Strathearn Riding Club launched the celebrations for its 40th anniversary year with an open showjumping contest at Inchcoonans Equestrian Centre.
The small but friendly club, which caters for riders across Perthshire and the surrounding area and provides training and competitions across all equestrian disciplines, was initiated in 1974.
Supported by sponsors including the Ceramic Experience, Crieff, and Dave Cameron Photography, the club also used its anniversary show to raise a donation for the Scottish Air Ambulance.
Reaping the greatest rosette haul from the action-packed day, club committee member and BHSII Julia Craig topped three classes, took a second placing and two thirds with her string of horses from her home in Meikleour, near Blairgowrie.
Double winner across both the open top score contest and the open accumulator was her 11-year-old event gelding, Dante.
“It was a fabulous competition,” explained Julia. “Everyone had so much fun.”
Dante, which last season stood working hunter champion at the Grass Sickness Show, has evented with Julia for the last five seasons, with wins at Wee Burgie and Drumclog as well as numerous top 10 placings to their credit.
The son of Oberon Van Het Gravenhof was set to make his 2014 debut at local Scottish event, Kirriemuir.
Her intermediate class winner, Finnigan, has been something of a ‘project pony’ over recent years.
The nine-year-old low-mileage Irish Draught cross, sired by the King of Diamonds son Welcome Diamond, dipped his foot into eventing two seasons ago with a run and win around Wee Burgie at 80(T) level. He then went out on loan for 2013 and has returned to Julia to progress forwards this year.
“I’m so thrilled with him,” said Julia.
“Although his breeding doesn’t give him a huge amount of speed or stamina for cross country, he’s such a fun horse to jump on.”
Across the other classes, for mer Inchcoonans’ overall intro winter league winners Louise Drummond and Shannon topped the small accumulator, whilst Andi Bruce and Jackie Henderson topped the novice and nursery novice classes respectively.
Previous top score winners from the show centre Angela Welch and Tronique took the red rosette from the small open competition.
Results
Nursery novice 60cm: 1 Jackie Henderson, Endrig Ronaldo; 2 Hazel MacAulay, Finn; 3 Rachel Bruce, Phoenix.
Novice 70cm: 1 Andi Bruce, CC; 2 Erika Hay, Bee; 3 Louise Drummond, Shannon. Small accumulator: 1 Louise Drummond, Shannon; 2 Andi Bruce, CC.
Intermediate 80cm: 1 Julia Craig, Finnigan; 2 Angela Welch, Troni; 3 Julia Craig, Cracker.
Small open 90cm: 1 Angela Welch, Troni; 2 Alex Scott, Oscar; 3 Julia Craig, Finnigan.
Open top score: 1 Julia Craig, Dante; 2 Julia Craig, Cracker; 3 Alex Allan, Full of Beans.
Open accumulator: 1 Julia Craig, Dante; 2 Alex Allan, Full of Beans.