Tulchan of Glenisla Estate wins Fred Taylor Memorial Trophy for working hill ponies at GWCT Scottish Game Fair

Rob Mearns and five-year-old mare Twiggy have won the Fred Taylor Memorial Trophy for Working Hill Ponies at the GWCT Scottish Game Fair.

This year saw a near-record entry of 16 ponies. In second place was Dalhousie Estates, with Balmoral Estate taking third.

The event which was first staged in 2013 was conceived by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Association of Deer Management Groups in memory of the late Fred Taylor, dedicated pony man and head stalker on Invermark Estate. Since then it has become the ‘blue riband’ event for working hill ponies in Scotland.

Tom Turnbull, Chair, the Association of Deer Management Groups, said: “It was an absolutely fantastic turnout this year and probably among the highest in this event’s history. It’s a superb way not just of remembering Fred but also keeping the long tradition of using ponies on Scottish upland estates and, indeed, the interest in breeding and training them, alive. They are a wonderful part of upland moorland management and it’s a fantastic spectacle to see them at Scone with the stalkers and ghillies in their estate tweeds and the sparkling, spotless deer saddles and tack.”

Nick Hesford, Director Scotland, Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, said: “This is definitely one of the highlights of the Fair – and this year’s display and competition was no exception. Congratulations to Rob Mearns and Tulchan of Glenisla Estate and to all who took part in making this, once again, such a spectacle. It’s an important part of the messaging around both deer and grouse, and a vital tradition to keep alive – the GWCT Scottish Game Fair is a great platform for doing just that.”

As well as the Fred Taylor Quaich, the winning estate receives free use of an Isuzu D-Max pickup for six months, a bronze medal from the Highland Pony Society, and a bottle of Whyte & Mackay whisky, Fred’s favourite tipple.