Classes were fit to bursting at the first of Inchcoonans’ autumn unaffiliated dressage competitions.
Judges Judy Taylor and Mary Hope enjoyed bumper entries for the classes from intro to novice level with a quality entry leading to no less than five riders breaching the 70% barrier.
Leuchars’ Lisa Martin achieved the highest winning score of the day 73.16% and in doing so topped the first first of the prelim classes with her 11-year-old Veron Wald, aka Donny.
Lisa, who works part-time in the Guardbridge Inn, bought Donny (Goodtimes x Burgraaf) five years ago, after he was imported from Holland.
“Up until last year, I had someone else compete him at BS for me, as I dont jump but I finally decided that it was time I got out and started doing something with him myself and I have always wanted to have a go at dressage,” explained Lisa, who started having flatwork lessons with Grazyna Jakubowska-Young.
“She has helped me so much. Inchcoonans was our first real outing, so I was shocked, amazed and delighted with our results!
“I felt I rode an okay test, but never in my wildest dreams did I expect to win.”
Also taking a win on her first ever dressage outing was 15-year-old Perth High School pupil Hannah Fairbrother, who won the intro test with her Highland pony gelding Belivat Muldoanich, on a score of 70%.
Hannah has owned the now 10-year-old former Olympia semi-finalist, which was gelded at the age of seven, for the last year.
After taking a first at Kinross, second at the Grass Sickness Show and fourth at Alyth, Hannah said she wanted to give dressage a try to improve her riding.
“I have only been riding a year, but I get lessons once a week from the amazing Jo Taylor. She has taught me everything. I also recently started to get lessons once a month with Diana Zadje,” explained Hannah.
“I truly didn’t believe I would do as well as I did, as it was my first time out,” said Hannah.
In the novice 24 and 28 tests, the wins went to Leona Blacklaws and Emma Boulton respectively.
Leona has owned her winner the Belgium-bred KWPN gelding, Valdis since May and at 16.2hh, he is her first horse off ponies.
This season, they have concentrated on BS and BE, completing both Drumclog and Aswanley horse trials and taking a fourth placing at the latter. They were also recently third in the open class at Craigie hunter trials.
Leona, who is based just outside Laurencekirk, gets regular lessons from local teacher, Hamish Cameron.
Emma’s winner was the 16-year-old cob cross, Crazy Colours, known affectionately as Puzzle.
“Puzzle is a true allrounder she knows what her job is and will do everything to please you,” explained Emma (19), from Burntisland.
After a “relaced and forward going” novice test, Emma said she was “over the moon” with her 70% score.
They now head into the winter from their base at Bouprie Farm Livery, planning to do more dressage and training nights, and get regular lessons from Stephen Lohoar.
Inchcoonans’ unaffiliated winter showjumping league this year also incorporates the Angus PC leagues.
Murroes livery yard’s Zoe Guild clinched the 1m05 open class win with her seven-year-old gelding Aragon, which she has now owned for the last two years.
Having previously taken a few wins at Inchconnans and the SDRC summer league, they are now slowly moving up the grades.
After competing in the BS arenas at Blair, Zoe now plans to aim for Newcomers classes and hopes to make it to the Sunshine Tour next year.