There was something of a Dunkirk Spirit in the air at the Brechin Spring Show, where competitors and judges braved torrential downpours throughout the exhibition of horses and ponies.
Supreme champion at the close of play for 2015 was Sally Finnie and her 11-year-old French-bred Anglo Arab gelding Eclips.
This relatively new partnership, which has been forged over the last four months, was granted passage to the overall contest after they lifted the ridden horse championship.
Sally, who works as a business development director for oil and gas industry company Mintra Training Portal, bought the son of Cook Du Midour at the turn of the year from Cheshire where he had been produced by Danielle Heather to win the amateur large riding horse championship at the Royal International Horse Show last season.
Eclips (Quezako De Buissy) has previously qualified for and contested the riding horse championship at the Horse of the Year Show for the last five consecutive years.
He finished in third position at the final in Birmingham in both 2010 and 2011 and was ninth last year.
“I was looking for an established show horse to have some fun competing on and Pinky fits the bill perfectly,” said Sally, who liveries with Devon Ellington, at Barrowsgate, in Drumoak, allowing her to juggle her hectic scehdule of work, family and horses.
“Brechin was our first showing show and it gave poor Pinky a very cold and wet introduction to showing in Scotlandbut he behaved impeccably all day and didn’t put a foot wrong.”
The 15-year-old seasoned campaigner Rhos Virtuoso won the reserve overall title, and ridden pony and Arab and part-bred championships, for his jockey Rachel Urquhart.
Virtuoso, sired by Moorhall Catnip and out of Rhos Touch of Velvet, and 11-year-old Rachel had already won a championship in-hand this spring at the Grand Slam, prior to their trip to Brechin.
Last season, the partnership won the show pony and Arab and part-bred titles at the Kingsbarns Masters.
The show was adjudicated by Beryl Bruce, Jo Jack, Martyn Adams, Kay Feruson, Mandy Law, Mary and Andrew Bowie, Tweetie Nimmo and Chris Macmillan.
equestrian@thecourier.co.uk RESULTS
SUPREME Sally Finnie, Eclipse. Reserve: Rachel Urquhart, Rhos Virtuoso.
HORSES IN-HAND Sharon Hutcheon, Dazzle Me Dixie. Reserve: Erin Logie, Katiesister. Turnout: 1 Sharon Hutcheon, Dazzle Me Dixie; 2 Ashley Anderson, Touch of Class; 3 Cathy Petrie, Bankwell Dizzy Ever. Youngstock: 1 Katie Mercer, Westside Vermillion Veverka; 2 Cathy Petrie, Bankwell Dizzy Ever; 3 Ashley Anderson, Touch of Class. Adult: 1 Shannon Golabeck, Dalborn Sandpiper. Hunter: 1 Claire Peddie, Fox’s Choice. Riding horse: 1 Sharon Hutcheon, Dazzle Me Dixie; 2 Lucy MacAngus, Bodette; 3 Lesley McNaughton-Wells, KD Wild Billy. Ex-racer: 1 Erin Logie, Katiesister; 2 Nicki Donaldson, Cinderella.
SIDE SADDLE Hilary and Heather Mackie, Audene Blue Disciplin. Equitation: 1 Hilary and Heather Mackie, Audene Blue Disciplin. Sidesaddle: 1 Hilary and Heather Mackie, Audene Blue Disciplin.
RIDDEN HORSE Sally Finnie, Eclips. Reserve: Morag Snow, Swordale Lady Luck. Small hunter: 1 Helen Pendlowski, Joe Glow. Large hunter: 1 Claire Peddie, Fox’s Classic; 2 Ashley McDonald, Carte D’or Van de Zijpe; 3 Felicity Forbes-Davidson, Bex. Riding horse: 1 Sally Finnie, Eclips; 2 Courtney Valentine, Gus; 3 Derek Miller, Captain Mal. Irish draught and part-bred: 1 Gillian Fotheringham, Dunleer Dixie; 2 Sarah Spence, Tallula; 3 Amy Green, Abbey Princess. Tattersalls ROR: 1 Gillian Fotheringham, Dunleer Dixie; 2 Sarah Spence, Tallula. Ex-racer: 1 Gillian Fotheringham, Dunleer Dixie; 2 Sarah Spence, Tallula; 3 Amy Green, Abbey Princess. Heavy horse: 1 Morag Snow, Swordale Lady Luck.
PONIES IN-HAND Sue Williamson, Molluccas Royal Amise. Reserve: Terri Brooks, Cosford Major Mouse. Show pony youngstock: 1 Sue Williamson, Eskside Carnellian. Show pony adult: 1 Terri Brooks, Cosford Major Mouse; 2 Rosie Mylius Maythornes Easter Dimensions. Hunter pony youngstock: 1 Sue Williamson, Molluccas Royal Amise. Hunter pony adult: 1 Miss G Stewart, Terrano Jitterbug; 2 Zoe Florence, Hirstmund Merlot.
WORKING HUNTER Unaffiliated champion: Helen Pendlowski, Joe Glow. Reserve: Anne Shaw, Bella. M&M WHP champion: Kayleigh Evans, Gems Isabella. Lead rein: 1 Maisy Duncan, Tahuna Caramel; 2 Daniel Foreman, Tullibardine Caruso. Mini pony: 1 N Watson, Ristol Carys; 2 late entry; 3 Gemma Bruce, Hillin Aur. Mini horse: 1 Louise Watt, April Showers. Novice pony: 1 Jackie Corsie, Brodie of Drumgarioch; 2 Dawn Kelly, Fidget; 3 N Watson, Ristol Carys. Novice horse: 1 Lewis Campbell, Firoda Gold; 2 Kirsty Ure, Easy As Pie; 3 Georgina Tebbutt, Icardo. Intermediate pony: 1 Kayleigh Evans, Crossowen Jay; 2 Georgina Tebbutt, Trixie; 3 Erin Logie, Orlando. Intermediate horse: 1 Lewis Campebll, Firoda Gold; 2 Erica Double, Shean’s Paddy; 3 Gillian Fotheringham, Dunleer Dixie. Open pony: 1 Georgina Tebbutt, Tricie. Open horse: 1 Helen Pendlowski, Joe Glow; 2 Anne Shaw, Bella. SBS/BHS Scotland Blair: 1 Gillian Fotheringham, Capitall Quinn; 2 Anne Shaw, Bella. NPS 133-143cms: 1 Kayleigh Evans, Gems Isabella.
UTILITY PONY Reece Cunningham, Joe Boy. Reserve: Zoe Florence, Hirstmund Merlot. Young handler: 1 Reece Cunningham, Joe Boy. Local pony: 1 Zoe Florence, Hirstmund Merlot.
RIDDEN PONY Rachel Urquhart, Rhos Virtuoso. Reserve: Kerry Richardson, Drambuie of Roisbheinn. Lead rein: 1 Charlotte Peterkin, Rocksgreen Scarlet Pimpernel. Not exc 13.2hh: 1 Rachel Urquhart, Rhos Virtuoso. Not exc 14.2hh: 1 Erin Logie, Orlando. Local pony: 1 Kerry Richardson, Drambuie of Roisbheinn; 2 Rosie Edwards, Scorach.
ARAB AND PART-BRED Rachel Urquhart, Rhos Virtuoso. Reserve: Terri Brooks, Cosford Major Mouse. In-hand: 1 Rachel Urquhart, Rhos Virtuoso; 2 Terri Brooks, Cosford Major Mouse; 3 Hilary and Heather Mackie, Audene Blue Disciplin. Ridden part-bred pony: 1 Rachel Urquhart, Rhos Virtuoso; 2 Lucy Fleming, Laageind’s Elke. Ridden part-bred horse: 1 Sally Finnie, Eclips; 2 Shannon Golabeck, Dalhorn Sandpiper.
VETERAN Shonah Wood, Follywood Diamonte. Reserve: Katie Blewitt, Solus of Marisland. Veteran in-hand: 1 Mary Forsyth, Hose Field Briar Rose. Pre-veteran in-hand: 1 Katie Blewitt, Solus of Marisland; 2 Debbie McCallum, Longparke Gemini Spice. M&M Veteran: 1 Debbie McCallum, Longparke Gemini Spice. Veteran ridden: 1 Karen Louise Easton, Lady Marmalade; 2 Kirsty Stewart, Ed. Pre-veteran ridden: 1 Shonah Wood, Follywood Diamonte; 2 Katie Blewitt, Solus of Marisland; 3 Felicity Forbes-Davidson, Bex. Ridden M&M Veteran: 1 Debbie McCallum, Longparke Gemini Spice; 2 Courtney Valentine, Seiont Adduned; 3 Kirsty Stewart, Ed.
GYPSY COB Sammy Johnson, Houdini Harry. Reserve: Reece Cunningham, Joe Boy. In-hand: 1 Sammy Johnson, Houdini Harry; 2 Chris Cunningham, Tam; 3 Reece Cunningham, Joe Boy. Ridden: 1 Reece Cunningham, Joe Boy.
COLOURED IN-HAND Ashley Anderson, EZPZ Ezwulini. Reserve: Lesley McNaughton-Wells, KD Wild Billy. Youngstock: 1 Naomi Watson, Grillbrach Disco Dance. Non-native: 1 Lesley McNaughton-Wells, KD Wild Billy; 2 W Gayler, Shybont Mighty Quinn; 3 Fiona Walker, Worsenden Liberty. Native/cob/traditional: 1 Ashley Anderson, EZPZ Ezwulini; 2 Sammy Johnson, Houdini Harry; 3 Bethan Whamond, Aodh Finn. Sports horse/pony: 1 Lesley McNaughton-Wells, KD Wild Billy; 2 W Gayler, Shybont Mighty Quinn.
COLOURED RIDDEN Shonah Wood, Follywood Diamonte. Reserve: Ashley Anderson, EZPZ Ezwulini. Non-native: 1 Shonah Wood, Follywood Diamonte; 2 Fiona Walker, Worsenden Liberty. Native/cob/ traditional: 1 Ashley Anderson, EZPZ Ezwulini; 2 Julie Finlayson, Blue Who; 3 Kirsty Ure, Easy As Pie. Novice pony: 1 Julie Finlayson, Blue Who; 2 Bethan Whamond, Aodh Finn. Novice horse: 1 Anne Shaw, Bella; 2 Fiona Walker, Worsenden Liberty.
MOUNTAIN AND MOORLAND IN-HAND Naomi Cessford, Montreathmont Herscha. Reserve: Mr and Mrs A Dunning, Toddleyhill Rowena. Small youngstock: 1 Lynneann Cameron and Alison Walker, Goldenwood Barbie Doll; 2 Sandra McDonald, Southesk Penultimate; 3 Lucy Gerrie, Willow. Large youngstock: 1 Naomi Cessford, Montreathmont Herscha; 2 Jordan Headspeath, An Teallach of Abernethy; 3 Mr and Mrs A Dunning, Toddleyhill Rowena. Small adult: 1 Aimee Hugill, Cui Polly Rose; 2 Patricia Duncan, Blackertor Burlington Bertie. Large adult: 1 Mr & Mrs A Dunning, Toddleyhill Rowena; 2 Niamh Cameron, Rhoswen Rhys; 3 Nikki Sauderson, Birchcroft Romeo.
M&M PART-BRED IN-HAND Zoe Florence, Hirstmund Merlot. Reserve: Cathy Petrie, Bankwell Dizzy Ever. Small youngstock: 1 Naomi Watson, Grillbrach Disco Dance. Large youngstock: 1 Cathy Petrie, Bankwell Dizzy Ever. Large adult: 1 Zoe Florence, Hirstmund Merlot; 2 Kelly Macleod, Mayo; 3 Helen Rae, Tokyo Blue.
M&M RIDDEN Jackie Corsie, Brodie of Drumgarioch. Reserve: Louise Cushnie, Katrina of Strath. Lead rein: 1 Maisy Duncan, Tahuna Caramel; 2 Lynn Robertson, Pumphill Tirella; 3 Daniel Foreman, Tullibardine Caruso. First ridden: 1 Patricia Duncan, Tullibardine Peggy; 2 Mya May Duncan Walker, Harviestoun Romanov. Novice small breeds: 1 Mya May Duncan Walker, Harviestoun Romanov. Novice large breeds: 1 Emma Charlton, Millparks Shay; 2 Niamh Cameron, Rhoswen Rhys; 3 Naomi Watson, Ristol Carys. Novice Highland: 1 Louise Cushnie, Katrina of Strath; 2 Kirsty Smith, Ruban Ceo of Netherby; 3 Patricia Duncan, Tullibardine Peggy. Open small breed: 1 Mya May Duncan Walker, Harviestoun Romanov. Open large breed: 1 Kayleigh Evans, Crossowen Jay; 2 Mr & Mrs A Dunning, Toddleyhill Rowend; 3 Emma Charlton, Millparks Shay. Open Highland: 1 Jackie Corsie, Brodie of Drumgarioch; 2 Kerry Richardson, Drambuie of Roisbheinn.
FOREIGN BREEDS Courtney Valentine, Gus. Ridden foreign breed: 1 Courtney Valentine, Gus.
APPALOOSA Gillian Fotheringham, Capitall Quinn. Reserve: Sue Rore, Lindertis Doubletake. In-hand: 1 Sue Rore, Lindertis Doubletake; 2 Gillian Fotheringham, Capitall Quinn. Ridden: 1 Gillian Fotheringham, Capitall Quinn; 2 Sue Rore, Lindertis Doubletake.
PALOMINO Lynnann Cameron and Alison Walker, Goldenwood Barbie Doll. Reserve: Lucy Fleming, Laageind’s Elke. In-hand youngstock: 1 Lynnann Cameron and Alison Walker, Goldenwood Barbie Doll. In-hand: 1 Lucy Fleming, Laageind’s Elke; 2 Sammy Johnson, Yateholm Chime.
DUN AND ROAN Kirsten McGregor, Soldier. Reserve: Sharon Hutcheon, Dazzle Me Dixie. In-hand: 1 Nikki Strandring, Xeana; 2 Sharon Hutcheon, Dazzle Me Dixie; 3 Kirsten McGregor, Soldier. Ridden: 1 Kirsten McGregor, Soldier; 2 Nikki Strandring, Xeana; 3 Sharon Hutcheon, Dazzle Me Dixie.