Moray 'little and large' riders and champion horses reunite at Blair Castle International Horse Trials
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TWO Moray riders and their champion horses made for a striking "little and large" duo when they were reunited at this year's top Scottish equestrian event in Perthshire.
Sam Winn (35), from Newmill, shed six stone two years ago so that she could learn to ride properly.
She was determined to compete with her own horse, Bulwark Bay, who had previously been shown by other riders.
When Sam first set out competing with her 17-year-old boy they encountered and made firm friends with Lilly Forsyth (7), from Rothes, and her little pony, Castlecroft Teddy, known as Ted, at a Strathisla Riding Club Championship. There Lilly and Ted stood Overall Champion to Sam and Bulwark Bay.
Sam said: "Since then we have had great fun and love catching up and cheering each other on at local competitions and shows – what horses should really be about.
"At the Blair Horse Trials this year we wanted to get a photo of little and large together again."
At this year's Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials, from August 26-29, Sam's Bulwark Bay took Overall Ridden Veteran Champion and Reserve In Hand after winning both his In Hand and Ridden pre-veteran classes and qualifying for the VHS Supreme Finals.
Sam said: "It was a very emotional day – a day I'll never forget.
"He truly is my horse of a lifetime and has made my dreams come true. This is Bulwark Bay's 14th consecutive year on the show scene – not bad for a happy hacker."
The 21-year-old Castlecroft Teddy went on to lift Overall Reserve Veteran Ridden. Ted started as a riding school pony eight years ago and was bought six years ago for Lilly.
"Ted and Lilly have had a lot of fun and success from dressage to showing and jumping," added Sam.
"He's not the easiest of ponies but he's done a super job of making Lilly the tough little rider she is today."
Lilly and Ted took second on Sunday, August 29, in their Veteran In Hand section and then went on to win their Veteran ridden section class.
Sam added: "It was so lovely to see little and large reunited and both special boys exceed all expectations, making dreams come true."