The event at Greenlawdean was hosted by equestrian charity, Equibuddy and opened with an introduction by Jenny Leggate, co-founder of Equibuddy, who hoped the evening would show what an inclusive sport vaulting is while providing an entertaining evening for all.
Equibuddy incorporates the internationally acclaimed Lauderdale Vaulting Club into the charity and their Novice Team, current British, English and Scottish Champions, unbeaten in 2009, set the scene with a superb performance on eight year-old Macrobert.com (pet name Spotty) lunged by Rebecca Morgan.
Four teams of six were entered for the winner takes all dance-off. Each team consisted of two youngsters with difficulties, two parents, a sibling who had never vaulted before, and a celebrity.
For many, this event was their introduction to horse riding, no mean feat! The judges for the evening were Anne Stark (international vaulter), Ian Stark (international eventer), Rose Dobbin (champion amateur jockey 2008), Tony Dobbin (Grand National Winner) and Fiona Henderson (BBC Scotland Reporter).
Marks were awarded for technical merit, teamwork, entertainment and musicality, with extra marks awarded to each of the celebrities for their definition on why vaulting was good for you.
The first team into the bear-pit was Equibuddy performing on Masterkey lunged by Anne Marie MacPherson. The team comprised mum Leigh Anne Lindores and her two children, Shani and Finlay, teacher Marcel Kaljee, Troy Bell and their celebrity, jockey Ryan Mania. They performed an amusing routine to Slumdog Millionaire track, 'Jai Ho'.
Next to perform were the Berwickshire team riding Big Guiness lunged by Margaret Morgan.
Their team consisted of mother and son Sharon and Joe Baker, brother and sister Christopher and Rebecca Lyons, Kieron Douglas, and their celebrity was Point to Point Champion Doreen Calder from Duns wearing her racing colours. They performed a very slick routine to Abba's 'Dancing Queen 'complete with pointed toes and big smiles.
The Border team were dressed as clowns for their performance on Zigourny lunged by Helen Rodgerson. Parents had been persuaded to take part with father and son Kevin and Ross Mackay, and mother and daughter Wendy and Chloe Fiddes providing the bulk of the team, with Jordan Wilson and their celebrity, former World Rally Champion Louise Aitken-Walker providing a highly entertaining performance.
The final team to compete were Rainbow Group from West Lothian riding Wooden Spoon (pet name William) lunged by Janis Cramb. This was another two family affair with Adam and Victoria Gordon joining Sharon, Lumai and Jolon Yeoman, and their celebrity Hanna McGillivray an international vaulter. Their pack of cards theme was highly effective and they pulled off a technical and professional performance.
While the scores were being checked the crowd were treated to a spectacular performance by the South of Scotland Select team on Bart Simpson lunged by Rebecca Morgan.
This was a stunning climax to the evening, and everyone wishes them the best of luck for the Masters Competition to be held in Acchen.
The results were extremely close with only a ¼ of a point separating 1st and 2nd, and 2nd and 3rd with Rainbow stealing victory.
Before everyone adjourned to enjoy a fantastic hog roast, the newest Equibuddy recruit, Kiplings Tiger was introduced to the crowd and specifically his sponsors John Armit and Janice Slimming from Ora Ceramics whose fundraising efforts provided the funds to purchase Kiplings Tiger.
This was a highly successful and most enjoyable evening with over £1000 being raised.