Riders from across Tayside and Fife were given the first opportunity to sample competition at a new Perthshire venue when Netherton Equestrian opened its doors in January.
The new indoor and outdoor horseriding facility has been established by the Wilkie family David and Joanna, Jonathon and Emma who have been deeply involved with the equestrian industry for many years.
Netherton, at Aberargie, near Bridge of Earn, adds an indoor venue to the Wilkies’ well-established livery yard and former riding school at Westbank Farm, Longforgan.
The first competition at the new centre which caters for livery, indoor arena hire, training, clinics and competitions was preceded by an intensive training week for riders over the festive period.
The competition included classes for dressage and showjumping, and attracted excellent entries.
“Thanks must go to all the helpers on the day, including dressage judges Liz Cox and Sandra Ramsay, writers Brenda Gallagher and Shona Whyte, and entries secretary Jacqueline Macgregor,” said organiser Joanna Wilkie.
“We now have dates set for February events including dressage in February, with extra classes up to Elementary level, and then showjumping two weeks later.
“Details of events, arena booking and livery at Netherton can be found at website www.nethertonequestrian.co.uk.”
During the competition, riders voiced enthusiasm for the addition of a long sought-after new indoor venue in the Perthshire area.
Achieving the highest dressage score of the day, to rise to the top of the Novice 24 leaderboard, was north-east Fife rider Emma Defew on her warmblood mare Oraya.
For Emma, who works full time as a programme coordinator for marine science at St Andrews University, the event at Netherton marked only her third competition back in the saddle after a showjumping fall in the summer.
Sidelined in a cast for a broken leg and dislocated ankle, Emma was restricted to non-weight-bearing movement on crutches for 3 months.
Back on the go again, she intends to affiliate for dressage this season.
A committee member for North East Fife Riding Club, she also plans to compete at riding club and area dressage.
“She can be a little on the spooky side, but when I can keep her attention we can get some nice results,” Emma said of Oraya, which she has owned for more than 3years.
The relatively low-mileage 10-year-old mare, sired by Carentino Glory, was bred out of Maybe Baby and had bred a foal before Emma bought her from Stanley Brash. They now benefit from training with Lisa Hood at Chapelwell, near Cupar, where they livery.
“Netherton was a friendly venue with a nice indoor arena,” added Emma.
The Prelim winners were Larisa Cathro and her horse Storm, from Perth, whilst the Intro test was led by Tayside Dressage Group chairman Hannah Burns, from Alyth.
Hannah took her red rosette with the seven-eighths Lipizzaner gelding Siglavy Abe of Ballyedmond, affectionately known as Goose.
The upstanding 17hh grey five-year-old was formerly driven as part of a team of four in-hand by Daniel Naprous, of the Devil’s Horsemen stunt team.
Brought north to Blairgowrie by Jock Mcfarlane, but ultimately not suited to him, Hannah was given the opportunity to try him for dressage.
“I thought, ‘why not’,” said Hannah, who runs the Alyth Garage alongside husband Kevin.
“He competed for Great Britain in May 2013 but grew too big for his team so was sold on,” she said.
“He is quirky and can nap quite badly, but we have taken his training slowly and, with a lot of time, patience and work, we are now out competing.”
Reflecting on their performance at Netherton, which was their first outing, having won atTayside DG competitions at Easter Rattray where they livery, Hannah said: “I had no idea that he would do so well.
“I wanted to take him out away from home to a competition atmosphere to see how he coped.
“I was so pleased with how calm he kept during his test.”
She added: “The competition was excellent. Netherton is a great new venue everyone was relaxed, it ran superbly with kind officials and boasts a great indoor, big outdoor and good parking.”
Results
Dressage Intro A (Judge: Liz Cox): 1 Hannah Burns, Siglavy Abe of Balledmond, 68.26; 2 Anna Dickinson, Tayview Chancer, 67.39; 3 Lisa Frenz, Ruby, 67.17. Prelim 13 (Judge: Sandra Ramsay): 1 Larisa Cathro, Storm, 71.88; 2 Carol Magee, Twenty to Eight, 71.25; 3 Amy Farrow, Rockhill Roulette, 70.63. Novice 24 (Judge: Sandra Ramsay): 1 Emma Defew, Oraya, 74.03; 2 Kathryn Hunt, Big Ben, 73.27; 3 Liz Cox, Zorro, 72.69.
Showjumping Trot poles. Clear rounds Liona Harris, Soli; Matthew Petrie, Sweep; Megan McCafferty, Oliver; Tara Kilburn, High Plain Drifter; Brooke Scott-Gray, Carsehalt Calibra; and Katie Petrie, Oliver. Cross poles: 1 Beth McCrickard, Pippin; 2 Lisa Frenz, Ruby; 3 Lucy Allison, Logan. 40 to 50cm: 1 Kyle Grieve, Milo; 2 Alannah Grieve, Brewster; 3 Lisa Frenz, Ruby. 60 to 70cm: 1 Kyle Grieve, Milo; 2 Ali McCrickard, Ellis; 3 Stephanie Leggeat, Dream. 80 to 90cm: 1 Iona Landale, Pedregal; 2 Emma Webster, Top Match; 3 (equal) Stephanie Leggeat, Dream and Lorna Balfour, Harry.