McLean is top of the class once again Burgie, Moray
LEWIS MCLEAN and Lissyegan Mikie Lou (Mikie) repeated their win of two years ago in the under-18 open novice, finishing some 12 penalties ahead of the rest of the field.
This was a step down in class for the pair, who are regulars at intermediate level, but Lewis had been busy sitting his Scottish Highers in the weeks before.
“Thankfully my exams are now over and I will be taking a year out to concentrate on eventing,” said the 18-year-old, who has set his sights on Blair CCI2* in August and also has a smart young horse to campaign.
Lewis and Mikie were by far the fastest across country in their section, stopping the clock for just 1.6 time-penalties.
“The terrain makes the crosscountry at Burgie unique, but even so the time was surprisingly hard to get this year,” he said.
Mhairi Munro put the disappointment of missing out on a run in the BE90 Mitsubishi Motors Cup at Badminton — when her horse, Atlantic Affair, tied up before the showjumping — behind her to win BE90 section C.
“This was our very first run of the season, so winning hadn’t even entered my mind,” admitted Mhairi.
One of the youngest competitors on one of the oldest ponies struck a winning note in another BE90 section.
Kelly Grant, 14, piloted Heaven Eyes, 21, to victory on a score of 32.5. “Heaven”, who stands at just 14.3hh, is on loan from Kelly’s cousin, Susie White, who competed the pint-sized mare to CIC* level.