Scottish Breeds Celebrated on Home Soil at Scone Palace International Horse Trials

The first champion to be crowned in the showing rings at Scone Palace International Horse Trials (27-30 August) was Ann and Gordon Towns’ upstanding home-bred mare Brodie Of Forglen, shown by Brian McMahon. The eight-year-old led the Highland pony championship after topping a 20-strong class of mares, catching judge Andrew Baird’s eye throughout.

Brodie is a daughter of Nelson Of Caenlochan and Tannah Of Forglen, herself an in-hand champion.

“I have the absolute pleasure of producing Brodie,” said Brian. “She’s done two shows, had two champions and two reserve supremes [previously],” Brian added. “I’m blown away to win here at Scone. She has exceeded all expectations. Brodie is feisty but she’s stunning; she takes a challenge on with everything she’s got. The plan is to show her under-saddle next season.”

Reserve was Lynne McDonald’s home-bred Golden Heather Of Coynach, a yearling by Islay Malt Of Coynach out of July Mist Of Coynach.

Kevin Lee and David Bennett judged four hunter classes before selecting Scottish showman Richard Telford as their champion at the helm of David Shand’s middleweight Achilty Top Gun, a home-bred eight-year-old by Triomphe De Muze. He is HOYS-bound in the middleweight ranks, too.

“This is his second season with me,” said Richard, who also won the novice workers on the gelding’s jumping debut and finished section reserve. “He’s a powerful horse and he’s so rideable.”

Richard had half an eye on the cross-country course while showing: “I love it here. Years ago, when I used to event, I’d come to Scone a lot; it’s like going back in time.”

Reserve was the second-placed middleweight/heavyweight contender, Castleview Vintage, a gelding by Kenny Bell owned and ridden by Kirsty Finnie.

Scone Palace first-timer Jacqueline Munro, from Thurso, got the shock of her life when she was called forward to win the Scone Palace ridden Clydesdale championship, sponsored by The Clydesdale Horse Society. Her ride, home-bred mare Gersa Lady Lauren, advanced to the top spot after no initial pull in.

Adding to the triumph, Lady Lauren’s daughter, Gersa Lady Emma, finished a credible third with Natalie Leslie in the saddle.

Lady Lauren is an eight-year-old by Arradoul Balvenie out of West Glen Apple Blossom. She qualified for the final at Fife Show and is the family’s first home-bred.

“She does it all; she rides, she drives and she’s had three foals for us – she’s actually in foal now,” said Jacqueline, who works as a mechanical draughtsman and shows as a hobby with her husband, Michael. “She’s a funny bird. She loves people and she’s great to work with.”

At the inaugural Scone Palace International Horse Trials 12 months ago, Chris Grant dominated the in-hand classes, winning both breed and NPS Gold Medal finals. This year, his 10-year-old stallion Dunedin Iolare scored top marks in the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) ridden Highland qualifier. There was no pressure for Chris and “Eagle”, though, as they are already through to HOYS after winning and being champion at the first qualifier of the season at the NPS Spring Festival.

Eagle, a son of Moss-side Iain Mor out of Dunedin Fiona, bred by Anne Mitchell, was a champion at the final Blair Castle Horse Trials two years ago.

“His daughter, Dewley Essence, was in-hand Highland champion at Scone last year,” Chris noted. “I didn’t ride here last year so my aim was to come back this year and do so.”

The HOYS ticket consequently fell to Katie Common and her own Dunedin Mascot, also bred by Anne, who returned later in the day to clinch the ridden Highland tri-colour he won last season, ahead of the novice winner, Trailtrow Teviot, ridden by Fiona Menzies.

Another 2025 victor returned to reign at Scone Palace. Amy Ogilvie and her own and her mother Lisa’s Ashton Noah - working hunter champions here last year after winning the novices - achieved a double, winning the Dobson & Horrell/BHS Scotland Riding Club working hunter final and the Perth Equine Vets/BHS Scotland working hunter final, also reclaiming the overall working hunter championship.

“Over the past 12 months we’ve been playing around, doing local shows, but mainly show jumping; he jumps up to Newcomers now,” said Amy, of the eight-year-old by I’m Special De Muze. “It was a bit daunting coming back here as when you’re up top there’s only one way to go! I’m delighted to win again.”

Amy won three from four working hunter classes, also taking the open spoils with Noah’s half-brother, Ashton Orbit.

Lucinda Russell OBE and David Bennett assessed well-filled Tattersalls Retraining of Racehorse classes, kindly sponsored by Perth Racecourse. Topping the amateur ridden show series qualifier was Bollingerandkrug, owned and ridden by Caitlin Fletcher, while the open equivalent was won by Lauren Meek and her own So They Say. The 10-year-old mare is by Malinas and was only retired in June.

“She’s been so easy,” said Lauren, who works as a lorry driver. “The plan is to event her eventually. When we first came onto the racecourse, she said, ‘Ooo, are we going racing?’ but she soon settled.”

Judging concluded with the CHAPS (UK) coloured horse classes. Judge Sue-Helen Shuttleworth chose the winner of the native/cob/traditional open ridden qualifier as her champion. This was Caithness-based Nicola Manson aboard her seven-year-old traditional gelding Mr Fox II. The home-produced seven-year-old of unknown breeding was bought out of Ireland as a three-year-old.

“I bought him unseen from a photograph,” said Nicola, who works for BT. “He does everything; showing, dressage and he jumps. He’s a very good boy, dead quiet.”

The second-placed pair in the same class, Samantha Shard and her own cob Darrowby Daytona, claimed section reserve.

For the second year on the bounce, the cob title was presented to Kirsty Aird riding Helen Duncan’s Lissyegan Ultra.

As well as top-class international eventing featuring many of the world’s best riders and a wide range of showing, showjumping, arena eventing and other supporting classes, there will be superb shopping with a carefully curated selection of local and national retailers, excellent food and drink options and hospitality packages.

Scone Palace is on the northern outskirts of Perth, and has excellent accessibility from the Cross Tay Link Road over the River Tay from the A9 and the A93 and A94.