More than 120 horses and riders turned out for the most northerly leg of the Stirlingshire Saddle Fitters arena event series, held at the Cabin Equestrian Centre.
A challenging course revealed an angled double preceded by a tight turn from a water tray as the ‘bogey fence’, with plenty to jump for competitors.
Heading the 70cm class was Aberdeen logistics co-ordinator Lynsey Anderson on Bruno a 10-year-old grey Andalusian cross Arab gelding, which she has had on loan for the past seven months from Adele Crowe.
“It’s the first arena event I’ve done with him so I wasn’t sure what he would think of the rustic jumps and the turns,” said Lynsey.
“The showjumping phase was fabulous, and although he was a little more spooky in the cross country he took everything on.
“I was really happy with how he went.”
Veteran 20-year-old horse Society Sovereign jumped to victory in the 22-strong 80cm class under owner/rider Liz Paddon, from Kingswells. The Selle Francais, which Liz has owned for seven years, is going as strong as ever.
“Galli is fit and sound and an out-and-out jumper,” said Liz.
“I was delighted with her performance on Sunday, winning the 80cm and also being placed in the 90cm but she is always very consistent and loves her job, still jumping enthusiastically.
“She won a 90cm showjumping class the week before, and is equally at home jumping XC,” said Liz.
“Her track record is fantastic and she is regularly placed showjumping and in working hunters and has completed six seasons at BE being placed in 90cm classes and has completed 100cm.”
The partnership also previously qualified for the style jumping championship final at Blair Castle Liz added: “The Arena Event was an opportunity to practice ahead of the BE event season, as I am aiming for Dalkeith in April as our first outing.
“In previous seasons Galli has been placed seventh at the Scottish BE90 Championships at Hendersyde (in 2013, aged 19) and represented Findon RC at the Riding Club UK Horse Trials Championships in 2011.
“She is remarkable and shows no signs of slowing down. We both qualify for veteran status!” added Liz.
Auchterarder-based Sophie O’Neil headed the 44-strong 90cm class on Silver, making the journey north worthwhile. Meanwhile, her big sister Stephanie out-jumped 34 horses to take the fiercely contested 1m class both first place on Sox and
second on Beek Fee.
Amy Wolfe on Dakota Dollar headed the 1m class with Inverurie-based Caitlin Padfield dominating the 1m15 on her Warmblood cross Thoroughbred, Ridinghill Reward.
The Aberdeen University student said: “Randy jumped a super round and was making every effort to leave the fences up.
“Believe it or not, he is rising 18 this year, although he is clearly not ready to retire.”
Caitlin also took one of her other horses, Quincy. “Both boys had an unlucky pole in their first classes over the angled double but Quincy then went on to jump a fabulous, confident double clear in his following class.
“I was delighted with both of them and I am really looking forward to getting them out and about this year.
“Bring on the 2015 event season,” Caitlin added.
equestrian@thecourier.co.ukResults
70cm: 1 Lynsey Anderson, Bruno; 2 Ellis Rugg, Cruise; 3 Jenna Ross, Tiny.
80cm: 1 Liz Paddon, Society Sovereign; 2 Charlotte Harris, Tormenta; 3 Emma Cheyne, Sgt Pepper.
90cm: 1 Sophie O’Neil, Silver; 2 Stephanie O’Neil, Crystal; 3 Lynne Blore, Cassie.
1m: 1 Stephanie O’Neil, Sox; 2 Stephanie O’Neil, Beek Fee; 3 Jane Brisbane, Barney.
1m15: 1 Caitlin Padfield, Ridinghill Reward; 2 Stephanie O’Neil, Mrs Frost; 3 Eilidh Middleton, Westmuir Quality