Riding Success
An Argyll horse riding club proved their worth against stiff competition in the national qualifiers last week.
HORSE riders from Argyll proved their worth against some stiff competition last weekend at the south of Scotland area qualifiers.
Argyll Riding Club (ARC) members travelled to Fenwick to compete in the British Riding Clubs area one dressage and jumping qualifiers, which comprise teams from across the south of Scotland.
Ardrishaig-based Laura Campbell, riding Colourville Arizona, secured her place at the UK National Championships after winning the individual novice showjumping, with the only double clear round of the day.
The ARC novice show jumping team – Laura Campbell and Kathryn McGeachy from Ormsary, Marije Terpstra from Campbeltown and Jo Smith from Ardrishaig – picked up third place, with an individual fourth slot for Marije.
The team also collected fifth place in the style jumping competition.
There was further team and individual success in the dressage arena.
Team members Jo Smith, Laura Campbell, Marije Terpstra and Arlene Ross from Inverneill finished sixth in both the novice and riders’ test competitions. A second novice team of Kathryn McGeachy, Campbeltown’s Julie Sloan and Islay rider Lisa Morrison finished in the top 20. Jo, Laura and Marije also collected individual placings in their novice sections.
Argyll Riding Club chairwoman Gillian Rennie said: ‘It takes a massive effort over many months to get teams to an event like this and we couldn’t have done it without the support of our members, volunteers, committee and trainers.
‘We showed that a small club, with limited access to competition-standard equestrian facilities, can hold their own against some of the best in the country. I couldn’t be more proud of the riders and horses and hope to send more teams next year.’