£4000 boost for Caithness Riding for the Disabled Association at Christmas show
Youngsters demonstrated their equestrian skills at the annual Christmas show held by the Caithness group of the Riding for the Disabled Association.
Guests, family members, friends and teachers were welcomed by chairperson Judith Miller to the Halkirk indoor riding centre which had been beautifully decorated by Isobel Cameron, Nettie Gunn and Heather Carberry.
The riders in each of the three rides showed skills they had learned over the last session. These included picking up a snowball and popping it in a bucket, hanging a decoration to a Christmas tree and showing a trot, as well as exercises in the warm-up and cool-down.
Ponies were Poppy and Whisky, loaned by Steph Cowe, coach of the second group, Max and Geordie, hired from Marion Bain at Achalone Activities, Jojo, loaned by Carol Forest and Jaicee Johnson, and Annie, loaned by Megan Gillon. In addition Byron and Crusty were loaned by Mey Cameron.
Heather Rosie and her daughter Claire Fraser presented a cheque for £4000 to Judith. Children then paid a visit to Santa.
Coaches for ride one were Megan Gillon and Coz MacPhail, while trophies and rosettes were presented by Geoffrey Minter, Audrey MacDonald and Heather Rosie.
Shelly Minter Memorial Trophy for happiest rider (presented by Geoffrey Minter): Finn McColl.
Miss Joan Treglowan Summer Show Shield for most confident: Daisy Claason.
Hannah McDonald Memorial Cup (presented by Audrey MacDonald) and individual shield gifted by Audrey MacDonald for most enthusiastic rider: Kelsey-Leigh Wilson. Individual shield for most improved position: Boew Wingfield.
Dale Rosie Memorial Shield for most improved trot (presented by Heather Rosie): Callan Mackay. Individual shield for most relaxed rider: Arty Kane.
Grade 1: Finn McColl, Callan Mackay and Kelsey-Leigh Wilson. Grade 2: Daisy Claason and Boew Wingfield. Endeavour: Arty Kane.
The coach for ride two was Steph Cowe. Trophies and rosettes were presented by Arthur Bruce and Willie MacDonald, as well as Richard Clarke from Caithness Bikers.
Individual shield for improvement: Calum Traill. Individual shield for best rider: Ronnie Dickson. Individual shield for fortitude: Liam Bremner.
Individual shield for achievement: Finn Mackenzie. Individual shield for most improved: Alicja Zimowska. Individual shield for most enthusiastic: Aela Munro. Individual shield for happiest rider: Gabi Yordanova.
Grade 1: Ronnie Dickson. Endeavour: Gabi Yordanova, Aela Munro, Liam Bremner, Alicja Zimowska, Finn Mackenzie, Calum Traill.
Mary Elder was the coach for ride three. Trophies and rosettes were presented by Iain and Maggie Swanson, Geoffrey Minter and Brian and Janis Scollay.
Individual shield for fortitude: Malachi Mackenzie. Individual shield for happiest rider: Lola-Louise Paterson. Individual shield for most improved rider: Jakob Taylor.
Individual shield for most relaxed rider: Watson Smith. Individual shield for bravest rider: Ollie Jones. Individual shield for best rider: Fergus Kolle.
Grade 1: Fergus Kolle, Jakob Taylor.
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