Top honours for Caithness stud farm

A CAITHNESS stable has established itself as one of the leading Shetland pony breeders in the country.

Six horses from the Midcalder Miniature Stud Farm were placed in the overall top 10 at the recent Shetland Pony Breed Show at the Kingsbarn Equestrian Centre in Falkirk.

The event is considered the most important show for Shetland breeders and attracted entries from across the UK.

An average of 26 horses, considered the best of their kind, competed in each class. However, it was the Caithness farm which headed back north with the top honours.

Three-year-old homebred stallion Rashieburn Royal James took four awards which included the championship broke coloured horse. The horse was also the overall Shetland champion and reserve supreme champion at last month’s Latheron Show.

Trainer Sarah Campbell (21) was thrilled with the recognition the farm received at the competition.

“There was such a high standard of horses and the competition was very fierce,” she told the Courier.

“We entered five adult horses and a foal at the breed show. We have never come back from the event with such a big haul as that.”

The stud farm, which is owned by Sarah’s parents, Will and Kathleen Campbell, was established in 1999.

Originally starting as pets for the couple’s three children, the farm is now home to over 50 Shetland ponies.

The family are no strangers to success as they have also won numerous awards, entering their pedigree North Country Cheviots and cross cattle to North agricultural shows.