Highland Heavyweight Success

Two Clydesdales, ILPH Mac and Baron (formerly known as Willie and Ollie) came into the care of the ILPH (International League for the Protection of Horses) at Belwade Farm, Aboyne in September 2000, together with 28 other horses and ponies, when Fairways Horse Sanctuary, Glencarse, Perthshire, closed.

Since 2001 Mac and Baron have been on loan to Glasgow City Council and last month after weeks of preparation 5 year old ILPH Baron was at the Royal Highland Show where he was awarded Reserve Overall In-Hand Champion Gelding in the Clydesdale class.

His was not the only glory for Glasgow City Council and the ILPH at the show because Baron's 5 year old stable mate ILPH Mac was also successful while being driven by Glasgow City Council employee Willie Craig.

Mr Craig guided Mac into fourth place in the single driven Clydesdales and another fourth place in the four in hand class and, in the striking Unicorn formation for driving three horses, the team achieved a commendable seventh place.

Of the horses' successes, Eileen Gillen, Manager of Belwade Farm comments, "All the staff at Belwade are very proud of the boys and their achievements, it is most rewarding to see them do so well in their new roles especially at such at prestigious event."

Visitors to Glasgow City Council's Pollok Country Park, can see Mac and Baron at work in their day job, between 8 am and 4 pm, where they are used to pull the Council's dray.

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