The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Riders rise to challenge at Gleneagles
THE SUN shone for the competitors who made it to Gleneagles Equestrian Centre for the popular team show jumping competition at the Equestrian School, with the podium placings dominated by Mar y Erskine School, in Edinburgh.
Kicking-off the contest on a bitterly cold morning was the f irst of the teams which arrived to contest the nursery novice class.
A total of seven teams of young riders came forward to jump the first round of fences, up to 60cm, with four successful combinations amassing team clears and progressing to the second round on a clean sheet.
The second raised round was timed, with the fastest combined team time taking the plaudits.
In a nail-biting finish, the result was in doubt until the last team had crossed the finish line.
Taking a popular win were Shannon Russell, Cara Fitzpatrick, Aoife Fitzpatrick and Josie Hamilton who, together, produced double clears in a combined time of 91.83 seconds to take Equiads red rosettes home for Dollar Academy.
Kilgraston School clinched second, with Strathearn PC in third.
The Stirlingshire Saddle Fitters novice class was contested by six teams, which began at 75cm, and when five out of the six teams jumped clear after the first round the result was again decided by the jump-off.
At the culmination of the class it was time for Mary Erskine to take the first of three of the school’s wins during the day.
Their novice team of Francesca Campbell, Nicola Broad, Sarah Hodge and Alice McClay romped home the winners, ahead of second-placed West Perthshire PC and thirdplaced Strathallan School.
Added to the schedule for the first time this year was a new class for unrestricted novice teams — and Kinross High School stood top of the 11 teams to contest it.
Hannah Aird, Becky Starkey, Aileen Aird and Lauren Robb from Kinross beat Mary Erskine into second and the Super Trooper team into third.
A special cheer was
reserved
for the ‘home team’ from the Gleneagles Equestrian School, which finished in fifth place. It was made up of Ellen Bowker on Mindy, Amy Hogg on Bex, Lauren Symington on Dillon and Connie Giannandrea riding Paddy, who got the nickname of the ‘Pocket Rocket’ for his enthusiasm.
By far the most popular class of the day was the Hazelden Saddlers intermediate class, contested by 15 teams over 85cm.
Of the seven clears to jump off, the worthy winners, achieving the only double clear, were another team from Mary Erskine.
Ailsa Noble, Isla Mowat, Alex Mundell and Rowan Ball negotiated the twisty jumpoff track in only 67.07 seconds to storm home well clear of second-placed Go Go Gannochy Girls, who finished on four faults in a time of 84.34.
They narrowly pipped the third-place team from Kilgraston School, whose B team also finished on four faults in a time of 86.21.
According to organisers, the final class of the day was hit by seriously icy conditions and the lateness of its start time.
Of the 14 original entries, five teams contested this class.
Three teams managed to keep a clean sheet going into the jump-off, ending with the intermediate team winners from Mary Erskine repeating their success by leading the way with the only team clear round.
The Strathearn PC team took second place on four faults in the fastest time of 79.63.
Third place went Strathallan School.
“It was a very long day which went very well thanks to the amazing team of helpers who kept the show moving along without wasting any time at all,” said organiser Jane Cepok.
to
the team from