Guild shines to win
A victor continues her run of success, while a catch ride reaps rewards and pony riders make their presence felt in senior ranks
LUCY GUILD made her presence known at this year’s Cabin Sunshine Tour with victory aboard Hugana Van’t Heike, in the seventh running of the Scottish north-east championship. She came here after a successful Royal Highland with her 11-year-old Belgian-bred mare.
“It was a tough enough first round, but right now she feels as if she’s on springs,” said Lucy. “There weren’t many options in the jumpoff, but because she’s so careful I know I can push her across the ground and she’ll pick up from wherever she’s asked.”
In second with the only other double clear was Jodie Maher, who describes her nine-month partnership with the seven-yearold Dutch-bred gelding Gavanta as “developing positively in the right direction”.
Said Jodie: “The second round was quite a step up in height for him after regularly jumping 1.30m. It’s encouraging that he
is starting to feel quite settled at this height, and I hope a few trips abroad later in the year will help him even more.”
The winner of the silver league qualifier, Rosie Pindar, gained the ride on board Harry Aird’s Perrotta JX just two months ago.
“I was on my way to a show when Harry phoned me and asked if I would ride her for him as his daughter was away working in Germany. We clicked right away and I ended up taking her home with me,” said Rosie.
The Inverness rider is now hoping to qualify for this year’s Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).
“It will be a bit of a journey to Bishop Burton for the semifinal, but she’s worth the trip,” added Rosie.
The bronze league equivalent was equally well contested, but it was Brechin rider Gemma Mackintosh who topped the awards with WSF Oslo.
With university impacting on her career over the past few years, Gemma — who recently graduated with a degree in geology — said: “It’s been difficult for me to keep any sort of consistency with him because of my studies, but thankfully my sister Ashleigh has helped me when I’ve been too busy.”
ONE-TWO SUCCESS
SANDY MCLEAN was the young rider on form in the 1.30m grand prix, winning with Warhol Wulfselection Z and finishing runner-up with Dior V Overis Z.
“We’ve had Warhol since he was very young,” said Sandy. “Normally my big sister Claire rides him, but I managed to steal him away from the yard today. Both my rides are so so agile against the clock that I was able to have a good go with both of them.”
Aberdeen rider Charley Hamilton reinforced her current form in the senior ranks, when she took a well-deserved victory in the final day’s 1.20m grand prix with Johnny Aird’s Amadora JX.
Still competing in 148cm ponies, 15-year-old Charley
— who was recently placed in her first international show at the South View CSI2* — said:
“I’m so grateful to be given this opportunity and the experience I’ve gained has been amazing. I felt really confident going into the second round today and, as usual, she didn’t let me down.”
Another rider still eligible to compete in ponies, but making a strong impression with her four rides, is Lauren Forrest, who took the show’s leading rider award. Placed in nearly every class over the nine-day show, the Lanarkshire rider was delighted to receive the award.
“After I finished in 138cm ponies last year, Mum and I made the decision that we should move to horses and I haven’t looked back since. I love every minute of it,” said Lauren.
Cabin EC owner Fiona Quennell said: “The sun really did shine on the Sunshine Tour this year and its been one of our best yet. Hopefully next year will be even bigger and better.”