SRUC Equestrian Club A Team qualifies for BUCS regional competition

THE SRUC Equestrian Club, trained by NMW Riding Academy, are looking to raise £500 to pay the costs of their A Team competing in the Regionals of the BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) in May this year.

Student Evie Maclean-Yuille will travel to Newcastle on 20th of May with her team to take part in the dressage and showjumping event - the team won all of their league competitions this year and are top of the league table.

If they fair as well at the regionals next month, they will qualify for the UK Championships of BUCS. Two of the riders, Evie and Ella Crooke, have also qualified individually and are currenty the top two riders in Scotland.

The team consists of Captain Evie, Ella, Laura Patterson and Arianna McGruther. Horses provided at each university or college venue for the competitions are drawn at random, four take part in the dressage and four in the jumping.

The SRUC Equestrian Club A Team.

One of the competitions for qualifying took place at NMW Riding Academy, Inverurie, against Dundee University and Strathclyde University with the other two at Crieff Hydro, Perth, against Stirling University and Glasgow Caledonian and at Hayfield Equestrian Centre, Aberdeen, against RGU and Edinburgh University.

For the home competition at NMW, Evie rode KitKat and Charlie, Laura had Walter and Tino, Ella was teamed with Bear and Drifter and Arianna had Missie and Willow - all of whom are used in the riding school.

Team training has taken place at NMW since September last year and the top three teams from the entire league qualify for the regional event. The showjumping is set at 1 metre and the dressage at BD Novice level.

Evie said: "We need to raise £500 to cover the regionals' entry fee, entries close mid-April and the team are paying for their own travel and accommodation costs. We are looking for sponsors to help with this funding so any support is appreciated!"

To help with sponsorship, contact the SRUC club at sruc.equestrian@gmail.com.