Erin Hewitson and Olly jump their way to a double victory
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A successful Arena Event was staged by the local committee of the British Horse Society at Sibster Mains, Wick, on Sunday.
The competition, organised by BHS Highland North, attracted 27 entries from local Pony Club and Riding Club members and was held up on the hill behind the farm where the cross-country and JumpCross fences are located.
Fortunately the early morning fog lifted allowing some of the sun the rest of the county was enjoying to come through.
The event was one of a number of activities to take place in Scotland during May as part of a campaign by the new Scottish Eventing Group which was keen to get as many activities as possible organised prior to the late restart of the sport in Scotland scheduled for June.
It consisted of a course of six showjumps followed by 10 non-fixed cross-country style jumps and ended with a joker fence 10cm higher that the rest of the jumps in each class. The cross-country part of the course had an optimum time based on the arena eventing system which meant riders did not need to be going too fast round the shortened track.
All those taking part put in great performances and for some it was their first chance to compete on grass for some time.
Winning the 50cm round, the first class of the day, was Isla Miller, of Lyth, riding Silver, the youngest rider to take part in the competition.
The only clear jumping rounds of the day were put in by Liam Mackenzie and Erin Hewitson. Liam won the 70cm class in style with his pony Henry, while Erin was the victor in both the 80cm and 90cm classes on her pony Olly.
They went clear round the track in their first class and then just had one pole down in the showjumping phase of the 90cm section. The last class was the 100cm which was won by Mary Miller, of Lyth, riding Poppy.
The event ran smoothly thanks to the volunteers on the day, including committee member Ashleigh Campbell and a willing band of helpers from her riding school, Castle View Stables at Wick.
Results
50cm: Isla Miller, Silver. 70cm: 1 Liam Mackenzie, Henry; 2 Alison Wild, Cookie. 80cm: 1 Erin Hewitson, Olly; 2 L Mackenzie; 3 A Wild; 4 Danielle Sinclair, Leah's Cruz; 5 Lauren Oag, Mac; 6 Cat MacGregor, Bea. 90cm: 1 E Hewitson; 2 C MacGregor; 3 D Sinclair; 4 Mary Miller, Poppy; 5 Frances Sutherland, Cosmo Z; 6 Morven Mackenzie, Tiffin. 100cm: 1 M Miller; 2 F Sutherland.
