The weather was welcoming to the many spectators who came to enjoy the spectacle of the carriage driving as well as the entertainment on offer.

The carriage driving competition commenced on Friday with dressage and the six judges had a busy day. The ridden dressage competition took place on the Friday afternoon, with Emilie Wardhaugh on Rockin' Robin from Dumfries achieving the highest score in the junior section and of the day to win the Robert McMillan Junior Dressage trophy. Joss Midgley on Echo had the highest score in the senior section and won the Castle Kennedy Horse Driving Trials Senior Dressage trophy.

Saturday was reminiscent of the 2007 event, when the heavens opened at around 8.30 am, just in time for the start of the Horse Show, and the day continued wet and overcast, only easing when the carriage driving marathon finished. Despite the weather the carriage driving competitors had no problems with the ground conditions, which were good, and put on some thrilling displays through the obstacles for the hardier spectators. The course repair crew were tested as a number of competitors tried to take shortcuts through post and rails and Alex Mills and his team were quick to respond and keep the competition moving.

The new finish, provided by S Torbet Plant Hire, where the competitors had to drive through an arch made by the JCB buckets and arms, was a little too exciting for some of the horses but provided a fitting close to the gruelling 18 km marathon. The Horse Show and showjumping numbers were down due to the poor weather, but a worthy Supreme Champion in the Horse Show was Ceri Williams on Wizard, selected by Judges Kenneth Hill from Lanark and Chrissie Whitaker from Dalbeattie. The showjumping classes, all with new trophies for the event, were enjoyed by the riders. Thanks to Sheena McIntyre, Suzi McMillan and Bobby McKie for ensuring the success of the showjumping.

The carriage driving competitors were relieved to see the sun come out on Sunday and the full programme of entertainment took place including the Skyhigh Falconry display, Glenluce Vintage Tractors, Stranraer and District Angling Club, Loch Ryan Dog Training, Newton Stewart Mini Major Twirlettes and the ever popular terrier racing.

The private driving classes and Clydesdale Horses also enjoyed the fine weather on the Sunday, and offered spectators the opportunity to view many different types of horses in harness, including a Clydesdale unicorn turnout from Hugh Ramsay.

The Sulwath Brewers Tri Nations Challenge was won by England, with Scotland second and Ireland third.

The event requires a great many volunteers to run, with a team on site a week before the event constructing obstacles, setting out the stabling area and showground, as well as the 60 stewards required on the Saturday for the marathon. The organising committee and competitors are very grateful for this support, without which the event would not take place.

In addition to the volunteers, the support from local businesses, including P&O, Galloway Timbers, Ryan Mix, Wilson Auto Repairs, Stena Line and Wigtownshire Sports Council ensures that the Scottish Carriage Driving Championships remain at Castle Kennedy.

CARRIAGE DRIVING RESULTS


Super Solvitax Intermediate Pony

1st Susan Don, Fife

2nd Michael Walsh, Blairgowrie


PI Associates PolyPads Intermediate Horse

1st David Hewat, Carlisle

2nd Jane Isaac, Argyll


South West of Scotland Horse Driving Club Open Single Pony

1st Tracey Fletcher, Newark

2nd Gary Brown, Chorley

3rd Janet Pilling, Biggar

4th Andrew Mylius, Fife


South West of Scotland Horse Driving Club Open Single Horse

1st Helen Hunter, Huntly


S Torbet Plant Hire Advanced Single Pony

1st Sue Denney, Isle of Man

2nd Audrey Barron, Arbroath


S Torbet Plant Hire Advanced Single Horse

1st Angela Flanagan, Melton Mowbray


Dumfries and Galloway Horse Driving Club Pony Pairs

1st Amanda Nisbet, Lockerbie

2nd Mary Kusin, Stewarton

3rd Anne Gilbert, Dalry


Tarff Valley Pony Four in Hand

1st Faith Szczuka, Loanhead

2nd Peter Shannon, Chorley


P & J MacDonald Horse Pairs

1st Barnaby Bowman, Carlisle

2nd Owen Pilling, Biggar

3rd Ger Hennessey, County Kilkenny

4th Folke Rohrssen, County Tipperary


Sulwath Brewers Horse Tandem

1st Pat Cooper, Leeds

2nd Carol Boswell, North Berwick


Sulwath Brewers Horse Four in Hand

1st Robert Bowman, Carlisle

2nd George Bowman IV, Carlisle


Wigtownshire Driving Club Class

1st Drew Douglas, Lockerbie

2nd Zan Kirk, Dumfries

3rd Margaret Lupton, Annan.