Mascot is man of the match

Horses and ponies cement their names in the history books as dreams are made at Scotland's premier agricultural show

- ALEX ROBINSON

A HIGHLAND gelding dazzled multiple judges on his home turf to win two major ridden championships.

Inverness-based Katie Common and her own Dunedin Mascot began their 2025 Royal Highland campaign by winning the exceeding 143cm ridden Highland class for a record fourth time and scooping the section crown.

“Scottie”, who is a son of Dunedin Marksman and was bred by Anne Mitchell, thrived in his “favourite” ring, working foot-perfectly for ride judge Louise Allan.

“He performed beautifully and was a total showman,” said Louise. “He sparkled and gave me a forward and light ride. His championship gallop was something else. He was also clearly enjoying his job.”

On the final day of the show, Katie and Scottie led a strong Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) Highland qualifier, another feat they were repeating. They then delivered another blistering main-ring gallop to secure this year’s overall mountain and moorland (M&M) ridden championship before judges Heather Prescott (ride) and John James (conformation).

“He absolutely loves this show,” confirmed Katie, who was gifted Scottie by his former owner Jane McNaught. “Things like this don’t happen to people like me.”

Scottie is the second Dunedin-bred pony in a row to win the show’s M&M ridden supreme title as he takes the baton from last year’s champion Dunedin Iolare.

Impressively, Katie also led the young ridden Highland pony class aboard Jane’s promising six-year-old Mullachbuie Maclaren.

Reserve for the M&M ridden accolade was awarded to Heather Steele's evergreen Welsh section D stallion Trehewyd Cardi.

“THE BACKBONE OF THE RIDDEN JOB”

HISTORY repeated itself as Highland pony enthusiast Sarah-Jane Forbes led a gelding to the breed's in-hand supreme title.