North-east animal feed firm Harbro has launched a new competition to find the best young riders in Scotland.
The Turriff-headquartered company’s young rider competition sets out to encourage and support potential rising stars in the equestrian world.
Open to any riders aged between 16 and 25, the competition will select two winners – one from the north of Scotland and one from the south.
Aspiring riders are asked to upload a short five-minute video on YouTube with an introduction about themselves and an overview of their aspirations for the year ahead and beyond. They are also asked to outline where they are keen to progress in their chosen discipline, and include a clip of them riding their horse.
A shortlist of entries will then be selected by a panel of judges including Olympic medallist Ian Stark OBE and Harbro’s equine nutritionist Dr Vicki Glasgow.
A final public vote on social media will then select the two winners. Each will receive a year’s supply of feed, Harbro-branded clothing and merchandise, two hospitality tickets to the Royal Highland Show, and one-to-one nutritional advice from Dr Glasgow.
Harbro’s marketing manager, Rebecca Ingram, said: “This is the first of its kind for Harbro and the aim is to encourage and support potential equestrian rising stars. We are not just looking for riding prowess, but for a real drive and determination to embrace the opportunities available and to be an ambassador for their sport and the Harbro brand.”
She said the prizes had been designed to give young riders support when they are starting out.
“We are aware that keeping horses and competing can be expensive, so we have put together a prize to help with the cost of feed for the year, as well as giving access to exceptional nutritional advice from our equine nutritionist. Managing nutrition and care is a vital aspect of a horse’s performance and wellbeing, and this input will help establish an appropriate feeding regime,” she added.
The creation of the new competition coincides with Harbro launching a new range of horse feeds, including haylage, pony nuts, vitamins and minerals, and conditioning cubes.
More information about the competition is available online at www.harbro.co.uk/youngriderscompetition. The closing date for entries is May 28.
