Eglinton Pony Club – Team Show Jumping
15^th November 2003

Eglinton Pony Club organised a team showjumping event at Muirmill and Ayr Riding Club sent an intermediate and open team.  We were the only riding club team in the whole competition but we held our heads high!

Ayr were the 15th team to jump from the 16 teams entered for the intermediate class. At almost 6pm our first rider Margo Henderson and Diamond Red, a last minute replacement, jumped clear. The remaining riders, Vicky Dalrymple (Max), Melanie Scott (Gem) and Denise Wilson (Springwater Flyboy) all returned clears.

The second round was raised and timed to determine the results. Denise jumped out of order to allow her to leave early (wise move!) and jumped clear. Margot, Vicky and Melanie also jumped clear to finish on a team score of zero. Two other teams finished on zero, with their times marginally quicker than us, leaving Ayr third behind Nithsdale who were first and East Lothian in second.

Half way through the intermediate first round, open team member Kirsty Greig arrived with the disapointing news that Symphony was lame. Intermediate chef d'equipe Sheena Targell Worth was reluctant to jump Topper with his cut mouth so after a quick discussion Melanie and Vicky agreed come up to join Adam Pawson (Goldbert) and Margo.

The open started after 8pm and in the first round Melanie and Vicky both had four faults. Adam, commentator for the previous four classes, went clear as did Margo. Four teams contested the open and after round one Ayr was tying with Nithsdale for first place on four faults.

In the second round, which was raised, Adam and Margot jumped clear, while Melanie and Vicky again collected four faults apiece for the team to finish on a total of eight faults. This gave the team victory ahead of Nithsdale, who finished on 16 faults. It finished at almost 9.30pm, and in 12 1/2 hours 44 teams (ie 176 riders) and 32 pony club individuals competed!