Sophie Bultitude and Laghey Clover Photo courtesy Bogdan Lungu
An Eventful Life filmed all competitors on cross country at
the British Eventing Scottish BE90 and BE100 Championships - find out more here
Five Scottish Champions were crowned at this year’s Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials covering the range of eventing levels from BE90 to three-star.
The Scottish Grassroots Championships for the first time this year, with Rose Mcpherson taking the SCBE100 Championship and Sophie Bultitude from Stirling winning the SCBE90 on board Laghey Clover
Sophie and Laghey Clover led from pillar to post in the BE90 section. They recently upgraded to BE100 level, winning at their first attempt, at Forgandenny Horse Trials and their experience showed with a winning margin of eight penalty points.
“My only goal was to finish on my dressage score,” said 22-year-old Sophie. “I’ve never done a championships before but Laghey Clover loves his job. We got a better dressage score than I expected and as an ex-showjumper I was confident about that phase. He was really bold across country.
“It’s a beautiful event, I’ve always wanted to ride here, having been a spectator lots of times.”
Sophie Bultitude
Watch Sophie's winning cross country round here
Claire Smith regained the runner up spot she held after dressage but lost due to a lowered show jump pole, thanks to clear cross country round inside the optimum time. The Stuartfield rider partnered Equit, a new ride for her this season and one of two horses she competes.
“I knew that Equit was more than capable, and he gave me a fantastic ride across country; it was more a case of making sure we didn’t go too fast. It’s been an amazing experience.”
The final podium place was taken by another past Blair International rider, John Hill; John last contested the CCI One Star back in 2001. A full time riding instructor, he took several years out of competitive eventing to focus on dressage, but was back riding Ailsa Trafford’s Pollys Wish.
“She’s just starting to come together – she skipped round the course today. It’s great to be back at Blair, and for so many grassroots riders to have the opportunity to ride here.”
How to line up for the presentations - 3* riders, please take note and practise the Hokey Cokey!
