We couldn’t have asked for a better result at the first team show jumping competition run by Lanarkshire Junior Academy with Lanarkshire teams winning all three team classes. The competition was fierce but the sportsmanship, camaraderie and support was absolutely amazing. The format of the teams on equal faults bringing forward one member to compete in a jump off to decide the final placings made for an electric atmosphere and a tremendous amount of shouting and cheering for all!

The winning 60cm team of Abbie Letham, Charlie Scott, Raeanna Smith and Georgia Jones

In the 60 cm Abbie Letham and Belle rode for Lanarkshire competing for the top spot against Glasgow Academy, Eglinton Pony Club and South West Academy and did a fast clear round that no one else could touch. The second Lanarkshire 60 cm team had Ellie Davidson jumping off against the other four faulters and Ellie secured sixth place for the team.

In the 80cm two of the Lanarkshire teams again jumped off for 1st place and 4th place. A blistering round from Alex McTaggart of the Glasgow Academy set the pace for those chasing the sashes, Kirstyn Beattie of Lanarkshire was next in and flew round to take the lead with only Nicole Pitt of the Southmuirhead Livery team to go. It was a nail biting round as Nicole appeared to make tighter turns and looked up on the clock but wasn’t as fast in the long run to the last oxer finishing just one second outside Kirstyn’s time. The second Lanarkshire team had Raeanna Smith jumping off against the other teams on four faults and she delivered a steady but clear round which secured the team 4th place overall.

The winning 80cm team of Raegan Girvan, Laura Mitchell, Kirstyn Beattie and Jenna Letham

In the metre class there was no need to jump off for first place as Lanarkshire were the only team to finish with a clean sheet. Central Academy and South West jumped off for second place, Central jumped first posting a very good time but Lauren McQuade took off meaning business and hared round the jump off looking certain to take second place until she faulted at the very last fence.

This ended a wonderful day which brought together a real mix of competitors, large and small, young and old all taking part in our favourite sport of show-jumping. As well as the teams from academies there were teams from pony clubs, riding clubs, yards and friends, including the McIntyre family team which included three generations of the family!

We could have asked for slightly better weather but no warmer a crowd and the enthusiasm from the competitors and spectators alike was fantastic, making all of the hard work worthwhile. Specials thanks go to those who made the day possible;

Course builders, Andrew Wilson and Gillian Anderson

Judges, John Ormiston, Lindsay Collumb and Linda Anderson

Superstar main ring steward that kept the day on schedule, Jill Douglas

Cool collecting ring stewards, Fraser Beattie and Lisa Brown

Car park attendants that squeezed everyone into a space that they shouldn’t have fitted ! Stuart Anderson, Grant Anderson and Charles Beattie

Catering convenor for the officials, Rosemary Fleming

Fab catering provider, Clayre Jane

Secretary, Gillian Beattie

and finally Lucy Brindlay, BS Development Officer Scotland, who asked us to run the event and kindly came along on the day to help and award the rosettes and sashes.