team ranked third, just ahead of Dunedin McGregor with Chris Grant in fourth.

The Picton Novice Final is the most coveted of the Novice Ridden finals on the circuit. The breeds all compete separately before coming together for the

15 Championship. An early start saw the Highlands in the ring first and Highland Chief of Talisker ridden by Amber Thorpe was Jo Jacks choice to put through to the Championship with Bracken of Alltnacailleach and Rhiannon Randall in second.

Highland Chief of Talisker’s golden day continued in the In-hand Highland Classes which for the first time was awarded a coveted Highland Pony Society Bronze Medal. They were Jo’s choice of Highland Pony Champion after winning the stallion class. Reserve In-hand Highland went to the winner of the Mare & Gelding class – Gillian McMurray’s Trailtrow Lille. The pairing also stood second in the Amateur Ridden final earlier in the day. Majesty of Mendick added to her form for Lucinda Dargaval winning the two and three year old filly and gelding class followed up by Youngstock Champion. Finches Mockingbird was awarded Youngstock Reserve following their win in the Yearling class for Frances McWilliam. Potterton Park Mulreesh won the two and three year old colts for Alex Gambling.

One of the largest classes at the show was the Highbrook In-hand final which had to be split and judged in phases to fit all the ponies in the ring. Ellister Islay Spruce came up to win a fantastic class and then standing Champion of the Summer final. Trailtrow Lille finished a Trailtrow Lille very respectable 3rd in the final. Small but mighty Aigas of Achnacarry jumped his way round two WHP tracks to win both his classes in the Junior WHP and Open WHP finals and added the Open WHP championship to his multi-garlanded tally along the way.

The final day of showing see’s the competition hot up further with the Horse of the Year Show qualifiers. Rounding off a fabulous week Amber Thorpe and Highland Chief of Talisker scooped their ticket to the showing Mecca in Birmingham and then galloped their way to the HOYS Ridden Championship. Trailtrow Lille completed her super week with second prize in the HOYS qualifier, first prize in the Home Produced In-hand Final before taking her third Reserve Championship of the Show.

Lochlands King Roger attained the tori-colour in the Mixed M&M Championship for Emilie Bagnall to take home her second Championship of the show. Ellister Islay Spruce being another where one Championship wasn’t enough to win his five-year-old Ridden final and stand Dargaval Young Ridden Pony Final for Julie Barton.

Highland Chief of Talisker

Chris Grant

Report

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Border Union Taking place in the picturesque Scottish Border town of Kelso, the Springwood Park fixture is a firm favourite for many North and South of the Border. Hugh Duncan travelled down from Turriff at the end of July to officiate the Highland Pony Classes in the baking sunshine. Heading the In-hand adult classes was the Grant Family’s Dunedin McSporran, a six-year-old gelding, led by Chris Grant. Keeping it in the family Mardy Fawcett, Aunty to Chris, stood second with her own Tower Highland Piper. Gilean Docherty scored a win in the Youngstock class with her homebred Tashieburn Reiver, with Beth McDonald’s Darroch of Over Langshaw standing second. Dunedin McSporran was Hugh’s choice of Champion with Tower Highland Piper in Reserve.

After a brilliant jumping round to stand second in a large Novice WHP class, Trailtrow Tanera with Kirstin McMurray went one better in the Highland Pony Ridden classes to be Hugh’s choice of Ridden Champion. They topped the line up in the over 14hh ahead of Lynn Paisley riding Anne Mitchell’s Dunedin Fhouran who was Reserve Champion. Caroline Redpath collected the red ticket in the under 14hh Ridden class with Fiona Steel and Tower Ae Fond Kiss in second.

A Novice Ridden section is held in the afternoon and Dunedin McSporran led the class of Highland, Fell and Dales ponies to stand Champion for NPS judge Diane Hadwen. This was followed by him collecting the Supreme In-hand Championship and NPS Silver Medal, the first time for a Highland Pony since the 90’s. Dunedin Fhouran continued her form to stand second in the Novice class, the only other Highland to be placed.

Chris Grant

Trailtrow Gabhan

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Report

Dumfries Show Trailtrow Tearlach brought home the silverware on his home ground for local breeder Gillian McMurray at this year’s Dumfries Show. The nine-year-old grey stallion was Mary McCall-Smiths choice of Champion from the Highland Pony classes after winning the Adult In-hand class. Reserve Champion was awarded to another Trailtrow pony, this time Trailtrow Gabhan owned by Viv Ruddick and shown by Chris Grant. The two-year-old gelding topped the line-up of 2/3 year olds ahead of Shirley Clarke with her homebred Kershope Appin. Shirley’s success at the show continued with a first prize in the foal class with Kershope Breagh and also by winning the Ridden class with her own Heather of Conway. Mardy Fawcett played the role of Bridesmaid with two seconds in both the adult In-hand class and the Ridden class with Tower Highland Piper.

Chris Grant

Trailtrow Tearlach

Feature

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Amanda Hart Although born in the town of Bath, Amanda Hart considers herself a girl from the Cotswolds as this was her family base through her childhood. It was as a schoolgirl in Gloucestershire that she first developed a friendship with HPEC President Penny Smith.

She does however have northern roots, in Whitehaven Cumbia, on her father’s side. Although her immediate family were not horsey, the more recent past generations had been heavily involved with equines. Her own first introduction to horses is as a two-year-old, when Amanda’s mother found her vanished daughter in the middle of the local hunt talking to the horses and hounds.

As a teenager Amanda was a member of the local Beaufort Pony Club and had in keeping with the times bartered her manpower at the local riding school mucking out and grooming the horses to aid payment for her lessons. By the time she had her own family of three children she was a wellestablished horsewoman many years before she became involved with highland ponies.

In the 1980’s Amanda bumped into Penny Smith at a Pony Club event and they reestablished contact. After a particularly convivial social evening with Penny, her husband Clive and Amanda’s husband Dick, Nashend Seabird they ended up with a highland pony on loan Nashend Sea Bird. They subsequently had several other ponies from Nashend to hack, compete with etc. and then bred a couple of Turin Hill part-bred highlands. By now Amanda had moved to the village of Brightwalton in Clansman Berkshire, which is also known as Brittleton and it was from this that she took her stud prefix/suffix. Not a stranger to breeding having bred a variety of breeds previously, Amanda started to breed pure bred highland ponies when she got her first stallion Turin Hill Clansman in the late 1980’s from Molly McGivern (a most influential lady within the breed and the HPEC in its early years).

19 Amanda has subsequently bred 30 highlands and part-breds to date. Following on from Clansman, Amanda’s stallions were firstly Whitefield Lord Anthem and then Achtriochtan Dougal. All the Brittleton highland foals are named after whiskies as the original broodmare Nashend the Balvenie started the trend. As well as breeding ponies Amanda also used to buy in weaned colt foals to bring on and for several years used to bring geldings down from Whitefield and Forglen to break in and sell on.

The most influential people within the Brittleton Caol Isla highland pony world for Amanda personally were the late Molly McGivern and Elizabeth Compton plus Penny who she is still a firm friend of. She says that they all had a quality of old fashioned, no nonsense horse handling and ownership. Something she highly values.

Amanda and her family always did more than just breeding and showing with their highland ponies, with demos at the CLA Game Fair and Pony Club triathlon to name a few. Nevertheless, she had some memorable times in the show ring. Nashend Sea Bird (Bluebell) was the winner of the Northlight WHP competition at Ponies UK which the older generation may remember. The winner of this also had the accolade of a bronze being made and presented to them of their pony by the sponsoring company. She also took the Highland Ridden Championship at Ponies UK with Nashend Glenaylmer who was ridden by the judge Terry Casling. Achtriochtan Dougal was Highland Champion at the Royal Bath and West three years running and Amanda has never come away from the Royal Highland show with anything lower than a third prize. Whitefield Lord Anthem took the championship at Royal Windsor and qualified in 1999 for the Templeton In-hand Championship at HOYS, which back then was at Wembley. She has fond memories of the Royal Show where she was part of a team winning a progeny L-r Whitefield Lord Anthem, competition and £250 with Lochlands Musician, Lochlands Banjo Whitefield Lord Anthem, Lochlands Musician and Lochlands Banjo. Also, at the Royal Show she won the best youngstock breeders prize with a pony she was producing, Turin Hill Glen Almond. The substantial £450

Achtriochtan Dougal

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Ellen May of Forglen Turin Hill Clansman

prize went to the breeder, in this case Elizabeth Compton, who used it to have a portrait painted of the youngster’s sire Glen Aigas.

Amanda started stewarding at the Royal Berkshire Show, going on to be Chief Steward their before subsequently being involved with NPS Summer Championships, various NPS area shows, Equifest and the Derbyshire Festival mainly in the WHP rings, where she has become well renowned.

In recent years she moved to Yorkshire and where she has variously had Ellen May of Forglen, Laphroiag of Langley, Dunedin Feolin and Horatio of Langley. More recently she has acquired Whitefield Princess Mercury (living in the south with her daughter Joanna Stiles) who last year foaled to Lochlands Military Piper and is due to foal this season to Brittleton Royal Brackla, a home bred young stallion. Therefore, Amanda will continue to breed highlands in partnership with her daughter Joanna in the future.

Amanda joined the HPEC in the late 1980’s through Molly McGivern’s influence and has

subsequently served as Treasurer both in the 1980-1990’s and again from 2010 to the present. She chaired the club in the 1990’s and has at times been an Area Rep in both the Thames Valley and Pennine Areas.

Amanda gives a great deal of her personal time and expertise to the club and feels that it rewarding to be able to assist other highland pony owners to get the best out of their ponies.

Alison Payne

Achtriochtan Dougal

21

Report

Devon County Show Devon County Show took place on a lovely dry day with sunshine but slight haze which made it much better for showing in. The judge Lizzie Finlayson-Briant had a really good turnout for the mixed Fell/Dales/Highland classes. With 18 entered in the Adult Class and 6 in the youngstock class.

The adult class – which started at 8am in the main ring - was full of quality with the top 6 (and possibly further down the line) all having won many championships over the last couple of years. The ridden class was just before lunch and was another very good class with 14 entries quite a few of which were highland ponies. It was nice to see the range of highland colours with greys/creams/mouse and yellow duns all being represented.

Wendy Bridges Results: In-hand F/D/H 4 years and over 1st&Ch Bracken of Alltnacailleach 2nd Holmedown Carolina 6th Holmedown Honolulu

Ridden F/D/H 3. Bluebraes Merrick (best Highland) 5. Finches Lord Lamborn 6. Glenwestcastle Master Basil 7. Holmedown Champaign

In-hand F/D/H youngstock 2. Carlung Valient 3. Kirtonian Loch Clunie 4. Holmedown Willow Park 5. Holmedown Georgia

Jays Photos

Bluebraes Merrick

22

Report

The Great Yorkshire Show The second year of having a selection of wholly highland pony classes at this show resulted in a large entry and turnout on the day for Judge Mr John Dykes of the Mendick Stud near West Linton.

The red rosette in the gelding class was taken by Mardy Fawcett’s Tower Highland Piper, with Jill Vasey’s Highland Piper of Sunnyneuk and Vicki Fletcher’s Royal Caledonian of Fourmerk following on.

Tower Highland Piper Shirley Clarke’s mare Conway Heather (a previous Royal Highland Show champion) won the mare class, with local entry Ellister Islay Royal Fern owned by Liz Mangham coming second and Christopher Grant’s Dunedin Rhiona third.

Conway Heather The stallion class was won by the Countess of Swinton’s home bred Magnus of Dykes and the blue ribbon went to Miss Motley’s Strathmore Munro.

Magnus of Dykes The youngstock class was well supported with the first place going to Sheila Heyes Braeford Fieldfare. Claire Kinsley’s Mannochmore of Millfield stood second with Mandy Fairclough's filly Maisie of Strathmore taking third place.

Shirley Clarke then went on to take the Championship and the second of five specially commissioned ceramic plates presented to the Great Yorkshire Show by the HPEC. With reserve going to Magnus of Dykes.

Alison Payne

23 The Ridden report…………….

The general memory of the 2018 Great Yorkshire Show was hot, hot, hot!

Everywhere you went people were comparing it to the summer of ’76. I was only five years old that summer and I certainly wasn’t showing ponies, but there were some considerations to make when I did my show entries for the season. I picked and chose carefully as my pony prefers softer going and I didn’t want to jar her up by competing on hard ground. As the White Rose Ring is also used for the Working Hunter classes I thought that it would be well watered and suitably prepared - it was rock hard!!

As always, it was a huge class with approximately 30 ponies forward for judging, a mammoth task for a hot day. Tweed jacket and long boots got hotter and hotter! First place went to the beautiful Dunedin Merlin who did a foot perfect show and a fantastic extension in front of the grandstand.

Merlin is no stranger to HOYS as he had already Dunedin Merlin won there previously, nearly giving his owner/rider Lyndsey MacDonald a seizure as she was so surprised! On the day he was ridden by Kirsty Aird who has been campaigning the 12yo gelding for Dr MacDonald this season.

In a worthy second place was Elmere Loch Ryan, a compact yellow dun stallion ridden and owned by Sarah Mahal. Third place went to Kirsty Snellings Valerock St George. In fourth place, riding his young pony, Dunedin McGregor was our HPEC Chairman Chris Grant, who gave an amazing performance on a less experienced pony than some of the others.

All the ponies were a credit to their owners and whatever the results, I was still happy to be taking the best pony home (my own), which is exactly how it should be when you go showing, win or lose. But I have to say, I’m know why I don’t go for greys – they were all immaculate, thank heavens for The Bay Team!

Michelle Parkin Vaughan Valerock St George

Results

24

Performance Awards 2017 Results

Happy Hacker Platinum (Humphrey of Combebank Cup) Dorlyn Calais & Sue Perry also winner of the Veteran Non-Highland rosette Thistle of Kuranda/Eddy de Chazel/ Buster & ChristineGellender-Mills Gold Ballinton Commander & Julie Beaty Silver Glenmuir Crusade & Ros Hudson Bronze Fionnlagh of Achnacarry & Jennifer Beveridge Chapelhill Winston & Perpetua David Achtriochtan Cara & Sue Hatch Muckle Skerry of Arden Forest & Chrissy Pitchard Fleetmead Eorsa & Lorraine Bushaway

Merit Orla of Glenshiel & Claire Lowry Humphrey of Combebank & Rebecca O’Rourke also winner of the Douglas of Combebank trophy for the veteran Highland pony Stillmeadow Ptarmigan & Rosemary Arnold Domino Firefly & Stephen Collins Dunvegan of Forglen & Chrissy Pritchard Hiker (Moonshine Trophy) Claymore Uisken & Glenda Bailey Ebony of Rocklea & Mandy Iliffe Intermediate Rider (J & V Hawkins Cup) 1st Katie Lowthian Senior Rider (Highland Gold Rose Bowl) 1st Rhi Randall 2nd Claire Kinsley 3rd Michelle Parkin Vaughan 4th Sammy-Jo Grantham 5th Penny Daniels 6th Lianne Parkin

25 Mature Rider (Gissings Stud Trophy) 1st Mardy Fawcett 2nd Lesley Dawson 3rd Rebecca O’Rourke 4th = L-J and Ed Macholc 6th = Alan Butler, Andrea Gilbert, Gill Collins Youngstock (Potterton Park Trophy 1st Mannochmore of Millfield & Claire Kinsley 2nd Maisie of Strathmore & Amanda Fairclough 3rd Jedi of Talisker & Rhi Randall 4th Luna of Heatherglen & Liz Mangham 5th Watermillock Maverick & Sarah Doran 6th Holmedown Wyoming & Wendy Bridges Mature In-Hand (Leyhills Shield) 1st Bluebraes Merrick & Rhi Randall 2nd Domino Silver & Gill & Steve Collin 3rd Bracken of Alltnacailleach & Rhi Randall 4th Lagalgarve Loch Lussa & Amanda Kay 5th Tower Highland Piper & Mardy Fawcett 6th Holmedown Carolina & Wendy Bridges Ridden (Seastorm of Nashend Plaque) 1st Bluebraes Merrick & Rhi Randall 2nd Yersten of Alltnacailleach & Rhi Randall 3rd Tower Highland Piper & Mardy Fawcett 4th Bridget of Combebank & Michelle Parkin Vaughan 5th Rosie of Combebank & Michelle Parkin Vaughan 6th Lagalgarve Loch Lussa & Amanda Kay TREC (Sennocke Salver) 1st Tower Highland Piper & Mardy Fawcett

Long Distance (Spitchwick Cup) 1st Brownbread Easter Rabbit & Sally Rowe 2nd Myrtle of Combebank & L-J Macholc 3rd Ladarna of Langley & Ed Macholc 4th Miriam of Combebank & L-J & Ed Macholc 5th Machelthy Sir Bertram & Alan Butler 6th Constance of Ansgiobal & L-J Macholc Jumping (T.B. Law Salver) 1st Patchacott Grace & Katie Lowthian 2nd Hector of Langley & Sammy-Jo Grantham 3rd Yersten of Alltnacailleach & Rhi Randall 4th Lagalgarve Loch Lussa & Amanda Kay 5th Tower Braveheart & Mardy Fawcett 6thTrowan Promise & Lesley Dawson Dressage (Mandy of Meggernie Rose Bowl) 1st Carlung Peregrine & Claire Kinsley 2nd Trowan Promise & Lesley Dawson 3rd Tower Highland Piper & Mardy Fawcett 4th Madeleine of Combebank & Rebecca O’Rourke 5th Bridget of Comebank & Michelle Parking Vaughan 6th Rosie of Combebank & Michelle Parkin Vaughan Newcomers (Lyncrest Shield) 1st Brownbread Easter Rabbit & Sally Rowe 2nd Madeleine of Combebank & Rebecca O’Rourke 3rd Miriam of Combebank & L-J Macholc 4th Angus of Ansgiobal & Ed Macholc

Results

26 Best Stallion (Alec of Litigan Trophy) Bluebraes Merrick & Rhi Randall Best Gelding (Ceilidh Cup) Tower Highland Piper & Mardy Fawcett Best Mare (Goldilocks of Tower Cup) Trowan Promise & Lesley Dawson

Reserve Points Champion (Lambrigg Black Jack Salver) Claire Kinsley Points Champion (Silver Jubilee Salver) Rhi Randall Working Highland Miley of Millfield

Novice Ridden (Domino Foxglove Bowl) 1st Carlung Peregrine & Claire Kinsley 2nd Bluebraes Merrick & Rhi Randall 3rd Orla of Carlung & Penny Daniels 4th Constance of Ansgiobal & L-J Macholc Veteran (Sheenadene Rose Bowl) 1st Domino Silver & Steve & Gill Collins 2nd Hector of Langley & Sammy-Jo Grantham 3rd Rignell Auchentoshan & Claire Kinsley Part Bred Highland (Daisy Lee Salver) 1st Carrick Izzey & Sue Howard 2nd Fleetmead Feargus & Carol Cable & Brenda Goldring Driving (Curtis Rose Bowl) 1st Staffin Peigi of Castle Green & Christine Bassett Amateur Breeder (Castle Green Rose Bowl) 1st Domino & Gill and Steve Collins 2nd Holmedown & Wendy Bridges 3rd Watermillock & Sarah Doran 4th Ansgiobal & L-J and Ed Macholc

Unsung Hero Bill Mangham Highland Pony Ambassador (Westmeads Emerald Trophy) Stocks Ruaraidh Seamus Mor Trophy Alison Payne

27

Feature

How NOT to succeed in the show ring Over the last 30 odd years I have perfected ‘non-success’ in the ring. If you follow my advice you too can master this art.  The final walk round.

To make sure you make a final good impression on the judge set off at a good brisk walk. If you are careful you can leave the rest of the class dawdling in your wake. If you are really lucky you have passed the ring steward before the judge says, “bring them in in the same order”. This means that you will end up last. A bonus will be if the judge walks down the line after awarding the rosettes and tells you off for being in the wrong place.  Paying due attention.

If pulled in halfway down the front line, smugly watch the shows before you confident that there is nothing to beat your pony. This means you aren’t paying attention to what is happening in the line behind you – until the D Welsh stallion leaps forward and jumps on your mare that is. Scared maiden mare is now in no state to do her normal show so it has to be cut to a minimum. Once again, no rosette for us.

When showing how well your pony can extend beware of bowler hatted gents leaving the judge’s hospitality tent and taking a wobbly short cut across your ring to their own. No points are awarded for emergency stops.  Don’t hint to the judge.

Having jumped 1 of 2 clear rounds in an NPS WHP class I was surprised to be unplaced. The score sheet showed maximum jumping and style marks and just about nothing for breed type which was a shock as he had previously done well inhand. Seems he was being judged as a D Welsh. Husband was absolutely shocked to be judged, as an Icelandic Pony in a mixed class. Especially as our pony had previously won his class at the Royal Highland and been breed champion and 3 rd in supreme at the Royal. He must have been a good Icelandic though as he was placed 3rd. The lovely Connie, who was also judged as an Icelandic, was last.  Friendly chats in the line-up Whilst this is a good way of making new friends it can annoy the judge. If you really annoy him or her, a ring steward is sent over to tell you off – especially if the judge says he/she can’t quite hear what we are talking about but is sounds interesting.

As you may have gathered, we don’t look at showing as a war or a matter of life and death. To us it’s spending quality time with our ponies. Rosettes and trophies are a bonus but whatever happens the best ponies on the showground are coming home with us.

Showgirl

Results

Pennine Area End of Season Show Results

28

Judge Mr WKA Allan, Fife (Millfield)

Highland Pony Society Youngstock Championship 1st Strathmore Imperial Guard Sonia Tierney 2nd Carlung Viscount Melanie D’Agati 3rd Lennox of Westown Sarah Weston 4th Morrayelphin Ballo Vicky Leggett 5th Fiasko of Overlangshaw Martine Harding Youngstock Condition 3rd Strathmore Imperial Guard Sonia Tierney 4th Moss-side Yeva Chris Bassett 5th Perburn Annabella Catherine Taylor 6th Heald Town Bruadarach Amy Harris Maturestock Condition 2nd Owlsend Kameron Sandra Paterson 3rd Craiglaw McIntosh Abie Duffy 4th Lagalgarve Loch Lussa Amanda Kay th 5 Lagalgarve Merlin Jo Rogers 6th Moss-side Winsome Lucy Rachel Hampson Highland Yearling 1st Perburn Annabel 2nd Heald Town Bruadarach 3rd Ruwenzori Osprey Jo Rogers

Strathmore Imperial Guard

Bridget of Combebank

29 Highland 2 Year old 1st Lennox of Westown 2nd Carlung Viscount 3rd Morrayelphin Ballo 4th Heald Town Rambler Brogan Wilson

Gissings Military Woo Hoo

Highland 3 Year old 1st Strathmore Imperial Guard 2nd Maisie of Strathmore Mandy Fairclough 3rd Moss-side Yeva

Highland Pony Mare 1st& Res Bridget of Combebank Michelle Parkin Vaughan 2nd Lagalgarve Loch Lussa 3rd Sydbrook Molly May Margaret Woosey 4th Moss-side Winsome Lucy Highland Pony Gelding/Stallion 1st&Ch Gissings Military Woo Hoo Nia Amess 2nd Craiglaw McIntosh Abie Duffy rd 3 Clandon George Jessica Vickers 4th Owlsend Kameron 5th Lagalgarve Merlin 6th Carmoor Troy Lauren Maher

Tack and Turnout 2nd Lagalgarve Loch Lussa Emma Stonier 3rd Lagalgarve Merlin 4th Finches China Rose Lianne Parkin

Photos by MB Photography

Lagalgarve Loch Lussa and Emma Stonier

30 Nursery Novice/Novice 2nd Clandon George 3rd Trailtrow Tomaidh Og Amy Sheldon 5th Lagalgarve Merlin 6th Finches China Rose Intermediate 1st Craiglaw McIntosh 2nd Bridget of Combebank 3rd Gissings Military Woo Hoo 4th Carmoor Troy 5th Lagalgarve Loch Lussa

Craiglaw McIntosh Open 1st&Ch Craiglaw McIntosh 2nd&Res Bridget of Combebank 4th Gissings Military Woo Hoo 5th Lagalgarve Loch Lussa Utility Pony 1st Bridget of Combebank 2nd Finches China Rose 3rd Lagalgarve Merlin Bridget of Combebank

Performance Champion Bridget of Combebank

31

Member’s Gallery

Feature

32

A tribute to Stocks Ruaraidh The deadline for this article has been and gone at least two months ago. Today I was looking through some video clips and there were some of my main man which spurred me on to start this. I am still not sure how to start the tribute to one of the most fun ponies I have ridden. A wise woman once told me that you don’t drink champagne on the good days, you drink it on the bad days to remember the good ones, so I’ve had a glass (or two) of the last bottle of Christmas prosecco and here goes...

Stocks Ruaraidh came into my life in 2005 as an unbroken four year old. Originally he was for my sister, Lianne, but it soon became apparent that he was not a typical highland pony. He had his own opinions and liked to make sure that we knew it! We quickly realised he would be a challenge for someone who was only able to ride at weekends due to the pressure of work and so I temporarily took him over to give him an education.

Someone got the education but I am not sure it was Ruaraidh! I think I expected too much of him too soon and he showed his displeasure by taking to having a little rear if he didn’t want to do something. I tried all sorts of ‘cures’ and plans and nothing seemed to work. He was destined for a one way trip if he didn’t buck his ideas up!

A chance conversation on the HPEC message forum led to Pat Oliver suggesting I sent Ruar to David Rimmer in Southport for an assessment. He was booked in for two weeks and when David rang me after a week I feared the worst, “You can come and get him.” “Oh no! Is he beyond help?” I asked. “No, there’s nothing wrong with him. He’s great to ride, we had a discussion about leaving the yard on Day 2 but he hasn’t looked back since then. Give him some time and find a different saddle, yours doesn’t fit him too well.” I went to collect him and watched David ride him in the school for a short while and remember being impressed by how balanced his canter was - my other pony who was doing open classes didn’t have a canter as good as that!

We went home and played around a bit – no schooling, light hacking and just being a pony. We went to a couple of shows, not expecting much, just for the experience of it all. Ruar loved it and surprised me by being placed in both his classes – he seemed to really catch the judge’s eye. He could still be quite naughty and I wondered if I could give him enough regular work, but Jan Grant persuaded me to keep him and just have fun with him, and he would come right and I’d not regret it.

Jan, how right you were!

33 I took him to lots of little dressage competitions to keep him entertained and to make sure that he listened to me when he should. Our first attempt was a cold, dark night at Barton Equestrian Centre. It’s a long way from home and I was one of the last competitors to go in, meaning he was in the warm up arena on his own, little monkey was up on end, napping out of the door, refusing to trot a circle. I’d like to say that he was amazing in his test, but, life is not a pony story! He trotted round the arena before the judge rang the bell to start, I was thinking that this was actually going to be ok, when someone opened the door in the cafeteria as I went past, he spooked, got his back legs caught in the ‘B’ marker and set off across the school, with flowers and white boards flying.

He then had to wait while the arena was repaired and I could do my test, which was surprisingly average to ok despite our warm up! We went to Barton quite a lot that first season!

I discovered that what he really loved was showing. The first time I took him to the Great Yorkshire Show he grew a hand as we entered the White Rose Ring and I just thought that if it all goes horribly wrong I could pull up and retire. The explosion I expected didn’t materialise and he went beautifully. The bigger the crowd the more he seemed to like it, he loved to show off. Anyone who saw him doing a Handy Pony class or the Hill Pony at Mowhaugh will testify to that. Although at home he was a genuine handy pony that I could do most things on, he didn’t like to be seen doing them in public, at Border Highlands he nearly knocked the judge over and at the Hill Pony he only stopped rearing when everyone had got bored of watching him and walked away. He liked to try it on!

One of my most proud memories of him was one where I wasn’t even riding him myself – Lesley Dawson rode him for me a lot at shows and we were at the Royal Highland where I had Freya in the Large ridden class with Ruar in the Small, so it was arranged that Lesley would ride him, he loved his Auntie Lesley and always went well for her. I was totally shocked when I came back from the stables after getting Freya ready to see Ruar

34 standing in second place to Kirstin McMurray and Trailtrow Texa Beag. And he stayed there too! He decided however he didn’t fancy the championship; he was the only pony going up from the heavy horse end and started his napping again!

Luckily I was still on Freya and I was able to give him a lead in, and he did not disgrace us.

Credit goes to Lianne for getting him ready for his shows, bathing him, cleaning tack and generally just looking after us when we are away, being nipped (he was a huge nipper, especially if he was bored), having her feet jumped on and trying to stop him taking his bridle off between classes – his party piece. One night at Barton dressage he tried to make his way home alone after taking headcollar and bridle off when tied to the side of the wagon. Luckily someone apprehended him before he reached the main road (like, you know, the M6 main road)! Alison Payne has also found herself on the receiving end of the foot squashing hobby!

I had planned in 2017 to bring Ruar out to a couple of shows and have a bash at veteran classes – for him really as he loved the ring so much. Meanwhile, Lianne who had sadly lost her wonderful highland Morayelphin Clunie after an accident, took over riding him and did well in dressage and local and highland pony shows, though he still liked to keep her on her toes. She entered the dressage and veteran class at Central Scotland Show on him, she was getting changed and as we were running late (no surprise there!) I said I’d hop on him to give him a wee warm up for the dressage and was he a devil?! He bucked, he reared, he refused to go anywhere near the dressage arena, he bolted off back towards the wagons, scattering ponies and people, all the time I was praying she wouldn’t put her head out of the wagon and see this wild and feral hellbeast which she was about to go and do a dressage test on. When I thought we had reached an understanding I walked back to the box.

He was absolutely dripping with sweat – it wasn’t particularly warm but luckily his rider thought nothing of it and off they went, doing a reasonable dressage test and going on to win the veteran class!

In the summer he used to do the Pony Club Camps at the riding centre where I work, where he was a great favourite as he was quite willing, although if the ground was hard he wouldn’t jump or do pole work but he loved the kids grooming him and plaiting his mane and tail and decorating him with ribbons, glitter and wild flowers.

And he still gave them the odd nip too!

I should also mention his (brief) hunting career. His first day out was co-incidentally at Tosside which was where he had been born, bred by the then HPEC secretary Brenda Birmingham. Stocks reservoir is a local landmark near there. Our huntsman had a fall at the meet, where he hurt his knee, meaning he could not mount and dismount. It was my job to go up front and open any gates for him or take down wire/slip rails. Ruar loved it, my plan had been to stay out for an hour only but I had to stay to the end. Unfortunately for

35 Ruaraidh no other days hunting ever lived up to the first and he was a nightmare.

The senior Master saw me get him off the box for one of our early morning meets and asked “Who is riding the pony?” He was most surprised when I said “Me”. Two hours later he rode up to me and admitted that he didn’t look like a child’s pony!!

Ruaraidh had had a bout of laminitis in 2012 and slight arthritis in his hocks for a while and I knew he would not be able to go on forever; I took great care not to do too much on hard ground for fear of laming him.

In July 2017 I had left my three ponies in overnight to save time the next morning, something which I would occasionally do if the midges were bad, and so the ponies were quite used to it, I had an early start to take some horses to the vet for routine work. I arrived at the yard at 6.30am to find Ruar’s stable a turmoil, he liked to make a mess of his bed but this was different. I wondered if he had been cast and I let him out for a wander while I sorted his stable out. Unusually for him he went and sniffed noses with my other two ponies and then walked off and I found him lying down in a different stable. I spoke to my vet and we agreed that I would bring him with me when I dropped the other horses off so he could stay in for observation; I suspected he was starting with colic. He had never had it before. By 8am I had dropped the horses off and was on my way home – we had two girls arriving for a day of work experience and I had two long rides to do so the vets was the best place if he was going to be ill. At 9am the vet rang. I have known her since she was 4 years old and I knew from her voice it wasn’t good even before she said more than ‘hello Michelle’. It appeared that Ruaraidh had somehow got a twisted gut and his bowel had ruptured, so there was nothing that could be done. She put him down as soon as we finished talking on the phone, she was very upset too – she had nannied me on him in the early days when he was being so turbulent and knew how special he was. I always had thought that it would be lameness that took him from me and it was very hard to lose him suddenly like that. When I went back to the vets later to collect the other horses I went to see him and he looked so peaceful lying in the stable. As I drove home there was a massive rainbow as I left the vets, which I have not admitted to anyone for fear of sounding like a sentimental idiot!

When Ruaraidh was Pony of the Month on HPT forum I wrote that I was so glad that he gave me a second chance, and I still feel the same now. We had some amazing adventures both in the public eye and at home. I was really lucky to have him and there are so many people to thank for helping me out with him, but I hope I have mentioned the most important ones here.

Good-night Stocks Ruaraidh, aka the Sleek Otter, 02/05/01 – 16/07/17

Michelle Parkin Vaughan

36

Report

HPEC Summer Show 2018 The 2018 Highland Pony Enthusiasts club summer show was again held at the East of England Showground on the Sunday of Equifest week with a fun and friendly highland pony camp manned by the lovely Liz and Bill Mangham throughout the week of Equifest prior to the show. Mary McCall Smith from the Connachan highland pony stud and Jo Jack from the Craiglaw highland pony stud travelled south from Scotland to judge with a good number of ponies coming forward again to support the club show. Mary had the young gelding Dunedin Maurice overall champion of the In-hand classes after winning his gelding class in the morning with Orla of Carlung who won her mare class for Penny Daniel's in reserve.

Mannochmore of Millfield continued his winning streak this season by winning the youngstock championship for Claire Kinsley with Morayelphin Ballo who was 2nd to him in his class as reserve. In the ridden sections of the day Dunedin Maurice performed well to take the championship with Prue Relland’s lovely yellow dun Xavier of Alltnacailleach as reserve champion. The 2019 show will again be held on the Sunday of Equifest. This year slightly later than usual on the 1st September.

Equifest will be holding highland pony breed classes in the afternoon so there will be plenty of classes to enter.

Kate Hawes In-hand judge: Mrs M McCall-Smith Mature gelding 1st Dunedin Maurice Elizabeth Etchells 2nd Moss Side Ximen Paula Wood 3rd Lochlands Mandolin Wind Jill Thompson-Armstrong Mature Mare 1st Orla of Carlung Penny Daniels 2nd Glenwestcastle Little Miss Jasmine Jane Farrar 3rd Balmoral Gemini HM the Queen Foal 1st Greenbay Lola Tina McKay

Dunedin Maurice

37

Results

Caroline Wheelhouse

3 yr old 1st Mannochmore of Millfield Claire Kinsley 2nd Moss Side Yeva Christine Bassett 3rd Maisie of Strathmore Mandy Fairclough 2 yr old 1st Moss Side Zachary Paula Wood 2nd Morayelphin Ballo Victoria Leggett 3rd Carlung Viscount Melani D’Agiti

Dunedin Maurice

Yearling 1 Loandhu Silver Phantom Leanne Judd Caroline Wheelhouse

Youngstock champion Ch Mannochmore of Millfield Res Morayelphin Ballo Adult & overall champion Ch Dunedin Maurice Res Orla of Carlung

Orla of Carlung Veteran In-hand, ridden & Novice rider 1st Clanellech Craigievar Chris Handley

Mannochmore of Millfield

38 Ridden judge: Mrs J.Jack (Craiglaw) Nursery Novice 1st Hummingbird of Storm Mountain Cheryl Dollery 2nd Kadlee McGregor Louise McLaughlan 3rd Moss Side Ximen

Picton Novice 1st Kadlee McGregor 2nd Gissings Military WooHoo 3rd Holmedown Champaign Marie Booth

Dunedin Maurice

Caroline Wheelhouse

Open under 143cm 1st Xavier of Alltnacailleach Prue Relland 2nd Orla of Carlung Open over 143cm 1st Dunedin Maurice Ridden Championship Ch Dunedin Maurice Res Xavier of Alltnacailleach

Xavier of Alltnacailleach

Home Produced mature in hand 1st Kadlee McGregor 2nd Ellister Islay Royal Fern Liz Mangham 3rd Lochlands Mandolin Wind Home Produce youngstock 1st Moss Side Yeva 2 Maisie of Strathmore

Moss-side Yeva

Home Produced champion Ch Moss Side Yeva Res Maisie of Strathmore

Maisie of Strathmore

39

Member’s Gallery

Feature

40

In the Hot Seat………...

Joan Alexander, Fourmerk Highland Ponies Good afternoon Joan, firstly thank you for giving up your time to tell us about you and the ponies. Can you tell us about your childhood and early involvement with ponies?

I was brought up in the West End of Glasgow. I spent a lot of my school holidays going to cattle markets and farms with my butcher father. I was animal mad, but especially loved dogs and horses.

As a child growing up in the Glasgow of the 1950s, I was a miser! I saved my pocket money for two things: books and riding lessons. I was a mystery to my parents and to my classmates. I ate, slept, read and dreamed of horses. (At a reunion of our year at school, I was asked what I did and some former classmates had the decency to feel embarrassed for having mocked me!) Riding lessons were expensive, (at 10/6 per half hour – 52½p in today’s money) so to be allowed access to horses, at a local riding school I mucked out stables, swept the yard, cleaned tack, groomed and fed the horses and tacked them up. My reward was to sit on a horse when I didn’t have enough savings for a lesson.

I didn’t have time at university to pursue my interest further. Then came the need for gainful employment as an English teacher, Joan with daughter Vicki and followed by marriage and my daughter, Vicki. In a way it is down to Vicki that I grand-daughter Eilidh (centre) managed to become involved with horses again.

So how did you get into Highland Ponies?

Ronnie, Vicki and I moved from Glasgow to Kippen in 1985. Our new house, Burton of Boquhan, had a two-acre field and a shed. The field adjoining ours had ponies in it and I used to visit them every day, not knowing to whom they belonged. There were Dales ponies and a Highland, Bramble of Croila (Sir Colin of Croila x Loulou of Croila). Eventually I met their owner, Frank Bruce of Strathblane Stud, and looked after his ponies that first winter as he stayed a distance away. We became good friends and when he announced next spring that he was selling two of his Highlands to concentrate on the Dales, I plagued Ronnie to buy them. Vicki’s savings bought Bramble and I bought Cranny of Strathmashie (Corrie Beithe of Croila x Laura of Blaragie). I took riding lessons as I realised that the way I’d been taught all these years ago (grip with your knees) was quite different from how Vicki was being taught.

When did you move to Fourmerk?

In 1988, Fourmerk Farm came up for sale, just a mile along the road, with 100 acres of land. The move here resulted in the formation of the Fourmerk Stud and of course, more ponies joining the family. This included Meggernie Sula, bought from

41 Isla Fenton of Duncrub Stud, Mirandadene and Taradene. During this time, I undertook a course in Agriculture joining the local lads one day a week to help understand the in’s and out’s of Farming. We also started a fold of pedigree Highland Cattle and a flock of Crossbred ewes.

Can you recall your first Championship? How did you feel?

Our first championship was at Gargunnock Show 1989 with Taradene, who beat Salinadene to be champion and at the same show, Mirandadene and Vicki took the ridden championship. How did I feel about Tara beating Salina? We had gone out to dinner with Scott and Maryannne (McGregor of the Dene/Ballinton stud) and came home definitely not sober. Next morning, I woke the whole household of Ronnie, Vicki and her friend Julie by whooping, "Tara beat Salina!"

You obviously bit the Showing bug early, tell me about some of your most memorable wins?

In 1991 our Lorna of Bridgend was Highland in hand Champion at Malvern. That was a brilliant show for us and our first championship at a major show. This was followed in 1992 by Rosella of Rosemount finishing reserve female and reserve supreme at the Royal Highland Show.

This must have been just before you won the Ridden Championship in 1993 at the Royal Highland with Bobby Joel of Taylorton. Was it him you got off the meat man?

You're right, we bought him from the Meat Man at Stirling Market. We had gone for a day out and on browsing the pens, the meat man's big rough guy said he had something I might be interested in. In a pen in the lairage, next to an angry Ayrshire bull, was a wee mouse dun gelding. I knew who he was as I'd seen an advert for him in "Scottish Farmer" and had thought he was too small at 13.1hh. The meat man's fellow ran him out for me, but poor wee pony was shaking as the bull had been charging at him through the pen gates. Asked him the price. I went to watch the sale but couldn't get Bobby out of my mind. Saw Joe Howard, the meat man, and said I was interested and that his man had shown me the pony. Asked Joe how much and it was £100 less than his man had said! Deal done, but I told Joe what price his man had said!

You also qualified him for Olympia, how was the trip?

Bobby was the only Highland Pony Olympia Bobby-Joel qualifier that year, so we felt a bit lonely as we of Taylorton didn't know any of the other qualifiers. The buzz of Olympia, both behind the scenes and in the ring was amazing, and Bobby wasn't spooked by it at all. We stayed with friends near Reading a few days before the show and used their lorry to get there and to live in at the show.

Madge Taylor judged the ride and Dougal Dick the conformation. By this time, Bobby had grown to 13.2hh. He went really nicely till he was asked to

42 canter. At the corner, staff moved jump stands just outside the ring right at that moment and he struck off wrongly, was brought back trot and struck off correctly.

Dougal Dick gave him a really good conformation score and Bobby was in 10th place. Not bad for a 5-year-old. He was never pushed hard as he was a young pony, but was just a natural, free moving pony who loved his job and to my eyes, was a very breed typical and an obliging and sweet natured wee boy.

Tell me about some of the Stallions you have had at Fourmerk…

Innes of Invervack was bought as a two-year-old in 1989. Nearly all our ponies go back to him. He was shown in hand and ridden between 1991 and 1996 and we showed his stock after that, some of his best results include twice being second at the Royal Highland, twice winner at the Central Scotland Highland Pony Show and Champion at Doune and Dunblane. His CV also holds a first prize in the Highland Pony Grand National, a claim Innes of Invervack not many stallions can hold. Innes was really special. From arriving here as an almost unhandled, frightened youngster, with a lot of work put in, he became the sweetest, most gentlemanly stallion ever. He was always led in a rope halter and because he had neat ears, he would shake his head and the halter would come off, but he'd continue to walk alongside me as if still haltered. He was kind with his mares and left lots of good foals.

Kestrel of Fourmerk, the stud’s current senior stallion was born in 1994. A grandson of Innes and out of Kelpiedene, he was a much-anticipated foal due to both parents having sought after Department of Agriculture blood Kestrel of Fourmerk lines. As a youngster Kestrel was an ugly duckling and quite lanky, but a lovely temperament and good limbs made up for it. He wasn’t shown as a youngster but given time to mature. He didn’t disappoint. Under the old Highland Pony Society stallion premium scheme, he was awarded a Premium on three occasions, thus making him a life premium stallion, and in fact he was the only stallion in Scotland to attain this accolade. He has progeny all around the world including Australia, Sweden, Germany and Poland. In 2001, the year of Foot and Mouth, Jane McNaught took him to produce for Ridden classes. He was 1 st in the Novice Ridden at Blair and went on to stand Novice Champion at the Scottish Farmer Championship Show before being awarded Reserve to Fyfedene in the Supreme Championship. He also loved jumping and did well in One Day Events.

Alongside Kestrel, we currently have three additional entires at Fourmerk; Tuskerbister Jarl Haakon, Lyncrests Marcellus and the recently purchased Rory of Lochalsh.

43 You showed the Young Stallion Rannoch of Fourmerk with success, can you recall some of these?

Rannoch of Fourmerk won both the Highland Pony and Supreme Championships at Stirling Foal Show in 2002 as two-year-old, and his colt foal brother Rum of Fourmerk was Reserve Foal Champion at the same show. The following spring, as a three-year-old Colt, Rannoch scored a Championship win at the National Stallion Show in 2003. This was a great year for us with Rannoch of Fourmerk another Highlight being Elisedene taking Reserve Female Champion at the Royal Highland Show. We bred a handful of foals with Rannoch but unfortunately had to part company with him after Ronnie’s accident.

That seems a long time ago now, but I imagine like yesterday for you.

It was May 2007, and everything came crashing down. A heifer escaped from an abattoir in Dunblane, the town where Ronnie worked as a solicitor. Leaving the office to help, he managed to get the heifer penned down a lane with gates, but just as he was shutting them it charged him. Ronnie was left with a serious Brain injury and was in an induced coma for a month. Care for Ronnie became a priority and ponies were put very much on hold, with a large proportion being sold, including a lot of valuable bloodlines which we had built up. The whole herd of Highland Cattle were sold, and a small, manageable number of ponies retained.

Within time he was able to live independently from a flat in nearby Kippen until more recently a subsequent brain trauma has meant he requires medical assistance.

When did you begin to build the Stud back up?

Vicki moved back to Boquhan in 2012 with her own family and being just a mile down the road, was on hand along with husband Colin and twin children Alexander and Eilidh to help where needed. This allowed a more structured breeding programme to be carried out and the ponies are a real family enterprise.

Royal Caledonian of Fourmerk

Royal Caledonian of Fourmerk was your first homebred to take Champion at the Royal Highland.

This must have been pretty special?

Cally was given to Vicki as a fortieth birthday present when he was four years old. He was sent to Chris just after Vicki had broken him to further his education. He had only contested a handful of Ridden classes before his visit to the Royal Highland and was only entered for a bit of experience. We were all completely surprised by his win, and the feeling was euphoric. It was my first win at the show as breeder, Vicki’s as an owner and Chris’ as a rider so you can imagine the party lasted a few days!

44 Fourmerk ponies had a stellar year in 2018, can you tell me some of the highlights?

2018 was brilliant. Our homebred filly Fourmerk Rosebud won the three-year-old filly class at the Royal Highland. This was followed by Heather Jock of Fourmerk becoming the second Fourmerk Pony to take a Royal Highland Championship by winning the Ridden classes. He is owned by Jane McNaught and ridden by Katie Common. Our Fourmerk Rosebud year was rounded off with our own two-yearold Fourmerk Highland Fling winning the inaugural HPS Youngstock Championship in Scotland.

Do you have any Showing ambitions? Who would credit as your mentors?

My ultimate goal is to win the Overall In-hand Championship at the Royal Highland with a homebred pony. I have been so lucky over the years to learn so much from reputable, knowledgeable Highland breeders who saw I was serious in wanting to breed.

Scott McGregor was my mentor, and Bert McRae helped in some ways, Atholl McDonald gave good advice as did Jimmy Hendrie, Sandy Gray and Jimmy Archibald. I owe them.

Fourmerk Highland Fling Did you ever consider being a judge?

I passed the assessment to become an HPS judge but couldn’t proceed with Probations due to caring for Ronnie. Vicki completed her probations last year after passing her assessment and will undertake her first appointments as a panel judge this year.

You’ve several foals due next year, can you tell me a bit about your current breeding programme?

Our one hundredth foal with the Fourmerk prefix is due here this year. We have seven foals due, sadly Fourmerk Eliza slipped hers in the New Year or it would have been eight. Fourmerk Honey is in foal to Haakon, Fourmerk Tiree, Alonadene, Ellister Islay Summer Thyme, Zenith of Lochalsh all to Lyncrest’s Marcellus, Fourmerk Elisabeth to Nashend Buzzard and Owl’s End Hermione to Dunedin Marksman. We have lots of young fillies who we hope to start breeding from as some of the mares get older. I’m really lucky to have Vicki, Colin, Eilidh and Alexander interested in the ponies and all their help.

Thank you, Joan for sitting in the ‘Hot Seat’. What a rollercoaster you’ve had. Best of luck with the foaling in 2019. Hopefully you will be able to give us an update for the next Highland Times.

Chris Grant

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Report

South of England Show Judge: Ms C Richards, Surrey.

Although there were five entries in the Highland Pony youngstock 1, 2, 3 years old filly, colt or gelding class, there were only3 forward on the day. In first place was Danielle Spinney’s home bred Hemarie Chiron. A 2 year old colt by Clandon Oliver Twist out of Owls End Kentra. Second place was Martine Harding’s Fiasko of Over Langshaw, a yearling colt by Carlung Quest out of Belle of Over Langshaw. Finally, in third place was Rebecca Howell’s Murrayshall Inver, a yearling colt by Glenbanchor Gillebrighde out of Tess of Glendoll.

With four entries but only three forward in the Highland pony 4 years and over, mare, gelding or stallion class, first place went to Nicola Falconbridge’s Carlung Stornoway, a 5 year old gelding by Carlung Jed out of Nymph of Carlung. Second place was Stuart and Wendy Shearman’s Sulaskerry of Dunrui, a 10 year old mare

by Magnus of Millfield out of Rhalea of Dunrui. Finally, in third place was Danielle Spinney’s Pitfield Balefire, a 6 year old mare by Johar Ewan out of Fairlaw Teasel.

The Champion Highland was Carlung Stornoway who has been owned by Nicola Falconbridge since he was 6 months old and was purchased from the Carlung stud. He is just starting out on his ridden career. The Reserve Champion was Danielle Spinney’s Hemarie Chiron.

Wendy Bridges

Photo Sara Hird

Carlung Stornoway

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Foal’s Gallery 2018

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Foal’s Gallery

2018

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Foal’s Gallery 2018

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Foal’s Gallery

2018

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Foal’s Gallery 2018

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Foal’s Gallery

2018

Report

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The Royal Highland Show

Jim Bone

The Royal Highland Show is a highland pony lover’s paradise. The Show takes place over four days towards the end of June (20-23 June for 2019) and there are classes for Highland Ponies every day.

Danny Boy of Croila On the Thursday are the In-hand classes, this year the males were judged by Susan Wardrop, breeder of the Carlung ponies.

Her champion in this section was the old-fashioned type of pony, Danny Boy of Croila shown by Shona Halford. The females were closely inspected by Charlie McQuattie who chose J Hendrie and A Kerr’s Tower Caileag Oir. The Championship was taken by Danny Boy of Croila.

Friday brings the ridden classes for Highland Ponies. There are three classes – the first for ponies 4, 5 and 6 years old. This class was won by Islesman of Mendick, a striking mouse dun stallion belonging to Ruth Darling, with Craiglaw McIntosh, owned and ridden by Abbie Duffy. The next class is for ponies 7 years and over, under Tower Caileag Oir 14hh. Eran of Croila won this class, owned by Jean Carnegie. Second place went to Mirren Hay’s pony, Bowmore Lady Laura, who is out of a RHS champion herself. The final section for ridden Highlands is for the ponies over 14hh but under 14.2hh. Won by Heather Jock of Fourmerk, who was owned by Jane McNaught but was beautifully ridden by Katie Common who sat on him for the first time the Thursday evening as Jane had had a serious riding accident just before the show. In second place was Donald of Muck owned by Amanda Heather Jock of Fourmerk McLennan. The first and second place of Jim Bone Jim Bone

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Jim Bone

the ‘large’ class took Champion and Reserve Champion respectively.

There is also the St John’s Wells Trophy to compete for on the Friday, this class is for pairs of ponies who are by the same stallion, judged by Mrs Gillian McMurray, Champion pair were Drybarrows Fell ponies.

If Working Hunter is your thing then this runs on the Friday afternoon too. Aigas of Achnacarry took second place in the Under 133cm section for Kelly Capstick, over a well-dressed and up-to-height course.

Working Harness is Saturday’s spectacle. Highland ponies dressed for their day to day work parade around the ring, anything is possible if that is your pony’s job. There are usually several ponies who are ready to go to carry deer from the hill, or bring down grouse in their panniers, but over the years we have also seen logging harness and trekking ponies too.

The Horse Of The Year Show qualifying class is on the Sunday morning, the Highland class was won by Dr Lyndsay MacDonald’s Dunedin Merlin with Chris Grant on Dunedin McGregor in second place.

Dunedin Merlin So, if you are thinking of making the trip to what is probably one of the biggest gatherings of Highland Ponies in any one place, then go for it! You can visit the stables and see the ponies and chat to their owners and breeders. Everyone is very friendly and pleased to offer advice if required. The Highland Pony Society have a tradestand there throughout the show, and it is a great place to drop by for a chat, a cup of coffee and some lush home baking, or even just to have a quiet sit (which it rarely is as inevitably you get talking and are there for hours!)

Michelle Parkin Vaughan

Feature

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Brownbread Easter Rabbit With a name like Brownbread Easter Rabbit you are always going to attract attention. Team that with a pretty biscuitycoloured coat and a long flowing mane and you are doomed.

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been stopped by inquisitive people wanting to know her breed, give her a stroke and - frequently - take a photo. We get ‘papped’ a lot on hacks.

If I’m honest though Rabbit attracts more attention for her antics than her looks or name. Quirky would be the polite way of putting it - feisty, opinionated and obstinate is how I would put it (along with a number of other unprintable adjectives). She delights and scares the hell out of me in equal measure. After riding my friend’s Highland - a safe, dependable, adorable, sofa on legs I decided to get one of my own.

But Rabbit is less sofa and more bar stool spinning out of control. I have never been on anything that walks so fast, trots so fast, canters so fast, bucks, spooks, spins, jumps, has so much stamina - and virtually no brakes. A coffin on legs.

We tried dressage (BORING!!!!). We tried showjumping (I now know what the inside of an ambulance looks like). We tried Le Trec (no Rabbit, you are supposed to do a slow canter...and not in reverse!). Oh hell.

I visited a stand at an equine fair - Endurance GB. Well, we do love our hacking but look at those orange flags they use for markers.

“Rabbit would go nuts if she saw those,” I told EGB rep. It looked scary but they insisted she would be fine. They insisted that Endurance is perfect for quirky ponies. Yeah right. New Year’s Day 2017 post a large glass (or two) of red I signed us up. Endurance GB look out, the Rabbit is coming...at great speed.

The first ride, in snow, in Feb was utterly terrifying. A kind and wise endurance veteran took us under her wing. “Relax your buttocks!” She yelled as I adopted a foetal position on my bonkers Highland who was cantering on the spot. Twenty-two terrifying kilometres later we were back. I was alive and ecstatic. We went on to do 235k of pleasure rides that year, winning

55 the Wessex EGB Pleasure Ride shield and the HPEC Spitwich Cup. OMG part 1!

So what next? Well in 2018 we decided (well the wine did) to give graded rides a go.

It’s been a steep learning curve for both of us, but I love the partnership we have developed over the many, many K we have ridden together. Moorland, rivers, hills, rough terrain, boggy ground. Highlands are just so brilliant at 4x4. Rabbit adored the Golden Horseshoe across Exmoor. My speedy pony soon realised these rides were a long haul and bolting off at the start meant running out of steam at the end. And spooking? Well that’s just a waste of energy too.

We qualified for the national championships, we were in the Wessex EGB squad twice (they must have been desperate) and together we have clocked up a huge number of kilometres. I exploded with pride when she won the Wessex novice trophy, novice-novice trophy and the British native breed trophy among other awards recently as well as finishing 17th nationally in her first season. OMG part 2 Go Rabbit! But the best bit for me has been the comments from vets on her condition. We cleared a vetting and then got called back at one ride - because a gaggle of vets wanted to have a good look at my pretty little pony. One vet said: “she is amazing and goes to show what can be achieved if these ponies are given a job to do.”

Amen to that.

All sounds fabulous doesn’t it? But it’s not all plain sailing. We also had...laying down in a muddy river and trying to roll, refusing to leave a crewpoint because she spotted some hard feed, taking off after some Arabs and racing out of control, trying to eat a steward’s coat, going bananas when she met a llama/glider/tractor/cattle (insert virtually anything here). Yes, she still scares the hell out of me on a regular basis. And she still attracts a lot of attention...

“Can my wife have a photograph with your pony?” asked a man we passed on our last Endurance ride.

“Sorry, can’t stop,” I yelled. “She’s on a mission!”

Sally Rowe

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