Scottish Qualifiers at Hopetoun House, Edinburgh: It was an early start for drivers, coaches and volunteers as they headed off to Hopetoun House Estate for Riding for the Disables Driving Qualifiers Competition for a day of fierce, but friendly, competition.

While there was sunshine, the weather was in much contrast from last year's blistering heat, with bitterly cold winds to keep competitors on their toes.

Competitors in the Open, Intermediate and Novice Classes all had their eyes set on the opportunity to qualify for the RDA National Championships in July 2019, the largest para-equestrian event of its kind in the world, bigger than the Paralympics and Para World Championships combined.

West & Central Scotland Regional team Forth Driving, had a very successful day of competing with two drivers qualifying for the Nationals. Ann Cameron was first in the Novice Qualifiers, and Linda Farqhuar came second, in the Open Qualifiers, both qualifying for the Nationals. In the Dressage class, there was an exciting and dramatic finish when Ann Cameron, the last Dressage competitor to drive, drove an excellent test to take the top spot, snatching victory from Daniel Cowan (Fliskmillan) who had held the best dressage score until Ann’s drive. Forth Driving’s Lynn Sharp, was the winner of the Fliskmillan Trophy, a fun competition for new comers to competition or for those that love to compete but struggle to learn the dressage test or learning the cones/obstacle course.

Forth Driving’s success was completed by bagging the RDA Challenge Cup for the highest cumulative score. After a well fought contest, it was smiles all round for drivers and coaches alike, a true testament to the spirit in which RDA drivers and coaches alike compete.

Special thanks go to Eileen Cornish and her team for all of their preparation both before and during the day to ensure that all ran smoothly