AN INTERNATIONAL endurance horse riding event took place in East Lothian last week.

Scores of human-equine partnerships descended on the county for the three-day event, near Whitekirk.

With the kind co-operation of James and Sarah Grant-Suttie, the Scottish Endurance Riding Club played host not just to riders from north and south of the Border but also a sizeable contingent from Ireland and 11 from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The event has been run for several years and has grown in size and stature as word of its appeal has spread through the endurance riding community.

Offering not just wonderful riding but also spectacular scenery and centuries of very visible history, East Lothian has been very welcoming to the colourful endurance tribe, the local community tolerating the sudden sprouting of brightly-coloured marker signs and arrows, as well as horses appearing from all directions.

While the international 120km class was dominated by the UAE riders, the 80km equivalent was won by an English rider, Lorna Kidson, and the 80km national class was won in an exciting racing finish by West Lothian young rider Becca MacMillan on her mother’s highly experienced Connemara gelding Coolagoree Glen Thunder.

Jill Calder and Silvakhira’s lonely journey round the 160kms started at 5am and finished just before 10pm – a true test of endurance.