Olympic honour for Moray woman

A MORAY horse riding instructor had landed a dream Olympics ticket after being chosen to officiate at next year’s London games.

Viv Graham will be involved in the judging of the eventing competition at London’s Greenwich Park in front of an expected 23,000 spectators.

A trained judge for more than half of her 50-year riding career, she was selected from a queue of 7,000 hopefuls to be one of three dressage writers.

Mrs Graham will work alongside international judges and note down the marks and comments which will eventually determine who will clinch the Olympic gold medal.

The owner of the Garmouth Riding Centre admitted she was already looking forward to taking up her prestigious role.

“I consider it an honour to be picked,” she said. “It’s just exciting to think I’ll be there in front of such a big crowd.”

When the organisers of the London Olympics appealed for volunteers to help out, Mrs Graham was one of 240,000 who applied for a role in her specialised sport.

See Friday's Northern Scot for full story

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