Young Caithness dressage riders qualify for Pony Club Spring Festival at Morris Equestrian Centre

By Jean Gunn

- jean.gunn@hnmedia.co.uk

Published: 12:30, 05 December 2022

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Dressage judge Stephen Cruickshank presents Liam Mackenzie with his rosette after he won the grassroots test. Liam had the highest percentage of the day and qualified in both of his tests for the Barrier Spring Festival with Wee Vintage Annie.

Caithness Branch of the Pony Club held a dressage competition at the indoor school, Halkirk, at the weekend.

For many of the younger members, it was the first time they had ridden a dressage test.

Judge for the day was Stephen Cruickshank who also took the time to speak to all the riders and present the rosettes. It is a long time since Stephen last judged dressage in Caithness.

The competitors in the assisted D Level Dressage Test 2012 proudly show off their rosettes. From left to right: Jaicee Johnson, Jojo, Gina Cowe, Poppy, judge Stephen Cruickshank, Darcey Alexander, Titch, Rachel MacGregor, Dandy, and Sophie Thomson, Whisky.

Some of the classes were qualifiers for the Pony Club Barrier Spring Festival to be held in at Morris Equestrian Centre, Kirlmarnock, in April 2023.

Qualifying to head south next year to take part in the PC 70 dressage test were Emily Donn with her new pony Bobby's Choice, and Erica Pottinger, riding Microchip (BB).

Some of the younger riders from the first test of the day along with the judge. From left to right: Lois Manson, Stephen Cruickshank, Zara Manson and Blaire Patterson.

Liam Mackenzie and Wee Vintage Annie qualified for both the grassroots and novice tests. Liam had the highest score of the day, achieving 69.37 per cent in his first test. Erin Hewitson, riding Whaupshill Touche, also picked up a ticket for the novice section.

Rowan Lee qualified two horses in the intermediate test – Durran Pedro and Thistledown on Every Street.

Emily Donn (left) and Erica Pottinger both qualified for the Barrier Spring Festival.

Results

D Level Dressage Test 2012, walk and trot – Lead rein: 1 Blaire Patterson, Red, 68.46 per cent; 2 Zara Manson, PJ, 67.69; 3 Lois Manson, PJ, 66.92; 4 B Patterson, Cherry, 65.38. Assisted: 1 Jaicee Johnson, Jojo, 66.15; 2 Gina Cowe, Poppy, 65; 3 Darcey Alexander, Titch, 64.61; 4 Rachel MacGregor, Dandy, 64.23; 5 Sophie Thomson, Whisky, 55.76.

C Level Dressage Test 2012: 1 Emily Donn, Bobby’s Choice, 64.67; 2 Erica Pottinger, Microchip, 61.67; 3 E Pottinger, Gypsy, 61. PC 70 Dressage Test 2022: 1 E Donn, 66.25; 2 E Pottinger, Microchip; 3 E Pottinger, Gypsy, 61.45. Grassroots Dressage Test 2018: 1 Liam Mackenzie, Wee Vintage Abbie, 69.37.

Receiving her rosettes from Stephen Cruickshank is intermediate qualifier Rowan Lee on Thistledown on Every Street.

PC Novice Dressage Test 2020: 1 Erin Hewitson, Whaupshill Touche, 65.91; 2 L Mackenzie. PC Intermediate Dressage Test 2022: 1 Rowan Lee, Durran Pedro, 65.69; 2 R Lee, Thistledown on Every Street, 64.31.

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