Monymusk rider Stephanie Slater had the show of a lifetime, winning not one but two championships at The Cabin Equestrian Centre’s Spring Showing Extravaganza.
Under the eagle eye of judge John Conifey, Steph triumphed in the working hunter horse championship riding Lorna Cumming’s 17hh 10-year-old Dutch warmblood stallion Marco Gii, by Irco Mena.
This was after earning her place at Blair International Horse Trials after winning the 1m qualifier for the Eastern BMW/BHS Scotland Riding Club Working Hunter Series 2018. Marco Gii has been competing under saddle for two years and he was previously used as a breeding stallion.
Steph said: “This was our first attempt at a Blair Working Hunter Qualifier. We jumped a lovely clear over an up to height and technical course. He behaved impeccably and I couldn’t have faulted him. He is a true gent and a pleasure to ride.”
Steph’s success did not stop there. Partnering 17.2hh gentle giant Clydesdale Bulwark Bay, also known as Sam, for owner Sam Winn who originally bought him as a happy hacker, Steph started her 2018 showing season with a win in each of the Coloured Horse And Pony Society (CHAPS) and Clydesdale ridden classes, going forwards to take Overall Ridden Champion.
The victory was even sweeter as the two Sams had taken Overall In-Hand Champion under Gillian Beattie earlier in the day making it a double victory for Bulwark Bay.
Earning their qualifying place at Blair on heading the 1.05m Stewart Building Services/BHS Scotland Riding Club Working Hunter Series 2018 qualifier was Ellon rider Paul Rawling on coloured 10-year-old mare Fulmercross Fleur, or Miss Summer as she is also known. Miss Summer has done only a little showing last year and has recently stepped up into British Showjumping Discovery and has done her first Newcomers.
Clola rider Sarah Gibb headed the 95m working hunter horse class on Groovy Chic, also known as Pepsi – six-year-old home-bred and home produced mare by Indoctor/Vingino.
Champion working hunter pony went to Fyvie rider Kayleigh Evans on Crossowen Jay, with Ellie Beattie on Yogi Bear in reserve.
The working hunter track was designed by Cabin employee and BS level one course builder Rachael Doubleday who builds for unaffiliated SJ at The Cabin.
Rachael said: “I built a straightforward flowing working hunter for the horses and ponies and then it made it more technical for the Blair qualifiers to prepare the horses and riders for how tough the track is there. I added a sheep pen and borrowed some stuffed animals, as well as adding some homemade sheep fillers and really enjoyed building and decorating the track.”
Leading the way in the British Skewbald and Piebald Association (BSPA) championship was Rebecca Copland on Dolly XIII, with Cabin proprietor Fiona Quennell in reserve on her faithful partner for the last six years – 16.3hh 12-year-old Irish Sports Horse Apache Flash, or Buddy.
Reserve in-hand champion went to Ailsa McDonald on Storm Dancer who had triumphed in the Arab/Anglo/part-bred class.