2019 Breed Show Report
Saturday saw the 37th Annual Shetland Pony Stud-Book Society National Breed Show take place at Clickimin, Lerwick. The glorious weather helped to make the show a momentous event. The show was officially opened by Mrs Helen Thomson, Shetland Pony stalwart, who was piped onto the show field in a Shetland Pony drawn carriage before dismounting to welcome all and get the proceedings under way. There were 408 entries, consisting of 301 ponies, across the 5 rings. Exhibitors attended from the length and breadth of Shetland and further afield including Orkney, Scotland and England, the farthest travelling from Gloucestershire. There were a large number of spectators on show day creating a very friendly and enjoyable atmosphere. Hundreds of people had travelled to Shetland from countries outside the UK just to see the pony including people from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Austria, Switzerland and Finland to name just a few. The many nationalities contributed to the international flavour of the show with the 3 international judges who officiated alongside the 4 judges from the UK. Mr Stein Langorgen from Norway officiated in the In Hand Standard Black Pony Ring, M Ludovic Durand from France officiated in the In Hand Standard Coloured Pony Ring, Mrs Johanna Vaurio officiated in the In Hand Small Pony Ring, Mrs Pat Renwick, England and Mrs Anna Stevens and Mrs Dorothy Griffiths, Wales, shared the judging of the Ridden Ring classes and the Driven Ring was judged by Miss Alexandra Lanni from Scotland. There was strong competition across most of the classes with a very good standard of ponies forward. The judges were very pleased with the hard but enjoyable job they had to do.
At the culmination of ring judging Hools Janet from Hools Stud in Orkney took Black Ring Champion with Hollydell Hindsight from Hollydell stud in Nesting taking Reserve Champion. The Coloured Ring saw 3 year old chestnut colt Merkisayre Julian from Merkisayre Stud in Burra take the Champion honours with the Bay Broodmare Birchmoor Gizelle from the Barugh family in East Yorkshire taking Reserve Champion. The Small Pony Ring saw fierce competition with the ultimate Champion prize going to Beechnut of Berry owned by Bergli Stud, Walls with Amanda Slater’s homebred Breckenlea Solomon, from Tresta, taking reserve honours. The ridden ring saw 8 year old Heidi Dickie, from Culllivoe, taking the Ring Championship on her Lead Rein Pony, Klingrahoull Gypsy who is owned by her mother Ingrid. Arianne Fraser from Whalsay took Reserve Ring Champion with the black Stallion Hools Rising High who is bred and owned by Hools Stud in Orkney. The Hools’ Stud winning streak continued in the Driven ring with Toots Cromarty taking Champion driving Hools Voyager with Hannah budge form Bigton taking reserve honours with the veteran HRE Aladdin.
The top 5 ponies then went forward for the judging of the Supreme Championship, which was judged by the 5 ring judges. There was much deliberation as the judges scrutinised the ponies to choose the best. Eventual consensus was reached and the results saw Beechnut of Berry, from Bergli Stud, taking the Reserve Supreme Sash and Merkisayre Julian, from Merkisayre Stud, taking the top honours, quite an achievement as it was also Merkisayre Stud who took Supreme Champion at the first ever Breed show in Shetland in 2009! A real dream come true for George Tait and his family. Huge congratulations to all the competitors.
Shetland is a unique place and we are incredibly lucky to be the custodian of this very special pony who is loved worldwide and drew the hundreds of people from all corners of the globe to Shetland for the 10 days of celebration. Thanks to all the exhibitors and visitors who came. None of the events would have been possible without the thousands of volunteer hours that have been put in and also the very generous support of our sponsors, in particular the main show sponsor Garriock Brothers Ltd, ring sponsors Furunas Stuteri, Sweden, Sumburgh Hotel, South Park Fairy Stud, Marion & Brian Morris, Jersey and MacLeod Creek Shetlands, British Colombia, Canada, Northlink Ferries, Glansin Glass, Shetland Showing Tack, Native Pony Bridles, Promote Shetland, Shetland Reel Gin and our select sale sponsor S J Rendall Rendering Contractors. Thanks also to Austin Taylor and Kevin Jones for providing the fantastic photography services on a very long and hot day. Heartfelt thanks also must go to the incredible people who kept the show running so smoothly on show day, Kerry Eunson & Matt Fraser in the secretary’s office and all the stewards and runners Lee Moulder, Abigail Robertson, Leighton Anderson, Melody Goodlad, Nicky Beck, Susan Goodlad, Ailidh Risk, Anya Risk, Jade Stevenson, Gemma Irvine, Katrena Irvine, Charles Gear, Margaret Leslie and not forgetting Marion Anderson & Helen Dickson. The Pony Breeders of Shetland Association could not have done it without you. Shetland you have done yourselves proud.
Supreme Champion Merkisayre Julian - 3yr old colt owned and bred by George Tait
Helen Thomson with her Shetland Sheepdog Belle, being led in by Kira Fraser driving HRE Aladdin to officially open the show
More photos can be seen at www.kevinjonesphotography.co.uk and www.austintaylorphotography.com