Brackenbrae Ultimate has taken his first two shows in his stride and thoroughly enjoyed himself. On a blazing hot day at Perth Show he picked up third place in the Hunter In-Hand Foal class, his mother got 4th in the Hunter Brood Mare class and Lucent got 2nd in the Hunter Youngstock. Lucent also won the Riding Horse Youngstock.

Everyone relaxing in the sun after all the excitement of a first outing

Unfortunately they didn't have a foal class at Kinross again this year but Tim still got the Special Rosette for the Best Foal. Crystal got 4th again in Horses In Hand Mares and Lucent was 2nd in the Yearlings. Lucent got over-excited as soon as her mother left her in the collecting ring but Crystal completely ignored her. Crystal doesn't believe in over exerting herself in showing situations, or any others for that matter.

In spite of glorious weather it was mixed results at the show this year. Ragnald achieved a 1st in the Pure CB yearling male class and Lucent came 3rd in the Part-bred yearling filly. For the first time we stayed over until the next day for the Hunter classes and it was all a bit much for them after a long wait for their classes on a very warm morning. Rags managed a fifth in his class but Lucent took exception to a potted tree and abandoned Jimmy in favour of a couple of laps at full gallop around the (large) ring. Obviously time to go home!

Instead of coming home with us, Brackenbrae Ragnald went off to start his new life with Helen in Yorkshire (coals to Newcastle?), where we can happily report that he is settling in well with new stable friend Luca.

Lucent with her entourage preparing for her first class

While waiting to go into the Championship Rags relaxes by chatting to his fans

It has been a busy week since Crystal's foal was born. He has a name now, Brackenbrae Ultimate (Tim). He has had a lot of visitors coming to say hello, although Crystal hasn't let many of them get too close. Crystal and Tim have been getting on so well that we felt confident to leave them to take Rags and Lucent to the Highland Show, where Lucent got 2nd place in the In Hand Hunter Yearling Filly class and Rags got 4th in the Yearling Colt or Gelding. Rags then blotted his copybook by misbehaving with Jimmy while Lucent was behaving perfectly in the Championship round. Then he refused to load after she walked on and she got a bit upset. After everything calmed down he walked on and has practised perfectly since.

Skysail has been down at Scotland AI Services for a few days so we hope to get some good news there soon and Crystal has her very own "Gentleman Caller". Thomsonbrook King William arrived on Tuesday and we are hoping that she will take to a natural service for the first time, her previous pregnancies all being achieved by AI.

Lewis and young Jack saying hello to Lucent

King William (Bill) checking out his new borders

Crystal produced a lovely big colt foal on Monday night, both are well and happy. They are in the field next to the house just now as Crystal is still very protective and doesn't want him to speak to anyone else yet, although Lizzie and Sky are keen to see him. He doesn't have a name yet but as he is one of his sire Bollin Terry's last offspring we should think of something appropriate.

The boy's first morning in the field

Jim and John giving Crystal a bit of a groom

The boy's second day and already he has tried on the foal slip and had a soft brush. He likes his chin done but was also very good about the rest of his body although we will leave his legs for another day - no point in going too fast. He is already getting bouncy and as his mother still feels that she has to keep him close she has had to chase him around and head him off from getting too close to other animals. Even lambs are seen as a threat!

This years sheep shearing went well and was finished in good time. Alison did well and has honed her technique to be comfortable doing our big sheep. Some of the shearing days were very hot and the sheep were glad to be released from their warm coats.

ALISON WORKING ON ONE OF THE CROSSBREDS

THE FINISHING TOUCHES

Eva at last got a chance to use her flying gift voucher from Bryan and Isobel before the weather took a turn for the worse. She chose a flight in a microlight from Perth airport on the 12th of June. For someone who gets vertigo sitting on a horse she shows bravery to go up in such a flimsy craft. The trip took her from Perth north to Dunkeld, east to Blairgowrie then south west to the Carse of Gowrie before crossing the Tay to fly over Brackenbrae then back to Perth airport.

EVA GETS STRAPPED IN

BRACKENBRAE AND THE NETHERTON

BRACKENBRAE SHOWING THE SCARS OF A HARD WINTER