Kilgraston Equestrian Team latest achievements
What a fabulous six months we have had horsing around at Kilgraston Equestrian.
Starting off with our Inter-House Showjumping competition in March, which offered a fantastic launch-pad for our runners and riders going into the Kilgraston Scottish School Equestrian Championships. This year’s event saw over 200 entries from schools the length and breadth of Scotland, our biggest ever and saw some fantastic results.
It was a great start to the equestrian season for Kilgraston Equestrian team with pupils Charlotte, Phoebe, Kiki and Daisy all competing with success in British Eventing. We have had many other senior pupils competing successfully as well as into our Juniors.
Huge congratulations to Lower Third’s Naomi and her pony Annandale Maria who have qualified for both the Royal International Horse Show and the London International Horse show in the Nursery Stakes WHP.
For us here at Kilgraston it is not just about the competition it is also the horsemanship. We have had three pupils who have all sat their British Horse Society Stage 1 exam. This is an Industry recognised foundation of Knowledge in riding, care and stable management. This was all done alongside our Equestrian staff who are all British Horse Society Qualified.
Kilgraston pupils celebrate equestrian successes
Kilgraston pupils celebrated equestrian successes having been selected to compete at some of the top levels. Now, they share their stories of commitment and dedication.
This year, my horse Joey and I were selected to compete for Scotland at the British Eventing International Youth Championships at Bishop Burton College in the BE90 under 18 class. Our selection was due to consistent performance in other Scottish events over the last two years, so it was a massive privilege to be part of the team and I was really excited. The competition was at the start of August, so I had some time to prepare for it. I had to do lots of fitness training with Joey to make sure he wouldn’t tire easily on the difficult cross-country course, I attended some team training at Lindores Equestrian and had lots of dressage lessons in preparation. The team also had to approach sponsors who very generously helped to pay for some of our kit for the competition, which was really exciting.
On the 2nd of August, nine other team members and I made the trip down to Yorkshire. The first day was a trot up which meant I had to show Joey to the vets and judges so that they could decide he was fit and healthy enough to compete. The whole team passed the trot up and so we were onto the next phase - dressage. This competition was a very high pressure environment with lots of spectators and other competitors in one place, with the added pressure of representing your country and being part of a team, which definitely made it more difficult. Partly because of this, my dressage test wasn’t quite as good as I had hoped, with a score of 33.5 but I knew that these thing weren’t always won on the dressage scores and each score was so close to the next, that any kind of mistake in the next phases could cost you a top spot.
The cross country followed the dressage, which I was very excited about, but also more nervous for this than I had been before. I had walked the course with two of the Scottish BE coaches, who had really helped us all with the technical combinations on the course, so each rider knew exactly what they were doing. The first 17 jumps on the course were fantastic for me and Joey, he was flying over every jump and we were ahead of the optimum time, which was a good place to be. I could really feel all of my hard work paying off because of how confident he felt on the course.
The second last jump was probably the trickiest on the course for us. It was a very skinny brush jump, followed by a green log jump. Unfortunately, I rode Joey too fast to the skinny jump, and he saw an opportunity to slip out the side, giving us 20 penalties. When I re-presented Joey to the jump, I didn’t position him quite well enough, and the same thing happened a further two times, causing us to be eliminated from the competition. I was very upset that I had stopped myself from completing the competition, especially as this is the first time I have been eliminated from a competiton and it was one that I had looked forward to for a long time and had been so proud to be taking part in.
The following day was showjumping. Joey and I weren’t competing, but fortunately all of my teammates were so I cheered them all on, and they did a great job. Some of the team were disappointed with their results, and some were pleased with what they had achieved, but it just shows how much the pressure can affect people and I have come away from the experience knowing that next time I have a stop on the cross country, I won’t panic. Overall, it was a fantastic experience, and I’m really glad that I went. I made loads of friends, I watched some incredible riding and I really enjoyed the riding that I did.
Thank you so much to my family, all the coaches and instructors, everyone involved in the organising of the event at Bishop Burton, all of our sponsors, my fantastic teammates, and thank you, of course, to Joey. (Also a big thank you to the tyre fitter who fixed our blow out on the way home at 2am on the M74!!)
Charlotte, Lower Sixth
I was delighted to have been selected to join the Scotland u18 team. It took a lot of hard work and dedication to get selected because a few of the qualifying classes run through when we have exams in April and May. From sewing Scotland flags onto my kit, to then going round a huge cross country and show-jumping course, I loved every second of it. There was pressure to not let the team or your pony down during the week after all the training we went through to get there.
Thankfully all the horses passed the vet check and trot up and everyone managed to preform a good dressage test. Then on cross country day, the majority of us went clear and unfortunately Freddie and I had two refusals at the second last fence which dropped us way down the placings. However, the next day was show-jumping and Freddie and I were first to go and it was definitely the highlight of my week, getting a clear round, as well as most the team which left Scotland in eight place.
Daisy, Lower Sixth
Kilgraston equestrian teams win
Kilgraston’s equestrian teams were out in force at the weekend at a team show jumping competition organised by Strathallan at Howe, Fife.
We had 14 horse and rider combinations taking part over 3 classes from 70cm - 1m.
A team of Upper Fifth’s Melissa, Upper Four Melissa and Ishbel rode three fantastic double clears to win the 70cm and with Upper Fifth’s Melissa and her pony Rover also taking the trophy for first individual. A second team of Upper Sixth’s Jessica, Upper Fourth’s Olivia and Upper Fifth’s Melissa on her second pony took team fourth.
In the 85cm it was another huge class and this time is was Upper Sixth’s Kiki, Upper Sixth’s Faith, Upper Sixth’s Jess and Upper Fifth’s Lucy taking the trophy and sashes for another team win! Upper Fifth’s Meadow, Upper Fourth’s Olivia and Upper Fifth’s Melissa made up another Kilgraston team to scoop fourth place.
The last class of the day was 1m where we had sadly run out of luck and Upper Fifth’s Meadow and Lucy and Upper Sixth Kiki had a few unlucky poles between them to come fifth overall.
Brilliant results overall and well done to all horses and riders.
Find out more about Kilgraston equestrian.
Kilgraston horse-riders compete at Blair Horse Trials
Kilgraston horse-riders competed at Blair Horse Trials. Find out how they got on.
The world-renowned Blair Horse Trials took place at the weekend (25th - 28th August) in the stunning setting of Blair Castle. It is one of the highlights of the British equestrian calendar, if not in Europe and beyond, with tens of thousands of spectators flocking to the event.
A number of Kilgraston pupils took part in this year’s competition across a variety of classes. This included eventing and show-jumping.
Lower Sixth Charlotte and horse Joey competed in the BE100 which took place in the sunshine on Friday. Charlotte and Joey had a super dressage and jumped double clear round a huge track with just a few time penalties which unfortunately left them out of the placings.
Also in Lower Sixth, Daisy and her horse Freddie qualified for the prestigious BE90 Scottish Championships - a huge achievement. No rosette this time but a huge well done to Daisy and Freddie.
Upper Fifth’s Meadow and Gerry jumped a lovely double clear in a very busy 90cm British Showjumping class, just missing out on the placing too.
Lower Sixth’s Flora and Sydney was also competing in the BE90 class and had a strong performance.
Kilgraston was also proud to sponsor the Mountain & Moorland Lead Rein & First Ridden Championship. This was, as always, an extremely popular class judged by Mrs Julia Woods.
Well done to all riders, ponies and horses who took part and in particular to Charlotte, Joey, Daisy, Freddie, Meadow, Gerry, Flora and Sydney. We are already looking forward to next year.
Kilgraston polo team picks up the pace
Each week, a group of Kilgraston girls make their way to Kinross, collecting sticks and saddling-up their charges.
Polo is a fast-moving sport, rapidly growing in popularity and, throughout the year, the pupils take lessons at the Thom Bell Centre, just twenty minutes from the School.
“It’s been really exciting to learn new skills,” say Flora Allen, already a talented equestrian, but keen to expand her ability, “although in show jumping you are often competing as part of a team, it is usually on an individual basis, so, with polo, it’s great to be taking part with your friends, all at the same time.”
While Flora was an experienced rider, together with Mia from Germany who has previously played polo, the other three girls had never had a go at the game. “Funnily enough,” says Flora, “we’d all played hockey before and that proved very beneficial!”
Girls use Thom’s horses - riding the same ones each week so that they become familiar with the animal - learning about neck-reining, chukkas and how to ride people off with your shoulder. “First of all we started on the wooden horse,” said Flora, “learning to hold reins correctly, so soft mouths aren’t damaged and also our stick-swing. Obviously, it’s absolutely vital that you don’t hit the polo pony.”
Having conquered the wooden model, girls moved onto actual ponies and started walking and using a small, soft, football to improve their aim: “Very quickly, we moved through the paces, cantering up and down the arena. It’s great fun!”
Girls have improved quickly, now forming a team - competing at Cirencester Park Polo Club in June - with more tournaments over the summer: “I just can’t wait,” says Flora.
Equestrian is an important part of life here at Kilgraston, find out more this here.
Kilgraston Equestrian team wins at prestigious competition
Friday 13th may be dubbed a luckless day for some but it was not unlucky for one of the Kilgraston Equestrian teams. Horses, ponies and riders headed down to Kelso for a prestigious National Schools Equestrian Association show jumping and arena eventing competition.
It took place in the grounds of the spectacular Floors Castle and the competition ran alongside Floors Castle International Horse Trials where some of the biggest and best names in equestrian were taking part.
Friday was the first day of the competition and the atmosphere crackled with anticipation with the Kilgraston riders and horses showing confidence and poise. The team of Olivia, Hannah, Phoebe and Lucy and their ponies performed outstandingly, winning the 75cm show-jumping class much to the delight of all. This now means they qualify for the National Championships which are held in Bedfordshire in October, a brilliant achievement.
Next up was the 85cm class with Melissa, Phoebe and Olivia coming third, just missing out on further qualification and Hannah, Lucy and Olivia on Beano this time coming fourth.
Saturday kicked off with the arena event, where riders jump round a course of SJ and XC fences whilst getting marked on their style as well as jumping and time faults. The 75cm team knocked a few poles putting them down into 5th place, and the 85cm team of Mellissa, Hannah, Phoebe and Olivia came 3rd, again just missing out on qualification by one place.
The girls did so well, riding in an extremely busy arena with a lot of activity around them with some fantastic results too, a huge well done to all riders and their horses.
We are thrilled and cannot wait until October.
Kilgraston Scottish Schools Equestrian Championships 2022
Sunday 6th March 2022 saw the Kilgraston Scottish Schools Equestrian Championships return to the events calendar after a year off due to COVID, and it was the biggest competition to date. With over 150 horse and rider combinations and 330 entries, there was 10 hours of dressage and showjumping running simultaneously across 3 arenas.
Thanks must go to Briagha, Fiona and Beth from the equestrian team for overseeing stewarding, Ms Curtis and her team for running the secretary’s office, Upper Sixth’s riding captains Tegan and Anna, Ms Carden for bringing the boarders and the SLT for handing out prizes.
Kilgraston riders were out in force with 14 teams entered on the day with some great results.
* Naomi, Rosie and Florence, all Upper Second, won Class 2 dressage and were third in the 55cm showjumping
* Dressage highlights included Upper Four’s Lucy coming 2nd in Class 3 dressage and the team of Hannah and Olivia, both Lower Four, together with Upper Four’s Lucy, and Kiki from Lower Sixth came 2nd in the teams section. Upper Sixth’s Tegan came 4th in the Novice dressage and the team of Tegan, Charlotte, Flora and Erin came 3rd.
* Show jumping highlights included a team WIN in the the 90cm for Charlotte and Flora, both Upper Fifth, together with Jessica and Erin both Lower Sixth, and many placing across the board for Mellissa, Hannah, Jessica, Lucy and team placings in every class.
A huge well done to all the girls that took part and helped and supported on the day.
New stable block at Kilgraston’s Equestrian Centre
We have some exciting news to share - Kilgraston’s Equestrian Centre has a new stable block. Completed this week, Kilgraston’s Equestrian Manager, Rachael McLean is delighted with the results and tells us more about the Equestrian Centre and its facilities:
“The Equestrian Centre is home to up to 25 horses and ponies all year round, around half of which are owned by the school and used in riding lessons, camps and pony days, and the other half belong to girls at Kilgraston who keep their horses on livery with us. Come rain, hail, snow and COVID, the horses and ponies still need cared for daily with feeding, exercise and regular welfare checks carried out throughout.
“The equestrian centre has doubled in size over the last seven years, and we are always looking to improve the facilities that we can offer to our students. Work has just been completed on a new stable block of four stables, meaning we can now house 16 horses indoors along with more than 20 acres of grazing with field shelters in each paddock. We have students bringing their horses from as far afield as Germany, Orkney and the Isle of Man so these extra stables play a vital part making sure we can accommodate their needs.
“We are very much looking forward to the students returning to school when restrictions allow, and being able to restart lessons and show off our new facilities.”
You can find out more about Kilgraston’s Equestrian Centre including meeting some of our horses here.