Breeder takes the high road

By Sarah Thompson
A RENOWNED Highland pony breeder has relocated his stud from Scotland to Tonimbuk.
Scott McGregor is establishing a Highland pony stud on the 18hectare Jolley farm he purchased in Tonimbuk late last year.
Mr McGregor brought seven horses with him to Australia from his Scotland pony stud, with a similar shipment expected in October.
The McGregor family’s Scottish stud was set up in the early 1950s when Scott’s father, Hugh McGregor, was asked to provide ponies for the Disney production of ‘Rob Roy’.
Now fulfilling a long held dream to settle in Australia, Mr McGregor said he was allowing his ponies to adjust to backtoback winters – and the kangaroos.
Mr McGregor first came to Australia on a Young Farmers scholarship in 1974.
It was in the Snowy Mountains that he learnt a technique that he still uses today to break in ponies.
Mr McGregor said he has had many highlights during his horse career.
In 1977 he even sold the Queen a pony which he presented to her in Edinburgh.
Other highlights include his horse Fyfdene being named the supreme champion of the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh in 2003 and being invited to the British Horse Show of the Year.
Mr McGregor said the decision to bring Highland ponies to Australia ensures the bloodline is safe in case of a disaster in the UK.
“It’s difficult to come to one highlight,” he says of a career that has spanned over 50 years.
“Perhaps it is getting to the stage of my life to be in the position to buy a farm in Australia.”