Breeders' dreams realised

A pair of driven Shetlands break barriers, a Connemara is the gift who keeps on giving and half-sisters prevail under saddle

- ALEX ROBINSON

Shetland

Shetland Pony Studbook Society breed show, Black Isle Showground, Ross-shire

A PAIR of home-bred driving ponies captured the supreme of show title at the 40th annual Shetland Pony Studbook Society breed show.

Police officer Elinor Bosanquet drove her own Clothie Night Idiot, 19, and Clothie Humbell, 20, to reign ahead of the inhand champion, Transy Stud’s gelding and black champion Rosehoy Of Transy, also Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifier runner-up and reserve ridden champion.

Elinor breeds performance Shetlands in Aberdeen and while it marked the third year she’s won the driving class with the well-matched grey duo, it was the first time she had stepped forward to take the supreme.

Both Idiot and Humbell are driven as singles, in pairs, in tandem and as part of a team.

They’re both seasoned racing Shetlands, too, and Idiot has seven London Shetland Pony Grand National appearances under his belt.

“It’s very rare for a driving exhibit to win the supreme here, so I went in with no expectations,” said Elinor, whose young stallion Clothie Peerie Ultra stood reserve champion black.

“It’s a breeder’s dream to win the supreme at the breed show, a real once in a lifetime experience.”

“HE’LL GO BACK TO BEING A WORKING STALLION”