A record breaking nine athletes from ‘Stewartry Pony Club’ travelled to Perth to compete in the ‘Scottish National Tetrathlon Championships’ in October. The competition took place over two days and was held at ‘Kilgraston School’ for the shoot, run and swim and at ‘Foresterseat Cross Country’ for the cross county section. The sun shone on the first day and the atmosphere was good, giving the athletes a positive start.
Gemma Craig was in the Open class for the first time and with a great run and swim (first in both), an average shoot and a magnificent clear cross country on her grey horse Just Jack over 1m 10, she was delighted to gain first place in this class. Poppy Drysdale also had a fantastic day moving up to intermediate a season early for this competition. She had an average shoot, an excellent swim and a fair run, plus a lovely clear cross country over 1 meter on ‘Storms Ransom’ to gain first place in the intermediate section of the championship. Both girls were delighted. Competing against her sister in intermediate, but the triathlon section only, Phoebe Drysdale was happy to gain a first equal in the run and the swim and to end up second overall in the tri. In the juniors class Jessica McCulloch continues to improve and was pleased to gain 11th place overall, with a fabulous clear cross country on ‘Seamus’ in another demanding class.
Amelia Craig in minis had a phenomenal day too with a second in her swim, a fifth in the run and good clear on her mare, ‘Benlaughlin Lucky’ to take second place in a very tough class. Kristina Campbell had her first attempt at a full tetrathlon in the mini mini section and the team were so proud of her. There were a couple of issues on the cross country on her pony Boca but she showed guts and determination as it was a tough and hilly full up 70 cms course and her first proper cross country. Kristina was so pleased as she finished in 9th place overall. The club also had newcomer Imogen Hannay competing for the first time but in the tri section only. She had an amazing swim, finishing fourth, and the most incredible shoot also finishing fourth. It is hoped that she may look at competing in the cross country section in the near future! Excitement mounted when newcomer Oliver Campbell set off in the Intro section to gain a brilliant 5th in the shoot, 1st in the run, 4th in the swim and a fantastic clear on his pony Bocca, gaining an absolutely fabulous 4th place overall. Jasmine McCulloch, also in the intro section, continues to show improvement in all three disciplines but the highlight of the day for her was a clear cross country on her pony Benny, finishing 8th overall.
To culminate a tremendous weekend it was announced at prize giving that the ‘Stewartry Pony Club’ team had gained a sixth place in the championships which was a great result as we have never before had enough members to enter a team. The competitors and parents would like to thank Susan Muir and Pauline Drysdale as they were chief organisers of the event in Perth. Both Susan and Pauline would like to thank the huge amount of volunteers that helped over the weekend as these events would not happen without this assistance. Swim, shoot, run and riding training continues over the winter months and the club wishes all of our tetrathletes good luck competing in Aberdeen this weekend.
Main photo left to right (rear first):
Rear – Jessica McCulloch, Gemma Craig, Poppy Drysdale & Amelia Craig
Front – Oliver Campbell, Kristina Campbell & Jasmine McCulloch
