Dressage keenly contested at Halkirk
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COMPETITION was keen at the latest event to be held as part of the Caithness Riding Club's winter dressage league.
A good number of members turned out at the indoor riding school in Halkirk on Saturday.
The competitors on the day came under the scrutiny of Allison Fellows, a British Dressage List 3 judge based in Alness. Allison said she had seen a real improvement in the standard since her last visit.
A total of 17 horses were entered in the event with most riders taking part in two tests. Organisers were pleased to see a number of new competitors coming forward to this third fixture in the league.
Helping to make the competition a success were the hard-working volunteers, including scorers, a gate steward and the scribe for the day, Shona Gough.
Making her dressage debut was committee member Marina Kempton, riding JD, who won the senior Intro A test, while Erin Hewitson on her new pony Olly came first in the junior section.
It was a very close competition in the elementary section with the top two riders scoring the same points. However, an error in her test (minus two points) proved costly for Emma Coghill, on her event horse Sol, and it was Ruth Sutherland, on Mastermind IV, who came out tops after an impressive performance.
The final of the league will be held on April 25.
Next up for the club will be an instruction clinic with local coach James Munro on January 25-26.
Results:
Intro A – Junior: Erin Hewitson, Olly (63.5 per cent). Senior: Marina Kempton, JD (63.7). Intro B – Junior: 1 Rowan Lee, Fizz (65.20). Prelim 7 – 1 Rhona Omand, Kiki Dee (66.7); 2 Mary Miller, Poppy (62.7); Sandie Mackay, Claude (61.8); 4 Ruth Alexander, Mazie (59.3).
Prelim 13 – Senior: 1 Bridget Holt, Jim (71.7); 2 R Oman (68.3); 3 S Mackay (65.3); 4 M Miller (64.8). Junior: 1 R Lee, Teddy (64.8), R Lee, Beanie (62.9). Novice 28 – Senior: 1 Alison Gray, Nordy (66.9); 2 B Holt (64.6). Novice 34 – Senior: 1 Emma Coghill, Sol (68.1); 2 A Gray (66.4); 3 Frances Sutherland, Cosmo (65.7).
Elementary 44 – Senior: 1 Ruth Sutherland, Mastermind IV (67); 2 E Coghill (66.2); 3 F Sutherland (63.2).
