Tracey Mason, of Newton Cottage, Stemster, said of her success in the national Search for a Star Steward competition: "I'm absolutely delighted. But it hasn't sunk in yet."

The programme controls systems engineer at Dounreay secured one of two available stewarding positions at HOYS following a hectic day of assessment at a show in the Vale View Equestrian Centre, Leicestershire, on July 18.

Her success will also benefit Scottish riding enthusiasts as the organisers have told her there will be a Search for a Star Steward round in Scotland next year, and Miss Mason will be acting as one of the judges for that.

At Vale View the Caithness woman had a series of duties to perform, keeping events running to time, handling horses and organising riders, as well as ensuring everyone was appropriately dressed, in the proper place at the right time, and that the animals wore the correct tack.

"The other competitors were taken to one side and interviewed by a judge. I was interviewed while doing my work. It was nerve-racking," she said.

She pulled up one groom heading towards the ring wearing ripped shorts and a cowboy hat. "I still don't know if that was a test or not, but I spotted him," she said.

A photograph and accompanying article about Miss Mason's success in the contest's first round appeared in the Caithness Courier last month.

"Everyone was delighted that someone from Caithness had got through to the final - after my picture was published I even got stopped in Tesco by someone who recognised me.

"It just shows what you can do if you put your mind to it and I hope that it will encourage more people to enter," said Miss Mason, who wore a Scottish thistle in her hat and a lucky horseshoe brooch that belonged to her partner's family for the final.

At HOYS in October - being staged at the giant National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham - Miss Mason will be part of a team keeping the programme running to time in either the Andrews Bowen International Arena or the Caldene Arena. "I can't wait. I still can't believe I'm going," she said.

Following a briefing on Tuesday, October 5, she will be working 7am to 11pm for the duration of the show which finishes on Sunday, October 10.

"The ring must run smoothly and quickly - you have to get the horses in the order the judge tells you, instruct the riders to walk, trot or canter. You must know the rules inside out and keep a smile on your face for the public," said Miss Mason.

The Search for a Star Steward competition was judged by Di Longland, a British Showjumping Association judge.

"We have had some excellent stewards take part. It has been very hard to decide but our winners showed extra diligence and maturity, and were always thinking ahead," she said.

The final judging was attended by Frances Youngs, arena controller of the Caldene Ring at HOYS, who said all the finalists were of a really high standard.

"One of the most important aspects of being a steward is that you have to be a team player," she said.

"I am sure that both of the winners will fit into the HOYS team very well and I think they will learn a lot from the experience.

"I hope we can give them a memorable time and something to carry forward as they go on to do more stewarding in the future."

Miss Mason, who acts as a representative of the local British Horse Society committee, will be competing next week at the Black Isle Show in the mountain moorland class with a 10-year-old called Durris Golden Sovereign (Gus).

b.nelson@nosn.co.uk

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