Photograph: Front from left: Brooke Walker, Iona Landale, Emma Walker (Team Captain). Middle from left: Kelly Grant, Pollyanna Smith. Back from left Roan Grant, Laura Patterson.
About the British Eventing Scotland u18 Team
A selection of the ‘local’ British Eventing under 18 Scottish Team visited their sponsor Lindores Equestrian just one week ahead of the National U18 Championships at Frickley Park.
What an awesome bunch they are! With the youngest rider in the team at 14 years old. The team at Lindores were blown away by their confidence, positive mind-set and extensive training calendar!
It’s nice to get to know the team that are representing our nation. But alongside our fun Q&A’s video clip above there is of course a more serious side which has involved working and training hard to get the results needed to be selected.
From the horses mouth
Each rider and horse qualified under the British Eventing Youth Programme and we couldn’t be prouder of the hard work and dedication they have shown. said Anna Black, Manager at Lindores Equestrian.
Many of the riders have trained over the cross country fences at Lindores.
“I did cross country on Heaven for the very first time at Lindores. I remember getting so much confidence apart from I couldn’t get him over the classic Lindores jump in the water! Thankfully that didn’t last long!”
said Kelly Grant, who aged 15, is representing Scotland with Heaven for the first time in the 100 team.
Kelly Grant riding Heaven
Roan Grant, groom for Wills Oakden, is also making his debut appearance on the 100 team riding Caballo Rojo (stable name Will) and said:
“I’m really excited about being part of the team and I’m most looking forward to the cross country. It’s been really nice to come and meet other team members tonight.”
While the cross country is the phase that the team seem unanimously most excited about, the team are divided as to whether they are more apprehensive about the dressage phase, or the show jumping phase.
“I’m most looking forward to seeing all of my friends and getting to have another crack at 2* cross country”
“However I am slightly worried for the show jumping as I find Millie [who is 14.2hh] struggles with the horse distances. Being selected for the team means a lot and is made even more special by the fact we are competing for our country.” said Ruth Farnsworth
Local rider Jemima Cross is no stranger to Lindores Equestrian and she is also making her Scottish Team debut, saying
“I am looking forward to representing Scotland at the Championships and being part of a great time. I am most apprehensive about letting Patrick [Village Crescendo] down.”
Jemima Cross riding Patrick. Photo by Action Replay Photography
As young athletes they all have great motivational advice to share. Katie Edgar said:
“The best piece of advice was given to me by Ian Stark when I was 13 and I asked him how I could get on to a British Team. His advice was ‘every time you go out competing do your very best for yourself. My advice for any rider chasing their dreams would be never give up. You only get out what you put in.”
Katie Edgar riding Airborne. Photo by Action Reply Photography
Jodie Craig, who is also making her debut appearance agrees,
“You may think that you are the only one having problems or difficulties but you’re not. The only way to improve and get better is to work through these coming out even stronger each time you ride. As the famous saying goes ‘we learn from our mistakes’. It is also important to sometimes take the time to realise how far you have come as I find this motivates me to work harder.”
When speaking to individuals they are all excited about the opportunity to ride together as a whole team for their country. Let’s get behind them all and show them our support.
Local Star Lucas Set is Muse of Charity Sculpture Trail
Charity, World Horse Welfare, which helps horses both in the UK and across the globe is this year launching a series of horse sculpture trails around the country and local rescue horse, Lucas, is the inspiration behind the trail!
World Horse Welfare Lucas was rescued by the charity as a yearling from a freezing field in January 2013, where he was living with his mother – both of whom were fighting to survive the harsh winter weather. Lucas was nursed back to health and was soon ready to find a new home as a youngster with a bright future ahead of him.
Colleen Macrae wanted to take on a youngster and knew about World Horse Welfare as she’d fundraised for the charity in the past. She said:
“To be honest, it was love at first sight! I was searching for a horse that would be a general allrounder and happy to compete across various disciplines. In order to do that, I wanted a youngster who seemed bright, curious and willing to learn. When I first went to visit Lucas at Hall Farm, we walked a little around the field together, getting to know one another. He was completely obsessed with my gloves, so I took one off and threw it about 20 metres away from me. Much to my surprise, he went trotting off to go and fetch it, and we repeated it several times as if he was a Labrador! After that, I knew he would fit into our family perfectly!
“Lucas’ real enthusiasm lies with his jumping! He’s a very confident ride both Showjumping and Cross Country, with an impressive amount of scope for such a little horse! I’ve always loved Showing and Dressage, so Eventing and Working Hunter has become our middle ground. Lucas and I take part in everything; he’s been very successful in the working hunter ring, always jumping fabulous clear rounds!”
Lucas was live sculpted for the horse trail by acclaimed sculptor, Judy Boyt (who crafted the famous Badminton Horse Trials trophy) in late 2018 and his 11hh sculpture has now been used to create the mould for production of the 40 fibreglass horse trail sculptures.
The 40 horses will be a combination of 11hh sculptures and miniature maquettes standing at around 35cm high, with each one designed and painted by a leading artist, equestrian personality or celebrity.
The World Horse Trail will be on display across the town of Windsor in April before moving on to the King’s Road in Chelsea, London. There will also be a travelling trail which will begin its journey at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May where World Horse Welfare is Charity of the Year and where Lucas will also be competing.
There will also be a miniature trail on display at World Horse Welfare’s Belwade Farm near Aboyne, Aberdeenshire and visitors can see this throughout the Summer months.
Find out more at: www.worldhorsewelfare.org/world-horse-trail
Watch Colleen and Lucas promo film here at Lindores Equestrian in March 2019 on social media:
