Uist titled best of the breed

The buzz of the usual Royal Highland format is missed, but the blue sashes and top-class competitors are still evident

- ALEX ROBINSON

A GELDING and future-ridden pony achieved a rare feat as he rose above his rivals to stand overall Highland pony champion.

Sarah-Jane Forbes and her male champion, six-year-old Kincardine Uist, by Glenbanchor Gillebrighde out of Kincardine Gael, got the nod to stand supreme over Susan Wardrop’s home-bred female champion, the Carlung Jed 10-year-old Querina Of Carlung.

The decision, however, was not reached without some conflict, as respective male and female section judges Pat Stirling and Bruce Haliburton both pushed for their champions to be crowned overall. In this instance, the day’s umpire, esteemed breeder Willie Allan of the Millfield Stud, was called in from the sidelines to pull the final champion.

“For the benefit of the breed my heart would have gone with the mare,” explained Willie. “But my head told me to put the gelding up; both ponies were fine specimens, but the mare, while she was looking tremendous, didn’t give me as good a show. The gelding looked well and was on his toes throughout. When you’re put in a situation as such you have to rely on the job the judges have done and pick the animal which has the edge on the day.”

Beef and sheep farmer SarahJane was first acquainted with Uist back in February.