Barry boosts her title tally
Top riders scoop multiple wins at the Scottish Championships
SEVERAL riders accounted for multiple titles at the show, with Jo Barry claiming six championships on three horses, adding to her tally of 28 Scottish titles.
Co-owned with Lady Mary Hope, the six-year-old Hidalgo II scored a weekend high of 80.42% to head a strong novice freestyle and also claimed the freestyle elementary, while Gordon Grainger’s Bellissimo x Jazz seven-year-old, Goofy La Perle, topped three classes, winning at elementary and both mediums.
Jo said: “I like to use the Scottish Championships as an indication of where they are ahead of the nationals. There are still 11 days to go and I feel they’re at the right stage in work, with room for improvement and polish.
“Last year Hidalgo was still growing, but he’s feeling more in control of his body and balance. I borrowed Corchapin’s music for the elementary. It’s only the second time he’s done the music, so I was thrilled with his score.”
Jo was also particularly pleased with Corchapin’s win in the prix st georges (PSG).
“He had a little setback and missed the summer regionals. He hates the outside arenas at Rockrose and we’ve had some awful tests there, but we’re now at the same level and can help each other. It was our first competition back and it’s nice to put everything behind us,” said Jo.
Shona Leckie, 16, claimed the medium and advanced medium bronze titles with Apart. The
Quite Easy 13-year-old had previously been a para dressage horse with Emma Douglas before he was purchased 18 months ago.
“He’s super-safe and sensible. He’ll have a quiet couple of weeks hacking and jumping before picking him up for the Area Festival,” said Shona.
A WINNING STREAK
SAM TURPITT warmed up
Bali Dancer for the forthcoming elementary nationals with a brace of medium wins.
“I feel incredibly lucky to have Bali and it makes all the hard work worthwhile. She won the novice silver as a five-year-old, elementary silver as a six-year-old and now the medium as a sevenyear-old,” said Sam.
Former Great Britain young rider team member Robyn Smith, 22, topped the advanced medium and silver PSG with Francesco 77.
“When I watched back the video it was amazing to see how far he’d come. Two years ago the wind would have flustered us both, but he just took a deep breath and said, ‘Let’s go’,” said Robyn of the 10-year-old stallion.
Another double winner was Sue Grice, who accounted for the advanced medium freestyle silver with Chao Lingshan and bronze with the piebald cob Frodo.
“He got lovely comments from the judges who said that he tries hard for me. This is so true as it’s not easy for a hairy cob to do the flying changes,” said Sue.
Linda Prescott-Clements topped the PSG and inter I bronze classes with Menelaos.
“He’s my horse of a lifetime, so talented and trainable, but safe — he ticks all the boxes,” said Linda of the Latimer 13-year-old Danish trakehner.