Lanark and Upperward Pony Club

What a super day at Scone Horse Trials on Sunday where we had 3 games teams in action. Our senior team of Abbey, Evie, Eva, Lily and Scout had a good first session to qualify for the high road where they finished 6th. Isla rode with Strathearn C. Our Junior As of Olivia, Lexie, Orlagh, Anna and Maia had some super racing to come 4th in the high road. Our Junior Bs, Robyn, Willow, Flora and Lucy were joined by Fran from Angus, and had a brilliant time finishing 4th in the low road. Well done everyone - the conditions were a little tricky! (Unfortunately no pics of the seniors as we all seem to have forgotten to take one🤦🏼‍♀️!)

Here’s a report from Scout on her action packed week at Pony Club Champs:-

We arrived on Thursday when the temperature was reaching the high thirties- it was very hot and dusty. The ponies were very happy that we had bought them fans for their stables!

My first competition was Tetrathlon which started on the Friday. I was disappointed in my shoot- I think the heat got to me a little bit. We then got a lift to the swimming pool with some Tet friends from England; I was really proud of my swim which was one of the best in Junior girls. It was then back to Offchurch to walk the XC course for the next day - it was technical but an inviting course. I was most worried about the gate as it was number 3 and Bart would still be quite excited at that point. I shouldn’t have worried because on Saturday afternoon Bart flew round the course for a 1400 ride (the maximum score)!
Don had arrived with Zara so we had a quick games practice on Saturday night ahead of games on Sunday morning.
We had an early start on Sunday morning for tack and turnout in the Senior Games Competition where we were delighted to be awarded 3rd place.
Once the games session was finished I had to jump off Zara to get to my Tetrathlon run. It’s a 1500 metre run around the XC course and through the water jump, I really enjoyed the run- and the water was very refreshing!
In the Tetrathlon championship I finished 28th out of 80 in the Junior girls and I was awarded a 1400 ride rosette. I was very pleased with my placing as this is my first year in this age category- I still have 2 more years to go.
Also in the Stepping Stones tet championship (for younger members), my Mum’s horse, Wizard, came 2nd with Murray from the The Old Surrey & Burstow Pony Club and their Southern team came 1st 🎉. My Mum was very excited to see him storm round the xc course in the fastest time of the day!

We had a day off on Monday so, for once, had time for a leisurely lunch with some tet friends before our busy week started!

On Tuesday Bart was in the Novice Dressage and was extremely excited so did not produce his best dressage however our Area 19 of the Pony Club team with Kelly from Stewartry Pony Club, Emily from Duke of Buccleuch Pony Club and Abi from Linlithgow and Stirlingshire Pony Club came a super 8th out of 40 teams 🎉.
Dermot jumped in the 90cm team competition just having a few poles and finishing in the middle of the teams.

On Wednesday Bart jumped in the 90cm individual, he was clear in the first round with some excitable bucks and just an unfortunate pole in the second. Dermot jumped in the 1m team - he was clear in the first round but was not feeling himself in the second round with a couple of stops.

On Thursday the ponies had a quiet day whilst we cheered on our mini Horse & pony care team who did brilliantly.

On Friday both Bart and Dermot had their dressage and SJ for Eventing. Both did very smart tests to sit in the top 10 of their sections! However in the showjumping Dermot rolled a pole and Bart was too excited to concentrate so had 2 poles. There was a bit of excitement on Friday evening when a nearby hay shed caught fire but that was thankfully, quickly, brought under control.

I made sure I walked the course plenty of times before I set off on Saturday. Bart’s excitement carried through to Saturday where we struggled to get him in the start box losing some time but he flew round a very big course clear 🎉. Dermot wasn’t feeling himself so I retired at fence 7. Bart finished 11th individualy and his Area 19 team with Emma from Galloway Branch Of The Pony Club and Amelia from Duke of Buccleuch finished 10th 🎉.

It was a hot and dusty week at champs but it was amazing to see my friends from all over Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. I competed in 7 championships over the week, it was great fun and would be brilliant to have lots more members there next year!

An amazing Thursday at Pony Club Champs where our Mini team of Hannah, Zara & Robyn came a super 9th out of 48 teams. This was a great achievement and testament to the girls’ hard work since qualifying. Thanks also to Christina and Carrie who have coached the girls leading up to champs. We are very proud of you all🎉💪🎉!

Another fun day at PC Champs 🎉. Our senior games team of Lily, Abbey, Evie, Orlagh and Scout worked hard. They were delighted to be place 3rd in tack
& turnout. Sadly they did not make the finals today, but learned lots and plenty to practise over the winter!