Native Pony People.

Name
Gillian McMurray.

Stud Name
Trailtrow Highland Ponies.

Breeder
Highland Ponies.

Current / Former panel judge
Current Highland Pony Panel Judge NPS BSPS.

1) How and when did you first become involved with native ponies; what was the first native pony that you owned?
I first rode a Highland in the 1960s, a free ride!! Large, lots of mane, ridden bareback.
First owned; Dunrowan Dolphin, bought for £200 as a two year old.

2) Do you have a soft spot for any pony in particular, owned by yourself or someone else?
Dunrowan Dolphin - took me all the way to winning Olympia '87.
Rummlegairie of Trailtrow - a true family stallion, ridden by small daughter from age 10 onwards, showjumping, dressage, PC teams, qualified for PC finals in 2003.
A stunning head and fantastic temperament.

3) Please state your most memorable judging experience, be it good, bad or amusing?
Judging m&m at Stranraer, a very large man came into the ring after judging, with a complaint about the placing of his equally large pony!

4) Speaking as a judge; what do you believe to be the most important aspects of native pony showing today?
True pony characteristics.

5) When judging in the ring, what brings a smile to your face?
A competitor who shows real pleasure at placing.

6) Speaking as a breeder; what do you believe to be the most important aspects of pony breeding today?
Good conformation and most important - true to breed type.

7) Speaking as a breeder; please state your most memorable experience during your years of pony breeding, be it good, bad or amusing?
Seeing home bred ponies going on the achieve major successes but also watching the birth
of each foal with anticipation for its future.

8) What is the inspiration behind your prefix name?
The cottage where i lived when first married. Married with two Highlands and £200 - what a dowry!

9) Speaking as a competitor; please state your most memorable experience at a show, be it good, bad or amusing?
Good: Competing at Olympia for the second time in 1987, was there to enjoy myself and not expect placing. Unbelieveable result to be winner as totally amateur and home produced.
Amusing: Daughter riding Tarskavaig at breed show, stirred up by driving ponies and producing passage, piaffe and wrong legs, still picked to win.

10) If you could wave a magic wand and have any pony brought to your yard; be it past, present or future, who would it be?
Knocknagael Marksman.

11) Any 'words of wisdom' you wish to share?
Enjoy your pony for what he gives you, there is so much more to pleasure of these animals than ribbons at a show.