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**
July 10, 2010 **
A
couple of things to update about. First, I went back to Scotland in
June for the first time in 5 years! I had a WONDERFUL trip - caught
up with some friends that I have really missed, traveled around seeing
ponies and doing some trekking on Highland Ponies. Plus at the end,
going to see the Royal Highland Show. Click here to see
photos of the Highland Pony Champions. My friend Selene put some
riding on Tilly & KP for me while I was gone, and the pictures at
right & below are from our 'hand-over' day when she showed me what
they were currently doing. Pictured right: KP & Selene riding. Pictured
below: Tilly & Selene.
I'm now preparing to take Kellwould Tilly (Atholl Tilt x Whitefield Lady Camilla) and Kellwould Primrose - aka KP - (Roderick of Croila x Sharian Primrose) to the Annual Region III Connemara Show for the second year of M&M classes. It's going to be next weekend, July 17 & 18 in Middleburg, VA. I had a great time at the show last year - even when I was still not well. This year will be even better now that I'm feeling good again.
Today, I trailered the two ponies over to my friend Sara's farm. She has a really nice arena to school in, plus with her 5 Percheron crosses on the other side of the fence acting silly, it's a good training scenario for being at a show. Both ponies did really well. Tilly is an old pro at these things, but this was the first strange place KP has been to in years. She's used to Selene's place like a second home, so it doesn't count any more. She settled right down and I was able to do her in-hand work and then ride her walk/trot with no issues. Both ponies are looking good for the show (maybe we won't embarrass ourselves.. but I wouldn't count on it!). It was a lovely morning with temperatures in the 70's and it was RAINING!! The first rain we've had in over a month! It was really nice to ride in it and everything is turning green again.
A
few photos from the Royal Highland Show - June 24 - 27 - Edinburgh,
Scotland
As you look at the two photos below, if you
think both the In-Hand & Ridden Champions look a little alike, you're
not seeing things. They're full brother & sister -
same sire & dam! By Ruaridh
of Mendick and out of Trowan
Mishka. Both were just lovely ponies!
I have to admit to being a bit prejudiced. I admired their sire,
Ruaridh of Mendick, years ago when first
looking at photos of Highland Ponies, and my KP is a Ruaridh of Mendick
grand-daughter. In particular, it
was very exciting to watch the Highland
Pony Ridden class for ponies 7 years and over, 14 to 14.2 hands. There
are A LOT of really nice ponies that compete at the RHS each year. But
this year's Champion was going SO WELL that it was really noticeable
from the start. Everyone watching knew that his full sister had taken
the In-Hand title the day before, so it was great to be a part of the
excitement on the rails. The breeder, Robert Davidson of Trowan Highland
Ponies, was having a fantastic go of it. Rose MacPherson, who has worked
with Trowan ponies for years,
is the owner and rider of the Ridden Champion and produced
a brilliant ride. It
was very exciting to be there to see it happen - especially the very
joyful, full-out victory gallop. Congratulations
to both breeder & rider!
The
2010 RHS Highland Pony In-Hand Champion: Trowan
Madonna
2003
Mare by Ruaridh of Mendick X Trowan
Mishka
Bred by Exhibitor Robert Davidson
The
2010 RHS Highland Pony Ridden Champion: Trowan
Moulin
2000
Gelding by Ruaridh of Mendick X Trowan
Mishka
Owned and
Ridden by Rose MacPherson - Bred by Robert Davidson
Kellwould
is no longer actively breeding Highland Ponies.
We are devoting our energies to ownership & as Highland Pony Enthusiasts!
There are several Highlands currently for sale in America.
Check out the site "for sale" list
for ponies available around the country.
We
are members & supporters of the
Highland Pony Enthusiast Club of America (HPECA)
on the WEB @
www.hpeca.org
Thank
you to all the HPECA members that make it possible to have
a network of people
devoted to Highlands in America. Our numbers are small, but our ponies
are mighty!
American Highland Pony Update 2009: There were two foals that I know of born in America in 2009 - one in PA ( a filly) and one in NH (a colt). There are currently approximately 70 to 80 Highland Ponies in America. Mature, broke Highlands are hard to come by, but there are a few available for sale. Your best bet to own a Highland Pony is to get involved with a breeder/ owner in your section of the country &/or consider raising a youngster. Please consider that if you purchase a pony, to join the HPECA or at least keep in touch with a member so that no pony disappears into the general equine population.
