AS the saying goes ‘it takes a village’ to make things happen. A team of the most amazing people from Tiggy’s Trust made the dreams come true for some 25 young riders in Scotland last weekend, as a sea of yellow and green lit up the inaugural Scone International Horse Trials.

Following three successful trips to Blair Castle in 2022, 2023 and 2024, when this event ceased running, Frank and Jane Hancock and all those behind Tiggy’s Trust put a train in motion to give another team of young riders an opportunity to compete on international soil. And what a success it was, with Irish wins in both the two-star pony event and the team eventing competition (see full report on page 74).

“After Blair stopped running, we had to pick another venue,” commented Jane Hancock. “We wanted to be inclusive and Scone was the only event to have eventing and games. They picked up the mantle and were fantastic.”

Months of planning brought everyone together last week in memory of the wonderful Tiggy Hancock. Just before the event got underway, the team at Scone erected the ‘Tiggy’s Tent’ beside the FEI stables and lorry park. They also provided electrics for the week. Behind the scenes, several coaches gave up their time to attend. Michael and Lorli Higgins and Adrienne Daly worked on the logistics, especially the catering. “They have been there since the beginning and are just amazing. They all loved Tiggy, that’s why they are so committed,” Jane added.

Thanks to the many chefs, each evening anything up to 100 people were fed in the tent, with some of the meats very kindly sponsored by Doyle’s Butchers in Dunlavin. They also sponsored the bbqs at the training events in Punchestown in the lead up to the trip.

Q&A

On the Thursday night at Scone, Irish event rider Declan Cullen organised a brilliant Q&A session with top British rider Pippa Funnell, Irish riders Austin O’Connor and Sarah Ennis, and former British rider Nicola Wilson, who shared her journey since her career-ending fall at Badminton in 2022.

With Raymond Bready as MC, it was wonderful to hear their stories and it was an opportunity for the young riders to ask about their lives in and out of the saddle.

Ponies were shipped to and from Scone by Mullins Horse Transport, and one of the drivers, Larry Egan, provided much of the light entertainment all week. “Larry was there from the start. Even though he no longer works for Mullins, he comes back to drive for us every year,” Jane added. Larry himself said it was his ‘annual holiday and he wouldn’t miss it for the world’.

Tom Hatton was the second driver and, after dropping off ponies at Scone, did a quick turnaround to Ireland and then Doncaster before driving back to the event to pick them up ahead of the journey home on Monday morning, such was his dedication to Tiggy’s Trust.

Everyone was welcomed into the ‘Tiggy’s Tent’, even members of the local Fire Service, who left a donation on Sunday.