Disclaimer: this is my personal home page: any views expressed here are purely my own, not representative of the University of Dundee, the Highland Pony Society, or any other body.
When I arrived in Scotland in September 1996, the second thing I did (after finding a temporary home) was to join the Central Scotland Highland Pony Club and go along as a spectator at their annual show in Stirling. For any enthusiasts of the breed, I highly recommend this or another similar group in your area - it is invaluable for local contacts in the Highland pony world and I am more than willing to pass on details to anyone who is interested.
In addition to the annual show and the AGM there are a number of events during the year, ranging from photo competitions to dances, stud visits to saddle fitting sessions. There are also opportunities to join various training groups and/or to join other members on organised hacks in various locations within the region. A non-equine quiz, run in November, rounds off the season nicely.
The 1997 stud visits were held on 3 August 1997 and a group of around 20 members toured Mrs Compton's Turin Hill Stud and Mrs Barron's Kincardine Stud. Mrs Compton, Mrs Barron and their respective assistants took us to see all the ponies, provided factsheets with details of each, and answered questions as we went along. Welcome refreshments were provided at each stud, and the group enjoyed a pub lunch in between visits, giving plenty of time for new members such as myself the chance to meet new friends and for established members to catch up with each other. All in all a very good day and my only regret was that there wasn't room in my car to take a pony or three home! I particularly liked Mrs Compton's 3yo Christabel of Turin Hill and Audrey Barron's yearling Kincardine Biddy.
1998 stud visits took place on Sunday 9 August, at Mr W Allan's Millfield Stud at Freuchie, and Major and Mrs Connell's Achnacarry/Craigiebrig Stud near Auchtermuchty, both in Fife. Both these are within 10 miles of me, so I managed to arrive late at Freuchie for the start of a long but interesting day! After coffee and a chat, we were given the factsheets and had a walking tour of Freuchie village, to see the ponies in 3 different locations. Willie gave a fascinating running commentary on the ponies while his 2 daughters ran ahead of us catching up ponies and showing them to the group. We then adjourned to the local hotel for lunch, then on to Glassart Glen to see the Connell's ponies. The first mare we saw caused some hilarity, as she was lying down with both forelegs extended and clothed in an unusual but useful new rug, to stop a serious rubbing problem. Jean Connell eventually persuaded the mare, Julie of Lundie, to stand up and show off her attire, but apparently the hood and full rugging had scared the other ponies at first. And when the rug was removed, they were amazed to see a "different" pony altogether! It was interesting also to see colts at each stud which had been exchanged from the other. Willie had a yellow dun colt Eros of Achnacarry, while Jean had the grey dun Mannie of Millfield. Both seemed pleased with their swapped ponies. The other bit of news was that Zeus of Achnacarry, bought after coming second in his class at the Royal Highland, had arrived safely in New York, along with the first prize winner of the same class, ready for the onward journey to Wyoming, where the two, a yellow dun and a cream dun, will eventually be used as stud horses by a breeder of buckskins. As for ones to take home, there was a particularly nice mare I think was called Missy of Millfield, and at the Connells I took a bit of a shine to a gelding which unfortunately (fortunately really!) had just been sold south to Yorkshire! For taking home, though, I think it would have to be the mare Mhairi Bhan of Achnacarry.
The 1999 Stud Visit was to the famous Whitefield Stud at Burrelton near Perth. There we saw around 50 Highland ponies, from the broodmares and foals to the senior stallions, with something like 20 youngstock galloping up to the visitors in the fields, which was quite an experience! Again there were a couple of ponies that could have sneaked into the boot of my car, 2 yearling fillies in particular, both cream dun, but also one of the visiting mares, a 16yo bay mare called Gedloch Jan, caught my eye, as did one of the Whitefield colts that are awaiting licencing, a black 3yo filly... There were so many mares and foals it was difficult to pick out the best ones, but there were some top prizewinners in amongst them and they were certainly a wonderful sight. Sadly I didn't have pictures to post at the time as I took the camcorder instead, but I'm pleased to report I went back the next year (with visitors) and took photos that time to add to my growing collection!
The 2000 Stud Visit took place on 30 July at Carlung Stud in West Kilbride. Sadly one of their three stallions, Turin Hill Mark II, had died recently in his late 20s, but the good news was that he had covered several mares for 2001, leaving a legacy for the future. A filly foal of his was particularly nice, and of course Carlung is the home of my very favourite mare, Esme of Armoury, as well as a Glen Suie mare and a couple of others I could quite easily have taken home! The remaining two stallions are both relatively young, but already producing good quality stock that are successful in the showring. Very different in type and colouring, both stamp their progeny distinctively, so it was a very interesting day with lots to see and talk about.
For 2001 there was a change of policy as the club decided to visit a non-Highland stud for the first time as it was felt that members would be interested in seeing another native breed produced effectively in Scotland. On 21 July we therefore head to Blanefield and the Kilmannan Stud of Dales ponies, owned by Bill Ireland, a prolific winner all over the UK both in hand and under saddle. Of course I've already been to Kilmannan (couldn't wait as I adore Dales too!) but not for a while, so I had camera at the ready to catch up on the latest news and youngstock.
In 2002 it was back to the Highlands, with 40 odd members touring Mrs Compton's Turin Hill Stud in the morning and going on, after the usual pub lunch, to Mr Charlie McQuattie's Strathmore Stud in the afternoon. I am told it was another good day though unfortunately I was unable to attend on this occasion.
The annual show takes place on the first Sunday of September at Kildean Mart, Stirling. In 1997 I was only there as a spectator, due to lack of transport, but very much enjoyed the chance to see more Highland ponies shown in-hand and under saddle, and performing well in dressage and working hunter classes. I went particularly to see the in-hand, and I was pleased to see a very good turnout in most classes. I took a "few" photos. Several of these were of the yellow dun stallion Ruaridh of Mendick, who won the in-hand championship against strong competition. At the 1998 show I was showing for Joan Alexander of Fourmerk Stud, who had 10 ponies booked in to various classes, so it was a busy day!! I had a particularly good day when the filly foal I was showing, Fourmerk Rowan, won her class. Sadly, in the rush, I didn't have time to take pictures, but it was a great day out and highly recommended for any Highland pony fans. In 1999 I finally showed there with my own stock, taking Aidan for the gelding class, but sadly despite a good season elsewhere, he didn't get placed this time, probably due to looking a bit slimmer than ideal for showing. The 2000 Show was on Sunday 3 September at Kildean again, but due to a clash of timing with a major car boot fair, it was a bit hectic in the lorry park and I think the venue may change in future years. Again I took Aidan along and came in the ribbons but we still await our first show ring win - I did better with the latest Fourmerk foal, Rannoch but one day I would like a red ribbon for my lorry dashboard! Sadly there was no show in 2001 due to Foot & Mouth restrictions, but in 2002 the show moves to a new venue at Dabbs near Ladybank in Fife. I'll let you know how we get on there but the signs are good so far - why not join us on the first Sunday of September and see for yourself.
The AGM is usually held in early March and while meetings aren't necessarily a major attraction, the club follows the business part of the day with tea and then a talk by an invited speaker, plus the results of the photo competition. The speaker in 2002 was Niall Robertson, photographer with the Scottish Farmer, who gave a fascinating presentation covering both his own career and experiences of photographing horses, agricultural scenes, livestock and farm machinery, but also some useful tips on what *not* to do! Certainly I am sure that as a result of that day there will be a few more members out snapping pictures of their ponies!
Rideouts for 1998 were at the Connells (Auchtermuchty, Fife) on Saturday 2 May and at the McInroy's (Stanley, Perthshire) on 18 October.
The former involved about 18 riders, with 6 taking the shorter route suitable for younger, novice and less fit ponies and the rest taking
the traditional longer route involving a stop off at one of the pubs in Auchtermuchty on the way home. The weather was perfect, dry with
sunny periods, but not too warm for the hard working ponies. I hadn't a pony up to the work this time, but went along to take photos (!) and
to help out at the lunch break (
NB: photo below taken with hats temporarily removed for the purpose), holding ponies while the riders collected packed lunches and headcollars from the backup vehicles, and passing round
with the Connell's home-made damson gin, then getting back to the yard in time to put on the pre-prepared carrot and orange soup for the returning riders.
It is really inspiring to see 18 Highland ponies going out together on a day ride. Made me quite envious, hence the return to work of my 4yo gelding
Aidan the same evening, after a long lay off. I missed the 1999 rides entirely, but I wanted to be there with my pony next time so off I went on 7 May 2000 and survived to tell the tale, though unfortunately I did "dismount without permission" at one point and had some cracking bruises on my leg and bum which stopped me riding for 4 months!
In 2001 the rideout was on 28 July, again in support of Grass Sickness Fund and I was hoping to take Rosie, who's a very sensible ride, though still active and keen. Having done some practise over previous weeks I felt up to it so I booked in. In the end I took two ponies along, Rosie for me to ride and Aidan for Carol and Colin to share as they only had one pony between them that day. In the morning Carol rode Aidan with us in the slower ride and in the afternoon Colin took him with the faster ride that does a detour to the pub! I stayed with the slower ride throughout, but still enjoyed a canter towards the end of the day and the scenery was breathtaking, particularly as you go over the far side and see right across the Tay to the Sidlaws and down the river towards Dundee. A couple of photos taken by Tim Connell, to prove we were there and what a good day out it is for a Highland fan.
In the pre-ride photo call picture above, Aidan is on the far left with Carol on board and I'm in the middle on Rosie (blue polo shirt). The second photo (right) outside the pub Aidan is on the far right nicking Colin's beer!
A September rideout was also arranged by the staff of the trekking centre at Blair Castle, where several Highland ponies had sadly succumbed to grass sickness. As GS is our usual charity for donations raised on the rides, we joined forces and had a field of 46 riders out enjoying the superb scenery, not to mention a picnic before fording the river and climbing back through the forest for home. I believe this ride is to be repeated in future years and is highly recommended!
2002 wasn't to be for me, I loaned Rosie to a friend and entered Aidan myself, but on the very day of the ride he threw a shoe. Still, I gather a good time was had by all, and another Blair ride is in the diary for September.
Wimp that I am in the saddle, I can't report on this first hand, but the 4 enthusiast clubs in Scotland run an annual one day event, normally hosted in turn and with all clubs sending teams and/or individual members to enjoy a fun competition. This year the event will be held at Auchlishie near Kirriemuir, on 14 September, the day before the Blair rideout, and stabling is available so that any members from clubs further afield can stay over and experience the Blair ride as well. Closing date is 4 September for entries.
Again I haven't actually been to the quiz, which was first run 2 years ago in response to a plea for more winter social events. In the past the quiz has been held in Kinross area, but I am not sure of this year's venue as yet.
Not to be confused with the formal HPS dance in the autumn, the club dance is in February, usually at Kildean on the outskirts of Stirling. It is a great opportunity to catch up with folk that you usually only see during the showing season, and when nobody is trying to get a pony ready to go in the ring either! Tickets are very reasonably priced and include a two or three course meal plus coffee and the dancing, plus we hold a raffle with many members bringing the prizes along on the night. So brush off those dancing shoes and get in practice for a night to remember...
|
E-mail: a.douglas@dundee.ac.uk
|
Copyright ©A Douglas 1997 |