Blair Castle International Horse Trials

Kelly Skinner with Megland Royal Pretence (Poppy) - 2nd in class



Jillian Gunn with Eddiston May-Bee (Basil) - 1st in class for hunter pony and Reserve Champion for in hand riding pony/hunter pony championship





James Adamson with Willoway Chatterbox




Blair Castle was celebrating 75 years open to the public. This was the view from our tent at night.





There were around 100 young riders competing in the very competitive Pony Club Games



We had great success at the Blair Castle International Horse Trials last weekend, with Basil winning the Reserve Championship for the in hand riding pony/hunter pony final. Our two ex-ponies were also competing. Kelly Skinner & Poppy were 2nd for the riding pony class and was up against Basil in the championship. 12 year old James Adamson & Chatterbox came all the way from Orkney and just missed out on a placing in the New Forest/ Connemara open ridden class.

I celebrated my 50th birthday on Saturday evening with the Caithness contingent by holding a BBQ at our tent which was pitched beside the Castle.

Managed to snap a few pics of the International Cross Country riders in action. GB won the 3 day event.

Halkirk Utd vs Inverness Caley Thistle

Hand ball not given by the Ref.

Halkirk Utd lost 1-0 to Inverness Caledonain Thistle in the North of Scotland Cup semi-final which was played in Wick tonight in perfect warm weather. A big crowd watched ICT totally outplay Halkirk in the first half, but the score was held at 1-0 at half-time. Halkirk got a grip of the game playing down hill in the second half and were unlucky not to score. Halkirk goalie Graeme Williamson had some outstanding saves and won the man of the match award.

Halkirk Utd vs Clach

Halkirk Utd beat Inverness Clachnacuddin on penalties in the quarterfinals of the North of Scotland Cup tonight at Harmsworth Park. Nigel McKenzie scored in the first half to put Halkirk 1-0 up. Unfortunatley I had to leave at half-time and missed all the excitement. They now play Inverness Caledonian Thistle in Inverness next Wed night. Could be a few travelling down for that one.

BHS Show

Caitlin Bissett with James Gunn Photography cup for 13.2 hh & under ridden and Johnson Controls cup for showjumping Grand Prix

Some of the prize winners. A few left early due to the heavy rain!

Erin Hewitson on Eddiston Little Springtime with mum Liz. Lead Rein winners and Veteran Champions.



The trophies won by Erin Hewitson, who was too shy for a photo.




Ashley Miller with Littleton's Princess. Condition & Turnout champion and In hand champion. Reserve in hand champion was Lisa Kennedy. Reserve C&T champion was Alex Henderson.




Ridden champion was Ruth Sutherland on The Puzzlemaster (left). Reserve was Lisa Kennnedy on Stemster Millenium Bug.




Emma Gunn on Skellorn Royal Portrait (left) - best native small breed (ridden). Tracey Mason on Durris Golden Sovereign - best native large breed (ridden)




Winner in Working Hunter and Ridden classes - Caitlin Bissett on Eddiston May-Bee owned by M&J Gunn




Caitlin Bissett on Bradmoor Tess. Class winner in WH and winner of Showjumping Grand Prix





Ruth Sutherland and The Puzzlemaster




Nicola Kemp on Freespirit III, owned by Ashley Miller

 The annual BHS Highland North summer show was held today at Northfield, Halkirk with 92 horses and ponies competing for an array of trophies and rosettes. I covered the ridden and in hand rings and Duncan MacLachlan coverd the working hunter ring. His website is;

http://www.studiograff-photo.co.uk/

Working Hunter Champion was Gillian McArthur on Supreme Diamond Edge. Reserve was Ruth Sutherland on Playboy II.

David Allan Shield Final

In the David Allan Shield final at the Dammies tonight, Pentland Utd beat Wick Groats 2-0 in front of a sizeable crowd. Utd could have been 4-0 up at half-time but had to settle for 2-0. Utd tired in the second half (the league title celebrations on Thursday night may have caught up with them) and Groats piled on the pressure, but could not break down the defence.

Chris Sutherland of Castletown FC won the player of the year award. Martin Banks of Staxigoe Utd won the young player of the year award. Top Joes and Keiss shared the 2nd Division fair play award. Halkirk won the 1st Division fair play award.