CIAT GLAMIS 2025
- Lester Dagge -
At the latest attelage competition at Glamis Castle in Scotland, the event earned its international CIAT status with Polish AIAT judge and AIAT Vice Chairman Tadeusz Kolacz and USA AIAT Technical Delegate Paul van Sickle. AIAT GB judges Caroline Douglas and Lester Dagge completed the customary 3 judges line up. Glamis offered the fairytale setting for the most perfect attelage venue mixed with glorious sunshine and a full field of 25 competitors. Such is the draw of the event, many competitors travelled over two days to get to Glamis often travelling over 650km. The private estate of the Earl of Strathmore, Glamis has strong Royal connections and guests were reminded that this was the ancestral home of the late Queen Mother and birthplace of the Princess Margaret. Many visual references were displayed with pride to confirm this was a very special place.
No Attelage event would be a success without the dedication of a well organised and enthusiastic team of volunteer helpers and supporters. Hosts Richard and Sandy Lanni outshone their welcome with extraordinary hospitality and kindness. Ably assisted by daughter Alexandra, brother Brian and a local willing army of Sandy’s close friends, their catering skills would be the envy of any 5 star restaurant! Their infectious enthusiasm set the scene for a wonderful and exciting competition. The ground crew too, headed by Alan Ross and his family, went to extraordinary lengths to provide fantastic facilities and organising for carriage drivers. With AIAT GB TD, Paul Mills assisted by Paul van Sickle they ran the event like clockwork to provide a memorable and effortless event.
The event started off with a very stylish and beautiful Friday night reception in the Castle’s walled garden in the picturesque setting around the water fountain. Guests were welcomed by the quintessential English Pimms fruit cocktail drink and a chance to catch up with old friends and new. The competition was well supported by a wide range of turnouts from the obligatory native Shetland ponies to the elegant formal park turnout debut by stalwart Russell Hand and his spectacular pair of Geldelanders to an original Peters Sociable. Ewan MacInnes drove his quintessential Kinross Shooting break in the perfect setting of a country estate with inimitable style. The three individual Shetland turnouts from Laura Chaffe, Debbie Adams and newcomer Brenda Laing displayed the versatility of their breed and the skill of the coach builders to present some of the finest Shetland turnouts in the world. The Welsh breeds in all their categories too were well represented showing their versatility and prowess. Newcomer competitor Ella McNinch with her Welsh Mountain Section A pony won overall best presentation with her delightful Offord pony Gig whilst Gilly Chippendale took supreme Champion with her Welsh Mountain Section B pony to her new Offord Skeleton Gig. Ruth Martin did well driving her Welsh Pony Section C to a rare Lawton Pony Gig, whilst newcomer Susan Don championed the Welsh Cob Section D. Junior driver 12 year old Rose Flett drove her cheeky Welsh Mountain Pony ably assisted by Grandpa Alan Ross, but sadly due to a threatening bout of Colic was unable to continue the Routier and Maniabilite sections. In the true spirit of camaraderie, Jayne Purcell White offered her turnout to Rose to attend the grand prize giving. Jayne drove over 500 miles from the south coast to compete at her favourite venue, forgoing her position at the Royal Windsor Horse show which she won last year. Her distinctive dappled traditional cob to a varnished dog cart which she restored herself, drew much admiration from other competitors.
Judges were collectively impressed by the high standard of turnouts, from well presented original carriages, horses, well fitted harness and passengers. Polish judge Tadeusz had never judged so many pony turnouts before, normally judging larger Andalusians and Silesian breeds whilst Caroline Douglas put her deep knowledge and experience to good use. The ponies were out in full force with a variety of other breeds with Alison Kesans rivalling her husband Morris who drove a pair of Fell ponies to a rare tonneau phaeton which he lovingly restored from a dilapidated barn find. His ‘arch nemesis’ Rosemary Neale enjoyed their friendly rivalry with her pair of Welsh ponies to another varnished dog cart. Vicky Largue drove her delightful Welsh pony to a smart gig, whilst Liz Harcome shone debuting her long travelled World Horse Welfare Yogi pony turnout from Suffolk to receive Reserve Supreme Championship. Patricia Watson with her charming Dales pony and Varnished Dog Cart completed the well fought pony category.
The horse section was won by Leeds based Jimmy and Anne Tate, keen supporters of driving with their distinctive coloured part bred to a stick back gig. Gordon Watson is normally used to the fast pace of driving trials, so took a busman’s holiday with his part bred to a very stylish Windover varnished phaeton. Newcomer Lorraine McIndoe took a day off from her husband Alan’s commercial driving business to present a most charming and very correct country turnout featuring a painted Dog Cart to a Cob. Local BDS Area Commissioner Kirsty Matheson is a keen supporter of all equestrian disciplines, but her exceptional all round capabilities shone driving her much loved Lawton Liverpool Gig. Kirsty and her team really demonstrated the full inclusive mantra of Attelage supporting her severely disabled husband Nigel. Nigel as our oldest competitor at 79 suffers from many life threatening ailments and infirmities and is currently undergoing some very serious medical trials. Nigel shouldn’t be alive, yet alone being able to drive, however, the true tenacious equestrian he is didn’t stop him for taking part with his beloved Paddy cob to a Lawton Tennis Cart. “Taking part in the Attelage is the best medicine you can buy!” Stated Nigel with a beaming smile. Nigel’s story is truly inspiring to us all - a real bionic man! The final display of impressive carriage driving was Joyce Simpson’s exceptional tandem to a country turnout sporting stylish Tartan check jackets and hats. Judge Tadeusz was quietly enamoured with this distinctive tandem with the hackney pony leader hanging on to Joyce’s every word.
Due to a last minute change of proceedings to accommodate the funeral of Mary, Dowager Duchess of Strathmore and Kinghorne, the presentations were conducted on the Saturday followed by the gala dinner in the castle that evening when Ella Mc Ninch was announced as overall presentation winner. The following Sunday morning saw the start of the routier stage with difficulties, and in true Scottish manner, the drinking glass difficulty was given pride of place in front of the Castle. This followed a music difficulty with - (what else but a Scottish Piper 14 year old Hamish Adam and his bagpipes!) This year we trialled the double sided one handed circles difficulty and a reversing difficulty undertaken out in the country. This year’s dry spell meant for great driving conditions, if not a little dusty, but we all enjoyed the atmosphere from last years wet event. With a short break, competitors then entered the concluding maniabilite stage where dreams are won and lost to a simple tennis ball! The innovative course designed by Alan Ross offered a spacious but challenging route driven twice, once one way, then in reverse. Like any good attelage event, the winner is never known until the last competitor has driven, and the onsite score keepers were able to offer an instant result to declare the final placings. With all the competitors lined up in the main arena, each category winner was called forward and presented their prizes by the principle sponsors and dignitaries. Best gentleman whip was Modris Kesans, Reserve Champion was Liz Harcombe and Supreme Champion was Gilly Chippendale.
Finally, were are ingratiated to the kind and generous support of our sponsors with whom we would have no event. We would particularly like to take this opportunity to thank our principle sponsors Roy Scott and staff from the Glamis estate, Cheryl McIntosh from Highland Industrial Supplies, Peter Stewart from BTS Engineering and Ruth & John Martin from Paddockhall Cottages. Pictures from the event can be viewed and bought online from our team of hard working talented photographers www.sinclairphotography.co.uk
Results from CIAT Glamis
17-18 May 2025
Judges:
AIAT Poland Tadeusz Kołacz,
AIAT-GB Caroline Douglas,
AIAT-GB Lester Dagge
TD AIAT-GB Paul Mills, AIAT-USA Paul van Sickle
Supreme Champion: Gilly Chippendale
Reserve Champion: Liz Harcombe
Best Presentation: Ella McNinch
Best Lady Whip: Gilly Chippendale
Best Gentleman Whip: Modris Kesans
Best Junior Driver: Rose Flett
Best Scottish Turnout: Laura Chaffe
Single Pony
1: Gilly Chippendale (England)
2: Liz Harcombe (England)
3: Vicky Largue (Scotland)
4: Susan Don (Scotland)
5: Jayne Purcell White (England)
6: Ruth Martin (Scotland)
7: Alison Kesans (Wales)
8: Patricia Watson (England)
9: Ella McNinch (Scotland)
10: Rose Flett (Scotland)
Single Horse
1: James Tate (England)
2: Gordon Watson (England)
3: Lorraine McIndoe (Scotland)
4: Nigel Matheson (Scotland)
5: Kirsty Matheson (Scotland)
Pony Pairs
1: Modris Kesans (Wales)
2: Rosemary Neale (England)
Horse Pairs
1: Ewan MacInnes (Scotland)
2: Russell Hand (England
Tandems:
1: Joyce Simpson (Scotland)
Very Small Ponies
1: Laura Chaffe (Scotland)
2: Debbie Adams (Wales)
3: Brenda Laing (Scotland)
Photos kindly supplied by www.Sinclairphotography.co.uk
