Steven Renwick, of Craig House, was showing his Texels for the first time – and he took just one to the Royal Highland Show last weekend.

The 23-year-old said: "I went up because my dad (Billy) was judging the Blackies and I decided to take the Texel because I knew I had a decent sheep and thought I'd see what she was like in company ... I was surprised and delighted to win."

He and his father are widely known for their Blackhouse Blackface sheep – they run 1,000 ewes – but Texels caught Craig's eye in 2002 and he bought his first in 2003, building the flock to its current 20.

He bought the prize-winning three-crop ewe by Watchknowe Iron Man as a gimmer in 2005. She was reserve inter-breed champion at Kelso last year and gained the same ticket at Lesmahagow earlier this year.

She won her class and the Texel championship on her way to the reserve inter-breed title.

A North Country Cheviot gimmer from Morebattle farmers Jim and Will Thomson took the top honours.

Moving to the horse rings and among the Eriskay ponies, Lady Liz Sanderson, Beckettsfield, Bowden, was reserve champion with her gelding, Baincroft Cameron. Her daughter-in-law, Laura Sanderson, rode the 14-year-old which last year took the championship at the same show ridden by her granddaughter, Emma Sanderson.

Lady Sanderson, who bought him when he was six months old, said: "He's done everything – he's been hunting, done dressage with Emma and is the most wonderful family pony."

And Shirley Watson, of Whitehope Farm, Selkirk, won the Highland yeld mare class with her 12-year-old Jenny of Garnnock. Mrs Watson, who uses Jenny on the farm, has owned her since she was a foal.

She said: "I have been trying for I don't know how many years to win a first at the Highland Show! It's quite an honour because the standard is very high and there are some well-established breeders there – to get a ticket is like winning an Oscar!"