Championship show competitors sparkle under the spotlight
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Caithness Riding Club added a touch of glamour to this year’s championship show with winning competitors getting a chance to sparkle under the spotlights in an exciting evening performance.
The new event format proved popular, with the two-day show attracting a large number of entries. Competitors travelled from a wide area, including Orkney, Durness and Contin.
Making use of the facilities provided at the UHI North, West and Hebrides equestrian centre at Dale Farm, Halkirk, the club was able to run working hunter classes on the first day with in-hand and ridden sections the day after. Competitors were able to warm up in the outdoor arena during the evenings thanks to floodlights provided by Norbloc Construction.
Judges for the event were Morag Snow, taking charge of the working hunter and novice ridden classes, Angus Kidd, in-hand, and Karen Mowat for the open ridden classes.
Taking the supreme of show title was James Munro with Cosmopolitan Z (Prince), a seven-year-old showjumper bred gelding making his debut into the showing world this season. It has indeed been a successful season with many wins and championships to his name.
First reserve went to Erin Mackenzie riding her new horse, Fridays Venture (Venti), a six-year-old, 17hh warmblood mare. This is Venti’s first year out under saddle.
Erin said: “I got her in February and she has had a successful first year, topping it off with this win.”
Taking the second reserve spot was Russell Skelton riding Kincullen Moonstone (Riley) – a fitting finale for the partnership as it was their last show together. Riley, a 15-year-old gelding, is off to pastures new.
“We’ve had three great seasons together, bringing home lots of reds, unbeaten in our dressage outings and having a very successful season this year in the working hunter ring,” Russell said.
He will now be taking over the reins on Prince.
Working hunter
Junior – Lead rein: 1 Aleri Tait, Ladyll Favourite; 2 A Tait, Hagrid of Catchpool; 3 Blaire Patterson, Ulverscroft Midnight Red; 4 Poppy Ross, Orkney’s Penny Lane. 50cm: 1 A Tait, Ladyll Favourite; 2 Emmie McLean, Raphael Supreme Edition; 3 Rachel Macgregor; Dolhelfa Cymro Llwyd; 4 Rosie Strieght, Pasha; 5 Ava Bain, Dennis; 6 Ellie Bain, Drumoaks Dream; 7 Heather Cormack, Howen Burley. 60cm: 1 Liam Mackenzie, Drymuir Bonnie Prince Charlie; 2 Jorgie Craigie, Rhencullen Rockette; 3 Kloe O’Brien, Edwyns Royal Rocket; 4 E Bain.
70cm: 1 J Craigie; 2 K O’Brien; 3 Cerys King, Rhoswen Glyndwr; 4 Lucy Streight, Willows Game Changer; 5 A Bain, Balladen Macmagnum; 6 Danielle Sinclair, Hazelrock Diamond. 80cm: 1 L Mackenzie, Wee Vintage Abbie; 2 Jessica Calder, Fanad Romeo; 3 Rowan Lee, Caheradoo Duchess; 4 Isla Miller, Fawkes; 5 D Sinclair, Shelby GT; 6 Emily Donn, Bobbys Choice. 90cm: 1 R Lee; 2 J Calder; 3 L Mackenzie, Wee Vintage Abbie; 4 L Mackenzie, Vogue; 5 D Sinclair, Shelby.
Senior – 70cm: 1 Russell Skelton, Kincullen Moonstone; 2 Alison Wild, Cookie Bain; 3 Erin Mackenzie, Fridays Venture; 4 Hunter Macdonald, George Stubbs; 5 Vicky Shearer, Rosie; 6 Lynne Sutherland, Drumcrave Laddie. 80cm: 1 James Munro, Cosmopolitan Z; 2 Lauren Oag, Trendy Lexus; 3 V Shearer; 4 Maureen Coghill, Scotshaven Barrogill; 5 Sylvia Stewart, Rough Diamond; 6 A Bain. 90cm: 1 Erin Hewitson, Whaupshill Touche; 2 L Oag; Trendy Lexus; 3 L Oag, Candy Reign; 4 Jean Gunn, Diamond Gypsy Jo; 5 L Oag, Boleybawn Sara; 6 M Coghill. 100cm: 1 L Oag, Candy Reign; 2 J Gunn; 3 E Hewitson.
Ridden classes
Mini – Lead rein hunter/show pony: Zara Manson, Rushfield White Knight. First ridden hunter/show pony: Kalise Casey, Meike. Lead rein M&M: 1 Tabitha Patterson, Ulverscroft Midnight Red; 2 Hannah Taylor, Breckan First Endeavour; 3 A Tait, Hagrid; 4 B Patterson, Bronllys Another Cherry. First ridden M&M: 1 A Tait, Hagrid; 2 Kloe O’Brien, Thistledown Rum; 3 R MacGregor; 4 K Casey, Rhinestock Brigadoon.
Novice – Pony not exceeding 153cm: 1 L Streight; 2 J Calder; 3 E Bain, Seamrog; 4 A Bain. Horse over 153cm: 1 L Mackenzie, Vogue; 2 J Munro, Pinky; 3 L Oag, Boleybawn Sara; 4 E Mackenzie; 5 Christina Bichan, Bee Sure; 6 A Wild; 7 R Lee. M&M: 1 D Sinclair; 2 Andrew Cole, Orkney’s Hasty Return; 3 Megan Gillon, Coedywern Woodbine; 4 J Craigie; 5 Lisa Kennedy, Evergreen Eddie; 6 K O’Brien, Edwyn’s Royal Rocket. Back to basics horse/pony: 1 R Streight; 2 H Cormack.
Open – M&M small breeds: 1 J Craigie; 2 A Tait, Ladyll Favourite; 3 M Gillon. M&M large breeds: 1 Morven Mackenzie, Llynhelyg Lady Cilla; 2 L Oag, Trendy Lexus; 3 D Sinclair; 4 Gabby Ivey, Carltonlima Jerry; 5 Bryony Jack, Donys Stand N’Deliver; 6 L Sutherland; 7 C King. Pony NE 153cm: 1 Leoni Kennedy, Shanrye Finley; 2 L Oag, Candy Reign; 3 E McLean; 4 E Donn; 5 J Calder; 6 K O’Brien, Thompson Regal Saltire; 7 I Miller; 8 C King. Ridden horse over 153cm: 1 James Munro, Cosmopolitan Z; 2 L Oag, Boleybawn Sara; 3 Lara-Jane Strang, Inkstack Notorious; 4 V Shearer.
Coloured: 1 E Donn; 2 E Hewitson; 3 A Wild; 4 Mary Miller, Madison Avenue; 5 V Shearer. Cob: 1 R Skelton, Kincullen Moonstone; 2 H Macdonald; 3 I Miller; 4 Michelle Offen, Horton’s My Guy; 5 M Gillon, Swordale Knockandhu Flashy Fritz. Hunter: 1 L-J Strang; 2 E Mackenzie. Veteran +15: 1 R Streight; 2 E Hewitson; 3 G Ivey; 4 M Offen; 5 E Bain. PC/RC horse/pony: 1 C Bichan; 2 A Tait, Ladyll Favourite; 3 I Miller; 4 A Bain, Balladen Macmagnum; 5 Rhiana Angus, Clough. Janet Welsh Memorial (riders over 40): 1 R Skelton; 2 L Sutherland; 3 S Stewart, Thompson Regal Saltire.
In-hand – Condition and turnout (plaited): 1 E Mackenzie; 2 Emma Gunn, Castlecroft Caledonia; 3 E McLean; 4 S Stewart, Thompson Regal Saltire; 5 Sophie Robertson, Candy Lux; 6 L Streight. Condition and turnout (non-plaited): 1 L Kennedy, Evergreen Eddie; 2 R Angus; 3 Ailsa Macdonald, Sergeant Pepper; 4 A Tait, Hagrid; 5 K O’Brien; 6 M Gillon, Fritz; 7 Fiona Mackenzie, George Stubbs. Youngstock: 1 H Macdonald, Go Go Miller; 2 E Gunn; 3 S Robertson; 4 Mick Moore, Monty; 5 V Shearer, Lythmore Limited Edition; 6 Jacqueline Munro, Gersa Little Missy; 7 Megan Blackwood, Diros AS.
Exceeding 148cm: 1 E Mackenzie; 2 L Oag, Boleybawn Sara; 3 M Moore; 4 A Macdonald; 5 L Mackenzie, Vogue. NE 148cm: L Kennedy, Shanrye Finley. Coloured: 1 L Streight; 2 E Donn. M&M small breeds: 1 H Taylor, Breckan First Endeavour; 2 M Gillon, Coedywern Woodbine; 3 K Casey, Rhinestock Brigadoon; 4 H Tayler, Thistledown Rum. M&M large breeds: 1 L Kennedy, Evergreen Eddie; 2 K O’Brien; 3 B Jack; 4 R Angus; 5 A Cole; 6 C King; 7 M Mackenzie. Cob: 1 F Mackenzie; 2 M Gillon, Fritz; 3 E Bain; 4 A Macdonald. Veteran: 1 E Bain; 2 R Streight.
Champions
Working hunter – Junior, sponsored by Amanda Mowat Equine Massage: J Calder, Fanad Romeo. First reserve: A Tait, Ladyll Favourite. Second reserve: L Mackenzie, Drymuir Bonnie Prince Charlie. Working
Senior, sponsored by OH Sutherland Building Contractors: J Munro, Cosmopolitan Z. First reserve: R Skelton, Kincullen Moonstone. Second reserve: L Oag, Candy Reign.
Ridden – Mini, sponsored by Ulbster Arms Hotel: Z Manson, Rushfield White Knight. First reserve: T Patterson, Ulversoft Midnight Red. Second reserve: A Tait, Hagrid of Catchpool.
Novice, sponsored by Mackenzie family: A Cole, Orkney’s Hasty Return. First reserve: D Sinclair, Hazelrock Diamond. Second reserve: R Streight, Pasha.
Open, sponsored by Norbloc Construction: R Skelton, Kincullen Moonstone. First reserve: J Munro, Cosmopolitan Z. Second reserve: L Oag, Boleybawn Sara.
In-hand – Overall, sponsored by Katrina Sutherland, Country Spa: H Macdonald, Go Go Millie. First reserve: E Mackenzie, Fridays Venture. Second reserve: L Kennedy, Evergreen Eddie.
In-hand turnout, sponsored by Donn’s Scaffolding: L Kennedy, Evergreen Eddie. First reserve: E Mackenzie, Fridays Venture. Second reserve: R Angus, Clough.
Best turned out, sponsored by Gordon Roberston Plant Hire and Barrock Quarry: E Mackenzie, Fridays Venture. First reserve: Leoni Kennedy, Shanrye Finley. Second Reserve: Lisa Kennedy, Evergreen Eddie.
Leading junior rider, sponsored by Castle View Stables: K O’Brien, Thompson Regal Saltire. First reserve: A Tait, Hagrid of Catchpool. Second reserve: E Hewitson, Whaupshill Touche.
Leading senior rider, sponsored by Hugo Ross Fishing Tackle Specialist: L Oag, Trendy Lexus. First reserve: E Mackenzie, Fridays Venture. Second reserve: A Cole, Orkney’s Hasty Return.
Supreme Champion, sponsored by Groom Room and Ramscraigs Boarding Kennels: J Munro, Cosmopolitan Z.
First Reserve: E Mackenzie, Fridays Venture.
Second Reserve: R Skelton, Kincullen Moonstone.
