Royal Highland Show 2017 - #9 Ponies, Ponies, Ponies! (and Clydesdales)

After the coos, we moved on to the big stable block at the back where all the Highlands and Shetlands are housed during the show. Unfortunately the Welshies and other pony breeds seem to be kept away from public view which is a real shame.

On the way there we spotted a few decidedly un-ponylike creatures as some of the Clydesdales were readied for the harness turnout classes later on.

Royal Highland Show 2017 - #3 Assorted Ponies!

Not that we could ever have our fill of ponies, but we decided to head off for the big barn full of Clydesdales after seeing the main ring. The route there took us past one of the collecting rings, which happened to have several tiny ponies in situ!

Royal Highland Show 2017 - #1 Ridden Highlands and Broken Cameras

 As I said in my previous post, I travelled to the RHS this year with two companions, my friends, Tomás and Rory who had come up specially!

We rose early (well, for me anyway!) on Friday to go to the show. The bus into town was a little late, but the Edinburgh ones leaving the depot were very regular and after missing one as the baguette I'd chosen to buy for lunch later apparently had to be toasted first, another arrived a few minutes later.

The forecast was for rain until midday, then cloud and sunny spells for the rest of the day.

The rain showed itself within a few minutes of setting off but we hoped it'd pass over quickly.

Royal Highland Show 2016 - #9 - Ponies, ponies and yet more ponies!

The post you've all been waiting for - lots and lots of fuzzy pony goodness!

Royal Highland Show 2016 - #1 Ridden Highlands

It's that time of year again!

Like last year, I met up with fellow collector Magdalena after I arrived and we spent the day ogling ponies and trying to work out what interesting variation of dun most of the Highlands were!

The first thing I saw when I arrived was unfortunately the very end of a class, the Highland Ponies Under Saddle.

As usual there were plenty of beautiful ponies.

The prizes were being handed out when I walked up, and a quick google reveals that this triumphant and gorgeous beastie is Royal Caledonian of Fourmerk.

The equally lovely Reserve is Glenbanchor Somerled.

  

The lap of honour looked like great fun!

Short post is short but the next one will more than make up for it!

Part 2 - Welsh Sec B!

Royal Highland Show 2015! - Part 1 - Ponies Ahoy!

It's that time of year again! 

Prepare for ponies!

Royal Highland Show 2014 - Part 1 - Ridden Highlands

I'll finally be posting about New Blades and whatnot later but for now, my yearly jaunt to the Royal Highland Show beckons!

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As with last year I went on the Friday rather than the weekend as I've found it to be a bit quieter and with a more varied timetable. I got the bus to the showground straight from Glasgow but to my horror, realised that I'd missed the stop for the show literally just as the bus started to pull away. (I didn't see the sign and stupidly assumed people were getting off for something else) Luckily the driver was an absolute legend and pulled over at the next bus stop and told me which one to get on the other side of the road. It wasn't ideal, but twenty minutes later I was back on the road and on my way to the show! XD

I took millions of photos as usual, all of which can be found here. As ever, feel free to take and use as reference, just remember to credit!

The first class I found was the Ridden Highlands, always a favourite of mine as Highland ponies are my very favourite breed. There were a lot of really chunky ponies in the running this year, including one with so much feather I wondered if he had a hidden bit of Clydesdale in his ancestry! XD







I mean just LOOK at this! What a stunner - he looks like he could have been an Elven horse in The Lord of the Rings or something!











Most were various shades of grey but there were a couple of duns, including this incredibly striking mouse dun. (and just look at that neck, ye gads!)



The winners!





There was another lovely Highland in the 'Cuddy In Hand Supreme Championship' later in the day, which I think was a HOTY show qualifier, but more on that front later... :P



Part 2 will be up soon!