HORSE TRIALS REPORT
BIGGARSHIELDS – SUNDAY 30TH MAY 2004
After a very traumatic training week when the club saw two members end up in hospital, one with a serious illness, the other with serious injuries a heavy cloud hung over the team. I can report both are now on the mend and we all wish both Hilary and Louise a speedy recovery.
Biggarshields is very hilly and not being so fit I ensconced myself by the Show Jumping arena which was kind of half way between the dressage and XC. I let Fiona do all the leg work keeping me informed of everyones progress. I watched and assessed the competition in the blazing sun, news filtered back a rider had broken her leg – I immediately had find out where our riders were as my heart was frozen in fear. It wasn’t one of our riders but the poor lady concerned did suffer a very bad multiple fracture – we wish her too a speedy recovery.
Now after all the gloom and doom the GOOD NEWS – Ayr Novice Horse Trials Team qualified for a third year in succession to travel to the National Championships at Offchurch Bury in August. Once all the time faults had settled Elizabeth Muirhead (Time to Rise) was luckily there to negotiate our final marks and placings. Mugs Montgomerie (Hank) Alison Morrissey (Billy Blob) Julia Kerr (Respectable Pursuit) and Elizabeth had all really good dressage marks in the 30’s – a few mistakes in the Show Jumping made us think we would not qualify as two other Clubs were clear Show Jumping. However four excellent runs XC saw the qualifying place fall to Ayr. Third time lucky – lets wish the Team all the best.
Marion Nairn a new member had a great day at her 1st Open XC riding club event. Harry an experienced showjumper took the XC in his stride and looked as though he could have gone again. He didn’t think much of those silly white boards on the ground though. I look forward to seeing this partnership in our future teams. Well done Marion.
Denise Wilson and her super young horse Springwater Flyboy gets better every outing and this day was no different. A good dressage, one down SJ and great XC makes this partnership great team and individual material for the future. Well done Denise.
Melanie Scott one of the Clubs reliable stalwarts gave her usual quality performance on Shamrock and has offered to standby as reserve for the team. Thanks Melanie.
Sheena decided to retire Topper after the dressage as the ground was just too hard for him. Sheena felt it was better to save him for the Showjumping Teams later as the ground may improve. Vicki on Falcon Lord did a great dressage and showjumping but were eliminated XC for missing a fence – bad luck cos this was really good performance.
Thankfully the 9 riders and horse who volunteered to go to Biggarsheilds came back safe and sound. Well done to you all. Look forward to meeting more of you next year.
Cathy Rawson