Burns Night: 10 reasons why equestrians love Scotland so much
Before you tuck into your whisky and haggis to celebrate the Scottish poet Robert Burns tonight (25 January 2017), here are a few reasons why equestrians are so fond of Scotland
1. Scott Brash
The people of Peebles in the Scottish Borders are lucky to claim showjumper Scott Brash as one of their own. The 31-year-old has team Olympic and European gold medals to his name, plus an individual European bronze. And the former member of the Peebles Tweeddale Branch of the Pony Club was named the third most eligible bachelor in Scotland by The Scotsman in early 2014.
2. The Scottish Grand National
When the hype of the Grand National at Aintree dies down, there is the excitement and bracing wind of the Scottish Grand National at Ayr on hand to boost your spirits. The biggest day of the year in jumps racing in Scotland will be on 22 April in 2017, with up to 30 horses setting out on the four mile chase over 25 fences. For tickets visit www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk
3. Whisky
What better way to take the edge off your nerves and warm you up than a splash of whisky in your hip flask? And we have the Scots to thank for that…
4. Blair Castle Horse Trials
Backdrops don’t get much better than Blair Castle in Perthshire — where Nicola Wilson took the CCI3* title last year. This year’s event runs from 24-27 August. Visit www.blairhorsetrials.co.uk
5. Highland ponies
Standing between 13-14.2hh, the Highland pony makes an enivable riding pony — and is a favourite of The Queen. They were bred to carry hefty stags and haul timber and other provisions, making them a calm and steady partner.
7. Eriskay ponies
Perhaps the lesser know of the native Scottish breeds, standing between 12-13.2hh, the Eriskay pony can be found in all sphere’s of equestrianism — from dressage and showjumping, to hunting and driving. According to the Eriskay Pony Society, they are said to be “active, honest and workmanlike”.
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6. Shetlands
Tirelessly strong, comically naughty and with tummies that (nearly) touch the ground, Shetland ponies still manage to hit a soft spot — and never more so than when they are going hell for leather around the Shetland Grand National at Olympia in December. Visit www.olympiahorseshow.com
7. And on the subject of Shetlands…
Feeling down? Got a bout of the winter blues? These two heroic Shetlands who donned winter woolies for a Visit Scotland ad campaign will turn your mood around in a flash.
8. Willie Carson
The former flat jockey was born in Stirling and has 3,828 winners to his name. He was British Champion Jockey five times (1972, 1973, 1978, 1980 and 1983), won 17 British Classic Races, and passed 100 winners in a season 23 times.
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9. Ryan Mania
When Ryan Mania won the Grand National in April 2013 aboard the the 66-1 shot Auroras Encore, he received a warm welcome from the people of his home town of Galashiels. The then 23-year-old had become the first Scottish-born winning rider of the race since 1896, when David Campbell won on The Soarer.
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A graduate from Durham University, Madeleine joined H&H in 2011 and became Features Editor — producing content across the magazine and website, including the popular inside back cover article ‘The horse that made me’ and the weekly ‘The best of my fun…’ interview. She has written on topics as diverse as hay making and headcams, to hot totty in the horse world and circus horses. Madeleine now works as a freelance feature writer for Country Life, The Telegraph, Horse & Hound, cntraveller.com, The Spectator and The Field, as well as writing obituaries for The Times.