Glory for Fifer Stephen Lohoar

Scottish branch Grade C win

Fife rider Stephen Lohoar expertly piloted Gizmo III to return the sole double clear to win the Scottish branch Grade C championship at Blair Castle International Horse Trials.

Stephen and his brother Angus are based near St Andrews and run Drumcarrow Equestrian.

Just three riders returned a clean sheet in the first round with Gillian Anderson also clear but collecting one time fault. Going first, Ailsa Black and Zara Zing had one pole with Stephen jumping clear to put the pressure on fellow Fife rider Louisa Milne-Home who had eight faults with Harry DV for third.

In the Scottish branch North West championship grand prix Declan Irvine rode Richard Duncan’s nine-year-old gelding Mystic Independence to win. Drawn first, his clear could not be matched until penultimate rider Laura Hutt and Wyona returned a clear. In the jump-off Declan posted a clear to put the pressure on Laura who knocked an unfortunate pole for the runner-up placing.

Declan has also qualified the horse for the Grade C finals at the Horse of the Year Show after picking up a qualifier at Dumfries and Lockerbie Show. He could not catch fellow Scot Graham Babes who led the class with the six-year-old gelding Glencoe.

In further success Graham landed the British-bred six-year-old title at the British Young Horse Showjumping Championships at Addington Manor, with the consistent Glencoe with a wellexecuted, ultra-fast round in the 10-strong jump-off to take victory by 0.99 seconds.

The Chellthago Z x Numero Uno gelding was purchased as a yearling by Graham’s father George, but when the now-broken horse was viewed for sale, Graham himself stepped in and bought him.

“He’s sharp and a character, but in the long run this will stand him in good stead,” Graham said.