The supreme in show, supreme ridden, two championships, and a reserve, was the prize haul for Lisa and Carolyn Coghill’s Stemster Millenium Bug which swept the board at the Mannsfield Showground, in the Muir of Ord, to top the final line-up of light horses at the Black Isle Show.

Beaten only in the Arab and part-bred ridden ring by the Caithness sisters’ other horse, Diamond Geezer, this 15hh part-bred Arab is sired by Germont and out of Hammonds Fleur de Llys.

In addition to this reserve placing, Stemster Millenium Bug, won the championships in both the ridden horse section piloted by Carolyn Coghill, and the ridden ponies, courtesy of her win as an intermediate.

Supreme judge, Jan Forsyth, of Millbank, Evanton, who had a tear in her eye as she awarded the overall honours, said of the mare: “She just didn’t put a foot wrong. She is a superb horse and although the decision was very close the in-hand youngster was just too tired and therefore didn’t show itself as well.”

She added that the horse was ridden beautifully.

Millenium Bug is no stranger to success at the Black Isle show, having previously won numerous championships at Mannsfield over a number of consecutive years. Last year she had stood show pony champion at the show and also won as an intermediate show riding type at the Royal Highland, and this year she has also won championships at Kingsbarns and was reserve at Puddledub and Turriff.

Reserve supreme and winner of the overall in-hand honours was the Turriff Show reserve supreme, Kenilwood El Nino, brought north to the show from Cromlix Stables at Dunblane.

Owned and shown by Jill Cousens, this part-bred Arab won two championships through the day, winning both the in-hand Arab and part-bred championship in addition to the in-hand breeding and youngstock pony tri-colour.

This two-year-old gelding is no stranger to success in the show ring, having also won championships this year at Stewarton, the NPS, Doune and Dunblane and Braco, as well as standing supreme horse champion at Central and West Fife.

Jill Cousens also won the reserve overall in-hand title with Mr and Mrs Comrie-Bryant’s Highland pony mare, Oatcake of Whitefield, which was in-hand Mountain and Moorland champion, as well as reserve ridden Mountain and Moorland.

Sired by Highfield Glen Affleck, this low-mileage four-year-old, which was bought by the Comrie-Bryants as a two-year-old, this year topped the four, five and six-year-old ridden Highland pony class at the Royal Highland Show.

Reserve supreme of the ridden exhibits was Kim Tedcastle on her Welsh section C stallion, which had won the mountain and moorlands under saddle, Erwwastad Apollo.

Sired by Hardy’s Lincoln and out of Erwwastad Amber Rose, this consistent partnership won third place in the HOYS qualifier class at this year’s Royal Highland Show, were champions at Banchory, and stood champion potential ride and drive at Turriff as well as reserve at Turriff in the M and M’s. Last year he was reserve supreme at Banchory and champion at Turriff.

The only horse to stand above Stemster Millenium Bug throughout the day was her stable companion, Diamond Geezer, which won the ridden Arab and part-bred title for the sisters, with Millenium Bug standing reserve.

Diamond Geezer, ridden by Lisa Coghill, is a six-year-old part-bred gelding, sired by Balharbour. He was placed third and fifth in his two classes at this year’s Royal Highland, and last year won the Royal Highland’s novice show pony class.

Other section champions throughout the day included Fiona Menzies, who topped the in-hand coloured horses and ponies with her two-year-old colt, Abbotswood Royal Mile, which had gained a first premium at the BSPA grading at Fountain where it also stood reserve champion; and Ruth Sutherland who topped the ridden coloured horses and ponies championship line-up.

Her winner was The Puzzlemaster, a 10-year-old Warmblood cross Welsh which she bought at the end of last year, but which has previously stood second, eight and ninth in the coloured non-native horse class at HOYS, and which has won at the Royal Internatinal. With Ruth, it won at Latheron and at the Caithness Riding Club and Pony club shows.

Champion of the horse in-hand breeding and youngstock section was Fiona Thomson’s six-year-old TB cross Welsh mare, Southills I Propose, which was shown by Fiona’s partner Jarrad Patterson, as she watched from the sidelines with a damaged achillies tendon. By Knights Playboy and out of Aline – the mare which herself was reserve supreme at the show in 2008 – I Propose has been champion this year at Strathbogie, New Deer and was second at Echt.

Second in the intermediate class, but rising to stand working hunter champion was Karen Mowat, on board the nine-year-old gelding Troy, by Monaco and out of Carla Lewis. The pair won the novice working hunter class at the show last year, and went on to stand second in the novice workers at Blair, and this year were champion at Latheron. Reserve was the open worker, Silver Granite, which was being ridden by Calum MacDonald who has taken the ride on from his daughter Ashley. Already qualified for Blair, the pair were third at New Deer and first at Kirriemuir.

Working hunter pony champion was Moira and James Gunn’s Eddiston May-Bee, an 11-year-old gelding ridden by 13-year-old Caitlin Bissett. They won the championships at Caithness Riding Club and Pony Club shows, at Mundole and stood reserve at Latheron.

Mountain and moorland worker champion was Gems Cock of the North, the Craigie Equestrian five-year-old Welsh C gelding, which was ridden by Lucy Craigie. Bred by Richard Deptford, this was only his second working hunter course and he has qualified for the ridden class at Blair.

Sharon Ferguson’s 15-year-old Welsh part-bred Barkway Tom Thumb won the lead-rein class and mini championship, for six-year-old Daisy Ferguson. By Orielton Aristocrat, this pony is shared with sister Millie, who had ridden the pony into second in the first ridden class, and it was the pony’s first championship.

LEADINGawards:

Supreme in show (Judge: Mrs J Forsyth, Millbank, Evanton, Dingwall). Supreme – Stemster Millenium Bug, L and C Coghill. Reserve supreme – Kenilwood El Nino, Mrs J Cousens. Overall in-hand – Kenilwood El Nino. Reserve overall in-hand – Oatcake of Whitefield, Mr and Mrs Comrie-Bryant. Overall ridden – Stemster Millenium Bug. Reserve overall ridden – Erwwastad Apollo, Miss K Tedcastle.

Coloured horses and ponies ridden (Judge: P Cook, Towester, Northants). Champion – The Puzzlemaster, Miss RA Sutherland. Reserve – JC’s Blue Horizon, C Hardie. Best in Ross – Monadh Mor, D Agnew. Native/cob/traditional – 1, JC’s Blue Horizon; 2, Playboy II, Miss RA Sutherland; 3, Monadh Mor. Non-native – 1, The Puzzlemaster; 2, Shanti, J Brown; 3, Lostock Grace n’ Favour, J Brown.

Coloured horses and ponies in-hand (Judge: P Cook). Champion – Abbotswood Royal Mile – F Menzies. Reserve – JC’s Blue Horizon. Best in Ross – Monadh Mor. Native/cob/traditional – 1, Abbostwood Royal Mile; 2, JC’s Blue Horizon; 3, Indie, Loch Ness Riding. Non-native – 1, The Puzzlemaster; 2, Remy, M Maclean; 3, Lostock Grace n’Favour.

Ridden horses (Judges: T Brooks, Carnforth, Lancs (ride) and Ms V White, Horsham, Sussex (conf)). Champion – Stemster Millenium Bug, L and C Coghill. Reserve – Tom Thumb XIII, Mrs L Marshall. Best in Ross – Monadh Mor. Riding club large riding horse – 1, The Puzzlemaster; 2, Beau, K Squires; 3, Pure Gold, L Hay. Riding club small riding horse – 1, Stemster Millenium Bug; 2, Diamond Geezer, L and C Coghill; 3, Lostock Grace n’Favour. Open cob – 1, Tom Thumb XIII; 2, Monadh Mor; 3, Marvellous Marble, Mrs S McIntosh. Small hunter – 1, Somerled, J Lyon. Open hunter – 1, Sinonia, A and A Nicol; 2, Strath Diamond Connor, J Maclennan; 3, Porthill Dixieland Jazz, A Edwards.

Ridden ponies (Judge: Ms P Baker-Beall, Polgate, Sussex). Champion – Stemster Millenium Bug. Reserve – Bannut Chatterbox, G and L Anderson. Best in Ross – Copybush Innovation, Miss S Noble. Novice ridden under 138cms – 1, Bannut Chatterbox; 2, Eddiston May-Bee, M and J Gunn; 3, Meadowlands Choirboy, Mrs K Grant. Novice ridden 138-158cms – 1, Senorita, R Aiton; 2, Durran Miss Ellie, E Coghill; 3, Scarlett Knight, Craigie Equestrian. Open mixed height show hunter ponies – 1, Stemster Millenium Bug; 2, Shanti; 3, Eskside Jasper, J Brown. Open mixed height show pony – 1, Copybush Innovation; 2, Harry Brown, A Mackenzie; 3, Rosevale Seren Surprise, L and R Angus.

Mini ponies (Judge: Ms P Baker-Beall). Champion – Barkway Tom Thumb, Mrs S Ferguson. Reserve – Sunrising Monopoly, Miss E Mackay. Open first ridden – 1, Drumphin Topsy Turvey, Mrs S Campbell; 2, Barkway Tom Thumb. Lead rein – 1, Barway Tom Thumb; 2, Sunrising Monopoly; 3, Maisy May, R Deptford.

Working hunter horses (Judges: Ms V White (conf) and T Brooks (ride)). Champion – Troy, K Mowat. Reserve – Silver Granite, C McDonald. Best in Ross – Sharp Practice II, C McPake. Open – 1, Silver Granite; 2, Haddon Ghostbuster, Mrs E Spence. Intermediate – 1, Sharp Practice II; 2, Troy; 3, Midnight Shadow. Novice – 1, Lady Cashmere, H Bain; 2, Cairngorm Celtic Lass, AA Logan; 3, Pure Gold, L Hay.

Working hunter ponies (Judges: Ms P Baker-Beall (conf) and Ms J Higson, Preston, Lancs (ride)). Champion – Eddiston May-Bee, M and J Gunn. Reserve – Little Cliff, Miss L Hansen. Best in Ross – Little Cliff. Mixed height open – 1, Rhydspence Ambassador, G Campbell; 2, Howen Confusion, G and L Anderson; 3, Durran Miss Ellie, E Coghill. Novice 143-153cms – 1, Little Cliff; 2, Shanti; 3, Bradmoor Tess, C Bissett. Novice 133-143cms – 1, Cracker Jack, R Florence; 2, Copper Fox, K Fraser; 3, Durran Miss Ellie. Novice not exc 133cms – 1, Eddiston May-Bee; 2, Flash, E Coghill; 3, Cairnfield Goldeneye, Mrs L Lackenzie. Nursery stakes – 1, Rhydspence Ambassador; 2, Cairnfield Goldeneye; 3, Thomas, K Beck.

In-hand breeding and youngstock horses (Judge: S Somers, Sudbury, Suffolk). Champion – Southills I Propose, Southills Stud. Reserve – Rovie Blue, JE Moodie. Best in Ross – Amber Nectar, S Ross. Broodmare – 1, Southills I Propose. Yearling – 1, Cullenbay Aurora, D and J Lamb. Two or three-year-old – 1, Rovie Blue; 2, Midnight Black Diamond, S Elliot; 3, Croftmore Guiness, A Black.

In-hand breeding and youngstock ponies (Judge: S Somers). Champion – Kenilwood El Nino, Mrs J Cousens. Reserve – Latheron Pilgrim, S and C Sinclair. Best in Ross – Waxwing Lapel, K Mowat. Pony broodmare – 1, Cairnfield Royal Secret, J and D Hewlett. Foal – 1, Drumlochy Royal Gold, J and D Hewlett. Yearling not to exc 12.2hh – 1, Rustums of Trehalo, Mrs J Cousens; 2, Silvercraig Charmer, E Mackenzie; 3, Leafycroft Miss Georgie, E Mackenzie. Yearling to exc 12.2hh – 1, Rosevale Seren Solitaire, M-J Anderson; 2, Cashleen Lilly, L Sutherland; 3, Painted Gigsaw, Z Hooper. Two or three-year-old not to exc 12.2hh – 1, Latheron Pilgrim; 2, Waxwing Lapel; 3, Springbrae Easter Poppy, Mrs E Spence. Two or three-year-old over 12.2hh – 1, Kenilwood El Nino; 2, Littleton’s Princess, Mrs A Miller; 3, Rosevale Seren Salute, S Stewart.

Mountain and moorland working hunter (Judge: Mrs K Gibb, Kingswells, Aberdeen). Champion – Gems Cock of the North, Craigie Equestrian. Reserve – Rhydspence Ambassador, G Campbell. Best in Ross – Rhydspence Ambassador. Open WHP exc 13.2hh – 1, Howen Confusion, G and L Anderson; 2, Blaentawe the Charmer, Craigie Equestrian; 3, Midnight Shadow, C Rae. Open WHP 12hh-13.2hh – 1, Gems Cock of the North; 2, Rhydspence Ambassador; 3, Garry of Carn Dearg, F McIntosh. Open WHP not exc 12hh – 1, Pinina Red Moss, C Hesling.

Mountain and moorland in-hand (Judge: Mrs C McArdle, Denmill, Tough, By Alford). Champion – Oatcake of Whitefield, Mr and Mrs Comrie-Bryant. Reserve – Auchterflow Mr Miyagi, P and H Maciver. Best in Ross – Auchterflow Mr Miyagi. Stallion – 1, Erwwastad Apollo, K Tedcastle; 2, Broadcroft Limited Edition, Z Hooper. Large breeds mare or gelding – 1, Oaatcake of Whitefield; 2, Dene Eartha, CJ Macpherson; 3, Tillyochie Tom, Mrs A Henderson. Large breeds yearling – 1, Rulienzori Dulcie May, W Saunders; 2, Cashleen Lilly, L Sutherland. Large breeds two or three-year-olds – 1, Glenbanchor Kenavara, K MacLennan; 2, Braeford Briony, W Saunders; 3, Maesgwyn Prince, Comalegy Stud. Small breeds mare or gelding – 1, Murchacko Prince Caspian, Mrs T Ferguson; 2, Cillechuimen Duniwassle, D Carson; 3, Auchterflow Maytricks, P and H Maciver. Small breeds yearling – 1, Auchterflow Mr Miyagi; 2, Silvercraig Charmer, E Mackenzie; 3, Glenlichs Royal Gala, E Fraser. Small breeds two or three-year-old – 1, Llanarth Chamer, E Fraser; 2, Shamrocklake Cherry Diamond, Murphy Family; 3, Glenlichd Fairy Charm, E Fraser.

Mountain and moorland ridden (Judge: P Cook). Champion – Erwwastad Apollo. Reserve – Oatcake of Whitefield. Best in Ross – Gadgirth Bronwen, Miss JC MacDonald. Novice large breeds – 1, Oatcake of Whitefield; 2, Tillyochie Tom, Mrs A Henderson; 3, Llanfyllin Annabella, H Miller. Novice small breeds – 1, Latheron Chatterbox, L Sutherland; 2, Megland Royal Pretence, M and J Gunn; 3, Strathisla My Riverdance, S and C Sinclair. Open large breeds – 1, Erwwastad Apollo; 2, Kallistalodge Annastia, H Miller; 3, Durris Golden Sovereign, T Mason. Open small breeds – 1, Bannut Chatterbox, G and L Anderson; 2, Pinina Red Moss, C Hesling; 3, Corkhills Carlo, E and J Sweeney. Open lead-rein – 1, Tullibardine Peggy, Craigie Equestrian; 2, Maescwm Mayflower, McLean Family; 3, Waxwing Blush, S and C Sinclair.

Arab, Anglo Arab and part-bred in-hand (Judge: S Somers). Champion – Kenilwood El Nino. Reserve – Doll Wind Warrior, Doll Arabians Stud. Best in Ross – Rosevale Seren Salute, S Stewart. Stallion – 1, Doll Wind Warrior; 2, Krus, Hamilton/Geddes. Four years and over – 1, Bronach Serenade, Ms M Shepherd; 2, Rugastazi, S Plowman; 3, Syon Sizzle, M-J Anderson. Three years and under – 1, Kenilwood El Nino; 2, Rustums of Trehalo; 3, Littleton’s Princess, Mrs A Miller.

Arab, Anglo Arab and part-bred ridden (Judge: S Somers, Sudbury, Suffolk). Champion – Diamond Geezer, L and C Coghill. Reserve – Stemster Millenium Bug. Best in Ross – Mrs A Macleod. Not exc 148cms – 1, Eskside Jasper, J Brown; 2, Copybrush Innovation, Miss S Noble; 3, Bronach Serenade, Ms M Shepherd. Exc 148cms – 1, Diamond Geezer; 2, Stemster Millenium Bug; 3, Wind Wizard, E Duncan and M Stuart.