Fun and games at Caithness RDA Christmas show
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
GOOD weather helped ensure a successful day at the annual Christmas show held by the Caithness Riding for the Disabled group.
Guests, helpers, volunteers, teachers and riders were welcomed by Jimmy Johnston, with a special greeting given to the group's president Morag Miller.
The children, along with their coaches Erin Russell and Leeann Hope, had been working hard since August so that they could show off their skills to families and teachers.
After a warm-up, those in rides one and two took part in a "dress Santa and pop the letter in his sack" game before finishing with a trot, while rides three and four demonstrated how they could ride off the lead rein and completed their display with a trot.
Two hampers, donated to the raffle by Janette Thomson, proved very popular as did the catering which was provided by Fiona Anderson of MacDonald's Bakery, Wick, and Isobel and George Campbell.
A cheque for £6000 was handed over from the Rosie family who, through the Dale Rosie Memorial Fund, have raised a tremendous amount of money for the group by holding a sponsored walk, a bingo night and dance. The group is indebted to the fundraising John and Heather and their family have carried out over the last 12 years.
A new shield was gifted on the day by Ian Campbell, Todholes, in memory of his mother Monica Campbell, a great supporter of the RDA who passed away earlier this year.
The local group also received a first-aid kit courtesy of the Halkirk District Benefit Fund.
Thanks were given on the day to the people who loan their horses for the children to ride: Leeann Hope (Neave), Sarah Trafford/James and Sarah Allan (Buster), Marie Holland (Wren), Mel Anderson (Cammie), Susan Sutherland (Chico), Marion Bain (Max) and Alison Wild (Solomon).
After the displays a presentation of trophies and rosettes took place for each ride. Tracker certificates, prepared by volunteer Jean Clasper, were also handed to all the children, and Santa gave them presents.
Trophy winners
Ride 1: Miss Joan Treglowan Memorial Shield for progress: Connor McBreen. Whitefield Lady Zena Memorial Cup for achievement: Summer Dick. Caithness RDA 40th Anniversary Trophy for endeavour: Ivan Scollay. Wick High School Charities Day 2013 Cup for confidence: Kalli Banks. John Gunn & Sons Perpetual Trophy for progress: Rebecca Campbell. Reid Trophy for confidence: Liam Manson. Shield for best rider: Kai Heggie. Shield for most improved: Ciaran Kelly.
Proficiency tests: Riding – Grade 1: I Scollay, S Dick, L Manson, K Banks, C McBreen and R Campbell. Grade 3: K Heggie and C Kelly.
Horse care – Grade 1: S Dick, L Manson, K Banks, C McBreen and R Campbell. Endeavour: I Scollay.
Ride 2: Lady Jessamine Trophy for progress: Sean Wilkie. Hannah MacDonald Memorial Cup (presented by Audrey MacDonald) for most improved: Charlie Cook. Miss Joan Treglowan Memorial Shield for confidence: Dylan Forbes. Barbara Farmer Memorial Shield presented by the Farmer Family for confidence: Morgan Cook. The Honey Trophy for most improved: Emily Gunn. Wick High School Charities Day 2013 cup for achievement: Charley Macgregor. Shield for best rider: Summer Spink. Shield for progress: Reuben Thompson Hunter.
Proficiency tests: Riding – Grade 1: M Cook, D Forbes, C Cook and C Macgregor. Grade 2: E Gunn. Grade 3: S Spink. Endeavour: S Wilkie and R Thompson Hunter.
Horse care – Grade 1: M Cook, D Forbes, C Cook and S Spink. Endeavour: S Wilkie, E Gunn, C Macgregor and R Thompson Hunter.
Ride 3: Karen Rollinson Memorial Trophy for most improved: Nathen Bell. Miss Joan Treglowan Memorial Shield for perseverance: Brodie Litchfield. Christmas Show Riding Award for achievement: Isla Mowat. Wick High School Charities Day 2013 Cup for effort: Isabella Montgomery. Cup in loving memory of Callum Robert Miller for best rider: Zara Mackay. Sweetheart Shield for effort Marrissa Nicol.
Proficiency tests: Riding – Grade 2: I Montgomery, B Litchfield and M Nicol. Grade 3: Z Mackay and I Mowat. Endeavour: Nathen Bell.
Horse care – Grade 1: I Montgomery, B Litchfield, M Nicol, Z Mackay and N Bell. Grade 2: I Mowat.
Ride 4: Monica Campbell Memorial Shield, presented on the day by Ian Campbell, for confidence: Kayden Malcolm. Raymond Mackenzie Memorial Trophy, presented by Tracy Mackenzie for achievement: Yvie Mackay. Alice Pirie Memorial Shield, presented by Jimmy and Dorothy Johnston for effort: Robbie Fulton. Amanda MacDonald Memorial Shield for enjoyment: Jenny Carson.
Riding Award for perseverance: Jimmy Gunn. Halkirk Young Farmers Trophy for progress: Jakob Taylor. Shield for effort: John Dorren. The Dale Rosie Memorial Shield for endeavour: Iain Dunbar.
Proficiency tests: Riding – Grade 1: R Fulton, I Dunbar, J Carson and J Taylor. Grade 2: J Dorren. Grade 3: J Gunn, K Malcolm and Y Mackay.
Horse care – Grade 1: J Gunn, Y Mackay and J Dorren. Endeavour: R Fulton, I Dunbar, J Carson and J Taylor.
