Ross-shire Mini Team Compete at H&P Care National Championships

At the start of the year, we are always busy prepping for the ridden year ahead whilst cramming in Quiz training.  This year was no different and we found ourselves with a mini team and junior team qualifying for the championships which left us prepping longer and almost forgetting about the H&P care competition.

We were therefore really surprised when we went off up to Castleview Stables for the H&P care area’s competition to find our mini team qualifying!

About the team.

• Eilidh is 10 and this is her last year as a junior.  She has her D test and has been a member of Ross-shire since February 2024.  She enjoys coming along with her pony Snowy and has shown that she soaks up all that she is learning and enjoys it.  She has her D test and she was also in the qualifying mini quiz team so came down to Loughborough in April to compete in the finals down there too.
• Annie is 9 and she joined Ross-shire pony club in January this year.  She has loved it and has learned so much and does it all with the biggest smile on her face.  Annie has her E test.
• Logan is 8 and he only signed up in 2024 as we were short of under 8 year olds for the quiz team but he has kept up his membership.  Logan has his E test and has done really well considering he would probably rather be at home with his chickens or sheep than at pony club some days but he gets stuck in and focuses and is clearly taking it all in.

At the areas competiton, I remember seeing them having to put a headcollar on a pony, the next one lead it out and the 3rd one do a quick release knot and tie the pony up securely.  I thought to myself, this will be a struggle as Logan would barely reach to get the headcollar on and I had never seen Annie lead a pony as she had not long joined.  However, off they went and Logan managed to secure the headcollar on one of Castleviews very tolerant ponies.  Annie then went off beaming leading this pony out and she turned it the correct way and then Eilidh very competently tied it up using a quick release knot.  I was very impressed but had no expectation that they would qualify for the championships!

They were absolutely delighted and come August, off they went down on the plane, Eilidh’s mum drove as she doesn’t do planes well and they all arrived close to each other and settled into their accommodation ready for the championships the following day.

What memories they have made.  They loved it and whilst it was a long day with several rounds having to take place by several groups throughout the day, they were on first so they finished their rounds and then went off and enjoyed the rest of the day watching some of the other competitions that were underway.

It was a very long day waiting for the results to come through but the young team held their own in some very stiff competition coming in a very respectable 42nd and 14th newcomer team (we have never qualified before).

To say I am proud of this young team is an understatement.  They were super.  Thank you also to the mums who took them all the way down to compete, it is a fair journey but the memories made will be worth it.

Well done Eilidh, Annie & Logan.