The Scottish Endurance Championships were held at Perth Racecourse over the weekend of 16th - 18th July . This year saw a large entry in classes ranging from 22kms pleasure rides to the two-day 160kms Scottish Championship class. The event kicked off on Friday 16th with an afternoon Pleasure Ride which was very well received, with around 30 people taking part.

Saturday morning saw the start of the one-day 120kms endurance race (ER) at 6.30am and all four competitors headed off together. Sadly one was vetted out at VG (vet-gate) 2, but the remaining three finished in great form and the winner was Jill Calder with Khebir Shahir. Also finishing in this class was Marjorie Grant with Trailtrow Eriskay, a Highland Pony, the first Highland Pony in SERC to complete this distance.

Following hot on their heels were the starters in the two-day 160kms. The three entrants in this class were Helen McFarland from Northern Ireland (defending last year's title), with J St Jake, Lorna Templeton from Nairn, with Redarn Connon, a homebred Highland/Arab cross, and Katie Keith from Aberdeenshire with purebred Arab Jakiri. All three rode together until the end of day one when Katie Keith sadly vetted out.

Day two saw the remaining two competitors leave together but Helen and Jake pulled ahead after VG1 and finished well ahead of Lorna and Connon. This is the second year running that Helen has won this trophy, and she will be back in Scotland at the end of August representing Ireland in the Home International competition being held at Burgie, Morayshire, at the end of August.

The one-day 80kms ER, with eleven starters, was the largest of the ER classes and was won, with a spectacular racing finish, by Karen Shotton from Cumbria with Patchwork Polly, from Sarah Norris and Genghis Ibn Charisma. Both horses looked fantastic and full of running after 80kms.

Other classes over the weekend included a two-day 120kms, a two-day 80kms, and 60 kms ride, which was by Donna Hemmings and Cumbria Sameh. Additonally there were 50kms Novice and Open CTRs (competitive training ride), 40kms and 30kms CTRsm and of course pleasure rides on all three days.

This is the second year the event has run at this fantastic venue and the whole event was a great success but could not have taken place without the support of its sponsors so many thanks to
Hilton Herbs for sponsoring the event!

Helen McFarland, winner of the Scottish Championships