Margaret Runcie born Margaret Mary Power (19 October 1925 – 23 December 2022) was a Scottish-based pony breeder who won 18 Gold Medals at the Royal Highland Show.
Margaret Runcie | |
|---|---|
 in the Wrens until 1946 | |
| Born | Margaret Mary Power 19 October 1925 |
| Died | 23 December 2022 (aged 97) |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | Reading University Columbia University |
| Occupation | Breeding ponies |
| Known for | Winning at the Royal Highland Show |
| Spouse | Ken Runcie OBE |
Life edit
Runcie was born in Hatfield in Hertfordshire in 1925. She was known as "Midge" because of her size when she was a child. Her middle-class parents allowed her to use a trap pulled by "Buddy" the donkey. Her mother got her riding their donkey by the age of three and she later joined the Enfield Chace Pony Club.[1]
Her early education was shaped by the second world war as she left school to look after hounds[2] before she joined the Wrens. It was not until the end of 1946 that she left the naval service. She went to Reading University to study Dairy Animal Science.[3]
She worked for the National Agricultural Advisory Service until her application for a scholarship was successful. She met her husband Ken Runcie on board the Queen Mary as she sailed to New York to take a master's degree at Columbia University.[3]
In 1958 she founded the Rosslyn Stud[3] it was based on a farm in Roslin owned by Edinburgh University. Her husband Ken was the farm manager. Her stud was built around her purchase of a mare named Elizabeth Arden which she had bought during a phonecall with the owner. This bloodline was going to be the basis of four decade of breeding.[3] In 1960 Elizabeth Arden won a gold medal at the Royal Highland Show and this was awarded by the Queen and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. This pony and notably her foals, Rosslyn Personality (born 1965[4]) and Rosslyn Sweet Talk (born 1966[4]) had child-friendly temperaments and fine legs. These were to be the basis of the 18 gold medals won by Runcie and the Rosslyn Stud.[1][2]
From 1961 she was the secretary of the Scottish Committee of the National Pony Society which she founded with two friends to improve the support for native breeds in Scotland.[5]
Runcie was recognised in Scotland for her achievements.[6] [vague]
Runcie died in December 2022.[7]
References edit
- ^ a b "Margaret Runcie – pony breeder, exhibitor and judge from Rosslyn stud". The Scottish Farmer. 13 January 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ^ a b Jones, Eleanor (7 January 2023). "'She will be sorely missed': final farewell to top riding pony breeder and judge". Horse & Hound. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Pony world mourns the passing of top expert Margaret Runcie". Southern Reporter. 3 January 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ a b "Rosslyn Sandalwood". SporthorseData. 16 June 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ^ "Margaret Runcie". Association of Wrens. 24 January 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ^ "Scotland's heroes". thecourieruk.shorthandstories.com. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ^ "Margaret Runcie obituary". The Times. 2 July 2023. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2 July 2023.