Whalsay sisters show class in the saddle
YOUNG pony riders Arianne, Kira and Rebecca Fraser from Whalsay returned recently after some success at the very first North East of Scotland Showing Championships in Aberdeenshire.
The championships were run over two days, Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd September. The aim of the new event was to showcase riding talent and to provide Scottish showing enthusiasts with a very special “end of season” experience, complete with evening performances and a supreme of show on the Sunday evening.
The three girls qualified their ponies for the small mountain and moorland ridden class and after riding during the day all three were called back for the final at the evening performance. Arianne and Clothie Uriebell were placed second, Rebecca and HRE Aladdin were fifth and Kira and Clothie Flyn were sixth.
Arianne and Urie also qualified for the young handler class and were once again called back for the final in the evening. On this occasion they were overjoyed to come first, going on to become overall section one champion and returning for the supreme champion finale on the Sunday evening.
Their mother Roselyn said: “Competitors travelled from as far apart as Shetland and Cumbria to take part in this truly exciting event so there was good competition and an amazing atmosphere.
“It was a great opportunity for the girls to experience something like this, as it is the only one of its kind in the north-east of Scotland. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helps and supports the girls in taking part in their sport.”
They will also be attending the Blue Chip Festival of Champions at the Scottish National Equestrian Centre in West Lothian in October, before preparations begin for Arianne and Uriebell’s travels to take part in the Shetland Pony Grand National finals in December in London.
Arianne will once again be looking for sponsors for her trip to Olympia so anyone who would like more information or would like to offer some sponsorship can contact roselyn.fraser@btinternet.com
