WATCH: Cob and Tonic reigns supreme at Keith Show Sunday
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SUPREME horse champion Cob and Tonic provided owner Helen Lambert-Fraser with a debut victory at the Keith Show and young rider Robert Auchnie with the thrill of a lifetime.
The 13-year-old ridden cob looked and performed its Sunday best as it was crowned at the return of Keith Show for the first time in three years.
The Crathie owner was over the moon to claim the title on her first visit to the show.
And for 22-year-old Robert, from Aberchirder, it was a dream ticket to be asked to ride the horse, known as Cobbie, just a fortnight ago.
"I have only been riding him for two weeks. This is the second show I have done with him and we also won at Perth," he said.
"It is brilliant to win here at a local show.
"He was a bit impatient to start with but he was good and went well."
The former Aberchirder Primary and Turriff Academy pupil runs his own equestrian business from the family farm at Muirden of Cranna.
"I have six horses of my own and I usually keep another four or five for other people to break them in."
Robert has been riding from a young age and got his first pony aged 12.
"I was working down south at a show yard run by Robert Walker in Cheshire. I came back up because my dad was needing a hand with lambing and then Covid hit."
Robert launched his schooling business during Covid and also rides for owners part-time.
The judge of the overall horse championship was Jacqueline Strathdee of Rothiemay.
She said of the supreme winner: "He was very well schooled and well turned out. He is a lovely big cob and went really well.
"A tidy rider and the one (horse) I would want to take home.
"It was great to see the show back after three years."
It is the turn of the sheep and the cattle at Keith Show on Monday.
