Latest news with #Clydesdale
Edmonton Journal
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Edmonton Journal
Poetry in the saddle: Alberta woman, horse to represent Canada in world horseback archery
Mounted on her stunning Clydesdale, Jewel, Hazel Carter—and her bow and arrows—are poetry in the saddle. Article content The Beaver Hill Lake country horse trainer and her black beauty are together one of three horseback archery pairs chosen to represent Canada at the International Horseback Archery Alliance competition in Tennessee this Sept. 17-21. Article content Article content 'Having this opportunity with Jewel as my Clydesdale is just an absolute dream come true,' Carter said. Article content Selected by the Canadian Federation of Mounted Archery, the pair will compete in Lewisburg, Tennessee, for the IHA World championships against horse archery teams from around the world on the tower, raid and hunt courses. Article content The 'tower' offers a single tower 45 metres down the 90-metre track, with a three-phase target at the archer's face level, and Carter will have the entire track to send arrows into it over 18 seconds with her choice of bare bow—Tatar-style as used in the Ottoman Empire—and arrows made with carbon fibre and turkey feathers. Article content Article content Career born during pandemic Article content At the height of the pandemic downtime, Carter chose horseback archery as a training project. Article content Article content 'I lived on the farm, so I still had my space. I still had my ability to go out and do some things out here, but it was just a curiosity that I kind of tapped into,' she said. Article content She's always had a fascination for medieval arts and reenactment, and horseback archery felt like a natural extension for her, so for her 18 th birthday, she gave herself a present. Article content One arrow shot off the back of a horse, and she was off. Article content In addition to horse training — skills she learned from her family, who raise paints and quarter horses—Hazel Carter's also a cosplayer and content creator. She performs at Renaissance faires and makes all her own cosplay materials, even leather armour for Jewel, and she has done some acting.
Scotsman
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Archive film of Scotland's past has surprising results – unique therapy for those with Alzheimer's and dementia
Carney Heritage Productions 'The past is still there': Aberdeenshire filmmaker's reminiscence therapy brings hope to families living with dementia and Alzheimer's Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... This reminiscence film therapy is the brainchild of Dr Don Carney, a retired university lecturer with a passion and a talent for capturing on film the lives, stories and activities of 'ordinary' people in Scotland. From his unique archive of over 500 hours of footage, he has put together a number of short films – ranging from 10 minutes to over 45 minutes – which are helping those living with dementia connect with their past, and providing respite for those who care for them. The clips include nature, rural scenes and activities, Clydesdale horses, food, music and popular LPs from the 60s to the 80s – even the antics of their neighbour's ginger tom cat – with stories and images which find the places where their cherished past memories hide. 'There was one gentleman in Banffshire who used to work on farms,' Dr Carney recalls as an example. 'Seeing the Little Grey Ferguson tractor in action in our clip took him back to his life in agriculture and sparked conversations hitherto unknown and unheard by his wife who was his carer.' She said 'He became my loving husband again and that feeling was repeated each time we showed the clip up to two weeks before he died. Thanks for what you have done for our family'. Dr Don Carney Memories as therapy Dr Carney, an award-winning heritage film maker, and his wife Dot, used their own money to finance the project from their home in Aberdeenshire and spent three years working to produce the clips with involvement from carers, people with dementia and professionals in the field. 'I believe I can make a difference to my fellow human beings and society, this is not profit-orientated,' said Dr research showed there was nothing available digitally 24/7 for people with dementia and nothing tangible to access for those caring for them. Even when in Scotland in 2023 there was £16.5 million pounds spent on dementia research. Where is that money going and what benefits do people living with dementia get year on year from such sums Don asks' 'We have all this resource in our archive and we can do something good with it, and improve the health and wellbeing for people with these two progressive conditions,' he said. Dr Carney introduces each clip in his and friendly manner. The reminiscence clips play on any modern device and once downloaded, can be viewed countless times. They can even be sourced by mail order on a data stick to plug in and play. At the end of the film he returns to the screen to ask a simple question related to the clip, designed to spark discussion. Carney Heritage Productions See clips for yourself The current archive of films, feature a variety of topics of different lengths, all have trailers which can be viewed on the website along with carer support and training notes before committing to buy. At just £9 for a 10-minute reminiscence therapy film up to £25 for one over 45 minutes' long they offer a value for money non drug support tool and resource for private individuals. Companies, including care homes, can buy the full catalogue of 14 films for £690 to provide a resource for group therapy, that can be used year on year. Any money raised will help fund the project into the future, and enable him to delve back into the archives to produce more reminiscence therapy clips. Carney Heritage Productions Looking back to the past to bring dementia therapy into the present He started collecting memories on film whilst researching the 300+ year history of his family's farm. This led to a small business, Carney Heritage Productions, which still exists today. His Scottish heritage footage has been shown in countries around the world. 'We were getting feedback from people saying the heritage videos were taking people with dementia back to the past, and carers telling us that watching the films took their loved ones out of their dementia.' Not only were they engaged whilst watching the film, carers said it often led to extended periods of alertness, conversation and laughter. 'Once we knew what a profound effect it was having, both on those with dementia and in terms of providing some respite for carers, we started to put this resource together, totally customised for people with these two progressive conditions.' He added: 'The dementia films have diverse endorsements, and our work has even had a letter of support from The Palace.'
Scotsman
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Methane tractor, a Clydesdale called Yorkie and a world record smashed
Until next year... Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Some 212,000 people flooded through the gates at the Royal Highland Show this year to see more than 6,000 animals and taste the best of Scotland's food and drink in a celebration of farming. From prize-winning cattle to the latest models in agri tech, the event saw the best of the country's agriculture come together over four days, with early bird tickets already going on sale for next year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Some eye-grabbing champions of the weekend included global brand New Holland taking home a prize for its 100 per cent methane-powered tractor, which it claims to be a world first. A world-first was witnessed in the forestry arena at this year's show. Dan Wheelan, from Shropshire, set a world record climbing a 80ft pole in just 9 seconds, beating the previous record of 9.61. Another prize-winner included Elaine Ramsay, from Dumfries and Galloway-based Millisle Clydesdales, who took home the heavy horse champion for her Clydesdale, Yorkie. The Ramsay family celebrated their 60th anniversary of showing heavy horses at the event this year. Ms Ramsay's father, Hugh Ramsay, holds an MBE for services to the Clydesdale horse. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Elaine Ramsay carried on the family tradition that her father Hugh Ramsay started when he was competing at the Royal Highland Show 60 years ago. | Lisa Ferguson Her Royal Highness Princess Anne made her annual visit to the show on Friday where she met with primary school children taking part in activities and toured the grounds. A couple of farmers sleep as The Princess Royal tours the cattle stalls in the Highland Hall during a visit to the Royal Highland Show at the Royal Highland Centre in Ingliston, Edinburgh. Picture date: Friday June 20, 2025. | Jane Barlow/PA Another royal touch at the show included the annual presentation of the Queen's Cup, a prestigious award of the show that was presented by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1960 to commemorate her presidency of the Royal Highland Show. This year, the cup, which rotates the livestock categories annually, was awarded to champion goat, Messrs Webster and Smith with Guilden Elm. It is the 15th time in 45 years the pair have won the award. The most sustainable farm of the year, an award hosted by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST), went to Balcaskie Estate in Fife. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The estate is home to native breeds including Lincoln Red cattle, Tamworth pigs and a range of native sheep. Estate managers have regularly championed the animals, saying they are central to Balcaskie's low-input, sustainable farming system, and to the management of the wider landscape to help promote natural biodiversity. As well as celebrating agriculture in the country, the event marked a major social occasion, particularly for those working in the sector from all corners of the country. Over 56,000 pints were poured over the four days and some 7,400 people partied into the night on Friday and Saturday evening at the Royal Highland Hoolie, with a folk and country line-up including Elephant Sessions. David Tennant, head of show for RHASS, which runs the event, said: 'It has been wonderful to see generations from across the agricultural community come together to celebrate their great achievements, learnings, stories and make new memories, just as it has been to see visitors and families enjoy all that the Show has to offer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We were very honoured to have welcomed HRH Princess Anne to Friday's Show when we shared with her all of the great achievements from the Scottish agricultural industry. 'While the Show is renowned for its historic and traditional aspects, namely the livestock competitions and parades, over the years we have developed it so far beyond that, and every year we build and grow on the last. 'I'd like to thank everyone for playing their part, from our members, exhibitors and competitors to our staff and members of the public, for helping to make the 2025 Royal Highland Show a truly unforgettable event!'
BBC News
20-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Scotland end T20 series with win over Nepal
T20 Tri-Series, GlasgowScotland 193-5: Munsey 78, McMullen 42; Bhurtel 2-20Nepal 159 : Singh 43*, Airee 34; Greaves 3-27Scotland win by 34 runsScorecard Scotland signed off the T20 Tri-Series with a comfortable 34-run victory over Nepal to move into next month's World Cup qualifiers in more confident Munsey starred with the bat, whacking 78 from 39 balls to help the Scots set an imposing target of 194 at a sweltering Clydesdale in who had enjoyed two wins from their three matches in the series with Scotland and the Netherlands, never really looked like chasing who hit an associate-record 191 in a recent ODI against the Dutch, resumed that form as he managed six sixes before being caught chasing another boundary."Everyone mucked in and got the job done," Munsey told BBC Scotland."I really enjoy getting going when I can especially in front of a home crowd. I just love hitting sixes."I've just got to get myself in and be smart and enjoy the moment, thankfully it happened today."When Munsey departed he and Brandon McMullen had steered Scotland to 134-2, but when McMullen was bowled by Sandeep Lamichhane four balls later Doug Watson's side briefly struggled as Finlay McCreath and Richie Berrington were caught before reaching double figures. But Matthew Cross and and Michael Leask steadied the ship and shared an unbeaten partnership of 48 to see Scotland close to 200 chase started in erratic fashion after Kushal Bhurtel's ramp shot from McMullen's delivery in the first over was smartly taken by Finlay McCreath on the the time captain Rohit Paudel chipped one from Mark Watt to Chris Greaves, the tourists were 82-5 in the 11th Singh Airee lead the fightback with an effective 34 from 33 balls, but up stepped Greaves to bowl him, and then Lamichhane in consecutive deliveries to leave Nepal 117-8 and their hopes of victory looking grabbed his third of the day when he had Rijan Dhakal caught, and despite Rupesh Singh lasting until the end with a haul of 43, Nepal's resistance ended when Lalit Rajbanshi was run will now look to next month's qualifiers in the Netherlands when they face the Dutch, Italy, Jersey, and Guernsey for a place at the World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next ended with two wins and two losses in the three-way series, as did Nepal and the Netherlands."The key takeaways for me is the squad is growing now," head coach Watson told BBC Scotland. "We have 15 guys here who played with their heart on their sleeve for Scotland. They're developing nicely but it's a young group. "We've had some really tough and close games which bodes well for the future."
Daily Record
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Four Scottish family days out this summer from Royal Highland Show to Nessie hunt
There is limitless fun to be had for people of all ages. Summer is here, which means there is no excuse not to get out for some family fun. Rain or shine, there is no better time than the summer months to explore Scotland. The country is certainly not short of places to go and things to see. From bustling cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh to idyllic beaches and charming fishing villages, Scotland is your oyster. To celebrate summertime, the Daily Record has rounded up a few exciting events and attractions around the country. From the Royal Highland Show to The Loch Ness Centre, Scots and holidaymakers of all ages will get a kick out of each one. Read on for four of the best family days out in Scotland this summer. Royal Highland Show Taking place between June 20 and 23 in Ingliston, the Royal Highland Show is a celebration of Scotland's rural roots and makes for a perfect day out for the family. From prize-winning sheep to the mighty Clydesdale, more than 4,500 animals will descend on the showground for four days of farming, food, and fun. family zone. Edinburgh's hidden city Launching on Thursday, June 19, is a new dual underground experience from The Real Mary King's Close and The Lost Close. The attractions will be joining forces for a one-of-a-kind tour through two of Edinburgh's most mysterious subterranean streets. Starting with a coffee and stories underneath John's Coffee House—where Scottish Enlightenment minds once met—visitors will then encounter a Victorian Crossley engine buried in time before heading across the iconic Royal Mile to The Real Mary King's Close. Here, they will step into a perfectly preserved 17th-century street on which plague doctors, paupers, and more once walked. More information can be found on The Real Mary King's Close website. The Loch Ness Centre At the newly reimagined Loch Ness Centre, visitors of all ages can walk through 500 million years of natural history, folklore and scientific exploration, and try and solve Scotland's greatest mystery. The Loch Ness Centre offers one-hour tours where visitors can explore themed rooms packed with interactive exhibits, ancient myths, real scientific research, and dramatic retellings of sightings of the Loch Ness Monster. The centre also offers special Deep Scan Cruises that set sail directly onto the legendary loch's waters. Visitors will learn all about the past 40 years of monster-hunting science, while using cutting-edge sonar equipment to search the loch's inky depths for themselves. CalMac Ferries They say the journey is half the fun, and nowhere is that more true than with Caledonian MacBrayne. Whether it is a short trip to Arran or Bute, or a grand Outer Hebrides adventure, island-hopping offers an exciting slice of Scottish magic for the entire family. Among the things you can get up to are paddleboarding on Mull and hunting for dinosaur tracks on Skye. Holidaymakers can also take part in a new family trail The Quest on Mull and Iona.
