Latest news with #ShetlandPony
Press and Journal
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
King Charles greets public - and Corporal Cruachan IV - on summer vacation at Balmoral Castle
King Charles greeted the public at the gates of Balmoral today at an official welcoming ceremony. The King and Queen arrived in Royal Deeside at the weekend for their summer residence at the castle. Spectators gathered to greet Charles as he inspected the Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, whose members made a guard of honour at its gates. They made for an impressive sight – as did their famous regimental mascot, Corporal Cruachan IV. The Shetland Pony, bedecked in his medals, was only too happy to nuzzle Charles' hand during the ceremony as he stood with handler, Corporal Rory Stewart. After the ceremony, there was a performance from the Pipes and Drums, formed by soldiers from across the regiment, including from the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Battalions. It was a display of pageantry closely linked to this year's Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Charles is the Colonel in Chief of The Royal Regiment of Scotland. He wore his relatively new King Charles III tartan, which was designed on the date of his coronation, May 6 2023, and is restricted for the exclusive use of the Royal Family members. The King greeted locals, together with tourists and holidaymakers from France, the Netherlands and Germany, in temperatures which reached 23C. Officer Commanding Balaklava Company, Major Tommy Blair, said: 'Balaklava Company has the unique privilege of supporting His Majesty The King and the royal household during their summer court in Scotland. 'It's a huge honour to command this parade today marking His Majesty's arrival at Balmoral, and we're looking forward to spending the coming months in Royal Deeside.' On Sunday, His Majesty drove Queen Camilla to attend the Sunday church service at Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral.
Press and Journal
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
'Perfect' Rothes Simmental takes top honour at Grantown Show
Grantown Show delivered another champion of champions title for Simmental heifer Delfur Nifty. A yellow weather warning of an oncoming storm did not deter the crowds at Grantown, where the show managed to successfully evade the downpours seen in the rest of the country. The overall show champion from Delfur Farms, Dundurcas, Rothes, was tapped out by supreme judges Eddie and Doreen Aldridge. Having been involved with the show and Strathspey Farmers; Club since 1957, the pair picked the heifer over the interbreed horse, sheep and Clydesdale champions. Describing his choice of champion, Eddie said: 'She is a most outstanding example of a perfect animal. I could not find a fault in her. I understand she is being retained for breeding and I hope she is able to produce similar stock to herself.' He added: 'Overall, this has been a tremendous show of livestock. 'I've seen many shows and you would be hard to beat Grantown. 'The heifer is one of the most outstanding champions I have seen here at the show.' Wearing the tricolour sash, this in-calf heifer by Ballymoney Larry and out of Delfur Joyful is on her second supreme championship after having taken the same accolade at Black Isle. Paraded by farm manager Garry Patterson, she has also taken interbreed cattle champion at Nairn, interbreed junior champion at the Royal Highland and breed champion at Turriff this show season. Pipped to the post was the inter-breed sheep entry from Jennifer McKilligan, of Mains of Newtongarry, Drumblade. Her Blue Texel gimmer, Jems Juicy Luicy, is no stranger to the spotlight, having taken interbreed honours at New Deer and championship titles at Echt and Turriff. She is by Carly's Hulk – a purchase at Carlisle in 2023 – and out of Nantydderi Going For Golf, which was bought as a ewe lamb at Worcester. The overall horse title went to the standard Shetland Pony from Christine Forbes, of Dufftown. Her six-year-old mare, Lynemore Mirrie Dancer, is sired by Lynemore Illusion and out of Lynemore Finesse. This year has seen her take champion at Keith and last year she was champion at the Royal Northern Spring Show, while also winning reserve titles at Keith and Banchory. In the Clydesdale section, the top prize went to Doura Clementine from Louise Tulloch, of Kilbuick, Forres. Her three-year-old mare was bought from Charlotte Young and is by Collessie Connoisseur and out of Doura Margarita. She took reserve overall horse at Keith last weekend.
