Local success at the Defender Blair Castle International horse trials
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THE rain did not dampen the spirits of amateur Scottish horses and riders and professional international combinations at the Defender Blair Castle International Horse Trials from Thursday, August 24 -27 writes Tracey Jayne Little.
Winning the Dodson and Horrell/BHS Scotland working hunter championships in a strong field of 40 was Forres-based rider and coach Avril Johnston on 11yr old bay Thoroughbred gelding Jubilee V, bred by the late Virginia Scott-Watson whose horses Avril used to event.
Avril was one of only three clear rounds round the one metre track, having qualified for the championships at The Cabin Equestrian Centre.
Avril commented: “Basically it was a full-up, challenging track and we were delighted to be one of only three clears. Jubilee felt very confident and gave me a very nice ride round the course.
“The judges commented on his jump round and gave the judge a good ride.
“We‘re now going to have a winter of showjumping and hopefully next year, will try and qualify for the 2024 championships.”
In other British Horse Society Scotland qualifiers, Chloe Milne took the Greaves West & Ayre/BHS Scotland style jumping championships while Eilidh Chown took the Just Chaps/BHS Scotland Riding Club Horse class. Gillian Anderson and Jj’s Prince Chaccomo headlined the Perth Equine Vets/BHS Scotland working hunter championships.
It was third time lucky for Insch-based rider Fiona Menzies and her 11 year old chestnut gelding Bowland Winner, by Longdean Westminister, who went Hunter Champion after winning the Lightweight Hunter on Thursday morning (August 24).
This was after winning the Novices at Blair in 2021 and coming reserve champion, then coming second in the open Lightweights in 2022 and reserve champion again.
“When he’s good, he’s very very good but when he’s got company in the horse lorry, he’s slightly unsettled.
“There’s no feeling like blasting round the ring with an appreciative crowd cheering you on. It’s absolutely brilliant!! We go every year. It’s the one of the top highlights, in our list of “must attend shows.
“I last won the hunter champion at Blair in 2013 with Double Crow so it’s been a long time coming!!!
Bowland Winner is no stranger to the spotlight, having stood champion at Turriff Show this year, and having been Supreme there in 2022. This year has also seen him Supreme Champion at The Cabin in May and at The Neighfield Show.
The partnership have also contested four Horse Of The Year qualifiers this season, and been placed in them all. He’s turned out for all the big shows by Fiona’s friend and groom Helen Hunter of whom Fiona says “her plaiting is tremendous!”.
Headlining the ridden show cob class was Sam Winn from Newmill on Curious George, her seven year old home-produced coloured maxi cob gelding who she stables at Knock, Huntly.
Rising to the fore in a s strong class of 13, the judges commented that George had been “the best ride they’d had in a long time."
Sam commented: “Before the class, I was needing all my time and just wasn't feeling it if I'm honest but as soon as we went into the ring and up into trot, George just took me round that ring. I couldn't help but smile.”
Their winning streak continued as later in the afternoon, Sam and George came second out of 21 entries in the CHAPS UK Native ridden Coloured.
“I'm absolutely thrilled with him. For a cob he's very quirky, often naughty, but he's been a total Prince in both classes where it counts.
“For just being seven years old he's already exceeded an expectation I ever dreamed of from a top 10 finishes at four BE80s to being placed in the SEIB Search for a Star in the amateur class at HOYS last year to booking his open ticket to HOYS as a maxi cob with James Munro at the Royal Highland Show.
“I can't believe I have been given the chance to honour to ride my totally home produced little cob from Ireland round the big ring in the Maxi Cob Championship with the creme de la creme of professional riders. George just makes me smile and is my reason for keeping my 6st off!! “
In the centrepiece international eventing classes, Perthshire rider Wills Oakden enjoyed a double win, headlining the CCI 4* L (long format) on A Class Cooley and piloting eight year old Keep It Cooley to take the CCI 3* L (long format) title. Wills commented that the day was all the more special as it was a venue close to his heart in many ways. Wills wife Stepanie Oakden on Cooley Cando finished fourth in the CCI 2* L.
Reigning European and Badminton champion Ros Canter also enjoyed a double win at the Defender Blair Castle International Horse Trials, taking both first and second place in the CCI 4* S (short) format on Izilot DHI and Rehy Royal Diamond respectively. Ros also took fourth place in this international class on MHS Seventeen. Ros had also managed to combine some local white water rafting into her trip in some “downtime” before the final cross-country day!
Leading the way in the CCI2* L (long format) was Rio Hall on Georgie Girl finishing on their dressage score of 24.6. The CCI 2* S (short format) Pony class was headed by Irish rider Kitty Cullen on Coppenagh Spring Sparrow.
The BE 90 & 100 Scottish Championship classes ran over the weekend (August 26-27). Heading the SC BE90 was Amy Dixon on her own Good Luck II just adding 1.2 to the dressage score of 26.4 to finish on 27.6. The SC BE100 was headed by Stephanie Lynch who finished on her dressage score of 29.6.
