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First ever pony Olympics hits the north east

The first NESCol Pony Olympics at the College's Craibstone campus. Picture by Kami Thomson
The first NESCol Pony Olympics at the College's Craibstone campus. Picture by Kami Thomson

Forget Rio 2016, this was a sporting spectacle you would “neigh” want to miss…

A group of students trotted out their five Shetland ponies to take part in North-East Scotland College’s (NESCOL) first ever pony Olympics yesterday.

Decked out in individual colours, the contenders, Fergus, Paolo, Frankie, Angus and Dougal, were put through their paces in events such as the egg and spoon race and obstacle course at the Craibstone campus.

Following a series of closely contested races, purple-clad Dougal emerged the “mane” winner – and earned himself an extra carrot.

Sam Chalmers and Holly Smith compete with Fergus. Picture by Kami Thomson
Sam Chalmers and Holly Smith compete with Fergus. Picture by Kami Thomson

However, the victory was sweeter still for the animal care students, who had tamed the ponies after they were rescued by the Scottish Society for the Protection of Animals (SSPCA) a year ago.

SSPCA Aberdeenshire centre manager Graeme Innes proudly watched on as the mini-beasts showed off all they had learned.

He said: “When we first got them none of them could be handled.

“Paolo and Fergus were found just running around a field. We tried to trace their owner but couldn’t so took them in.

“It was great of the college to take them. There was no way they could have done something like this with them when they first came in.”

Animal care lecturer Amy Duncan said the event was intended as a “bit of fun” to end the year for the students.

She said: “The students here are learning a lot about animal handling and care so we thought we’d reward them with a bit of fun to end the year.

Hannah Stanger and Kirsty Finnie compete with Paolo.  Picture by Kami Thomson
Hannah Stanger and Kirsty Finnie compete with Paolo. Picture by Kami Thomson

“It’s nice that they were all rescue animals because it just shows that you can change them, no matter what.

“Frankie was quite feral when we got him and wouldn’t move anywhere you wanted him to.

“To see them racing round obstacles now puts a smile on your face.”

The introduction to animal care course aims to teach students the basics before they go on to further study or to pursue a career.

Student Andrew Leask, 20, from Mintlaw, said: “The tutors here are really supportive and it’s great that we get to do so much practical stuff with the animals.

“You get to know them in a way with their own personalities.”

The day ended with a cheque presentation of £1,000 from the college to the SSPCA.