Caithness equestrian successes at Royal Highland Show
Caithness duo James Munro and Russell Skelton came out on top at the Royal Highland Show on Thursday in the ridden hunters.
First, James piloted lightweight hunter Origis PW into top spot, gaining qualification for the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in the lightweight class.
Not to be outdone, stablemate Edenagor Ned then headed the middleweight hunter class, also taking the much-sought-after qualifier for HOYS. James’s third ride, Jamie’s Future, took third place in the heavyweight hunter class.
Through to the championship, James piloted Edenagor Ned into champion and Russell took over the reins on Origis PW to take reserve champion of the ridden hunter section.
They then took the same placings when they went against the working hunter winner and James took reserve supreme against the in-hand champion.
Both are employed by UHI North, West and Hebrides in the equestrian facility at Dale. James and Russell say they are delighted with their results as competition was strong, with many riders up from the south of England chasing HOYS qualifiers.
Lisa and Leoni Kennedy, Blarmhor House, Halkirk, won the in-hand pony breeding over four years old with their 10-year-old chestnut mare, Kindalika, collecting the Lennel Trophy and silver fruit dish for best mare in their section.
This is the second time they have taken Kinda to the Royal Highland Show. They were placed fourth last year in a strong show hunter pony ridden class with Leoni on board.
Rhiana Angus was second in the in-hand Connemara mare over four years old with her pony Clough.
Jacqueline Munro was second in the farm cart class and fifth in the in-hand class with her Clydesdale mare Gersa Lady Emma.
Isla Miller, who lives at Murkle, was second in the British ridden horse class with Ha Durran Harry, and with Ha Durran Finlay she took second in the two-wheeled heavy horse driven class.
Caithness farmer Kenneth Sutherland Snr chose a ewe and her two lambs from Andrew Baillie and family, Carstairs, as this year’s supreme sheep.