BLAIR SPECIALIST CLAIMS RIDDEN HUNTER TITLE

Andrew and Gilly McCowan’s Bally Quirke, ridden by Gilly, claimed the Ridden Hunter Championship at Blair for the third time. Bally Quirke was champion at Border Union earlier in the season, and the gelding, described by judge Peter Warcup as ‘very correct’, gave ride judge Francis Hay-Smith a lovely ride to be a decisive victor in the Patey Hats Middle/Heavyweight section.

Ronnie and Loraine Young’s Waterfront, produced by Magnus Nicholson and ridden by Stephanie Duff, was Reserve Champion. This followed up a successful season for the horse, which was Reserve Supreme Hunter at the Royal International Horse Show, and qualified for HOYS at the Great Yorkshire.

Magnus himself rode the Lightweight winner, Fools Gold, a horse he describes as “a horse for next year”. The seven year old Irish-bred novice was at only his third show, and may hunt under Magnus, who is Master of the Kingdom Draghounds, this season.

The Small winner was Marie Grahame’s Dutch-bred gelding, Talieson West. This horse has had a great season, standing Champion at both Alyth and Angus County, as well as being a member of the Strathmore Riding Club winning Dressage team.

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