Stunt riding team to host charity show
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HORSE events in Caithness will be taken to a whole new level next month when the county is set to host its first ever stunt show.
Riders Storm are set to dazzle the crowds when they display their gymnastic abilities on galloping horses at Dale Farm, Halkirk.
But the show is not part of a current tour by the Perthshire outfit, but that of six enterprising Caithness students who are organising the event as part of their studies.
Meghann Ashpool (30), Catherine Matheson (26), Laura MacDonald (20), Margaret MacLeod (20), Deanne Rosie (27) and Chloe Siggers (20) are all students on the HND equine studies course at North Highland College.
They came up with the idea as an HND charity event to raise money for good causes and at the same time showcase North Highland College UHI’s new Dale Farm campus, which opened last year.
Pitlochry-based Riders Storm, who are led by Kirsty McWilliam, claim to be the youngest stunt riding team in the UK.
They will perform two shows which will include skills such as hanging off the saddle while running at full speed as well as forming a human pyramid on running horses and jousting bouts to coincide with the event’s medieval theme.
Meghann said that it has been hard work organising the event but that they were all looking forward to the big day though they will be taking a back seat while the stunts are being performed.
"The course has been running for over 10 years, but to our knowledge no other group of students have ever been this ambitious," she said.
"It has been a great learning experience for us all to organise an event of this size.
"Even though we will be helping out on the day, we will not be performing in any of the stunts, although it would be nice to learn how to fall off a horse with style."
The group have raised over £1200 to bring the stunt show to the Halkirk campus.
The money was raised from fundraising events together with ticket sales and donations from organisations based in the far north.
The non-profit event will see all money raised from the event go towards CLIC Sargent and an equine grass sickness fund.
Chloe said that horse-riding is one of the most popular participation sports in the county and this is a chance for the public to see the sport in a way they have never witnessed before.
"In the past, most other groups of students have organised equestrian shows, but we were really keen on organising a stunt show in Caithness.
"The lecturers weren’t too sure about the idea to begin with, but we managed to raise enough money to get a deposit and they have given us their full support."
Dale Farm was opened last September as the college extended its range of facilities for its equine and equestrian courses.
Deanne said the event is also a chance for the entire community to see what the UHI have done to accommodate horse studies in the area as well as have a fun day for all the family.
"We wanted to do something different to celebrate the opening of the new yard at Halkirk as well help raise money for good causes," she said.
"It is also a chance for people to come along and see the new Dale Farm as I’m sure there are still people who remember the way it was before.
"This is the first time that Caithness will be host to a stunt-riding show as you won’t see action like this anywhere else in the local area."
Stunt Riders will be performing at Dale Farm on Saturday, March 2 with tickets on sale at NHC UHI in Thurso.
They will also be selling horse-riding lessons that will take place at Dale Farm on Sunday, March 3 when it will be first come, first served.
