Boys ploughing match and festival of the horse get underway today

The annual South Ronaldsay Boys’ Ploughing Match and Festival of the Horse is to take place this afternoon, Saturday.

The event kicks off with the parade of “horses” at the ’Hope Community School at 2pm.

The “horses” are dressed in decorated costumes, representing the old ploughing horses of days gone by — these are often passed down from generation to generation.

The “horses” and youngsters’ ploughs will be judged in the school, before the boys make their way to the Sands o’ Wright, where the ploughing will take place at 3.30pm.

Caitlin Murray was selected as the Best Decorated Horse on the day, with Jenna Scott winning Best Harness.

A variety of prizes are presented at the events, such as for the best decorated horse the best harness, the best kept wooden and metal ploughs as well as for the best over all finish and Fearing, Straightest Ploughing and Best Rig in the Field.

This year’s event will also see a special performance of Sea Hames by OceanAllOver at 1pm at the school.