Several years ago, a talented 19 year old show jumper rider made the trip to compete overseas as part of an Australian squad. Scottie Barclay’s talent was recognised by owners and riders in Europe and he ended up living and competing in Ireland for nine years and in Germany for a year, starting out as a working pupil but eventually running his own yard overseas – something many Australian riders dream of.
Family circumstances brought him home last year and he has settled back at his family’s property in Lara, Victoria along with his partner Claire Groome who he met in Ireland.
Not just a good rider but a good groom too - helping Claire, also a show jumper turned eventer, get ready for her ride
Although Scottie may have no problems around a 1.50m Grand Prix show jumping course, he also has an interest in eventing and last weekend at the Melbourne International 3 Day Event Fundraiser, he not only competed at but won his first eventing class, riding his own five year old thoroughbred Orlando SL.
Scottie and Orlando SL on their way to a win
He also rode two horses in the Pre Novice; Secret Agent 86 owned by Kim Hewlett and Daniel Leach of Willow Farm Equine and Melissa Hadley’s Cooper Teddy. I watched Scottie’s dressage test on Secret Agent 86 in the dressage phase and, although it wasn’t a winning test, was really impressed by Scottie’s sympathetic but effective riding, especially considering that the horse only came to him on the Wednesday before the event started.
A reassuring pat as Scottie and Secret Agent warm up for dressage in the rain
I also happened to be standing near the fence on cross country the next day when Scottie and Secret Agent 86 were unfortunately eliminated and was equally impressed by Scottie’s agility. Secret Agent slipped on landing (as he had just come to Scottie that week there hadn’t been time to get stud holes in his shoes) and Scottie, looking after himself and the horse nimbly jumped off, put one foot on the ground to to help the horse re-balance then hopped back on again. Andrew Nicholson may be Mr Stickability but this guy is Mr Agility
One extra leg to help balance .................. then back on again (with, no doubt, a few choice Irish sayings being muttered)
I chatted to Scottie to find out more about the show jumper turned eventer who is now based at Saltarin Lodge Stable in Lara. Click on the icon below to hear what he had to say after dressage and show jumping
Scottie BarclayWe didn't get any footage of Scottie riding on the weekend so let's take a look at him in action on the show jumping circuit
