Lothian rider Sophie Brewster had a Blair Castle show to remember with a remarkable double of championship wins in the Tilt arena.
The Brewsters’ first supreme success came courtesy of their four-year-old home-bred bay gelding Clifton’s Only Just.
Orphaned after birth from his dam CranswickAlice, this son of Stonegrove Ace was raised by a surrogate dam.
He has only been lightly shown for his first season under saddle, but came to Blair off the back of a second place at the Border Union and a reserve championship at Perth.
He “oozed quality” in the eyes of judges Liz Morley from Wetherby (conformation) and Melrose’s Jo Luton (ride), and his overall “outlook” ultimately clinched him the hunter title win.
“He never put a foot wrong,” said Liz.
“He was delightful, always smiling, and is such a quality horse. He’s a true lightweight, with good quality bone and he’s a lovely mover.”
Jo added: “He also gave me the most incredible ride for a four-year-old.”
The judges drew a “lovely pattern of a horse” forward to stand as hunter reserve.
This was Freda and Emma Stuart’s 13-year-old gelding Bollero Green Field, sired by Parco and out of Vitesse Greenfield, which is headed to HOYS to contest the working hunter final after topping the line-up at this year’s Royal Highland Show.
Not shown since the Highland, this season he stood champion at Drymen and reserve at Central and West Fife and has now won the small hunter class at Blair three times, having taken the red rosette in 2011 and 2012.
Sophie notched up her second championship later in the afternoon with her top riding horse Clifton’s Maximus.
This five-year-old by Merit recently came first at Perth. It also stood supreme at the Puddledub Summer Show and also took championships at Ayr and the Border Union.
“He had such a lovely temperament, which shone right through the judging of both the classes and the championship,” said Liz.
“He went beautifully throughout.”
Inverness rider Rachael Aiton piloted her own eight-year-old gelding Mr Redford into reserve, having recently achieved the same standing at the Black Isle Show.
Having thoroughly enjoyed her stint as ride judge, Jo added: “I got a peach of a ride from both the champion and reserve.”
equestrian@thecourier.co.ukResultsHunter champion: Sophie Brewster, Clifton’s Only Just. Reserve: Emma Stuart, Bolero Greenfield.
Novice: 1 Sophie Brewster, Clifton’s Only Just; 2 Kirsty Aird, News at Ten; 3 Lorna Littlejohn, Rubensdale. Lightweight: 1 Ruth Sutherland, Mastermind IV; 2 Sarra Mayberry, Lowhill Carrick’s Lady; 3 Robyn Wilson, Zillion. Small: 1 Emma Stuart, Bollero Green Field; 2 Samantha Burkhill, Master Klass; 3 Laura Maclachlan, Capitialist. Middle/heavyweight: 1 Scott McLellan, Dock of the Grey; 2 Kate Clark, Fergus; 3 Gillian Brown, Boulabeha Foxy Lady.
Riding horse champion: Sophie Brewster, Clifton’s Maximus. Reserve: Rachael Aiton, Mr Redford.
Small riding horse: 1 Rachael Aiton, Mr Redford; 2 Kirstie Williams, Teisha of Catlaw; 3 Sarah Burkhill, Small land Smokescreen. Large riding horse: 1 Sophie Brewster, Clifton’s Maximus; 2 Julia Craig, Dartangion Van Het Netedal; 3 Linda Pantellemsco, Jupiter.
CHAPS native/cob/traditional: 1 Ashley Anderson, EZPZ @ Ezulwini; 2 Marc Mitchell, Oliver Twist IX; 3 Rebecca Copland, Dolly XIII.
CHAPS non-native: 1 Lucy Cowie, Wann’s Prospect; 2 Carol Petrie, Caldecott Domino; 3 Judith McAughtrie, West End Boy.
Riding club horse: 1 Pam Gray, Ridgehill Eamon; 2 Georgina Chalmers-Gray, Millhorn Ellie; 3 Marjorie Grant, Trailtrow Eriskay.