Horseriding - Victorious result for Perthshire riders

Aug 22 2008 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A SCOTTISH flying finish was the triumphant end to a weekend which saw Scotland sweep the board at the Glenariff endurance festival in Northern Ireland, claiming the Home International and Celtic Challenge trophies.

The Home International features the four 'home nations' fielding teams of seven riders tackling distances of up to 160km over the two days.

The competition is decided on most riders home.

Perthshire riders Kirstie Graham, with Arabelle, and 12-year-old Iain Paterson, on Kismet, were both Scottish team members for the competition which took place in County Antrim over a weekend.

The showcase was characterised by heavy rain.

Kirstie was elected to fly the Saltire in the two-day 160m Home International class, while Iain was part of the Celtic Challenge team.

The wet weather made the climbs on the challenging course more gruelling for horses and riders and, in the two-day 160km class, four riders were eliminated on the first day.

During the course, Ireland lost both riders and England and Wales a rider each, meaning Scotland was unassailable if both Kirstie and fellow team-made Diane Michie from Morayshire completed.

This they did in style, crossing the line holding the St Andrew's flag between them, claiming the Home International for Scotland.

In the Celtic Challenge, Iain’s horse was vetted out after sustaining a stone bruise.

Iain had, however, contributed to Scotland’s victory as the best turned out team.