The Kilgraston Scottish Schools Equestrian Championships attracted more than 100 junior and senior riders in celebration of its 20th anniversary event.
Some 20 schools from Kelso High and Morebattle Primary in the Borders, to Robert Gordon’s in Aberdeen and Wellington School from Ayr converged on Gleneagles Equestrian Centre.
Entrants fielded either teams or individuals to contest the three age groups 12 and under, 14 and under and 15 and over with each section split into combined training (CT), dressage and showjumping.
Starting with the youngest riders in the 12 and under age group, Glasgow Academy achieved a clean sweep, with their team winning all three phases.
The team from Kilgraston finished a close second ahead of Ardvreck, which was relegated into third by just one point.
In the team jumping Ardvreck reversed these placings to finish second in the team jumping with Kilgraston in third.
In the individual competition Glasgow Academy’s success continued with Max Hedgcoe in Arena A posting wins across all phases.
Stephanie Craig from Wellington School made the long journey worthwhile, winning Arena B in both CT and dressage. Kilgraston School’s 14 and under team of Grace Reilly, Heather Halley, Zoe Niven and Daisy Foniciello had a win in both the CT and the dressage.
Individually, Zoe Niven and Grace Reilly were third in their arenas for both CT and dressage.
Strathallan A were runners-up in the team competition for these sections, with Robert Gordon’s in third for CT. Strathallan B took third in the dressage.
The showjumping phase was particularly dramatic, with many riders falling foul of fence three, the planks.
Robert Gordon’s rolled only one pole between all their rides to finish with a team score of just four faults, securing the win.
Kilgraston’s Zoe Niven posted the fastest time of the day to take the individual showjumping title.
In the senior (15 and over) section it was George Heriot’s that came to the fore in CT and showjumping, with Strathallan taking the dressage phase.
In the showjumping Sophie Bultitude rode an excellent double clear to secure the Jenny Storer Cup, presented to the individual champion, for Robert Gordon’s College. Amy Clark, also for Robert Gordon’s, took the individual title in Arena A for both CT and dressage, while Felix Feather, of George Heriot’s, posted one of the best dressage scores of the day to keep Strathallan’s Jessica England out of the top spot in Arena B.
This result was reversed in the CT with Felix adding eight faults to his dressage score, while Jessica finished her round with just four to add.
Instrumental in the organisation of the day, Kim Seaton, Kilgraston’s equestrian manager, said: “Once again I was delighted to welcome so many competitors from around the country.
“As always the show continued to be held in a warm and friendly atmosphere and attract a high standard across all sections.
“I’d like to thank all of the participating schools for coming and also our sponsors Knight Frank for their continued support.”
equestrian@thecourier.co.uk Results
Teams
12 and under. Combined training: 1 Glasgow Academy; 2 Kilgraston A; 3 Ardvreck. Dressage: 1 Glasgow Academy; 2 Kilgraston A; 3 Ardvreck. Showjumping: 1 Glasgow Academy; 2 Ardvreck; 3 Kilgraston A.
14 and under. Combined training: 1 Kilgraston; 2 Strathallan A; 3 Robert Gordon’s. Dressage: 1 Kilgraston; 2 Strathallan A; 3 Strathallan B. Showjumping: 1 Robert Gordon’s.
15 and over. Combined training: 1 George Heriot’s; 2 Strathallan; 3 Glenalmond. Dressage: 1 Strathallan; 2 George Heriot’s; 3 Glenalmond. Showjumping: 1 George Heriot’s.
Individuals
12 and under. Combined training (Arena A): 1 Max Hedgcoe, Glasgow Academy; 2 James Houlden, Ardvreck; 3 Bernadette McElhinney, Kilgraston A. Combined training (Arena B): 1 Stephanie Craig, Wellington; 2 Anna Smallwood, Kilgraston A; 3 Tara Humphrey, Ardvreck. Dressage (Arena A): 1 Max Hedgcoe, Glasgow Academy; 2 James Houlden, Ardvreck; 3 Bernadette McElhinney, Kilgraston A. Dressage (Arena B): 1 Stephanie Craig, Wellington; 2 Tess Wylie, Kilgraston B; 3 Anna Smallwood, Kilgraston A. Showjumping: 1 Max Hedgcoe, Glasgow Academy; 2 Katie MacFadyen, Morebattle; 3 Myah Neilson, Wellington.
14 and under. Combined training (Arena A): 1 Izzy Bamford, George Heriot’s; 2 Sarah Montgomery, Robert Gordon’s; 3 Grace Reilly, Kilgraston. Combined training (Arena B): 1 Rowan Henderson, Kelso; 2 Ella England, Strathallan; 3 Zoe Niven, Kilgraston. Dressage (Arena A): 1 Sarah Montgomery, Robert Gordons; 2 Izzy Bamford, George Heriot’s; 3 Grace Reilly, Kilgraston. Dressage (Arena B): 1 Rowan Henderson, Kelso; 2 Ella England, Strathallan A; 3 Zoe Niven, Kilgraston. Showjumping: 1 Zoe Niven, Kilgraston; 2 Duncan MacFadyen, Kelso; 3 Izzy Bamford, George Heriot’s.
15 and over. Combined training (Arena A): 1 Amy Clark, Robert Gordons; 2 (equal) Kirsten Bamford, George Heriot’s and Laura Langdale, Glenalmond. Combined training (Arena B): 1 Jessica England, Strathallan; 2 Felix Feather, George Heriot’s; 3 Olivia Morison, Kilgraston. Dressage (Arena A): 1 Amy Clark, Robert Gordons; 2 Laura Langdale, Glenalmond; 3 Rachel Menzies, Kilgraston. Dressage (Arena B): 1 Felix Feather, George Heriots; 2 Jessica England, Strathallan; 3 Olivia Morison, Kilgraston. Showjumping: 1 Sophie Bultitude, Robert Gordon’s; 2 Alex Mundell, Mary Erskine; 3 Kirsten Bamford, George Heriot’s.