Report from the Caledonian Championships of  27-28 September ‘03
Prepared by Cathy Rawson

This year the Caledonian Championships were the turn of Dressage and Showjumping. Lesley Calder, Cathy Rawson and Sheena Targell-Worth took on the roles of organisers and co-ordinators.

DRESSAGE REPORT:
Lesley and Cathy split the organizing into teams and individuals. Lesley organized the teams and Cathy took the individuals. The entry consisted of two teams and eighteen individual entries- a fantastic response. Lesley managed to persuade Phyllis Beattie to give up one of her evenings to teach our teams. Seven of the eight managed to attend(only work stopped the eighth member). This is very positive for future events.

Sunday dawned with the expected sunshine and enthusiasm.   Dressage can be a bit tense if you allow it, but not at Ayr Riding Club, we always go to do our very best but it is essential to enjoy the day out.  First out was Sheena on Topper doing Elementary 56, a very difficult test at the best of times even more difficult if you are trying to learn it before you go in.   Last minute coaching by Cathy was useless as her final words were 'remember to halt at x in this one on entry' .... so Sheena sails right past x and the judge peeps the horn less than 2 seconds into the arena.   We all collapsed laughing, the judge seeing the funny side of it let Sheena restart.   Topper and Sheena went on to give a very good account of themselves, but Cathy forgot to start the video!!!  

The co-ordination of the day was interesting to say the least, but everyone eventually found the right arena, did the right test, at the right time - but that’s another story over a few bottles of wine.   At the end of the day we did collect a few rosettes and enjoyed a couple bottles of bubbly while we waited.   Well done to everyone who went along - hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.

Results:
Pairs 1st                Julia Kerr and  Mugs Montgomery (Respectable Pursuit & Hank)
P10   2nd               Fiona Rawson (Rosie)
P18   2nd               Fiona Rawson (Foirbeis)
P 4    3rd                Linda Cochrane(Diachristu Mystic Quest)
P 4    5th                Claire Wickman (Fantasia)
P18   5th                Sheena Targell-Worth (Trust Topper)
N36   3rd                Mugs Montgomery (Hank)
N36   5th                Vicki Dalrymple (Miracle Masquerade)

Teams were 7th and 8^th - a very respectable result out of approximately 30 teams.