Team Show Jumping
Linlithgow & Stirling
8th February 2004

20 members braved winters icy blasts to take part in Linlithgow & Stirling’s team show jumping at Devon Leisure, near Alloa. Blizzards and gales on Saturday gave way to bright sunshine but freezing conditions on the Sunday of the competition. The dedication of our members is highlighted by Holly Rivett, whose mum Pauline was delayed by two trees blown down and blocking the drive at her stables but still managed to turn up more or less on time.

It was, yet again, a successful day for our teams, which all challenged for the top spots. The competition used the increasingly popular timed second round to decide the places. The pre novice team ended up 6th out of a class of 12, after going for top spot and unfortunately just rolling a couple of poles and ending up with 4 faults. The same story for our Novice teams with the Foxes finishing 4th out of a class of 15, with 4 faults and the Hounds just outside the places with 8 faults.

For those of us who braved the long day there were two main highlights – the stunning views of the Ochills clad in white from the previous days blizzards and the Intermediate class, in which the Foxes were 1st, out of 15 teams, with the only double clear, and the Hounds 5th on 8 faults.

Devon Leisure is a great facility but it is always hard to win away from home and so a special mention for the Intermediate Foxes – Heather Ridland, Clare Geddes, Ashleigh Brown and Susie Simster.

Well done to all our members and as ever thanks to the parents for their support. Finally got home at 11.00pm.

Gordon