Showjumping: Siblings are jumping for joy as they capture gold at leading equestrian event in county

Oct 15 2008 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

TWO Monklands sisters stuck gold at the recent Showjumping championships in Carluke.

Laura Watt (14) and little sister Amanda (8) were successful at the event, which was held at the town’s Jumps Equestrian Centre.

Due to the horrendous weather, all classes were moved to the indoor arena with schools from across Scotland represented.

The championships began with the first ridden category for the youngest competitors and Amanda, of Clarkston Primary School, excelled.

Riding black pony, Huckleberry Flynn, she posted an unbeatable time of 32.96 seconds to hold off runner-up Heather Waugh, on Goldie, and third-placed Adam Pilkington, who rode Dinarthall Archie.

Amanda went forward to stake a claim for the mini/major individual title.

And during a highly-charged competition, she stopped the clock at 24.77 seconds to take the lead but eventually ended up in fourth spot overall.

Older sibling, Laura, followed in Amanda’s footsteps by producing a sparkling performance to win the junior individual championship.

The Caldervale High pupil’s time of 17.59 seconds with grey pony Artful Dodger, eclipsed Rebecca Forbes on Windmill Boy and Danielle Allan, who completed the course on Katie.

In the senior individual championship, Laura rode Peek-a-Boo Sam but could only notch up a fourth-placed finish.