The yearly Scottish ‘Pony Club National Qualifier’ took place at ‘Grangemouth Sports Stadium’ on a very wet , cold and blistery February day making running conditions pretty miserable!
Results for our ‘Stewartry Pony Club’ members were very encouraging throughout the course of the day. Starting off with Open Girls, Phoebe Drysdale was placed 2nd in the swim with a personal best, 3rd in the run with a personal best, and a 7th in the shoot to finish up in 2nd place in the competition. Phoebe was delighted as she gained a qualifying place in the National Finals at Milton Keynes on the 13th March where she will also compete in a Scottish team.
New to the Junior Girls, Amelia Craig, gained a 5th in the run and a 12th in the swim finishing an excellent 8th overall. Gemma Caygill is also new to Junior Girls and achieved an 8th in the run, 11th in the swim and a 10th overall – these two girls are to be watched in the summer as they are also capable jockeys! Imogen Hannay has just moved up to Minimus Girls and had a fantastic day with a 9th in the swim, a 3rd in the shoot and a 6th in the run finishing a very respectable 7th overall and her smiles said it all! In the Mini Mini girls Kristina Campbell achieved a 5th in the swim, a 3rd in the shoot and a 4th in the run with a fantastic 4th overall. Jasmine McCulloch is still in the Intro section (girls & boys) & she had a 5th in the run and a 6th in the swim ending up in 9th place. Also in this section is the very athletic Oliver Campbell who surpassed himself with a first in the shoot, a first in the run and a first in the swim, finishing first overall with a strong lead. Our newest and youngest tetrathlete Finlay Campbell had a good bean bag shoot and an accomplished swim, gaining confidence at each event. Gemma Craig was studying for prelims and therefore could not compete and our other member Charlie Caygill was unfortunately unwell.
The aim now is to focus on the cross country riding training sessions as we go into the spring (please call Pauline Drysdale/Janice Craig at Stewartry Pony Club for dates). We head towards a busy season of competing ahead. Thanks go to all parents, drivers, trainers and helpers over the winter.
Photo:
Rear: Phoebe Drysdale
Middle left to right: Amelia Craig & Imogen Hannay
Front: Finlay Campbell, Oliver Campbell, Jessica McCulloch & Kristina Campbell
