Horse champion follows in great-grandfather's hoof prints at Turriff Show
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A good turn out of horses marked the first day of Turriff Show on Sunday with both ridden and in-hand categories taking place.
The overall ridden horse champion was won by Fiona Menzies from Insch who was on gelding Bowland Winner.
She said: "I am delighted with winning the overall ridden horse championship.
"He is 10 years old and I bought him four years ago.
"He has been very successful, he was second at the Great Yorkshire Show, he won at the TSR Summer Show down south, he won two classes and champion at the Puddledub Jubilee Show, he was reserve champion at the Blair Castle International Horse Trials last year and he was champion at Turriff Show in 2018.
"Next up for him is the Blair Castle International Horse Trials and for me is the Black Isle Show and Keith Show."
The reserve champion title went to Lingardswood Sarsaparilla which is owned by Shannon Mair and was ridden by Francesca Mair from Inverness.
Aged just five, rider Francesa has only one year on her charge who age four was only broken in at the start of the year.
Shannon said: "We just got her in April and this is her first county level outing and to take reserve here is simply amazing."
The overall in-hand horse championship was won by the Highland Ponies section winner three-year-old colt West Lodge McNair.
Owner Robin Stewart from Durris said: "His great-grandfather won at Turriff Show in the 1980s and his grandfather also won here in the 1990s, so he has kept his family's run going.
"He is three years old and was champion at the Royal Northern Spring Show and reserve champion at Banchory.
"This is only his third show because of the restrictions due to Covid.
"We see good prospects with the horse.
"It is good to see Turriff Show back and to meet up with everyone again."
Judge the overall in hand Caroline Nelson said: "Everyone has already been judged within their breed by somebody with specific knowledge of that breed, so they are already champions before I see them.
"That means that I am looking for ultra-perfection to be the champion.
"These animals are fine examples of native breeds and were really carrying well."
Section judge Bruce Haliburton from Blairgowrie said of the horse: "He came into the ring and showed himself very well.
"He's got a lot of presence and you know looking at him he is a Highland pony.
"He moves well and he is only three years old. He's got better things to come yet.
"The whole section was strong and when it came to the championship they were all worthy winners."
The reserve champion in Highland was Prince William O'noth owned by Margaret Nash from Turriff.
Four-year-old mare Goldenwood Royal Sapphire won the Small Mountain and Moorland Ponies in-hand section, the overall Small Mountain and Moorland Ponies and went on to take reserve in the overall in-hand championship.
Owner Lynneann Cameron of Fettercairn said: "She was supreme champion at Neighfield Show and she was overall Mountain and Moorland winner at Fettercairn Show. It was great to win."
The reserve champion in the Small Mountain and Moorland Ponies in-hand section section was Cadlanvalley Party Girl also owned by Lynneann Cameron and Alison Walker and in the overall Small Mountain and Moorland Ponies it was Lingardswood Sarsaparilla which is owned by Shannon Mair and was ridden by Francesca Mair from Inverness.
The overall winner of the Sheltand Pony section was Warrackston Bob owned by Clair Stewart from Rothienorman.
She said: "I've only owned him for two months. We've done three shows and he has been champion in each.
"We were also successful in the Brodie Working Horse Show and the North of Scotland Shetland Pony Show.
"I'm absolutely delighted that he has been named champion at Turriff Show."
The reserve champion in the category was Wells Iron Maiden owned by John P Sleigh of Turriff.
The Veteran Horses and Ponies section was won by Windborne Harvest Gold owned by Hannah Gray and ridden by her four-year-old daughter Lucy Gray from Laurencekirk.
Hannah said: "He is 28 years old so he is certainly a veteran.
"It is new to us showing him this year and he has done really well.
"He won the Diamond Veteran at Fettercairn Show, won in-hand and ridden at the Angus Show, and he won Diamond Veteran, ridden, in-hand and overall champion for veteran at Kirriemuir Show. He has also qualified for the Blair Castle International Horse Trials.
"He's had a very successful season and the best thing is he teaches my daughter how to ride."
