AN EAST Lothian club is hosting the UK’s first cross-Atlantic tilting competition.

The unusual sport involves horse riders attempting to spear a small hoop with the point of a lance while on horseback.

Popular in some American states as well as European countries including Denmark, there are only two Scottish tilting clubs.

East Lothian Tilting Club is chaired by Jan Simpson, who owns Elvingston Stud, near Gladsmuir.

And the club is delighted the competition – which will see riders compete with American rivals – is being held at Rockrose Equestrian Centre, by East Linton, on Saturday, October 21.

Jan established the group in August last year and has organised taster days for riders to take part in.

She said: “Tilting is a great fun sport which is extremely popular on the continent, particularly Denmark.

“We run novice and open classes; novice is for people who just want to trot and open must be done in canter.

“The rider goes through a wooden frame from which a metal ring is suspended and tries to ‘catch’ the ring on the end of their lance.

“Tilting is rooted in jousting and was used as a military discipline in its own right. It takes concentration and skill from the rider but is extremely easy to pick up.

“It’s excellent for confidence in nervous riders because it’s repetitive and the rider concentrates on getting the ring and forgets about being nervous in the saddle. It’s ideal for older or young horses because you go in a straight line so no circles/bending/jumping is required and you go at your own pace.”

Six American riders are travelling to East Lothian for the Garleton Lodge International Tilting Tournament at Rockrose. And the East Lothian club is planning to send its members to the United States in May next year to take part in competition there.

To find out more about the event, search for the Scottish Tilting Riding Club page on Facebook.