The Show Must Go On
The NPS Scotland Finals and Silver Medal Championships took place on Friday under a mixture of sunny skies and showers. We spoke to a handful of the winners:
Blair stalwart and multiple Championship winner Kirsty Aird rode Cheryl MacKintosh’s 14-year-old Connemara Woodbank Smokey Sam to the Mountain & Moorland WHP Championship, with another Connemara, Knockbridge Drumdun, owned and ridden by M&M Bursary winner Eilidh Jack Reserve.
“He’s very experienced having been Champion at both the Royal International and HOYS,” explained Kirsty “but he’s very sweet, he loves a crowd and adores his job.” The eye-catching grey was bred by the Woodbark Stud.
Sarah Oakden and Killdeen George
The NPS Scotland/Kilmannan Stud M&M Novice Ridden Championship was won by Sarah Oakden with Killdeen George, a title Sarah had been aiming for all season:
“Blair is THE show of the season as far as I’m concerned,” she said, “so this is just brilliant as I really like producing the youngsters. We’re a very horsey family as both my daughter Emily and husband James are competing in the eventing 1* today and my stepson Wills has numerous horses running the FEI eventing sections over the weekend.”
Boisil, a 12-year-old Exmoor pony, owned and ridden by Gail Whetter was Reserve Champion:
“I bred him and actually sold him as a foal,” she said, “but bought him back three years ago as he was having a bit of a chequered career and I was worried about where he would end up.”
Renowned Fife-based Highland Ponies breeder Anne Mitchell’s excellent show continued with Christopher Grand piloting Dunedin McSporran, a winner here yesterday, to the NPS/Standinghat Stud and Show Team ridden silver medal championship.
Hunter MacKenzie & Achilty Secret Agent
Hunter MacKenzie guided three-year-old Achilty Secret Agent to victory in the hunter ponies not exceeding 153cms class and then the subsequent NPS/Scotland/NFU Mutual Insurance Riding/Hunter In-Hand Championship.
The horse, who also won the same class last year as a two-year-old, is owned by Hunter’s grandfather David Shand and is home-bred by the family’s show jumping stallion Achilty Argo and out of Highland Affair:
“I can’t believe he’s still only three,” said Hunter “he’s been so brilliant and is the easiest horse I’ve ever shown.”
14-year-old Belle Errington from Lockerbie made the most of her day off school when she rode Townend Faithful to victory in the NPS Scotland/Maggie May M&M Junior Ridden Final:
“We call him Bob at home,” said Belle “and I do all sorts with him. We do lots of Pony Club events – he’s everyone’s friend at Pony Club and I also love taking him to the beach.”
Bob is clearly also very good at his ‘showing’ job, having already qualified for HOYs this year in addition to his win here.
Jessica Whiteford & Lynemore Glen
The M&M Lead Rein class attracted a large entry this year and was won by six-year-old Jessica Whiteford with her Shetland pony Lynemore Glen. The following class, the First Ridden was equally popular and was won by 12-year-old Katie Parker from Edinburgh with the stunning grey Colne Pascoe. They later went one better and became Mini Champions:
“I’m feeling really good,” said Katie. “I’ve had him for three years now and this is actually our last year together as I’m moving onto bigger ponies. I’m very happy though.”
At the other end of the experience scale prolific producer Richard Telford was “delighted” with Bill Ireland’s Dales Kilmannan Jack Sparrow with whom he won the Open Ridden Championship and was Reserve Silver Medal Rosette Champion:
“He’s 10 now but didn’t start showing until he was seven,” explained Richard. “He wasn’t the easiest to produce as he was a very difficult colt and quite big and slow to mature but he’s certainly getting there now.”
Overall MPS/Stanginghat Stud and Show Team Silver Medal Rosette Champion was Jane McNaught’s Highland pony Dunedin Mascot, ridden by Katie Common:
“I’m over the moon,” smiled Katie. “He was reserve champion in the Open Ridden last year so I certainly didn’t expect to win the Championship this year. He deserves it though – is he quite strong an opinionated but he has great presence.”
NPS SCOTLAND FINALS & SILVER MEDAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
NPS SCOTLAND/KILMANNAN STUD MOUNTAIN & MOORLAND NOVICE RIDDEN FINAL 2022
Class 1 – Dartmoor, Exmoor, Shetland
1, Boisil (H G Wetter)
2, Dunmere Mayblossm (K Casey)
3, Austin Powers (A Tait)
Class 2 – Welsh Section A, Welsh Section B
1, Synod Pompous (N Connor)
2, Pinina Theodore (K Robertson)
3, Cosford Diablo (P Patterson)
Class 3 – New Forest, Connemara
1, Killaneen George (S Oakden)
2, Cornfield Prince (M Hodnett)
3, Eastlands Melody (K Evans)
Class 4 – Fell, Dales, Highland
1, Trailtrow Gabhan (C Grant)
2, Kincardine Uist (S-J Forbes)
3, Strathmore Imperial Guard (C Durick)
Class 5 – Welsh Section C, Welsh Section D
1, Drymuir Bonny Prince Charlie (L MacKenzie)
2, Eglwysfach Arigon (A Reilly)
3, Kentchurch Orion (D McTaggart)
Novice Ridden Champion: Killaneen George (S Oakden)
Reserve Champion: Boisil (H G Whetter)
RIDDEN SILVER MEDAL ROSETTE CHAMPIONSHIP (SCOTLAND) FINAL 2022
Gold Medal Champion: Dunedin McSporran (C Grant)
Reserve Champion: Fuinseoig Boy (M Whiteford)
IN-HAND RIDDEN SILVER MEDAL ROSETTE CHAMPIONSHIP (SCOTLAND) FINAL 2022
Gold Medal Champion: Starwyn Welsh Diva (H Lee)
Reserve Champion: Kebroyd Sardonyx (Mr & Mrs I Graham)
NPS SCOTLAND/KILMANNAN STUD MOUNTAIN & MOORLAND OPEN RIDDEN FINAL 2022
Class 6 – Dartmoor, Exmoor, Shetland
1, Cuthbert (L Cohen)
2, Boisil (H G Whetter)
3, Austin Powers (A Tait)
Class 7 – Welsh Section A, Welsh Section B
1, Synod Pompous (N Connor)
2, Hope Peter Pan (L Donaldson)
3, Colne Pascoe (K Parker)
Class 8 – New Forest, Connemara
1, Manor Willow (K Aird)
2, Fuinseoig Boy (J Whiteford)
3, Highfox Hunky Dory (H G Whetter)
Class 9 – Fell, Dales, Highland
1, Kilmannan Jack Sparrow (R Telford)
2, Bracklinn Rosebud (K Dunning)
3, Kebroyd Sapphire (L Fuller)
Class 10 – Welsh Section C, Welsh Section D
1, Trehenlli Gwenllian (E Reid)
2, Pennai Mab Y Brenin (A Tait)
3, Taiforgan Cracker Jack (S Burkhill)
Class 11 – Highland
1, Dunedin Mascot (K Common)
2, Harris of Mendick (B Williams)
3, Trailtrow Tearlach (K McMurray)
Open Ridden Champion: Kilmannan Jack Sparrow (R Telford)
Reserve Champion: Dunedin Mascot (K Common)
NPS/The Standinghat Stud and Show Team Silver Medal Rosette
Champion: Dunedin Mascot (K Common)
Reserve Champion: Kilmannan Jack Sparrow (R Telford)
NPS SCOTLAND/KINGFISHER BUILDING PRODUCTS MOUNTAIN & MOORLAND NOVICE WORKING HUNTER PONY FINAL 2022
Class 12 – Ponies not exceeding 122cms (12hh)
1, Rhencullen Rockette (J Craigie)
2, Blackertor Burlington Bertie (A Thomson)
3, Cui Mia Jess (C Turnbull)
Class 13 – Ponies exceeding 122cms (12hh) but not exceeding 133cms (13hh)
1, Broughs Lucky Thirteen (S McConnell)
2, Menai Ralph (A Rennie)
3, Liddesdale Sovereign (L Kennedy)
Class 14 – Ponies exceeding 133cms (13hh) but not exceeding 143cms (14hh)
1, Woodbank Smokey Sam (K Aird)
2, Cloontuskert Orga Mist (E Hewitson)
3, Drumroe Rory (A Holmes)
Class 15 – Ponies exceeding 143cms (14hh)
1, Knockbridge Drumdun (E Jack)
2, Trendy Lexus (L Oag)
3, Brynithon Imperial Commander (V Legge)
M&M WHP Champion: Woodbank Smokey Sam (K Aird)
Reserve Champion: Knockbridge Drumdun (E Jack)
NPS SCOTLAND/TOWNHEAD PET N PONY IN HAND MOUNTAIN & MOORLAND FINAL 2022
Class 16 – Connemara, Fell, Dales, New Forest, Welsh Section C, Welsh Section D, 4 years of age and over
1, Ewyn Omega (C Ferguson)
2, Ochills Enchanted (E-J Murray)
3, Glanna Mor (K Wishart)
Class 17 – Highland, 4 years of age and over
1, Tormaukin Wilbur (M Campbell)
2, Sorne Sula (J Headspeath)
3, Gillemor of Gersa (L Gunn)
Class 18- Shetland, 4 years of age and over
1, Kerryston Elsa (N Marshall)
2, Almondell Harmony (F Punton)
3, Lyradale Burnee (M Hope)
Class 19 – Dartmoor, Exmoor, Welsh Section A, Welsh Section B, 4 years of age and over
1, Gardmore Siradus (L Russell)
2, Springwater Music Master (A Nicol)
3, Garconnel Super Sonic (G MacMillan)
Senior Champion: Gardmore Siradus (L Russell)
Reserve Champion: Tormaukin Wilbur (M Campbell)
Class 20 – Dartmoor, Exmoor, Welsh Section A, Welsh Section B, 3 years of age and under
1, Musselbrough Elida (S Bridgeman)
2, Oldeworlde Vivaldi (A McConville)
3, Garconnel Wonder Lust (L Russell)
Class 21: Connemara, Fell, Dales, New Forest, Welsh Section C, Welsh Section D, 3 years of age and under
1, Moss-side Crathie (W Ralston)
2, Corrie Fee of Murrayshall (C Grant)
3, Ochills White Knight (E-J Murray)
Youngstock Champion: Moss-side Crathie (W Ralston)
Reserve Champion:Musselbrough Elida (S Bridgeman)
Overall M&M In Hand Champion: Gardmore Siradus (L Russell)
Reserve Champion: Moss-side Crathie (W Ralston)
NPS SCOTLAND/NFU MUTUAL INSURANCE RIDING PONY AND HUNTER PONY IN HAND FINAL 2022
Class 22 – Riding Ponies not exceeding 148cms at maturity
1, Castafiore Emerald (V Mylius)
2, Tylo Erebus (C Chisman
3, Tylo Hot Like Me (L Gilbert)
Class 23 – Hunter Ponies not exceeding 153cms at maturity
1, Achilty Secret Agent (H MacDonald)
2, Blainllain Db’s Doodle Bug (M Anderson-Quinn)
3, Courageous Image (A Cole)
Riding/Hunter Pony In Hand Champion: Achilty Secret Agent (H MacDonald)
Reserve Champion: Castafiore Emerald (V Mylius)
NPS SCOTLAND/MAGGIE MAY MOUNTAIN & MOORLAND JUNIOR RIDDEN FINAL 2022
Class 24 – Dartmoor, Exmoor, Shetland, Welsh Section A, Welsh Section B
1, Synod Pompous (N Connor)
2, Cosford Diablo (P Patterson)
3, Bunbury San Francisco (H Smith)
Class 25 – Dales, Fell, Highland, New Forest, Connemara, Welsh Section C, not exceeding 138cms
1, Townend Faithful (B Errington)
2, Llanidan Bonheddwr (J Craigie)
3, Popsters Mi-amore (K Budge)
Class 26 – Fell, Highland, New Forest, Connemara, Dales Welsh Section D, exceeding 138cms
1, Dunedin McSporran (K Barber)
2, Llynhelyg Lady Cilla (M MacKenzie)
3, Ardnagaisk Edan (L Allison)
Junior Ridden Champion: Townend Faithful (B Errington)
Reserve Champion: Dunedin McSporran (K Barber)
NPS SCOTLAND/KILGRASTON SCHOOL MOUNTAIN & MOORLAND LEAD REIN & FIRST RIDDEN FINAL 2022
Class 27- M&M lead rein final
1, Lynemore Glen (J Whiteford)
2, Dukeshill Dixie Darlin (F Mair)
3, Afan Spy (O Stewart)
Class 28 – M&M first ridden final
1, Colne Pascoe (K Parker)
2, Cosford Diablo (P Patterson)
3, Rhencullen Rockette (J Craigie)
Mini Champion: Colne Pascoe (K Parker)
Reserve Champion: Lynemore Glen (J Whiteford)