Chairman – Robin Stewart is one of the original ‘gang of 5’ who discussed the formation of NESHPES way back in 1982, Robin became our first Chairman and has one way or another been involved with the club ever since.
Robin has had a life long love of Highland Ponies, forming the Arbeadie stud in the early 70s. Now known as Coulnacraig and West Lodge studs Robin and (long suffering wife) Karen continues to breed and produce Highland Ponies. Robin’s love of Highlands has long outlived trekking, show jumping and cross country with other breeds and is proud to have represented NESHPES the winning team at the Inter-club One Day Event on two occasions.
Vice Chairman – Sally Smith enjoyed many years in the company of the Fell pony Barncrosh Holly while being a long time admirer of Highland ponies. When the time was right, her first choice was a mouse dun Highland and Sean of Inverdarroch ticked all the boxes at only 18 months old. Now rising seven, ‘Mouse’ has tried his hand at dressage, show jumping, endurance and nearly boiled over with the excitement of the cross country at the NESHPES fun day!
We – well I really! – plan lots of outings in the various disciplines this year, hoping to get lots of miles under the belt in endurance which will help his fitness and encourage ‘forward’ thinking. Stabled at Craigellie, near Lonmay, his companions include my other horse Indian Summer, who at 30 eagerly awaits his return from all his jaunts!
Club Secretary - Susie Shepherd has been the secretary for seven years. Her first pony was a rather opinionated and arthritic Highland who liked to deposit her 'very experienced' friends! Unfortunately arthritis got the better of him and he had to take things a bit slower. At this point Harry the Welsh Cob entered her life and over 14 years on Harry is very much part of the family.
Joining Harry as part of team Shepherd is 'West Lodge Alexander' who will be embarking on his ‘grown up’ career very soon. In her ‘spare time’ Susie is a Public Relations consultant at Mackenzie PR in Aberdeen.
Show Secretary - Karen Stewart is one of the club's original founding members, and was the club's first secretary. Now acting show secretary, Karen has been involved with the club in one way or another for the last 28 years. Involved with horses from an early age, Karen came into Highlands in the early 80s via her husband Robin, when he gifted her a Highland foal 'Karen of Arbeadie' who went on to become one of the founding mares of their Arbeadie, Coulnacraig and West Lodge studs.
Now based in Durris, Karen works for Aon in her 'spare time', looking after the insurance needs of the Exploration and Production side of the oil industry.
Jill Munro has had Highland ponies in her life for over 11 years and now runs the O'Noth Highland Pony Stud which consists of stallion Erray Ash, four brood mares, some youngstock and not forgetting Rannoch her first Highland pony. Jill enjoys breeding, riding and showing her ponies when she can manage to fit it all in around work.
Jill works as warehouse administer for an agricultural chemicals company. As well as her ponies Jill also has three lovely Beagles that she breeds and shows in her spare time as well as the newest edition to the committee – her daughter Ruby.
Jenny Shepherd began a steep learning curve when her daughter decided that horses were for her. Since then Jenny has been head groom and hospitality manager for family and friends at shows around the North-east! Having been a NESHPES ‘helping hand’ for a number of years now the committee felt it was time that Jenny officially became a committee member.
Jenny is looking forward to taking on the roles of head of hospitality and anything else that is thrown at her – as long as it doesn’t involve holding a horse!
Fiona Mitchell first became involved with highlands when she was a wee quine of six years old and went with her sister to ride the late Jack Cartney’s Highlands at Old Deer and so began a lifelong love affair with the breed.
In the past she has tried her had at various activities with her ponies including some rather hilarious NESHPES fun days! But now she enjoys leisurely times hacking out. She is currently owned by four ponies and, all going well, is looking forward to the pitter patter of tiny hooves this year for the first time.
