A few more photos from yesterday.

(I may be on the rum and coke now with S’mores – it is still my birthday according to me!)

Our Shetland National Dress

Sleepy Foalio

Other mares motivating their friends in the ring.  Each herd group cares about their friends and encouragingly whinny.

A busy helper – Floss worked like a Trojan all day.

Proper little Shelties (the Shetland Sheepdog or Shetland Collie)

 f

Ponies not really participating.

Not even slightly.

Wonderful sheeps.

With superb handlebars.

It always makes me smile the way the rosettes are positioned.

This is just the sheep section. Shetlanders take their sheep very seriously (as do I).

There was a good cow/bull contingent.

Small sheep dogs (border collies) tied to fences.

The usual amazing home-baking.

Beautiful knitwear (I want that hat on the right – the one with the tassel).

A cake after my own heart.

Jam for those who love jam.

It was an exhausting day for everyone.

New friendships were made.

A brand new little Patterdale terrier doing what Patterdale terriers do the best – eating poo!

BeAnne was horrified to meet him and tried to steal the limelight by being upside down!

He was delightful, though, and we all fell in love.

I suppose it would be wrong to swap adult BeAnne for a lovely new puppy! (just thinkin’).

The Jarl Squad arrived.

And gave interviews.

I guess if you are not used to this, it could look a bit different. To those who live in Shetland, it is an everyday occurrence!

I ❤ Shetland

I am drinking gin and aquavit while eating Foord’s chocolates and homemade waffles (with jam).

We have spent the day at Walls Show.

We hepled Bergli Stud and now we are having fun.

After the posh stuff, there was the Fancy Dress competition and guess who had the starring role?

Beautiful, or what?   Can you guess who she is?

Alice and Wonderland with the Mad Hatter with the White Rabbit (who seems to drink!)

There were two contenders in each class.

And BeAnne won!

So proud – BeAnne was a pro.

(if slightly bribed).

As you can see, we were all quite happy.

Lost of folk watching.

I am now exhausted.  I will write more tomorrow.

Zzzzzzzz…….

Today was another day of awful weather. I noticed that Camus was shivering so I decided to bring them all in for some of the day so they could dry off.

I think they appreciate having some time to rest from the weather, especially as they are so young.

Plus, this provides an optimum location to hug!

With my ever-faithful sidekick.

But, the real highlight of today was seeing Albie initiate playing with Camus!

It is so nice to see Abie engaging in typical Shetland pony behaviour even though he hasn’t had the easiest start in life.

He will fit in so well with our Minions.

Though, Tor does object when she is involved in these games.

But at the end of the day, she does care about her second son. He is part of her small herd and is a helpful distraction for Camus.

Wish Frances a happy birthday…this is Daisy and she doesn’t know I wrote this. 

Phorr, there’s something funny round `ere. What is it? Oh, it’s you… come `ere and sit down. You’re gonna `ave the truth told about you and put on record. `Ere, please do not sit too close to me, I’ve just `ad my breakfast, thank you.

Who put salt in the sugar bowl? Who put fireworks in the coal? Who put a real live toad-in-the-‘ole? My brother!

Who put jam in mother’s shoe? Who made real caterpillar stew? Who locked Grandad in the loo?… My brother!

My brother said it wasn’t he, who put shampoo in Grandma’s tea.  My brother said that it was me – my brother’s rotten. Who squeezed toothpaste round the hall? Who put soot in the baby’s ball? Who drew things on the garden wall?… My brother!

You wanna see what he drew. Phorr, what a surprise. Nobody knew what it was really, but everybody `ad a jolly good idea. An’ `e wrote slogans. “Down with young mothers”, that was one. `Cos `e don’t think my mum knows `ow to brings us up right… I don’t think so either. You know, every night when we’re wide awake, she makes us go to bed. And then in the morning when we’re fast asleep, she makes us get up.

Whose pet mouse made Auntie shriek? Who ate glue and couldn’t speak? What clever dick was sick for a week? My brother!

Who keeps maggots in a tin? Plays the twist on `is violin? Who’s been gettin’ at the gin?… My brother!

He looks just like a chimney sweep, but dirt, they say, is just skin deep. I know he’s good when he’s asleep. But you don’t know what he’s dreamin’ about do ya?

Who wouldn’t mind if I ride his bike? Who let’s me shoot his gun if I like? Who says I’m best at – football, ludo, snakes & ladders, `ide & seek, Chasin’ each other up an’ down the garden, pinching little girls up the `igh street.

Well, he’s gotta say I’m best, `cos I’m bigger than `e is An’ if `e don’t say I’m best at everything… I’ll bash `im. Ha Ha.

My lovely, lovely brother. Come on, come on mate, let’s get you out of `ere before you fall down the `ole in the middle. Come on, give us yer `and, we’re gonna walk ….. `Ere, `ere, what `ave you `ad in yer `and?… `Ave yer? Phorr!!

MY BROTHER  written by Mitch Murray  and sung by Terry Scott  This is my childhood!

The Cunningsburgh Show is an open show, ie anyone from anywhere in Shetland can enter.

We arrived early, very early, with some Bergli Stud ponies, as requested.

At 08:00, the show field was busy filling up with various agricultural entries.  Judging started at 09:00 in most sections.

The Shetland pony ring started with a variety of riding classes.

Ridden classes play a very important part in a Shetland pony Show and are not to be dismissed as insignificant.

Bergli Stud had helpers, as well as Flossie and I, and we all spent as much time as possible in getting to know everyone we would be working with.

There was no slacking.

We each had a job and knew what to do – no, mine was not to steal the silver!

My job was to take photographs and I was particularly enchanted by Julie Williamson of Benston Stud who very determinedly showed her ponies.

Bless her, there were moments when we could only see 6 legs + 2 plus 4

The judges in the Standard ring and the Miniature ring were kept busy.

The majority of classes were well attended.

Some lovely ponies were winning.

After the majority of classes, I pottered around with my camera taking photos of anyone with a red rosette.

At the Shetland Agricultural shows, there are classes for everything.

Even potatoes on a plate!

This is my favourite class.

I think it sums the whole show up.

By the afternoon, I was exhausted.  Everyone had worked very hard and the results were beginning to show.

Anyone who had volunteered their help, was roped into showing.  Even Flossie (so proud ** sniff **)….

and me (so going on a diet, *** sniff ***).

At the end of the day Bergli Stud did very well.

They deserved it.

I doubt few can appreciate the huge amount of work that goes on behind the scenes – training, washing, more training, etc.

Having won the Shetland Pony Championship and the Reserve Championship, then there was the Show Championship to go for.

Now it was a free for all……

Champion sheep.

Champion Cow

Champion Chicken

Champion Dog

They were all pitched against each other.

And, guess what, Bergli Stud, won the Cunningsburgh Agricultural Show Champion trophy with Brunatwatt Madeleine Magic.

A good day but an exhausting one.

And so to bed.  Floss and I were up at 06:00 and that is not normal, for me.

But, before I go to bed, I want to say that none of this would’ve been possible without Daisy and OH holding the fort (and Lambie’s hooves) at home as well as creating a delicious supper for us to come home to.  True teamwork.

Thank you everyone xx