Castle Kennedy Horse Driving Trials 2008
The seventh Scottish Carriage Driving Championships at Castle Kennedy received a variety of weather but triumphed on the Sunday with glorious sunshine.
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.
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Weather for Newton Stewart
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South
