News 2006

Thank you for looking at our website and following the news of our ponies during 2006, hope you will all come back again in 2007.


Best Wishes to all our readers for a very happy Christmas and New Year.

With best wishes from Kate and Willie.

December 8th 2006

Since last writing we have taken our foals, Fiery Angel and Ocarina of Whitefield, to the Winter Fair and Tayside Foal Show. Both shows were well supported and it was great to see such well filled classes at this time of year. I know I struggle to be enthusiastic at the thought of getting ponies ready to show in December. It is a great educational experience for the foals though, and worth the effort in terms of learning them to load and travel on their own and tie up etc. We enjoyed both of days out and Fiery Angel was a creditable third and fifth, and Silver Flute who also made the trip to the Winter Fair, was third in the 3yo class. Congratulations to Jimmy Hendrie and Alvean Kerr who won the championship at the Winter Fair, with their yearling filly Tower Heather Cream, and to Martin and Wendy Taylor for their championship win at Tayside Foal Show, with their 3yo filly Shona of Sunnyneuk.

November 16th 2006

Our colt foal was collected by Eric Gillies at the end of October. I am pleased to report that he travelled well and arrived safely, and is now settling into his new home. We were sorry to see him go, he was a very pleasant character with a kind easy nature, but it is lovely knowing that he has gone to such a great home, and we wish Vicki all the best with him.


There is not a lot in the way of pony news at this time of year. We hope to take the foals out to a couple of foal shows in the next few weeks, weather and everything else permitting.

I was delighted to receive a super email a few weeks ago, from Lochlands Opus's young owner. Opus was a well recognised pony around the shows in his younger days, but he is now enjoying his later years with a lovely family in Aviemore. It was so nice to hear of him,obviously much loved, fit and well and still giving pleasure and being enjoyed.


Yesterday I had another email, this time from Sonja in Germany, keeping me up to date with news of Lochlands Nikita. Nikita is now expecting her first foal, I will look forward to news and photographs of the new arrival in the spring time.

October 17th 2006

Time for a long overdue update. After looking back to see what I wrote in October last year and I find that the news for October 2006 is going to be remarkably similar to 2005. Once again it is time to meet some new additions, last year canine and equine, this time feline and equine.

I will begin with the smallest and most troublesome new arrival, our new kitten. Our old cat of 16 years died in May so having waited until the summer shows, visitors etc were all by, I decided it was time to find a replacement. I thought we had a kitten, but I think we got a tiger in disguise, it is great fun but what a bundle of mischief, and extremely vocal and demanding for an ordinary moggie !

And now for the proper news, the pony stuff. The ponies are all fit and well, we have weaned the foals and they have settled down very quickly, they are inside at nights and out during the day.

The eagled eyed readers may well be thinking that there is a third foal hiding in the back of the above photo, she is a new addition. Once again a totally innocent and non buying visit to Whitefield, saw us leaving lighter in the pocket and with a new pony to think about. This happened back in early May when we took Maddy and Magic over to be served. We enjoyed a lovely walk around the fields admiring all the young foals, and somehow by the time we left, one had been sold. Many of you will have seen her out and about around the shows this year. She is out of the lovely Islay, a prolific winner this season and by Belivat Muldoanich . Obviously we had purchased her before she had been shown, but we were delighted to watch her head the foal classes at a Alyth, RHS, Perth, Blair Castle and Duthie Park.

Our new foal is called Ocarina of Whitefield, I was very lucky to be able to choose her name, but it had to begin with an 'O'. An ocarina is small earthenware keyless instrument, often known as a sweet potato because of its shape. Ocarina is out of the same family line as our existing Flute family, and we look forward to breeding from her in the future.

You may have noticed my recent wanted advert,looking for a young colt. Well the advert was successful and we now have a new boy, although he is not a youngster, but a 13yo stallion.

We hadn't expected to be looking for a stallion this year, but sometimes things dont work out quite as planned, Rabbie now has a new home, and we found ourselves with a vacancy.

Our new boy is the very handsome Rignell Sassenach, 13yo and a lovely strong yellow dun colour. He was bred in Oxfordshire by Mrs Seagroatt who contacted me after reading our advert. Although we had been intending to go down the route of a youngster again, we were immediately tempted by Sass. His breeding is interesting to us, very similar to Highfield Glen Affric who we have already used succesfully, Affric being the sire of our breed show champion Magic. The grand dams of both stallions are full sisters, Sass's granny being the 1981 RHS Champion Rose of Balinoe. The Balinoe blood is taking me back to where I started, as my original brood mare, was of course Duircein of Balinoe. It was very interesting seeing the photographs of Sass's dam, she looked so very like my old mare Duircein.

After an exchange of telephone calls and photographs, the deal was soon done and one of Eric Gillies lorries rolled into the yard at the end of September, with our new purchase. I think it would be fair to say that we were both quite nervous when the ramp came down, but we need not have been, as we were very happy with what came off the lorry.

He has settled in well and seems used to his new routine now, after spending all his days in Oxfordshire it must have been a huge shock for him, having a sudden move and having to cope with so much going on around him. It will be exciting to see how he works on our mares, just a shame we have such a long wait now.

September 3rd 2006 - CSHPC Show

The final show of the season for us, was the Central Scotland Highland Pony Club Show. This year the show had relocated and was held at Strathearn Eventing, Methven. I think the new venue was a huge success, providing big grass rings, ample good parking and an excellent layout. Even the weather which started off wet and disappointing came good, the rain soon cleared and by mid afternoon the sun was shining and it was very pleasant.

We took Maddy and Sylvie out again, Sylvie won the 3yo class and went on to win the trophy for best filly in show, and Maddy was 2nd in the brood mare class, a good end to a great season for us.

Congratulations to Peter and Sheila Keron who were champion with their lovely brood mare Abby of Westbank. You can read all about Peter and Sheila's ponies on their newly constructed website, get there from my links page. Standing reserve to Abby was Irene Grant's yellow dun 2yo gelding Sheamus of Inverdarroch.

The CSHPC have lots of new ideas for the show next year, it will hopefully be held at the same venue, so for anyone within travelling distance mark it in your show diary for next year. It is definitely a show with something for everyone, full range of inhand classes, novice and open ridden sections, tack and turnout, whp, handy pony and young handler sections.

August 24th 2006 - Blair Castle Highland Pony Show

On Thursday we we took Maddy and her foal up to Blair, she was second in the brood mare class to the lovely Islay of Whitefield, who went on to be champion. Military Piper was second in the colt foal class, so we were very happy to have had another successful outing. Congratulations to the Baird family and to Martin and Wendy Taylor who were Reserve with their lovely 3yo filly Shona of Sunnyneuk.

August 16th 2006

I have no news as such to report, we haven't been to any shows since our outing to Turriff at the end of July. We did enjoy a very pleasant day out spectating at Perth Show, phew it was hot, what a scorcher. The female section was well filled and it was tremendous to see such a huge turnout of mares and foals. The male section was not so well supported, some of the classes having a disappointing number of entries forward. Champion was the lovely brood mare, Islay of Whitefield, from the Baird family, and in Reserve was Alison McLeod's yearling filly Carli of Roisbheinn, male Champion was Willie Simpson's colt foal Chapelhill Drew.



photograph below of Messrs G M Baird's brood mare, Islay of Whitefield, Champion at Perth Show.

Our ponies are all fit and well and seem to be enjoying the prolonged spell of dry weather. The foals have fairly grown and are both very friendly, which is great until you try to take pictures of them !





photgraphs of foals below : ( hold cursor over pics for descriptions ).

July 30th 2006 - Turriff Show

Wow, what a day and what a fantastic end to what has been a most tremendous month for us.

We are home happy and tired after a very long day at Turriff Show, where Sylvie won the 2/3yo filly class and went on to be Highland Pony Champion.

Turriff is a lovely show, we have been Reserve Champion there before, but it was lovely to take the championship today. It was a glorious day, if a lttle too hot in the scorching sun, I suspect we may well feel a little burnt tomorrow.

Lochlands Silver Flute - Champion Highland Pony Turriff Show 2006

July 22nd 2006 - Braco Show

We had a most enjoyable day out at Braco Show. We left home in the early morning mist, but it soon cleared and another show was blessed with perfect weather. We certainly can't complain about having no summer this year, we have seen plenty of sunshine. It makes a pleasant change to set off to shows without worrying about, coats, wellies and waterproofs being packed.

We had a lovely day, taking just Maddy ( L Madasun ) and her foal, and we were delighted when Maddy won the brood mare class and went on to be Reserve Champion. Beth Sibbald was judging and she choose the winner of the very well supported yeld mare class as her champion, Morven Campbell's black mare Tourmakin Bryony.

Breed Show 2006

Well what an absolutely amazing day ! Willie and I are still floating somewhere up on cloud nine, and I still cant quite believe that one of our homebred Lochlands ponies was breed show champion !

Needless to say we had a wonderful day and are absolutely delighted that our 4yo brood mare Lochlands Magic Flute won the brood mare class, her foal won the filly foal class and Magic went on to be awarded the inhand championship.

This is an achievement that I thought I could only dream about, but probably never attain, it will be a while before I stop grinning.

Lochlands Magic Flute - Breed Show In-Hand Champion 2006

Congratulations from HPS immediate Past President Mrs K McArdle

Lochlands Fiery Angel - 1st prize filly foal Breed Show 2006

Fettercairn and Echt Show 2006

Time for an overdue update. Since writing last we have had two successful show outings, to Fettercairn and Echt. On 1st of July we took Magic and Silver Flute to Fettercairn, Sylvie won the 2 and 3yo class, Magic and her foal won the brood mare and foal class. Magic then went on to be Reserve Champion to Robin and Karen Stewart's yeld mare, West Lodge Annie who was champion.

Saturday 8th of July saw the start of what to be a wonderful weekend for us. We took Sylvie and Madasun to Echt show. Maddy won the brood mare class and her colt foal Lochlands Military Piper was 2nd prize foal, Sylvie won the 3yo class and went on to be champion, with John Reid standing Reserve with his yeld mare Shevock Sapphire Speedwell.

Lochlands Silver Flute - Echt Show Highland Pony Champion 2006

June 18th 2006

Magic and Maddy have both been scanned in foal, and are now home again. The foals have fairly grown, what a difference in five weeks. Maddy's colt foal will be heading off to a new home in the Autumn. His new owners have chosen him a name, he is to be called Lochlands Military Piper. I will now have to think of a name for the filly foal.

Yesterday we made a quick visit to Aylth Show. Unfortunately we had to fit it in around working, so didn't get the chance to stay very long. There was an excellent turnout of ponies and it was especially good to see such well filled youngstock classes. John Reid ( O'The Glens Stud ) was judging, and he chose the winning 2yo filly as his Champion, Money Penny of Whitefield and in Reserve, the brood mare Islay of Whitefield, both ponies exhibited by the Baird family, Whitefield Stud. We took just one pony to the show, our yearling filly Madonna for her 2nd outing, and were delighted to stand 2nd in a very strong class of yearlings. First prize yearling was a lovely filly shown by Sandy Baird, Whitefield Princess Nickel.

June 13th 2006.

We have finally been out to our first show of the season. Saturday past was Angus Show day, our local show, only half an hours drive away at Brechin. The day began somewhat murky, but the mist cleared by mid morning, to give a glorious sunny day, perfect weather in which to enjoy our first show outing of the year.

We had three ponies entered, but since putting in the entries we have sold Mendy the gelding, so he didn't go. We took Sylvie our 3yo filly and Donna a yearling filly for her very first outing. John Dykes ( Mendick Stud ) was judging, and we were delighted when Sylvie won her class, followed by Donna winning the yearling class. This was Donna's first trip away from home, and although her eyes were out on stalks she was very well behaved. Our good day continued to get even better, when Sylvie went on to be champion.

What made the day even more special for us, was the fact that our young friend Nikki, won the gelding class with her pony Drummond Rhuaridh, who then went on to be Reserve Champion. Nikki was thrilled and we were equally pleased for her. We rent our grazing from Nikki's family and over the years we have converted her to the breed, so much so that two years ago she got her own highland pony. It has been lovely to see Nikki doing so well with her pony , she has already had some red tickets, but it was so nice to see them win their first championship ticket. Well done Nikki.

photos: top Lochlands Madonna ,1st prize yearling filly Angus show.
below: Nikki Saunderson's Drummond Rhuaridh heading the gelding class, before going on to be Reserve Champion, Angus Show.

May 27th 2006

May has been a month of mixed fortunes. The two mares and foals are both doing well. They are presently back at Whitefield to be covered again. On the down side, Moonlight unfortunately managed to injure herself, resulting in a nasty cut across the front of her hock. All things considered it is healing well, but it is going to be a slow process, so no shows for her this year. Flute has also been poorly, suffering from the reoccurence of an old injury, thankfully she is well on the mend now, and after a couple of weeks box rest, is now very glad to be getting turned out again.

We haven't been out to any shows yet, but barring disasters we should be taking some ponies to Angus Show.

April 26th 2006

The foals are both thriving and doing well. Luck was with us this year, they couldn't have picked a better week to be born. It has been a lovely dry week, ideal for baby foals to get a good start in.

April 21st 2006

Spring does seem to have arrived at last, this past week has not only brought us some very welcome warmer weather, but also two delightful new arrivals.

Easter Monday, no bank holiday for us, but much more exciting Maddy's first foal. He made his appearance into the world at the very sociable time of five o'clock in the afternoon. A quick birth, and a particularly keen foal, who was up on his feet and soon located his milk bar. Within an hour he was born, sucking and the mare had cleansed.

Two days later, and Magic presented us with a most delightful filly foal. Unfortunately, not at the nice sociable hour of the day that Maddy chose, but more in keeping with normal, in the middle of night. She arrived safely, but not quite so easily as the colt foal had done, and this time a vet's visit was needed in the early hours to cleanse Magic.

We are delighted with our two new babies, we now just have to think of names for them both.

March 7th 2006

Well March certainly came in like a lion, let's just hope that it does decide to go out like a lamb. Winter finally chose to make a late appearance and the North of Scotland was delivered a fairly large dump of snow. Fortunately we were just on the edge of it and thankfully were let off very lightly, but a few miles up the coast and beyond were not so lucky.

Sadly the snow did mean that we were unable to venture up the snow covered roads to Aberdeen Spring Show, but but we did manage to attend the National Stallion Show at Perth on the 4th of March.

Despite the bitter cold, and the bad weather during the previous few days, this years show was particularly well supported, and it was excellent to see all the classes well filled.

We took our three year filly Sylvie and yearling filly Queenie and were delighted to win the three year class and stand second in the yearlings.

Congratulations to Bruce Haliburton who was champion with his 7yo stallion Echo of Achnacarry .

Besides the show, there was also a great display of stallions in the Highland Pony Society parade of stallions.

It was lovely to get out an about again and catch up and have a blether with so many friends. All we need now is to see the back of this cold weather, get some warmer days and hopefully see the grass start to grow again soon.

Many thanks to Sandra MacCorquordale ( Achnacone Highland Ponies ) for supplying the photograph below of our yearling filly.

February 15th 2006

With half of February behind us now,and the increased light at either end of the day, I can almost see the end of winter approaching. The ponies are all wintering well and look fit and healthy.

I was delighted to hear from Debbie last week, that Lochlands Principal Flute had been inspected for his stallion license and duly passed. I am equally pleased to say that our own Rabbie Burns, has also passed his colt inspection.

Magic and Maddy are both due to foal in April, but disappointingly Mandy appears to be not in foal. Nevermind these things happen for a reason. Had she been in foal for this year, we had decided to give her a rest and not cover her again, now though as it has turned out, we will be able to put her to Rabbie, sooner than previously expected.