The threat of snow and the closure of the M74 motorway did not deter heavy-horse exhibitors and spectators from travelling to Lanark for the Clydesdale Horse Society’s Winter Fair held in conjunction with the Scottish National Fatstock Club’s Highland and Shetland pony show.
In the Clydesdale ring the champions were no strangers to the limelight, with the supreme champion honours going to Forneth Lucky Daisy from Charlotte Young, Hall, Ayr. By Collessie Whinhill President, this six-year-old mare is out of Blueton Princess. She is a prolific show winner, most recently having stood champion at Strathaven and Wigtown and reserve at Perth this summer.
Produced by Ronnie and Pete Black at Collessie, Cupar, was the champion foal and reserve supreme, Lutterington Harry.
This April-born colt owned by Harry Emerson, of Weardale, Co Durham, has dominated this season’s foal shows with championship wins at Aberdeen, Kilmarnock, Lanark, Fife and Lothian. Harry is by Arradoul Balvenie, out of Middlebank Carlogie Anna.
Both the Collessie and Hall studs had more to celebrate, with Collessie Flashgirl taking the filly foal and reserve overall foal titles. Bred by Ronnie Black and now owned by Charlotte Young, she stood overall reserve at both Lanark and Fife foal shows. She is by Arradoul Balvenie and out of Old Greenlaw Jura.
Iain Johnston’s Roughlands Alana, from Kirkton, Falkirk, took the reserve senior championship. By Arradoul Balvenie, this yearling filly is out of Barlauchlan Jubilee Princess. She was reserve at Braco and champion at Kinross during the summer season, and stood reserve senior at the North of Fife foal show.
Judge Ian Craig handed the reserve filly foal award to Eric and Miranda Johnstone’s Ord Tinkerbell, from Muir of Ord. She is a May-born daughter of Eskechraggan Ernest, out of the Dillars Scottie Boy-sired show mare, Ord Envy.
In the Highland Pony ring, Balmoral Estate’s Sylvia Ormiston had the task of placing those forward. Champion was Willie Allan’s Madeline of Millfield, from Freuchie in Fife. This three-year-old filly is by Glenmuir Lochaber and on the dam line is sixth generation home-bred, being out of Myleene of Millfield. She was a first prize winner and overall junior champion at the Royal Highland, and was reserve champion at Kinross and the Central Scotland breed show this summer.
Willie and Jean Ralston, of Methven, Perth, took the reserve championship with Moss-side Heather Beth. Another three-year-old filly, she is home-bred by Moss-side Iain Mhor and out of Moss-side Lynfield Lady. She was champion at Drymen as well as taking firsts at Perth and Blair.
The foal championship was taken by John and Kate Dykes’ filly, Majesty of Mendick, a daughter of Islesman of Mendick, out of Xenya of Mendick.
The Shetland pony ring saw victory for Andrew Forde’s Halstock Netta from Dalrymple, Ayrshire. This 13-year-old miniature mare is by South Sands Pip and out of Halstock Natalie. She has numerous championships under her belt south of the border before she was bought by Andrew.
Standing reserve was Jimmy Wilson’s 11-year-old mare, Warrackston Guylian from Leys, Muckhart. By Titus of Hutton and out of Gatebeck Crystal Gleam, she has been an asset to the Wilsons’ stud for many years having won numerous breed championships and five supreme championships, including the prestigious Moniave Horse Show and she was champion at last year’s event in Lanark.