“Pretty much perfect” was how 2013 Bari Gadgi Anders Cameron described this year’s Stob Stanes ride-out at Yetholm last Wednesday .
The Bari Gadgi and Bari Manushi Stephanie Cockburn led a cavalcade of 135 through the village to the Stob Stanes in the foothills of the Cheviot in ideal riding conditions of sunshine with a light breeze.
Yetholm Festival chairman David Hutchinson said: “It went extremely well. There was a very good turnout of riders and it was very well attended. It was a beautiful evening when the cavalcade left Town Yetholm. The two principals were on white horses and looked rather good, and a sizeable crowd came out to welcome them home.”
Villager Stuart Smith gave the oration at the Stob Stanes, while Yetholm Primary School head teacher Linda McCall welcomed the riders home and presented Bari Gadgi Cameron with his Jagger and Bari Manushi Cockburn with her goblet.
The Bari Gadgi told The Southern: “It was one of the busiest ride-outs ever and a great way to start things off.
“The weather was pretty much perfect and there were great views from the top of the hill.”
The youngest rider to complete the ride was Rory McFadyen, aged seven. The best turned out prize for the under-16s went to Emma Stenhouse, while the best turned out adult was Kirsten Parker from Galashiels, on horses hired and turned out by Langlee Riding Stables, Jedburgh.
Earlier in the festival Janice Gillies won the ladies’ darts competition at the Plough Hotel.
The family walk took place on Saturday, June 8, when 19 people and four children led by Mr Hutchinson strode over Yetholm Law to Primside and back to the village via Hayhope.
Mr Hutchinson said: “It was the most beautiful day and a thoroughly enjoyable happy walk.”
Boules at the Plough Hotel that afternoon was won by won by the Cockburn family, while The New Other Side of the Bar topped the evening’s pub quiz.
The Kirkin’ of the Bari Gadgi and Bari Manushi took place at the village parish church on the Sunday, followed by a reception at Border Hotel.
The children’s disco in the afternoon was at the Youth Hall. In the evening the mixed darts was won by Caroline Burnett and Paul Downie, and Paul went on to take the dominoes title later that evening.
Yetholm Village Choir held a well-attended concert in the parish church on Sunday evening.
Monday night’s quoits on Town Yetholm Green was won by Kevin Richardson and there was also a family beetle drive in the Youth Hall.
On the Tuesday there was the whist drive in the Youth Hall, which was won by Mary Tait for the ladies and Gil Telfer for the men.
The Thursday saw the best-attended village lunch in the Wauchope Hall, with family bingo for the evening.
The Border Hotel hosted a karaoke session on the Saturday and the day also saw the popular duck and boat races.
The leading duck belonged to Hazel Ponton, with the best duck that of Lucy Sanderson.
The best boat was entered by Michael Kelly, with fastest boat title going to Nikita Munnerley. The family day followed on Kirk Yetholm Green, including children’s sports, tug-o-war, go-carts, target golf, wheelie bin race, obstacle course and egg throwing.
There was also a display by the Les Amis d’Onno equestrian display group, demonstrating trick horse-riding, on the village green
The week was rounded off with the Yetholm Village Dance in the Wauchope Hall.