There have been celebrations at the Chariots of Fire Equestrian Centre, Boreland near Lockerbie, Dumfries and Galloway this week after one of the instructors picked up a top prize in the Indoor Driving National Championships, held in Bedfordshire at the weekend.
Stephie White, from Dumfries, was taking part in the prestigious Open Pony Class, pitting her skills against 14 other top-class competitors from across the country. With her own pony unable to take part because of injury, Stephie teamed up with one of the Chariots of Fire training ponies, Truelove Candy Mandy, better known as ‘Strawbs’. Their partnership produced Stephie’s best result so far at the National Indoor Driving Championships, with the 2nd lowest penalty score of all 135 competitors, finishing as National Indoor Reserve Supreme Champion. Stephie and Strawbs also picked up the Hartspur Trophy for the fastest total time for all 4 obstacles.
Stephie’s colleague at the Chariots of Fire Equestrian Centre, Louise Kaiholm was also taking part, along with four disabled drivers who are supported by the local charity Sports Driving Unlimited.
Louise and Stephie then took on the role of groom for the other drivers in the team. Eastriggs’ Charlotte Thomson driving Dash and Annan’s Graham Smith driving Pepper took part in the Novice Pony class. Finlay Macrae from Langholm driving Watson and Matthew Powell from Dalbeattie driving Lucy competed in the Novice Junior class. All the drivers had qualified at regional South Scotland & Cumbria events held over the winter.
