Borders riders bound for showjumping championships

British Showjumping runs a number of Training Academies across Scotland, including one at ISEC near Selkirk and one at Edinburgh & Lasswade Riding Centre, just south of Edinburgh.

Local riders attend both of these venues, with academies run on a monthly basis.

Members not only receive training from a level 3 showjumping coach (Andrew Hamilton) but also participate in the NAF 5 star Horse Management Training Scheme.

Rory McFadyen (14), from near Kelso, has qualified for teams at two levels on his ponies Hawkmoon Lady Luck and Red Flamenco.

Emma Scott Watson (14), of Kelso, is another with two rides – Swannieston’s Simply Red in the pony team and recent purchase Verona XX in the horse section.

Sister Daisy (13) also has a place in the pony teams on new ride Curravordy Builders Blue.

Shannon Jardine (15), from near Canonbie, has two horses qualified in the horse teams, namely Islestone Valentino and Ragjah du Granit.

Shannon’s dad is well known for retraining racehorses for a new career when their racing is over.

The final local rider is Duncan McFadyen (19), from near Kelso, who is currently riding in southern Ireland. He is riding Dancing Queen 111, who is

based in Worcestershire and owned by T. Pearman.

Unsurprisingly, because of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, there have been very few competitions recently for these riders to warm up at – so they have all had to change their training systems to get both themselves and their horses fit and ready for this prestigious competition.

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