Natives take centre stage
alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com
Highland Pony Society Breed Show, Strathallan Castle, Perthshire
A MARE bought as a 40th birthday present has proved she’s the gift who keeps on giving.
Sharon Hutcheon’s home- produced nine-year-old Dunedin Fenella (Nel) was crowned supreme in-hand champion ahead of a quality field of breed representatives. Out of the Dunedin Fiona and by Trowan Miracle, Nel was bought unseen in the winter of 2018 after running as a broodmare.
“I was drawn to her breeding,” said Sharon. “She had been breeding coloured cobs, and I thought that if she didn’t take to the ridden job she could definitely breed some lovely babies for us.”
Nel was backed in 2019 and Sharon initially aimed her at the dressage arena for education.
“Winning the supreme was totally unexpected; I thought my ridden class would clash with the in-hand,” she added.
Following their breed show result, Nel and Sharon headed the overall Highland ridden championship at Blair Castle International Horse Trials.
Jan and Christopher Grant’s Horse of the Year Show (HOYS)-bound gelding Dunedin McSporran (Spud) took the ridden equivalent. By 2009 HOYS champion Dunedin Marksman out of Dunaskin Thumbelina, the nine-year-old was an Olympia finalist in 2019 after qualifying at the British Show Pony Society (BSPS) Heritage championships.
“After HOYS [2019] Spud’s brother, Dunedin McGregor, was sold to America, so Spud was required to step up,” said Chris, who purchased Spud from Anne Mitchell as a yearling.
At the breed show,
