Breeders gear up for National Stallion Show in Ayrshire

Preparations are under way for the 157th National Stallion Show.

The event, organised by the Glasgow Agricultural Society, takes place at the Morris Equestrian Centre at Meikle Mosside, Fenwick, Ayrshire, on Saturday March 3.

The annual event offers breeders from across the country the chance to show and compete their pedigree Clydesdale, Highland and Shetland ponies.

Judges lined up to cast their expert eye over the exhibits put forward include Joe Greenhill of Upper Tulloes, Forfar, for the female Clydesdales, and James Ingram, of Drumoak, Banchory, for the Clydesdale males.

The Highlands will be judged by William Nelson of Kirkland Farm, Barr, Girvan, while the Shetland judges are Sandra Seward of Grogwynion, Porthrhyd, Carmarthen, for the standards, and Di Johnston of the Parlington Stud, Horsehouse, Leyburn, for the miniatures.

The mountain and moorland section will be judged by Ms P Rennie, Lomondside Stud, Buchanan Home Farm, Drymen.

At last year’s show the top award at the event – the Prince of Wales Trophy – went to the Clydesdale yearling filly, Ord Tinkerbell, from Eric and Miranda Johnstone of Highfield Circle, Muir of Ord.

She is by Eskechraggan Ernest and out of the home-bred Dillars Scottie Boy-sired mare, Ord Envy.

Picture: Robert Macdonald/northern Studio. Top prize last year went to Clydesdale yearling filly Ord Tinkerbell, from Eric and Miranda Johnstone of Muir of Ord.