Kingussie teen equestrian Ailie MacLeod riding high after national award
Teenage equestrian Ailie MacLeod is riding high after claiming a prestigious national ALBAS award.
Ailie, who attends Kingussie High School was winner of the NPA Skills for Work Learner of the Year award at last night’s annual Awards for Land-based and Aquaculture Skills.
The 16-year-old has shown exceptional leadership and organisational skills throughout her time on the Skills for Work Rural Skills course.
She attends UHI North, West and Hebrides Senior Phase student as part of her course and it was her lecturer David Olds who nominated her.
Her proud mum Amanda said: “This is such an amazing achievement for Ailie that her hard work and dedication has been recognised.
“She is so lucky to have such positive role models in her interests out of school especially Highland Horse Fun thanks to Becca Cameron and Ruaridh Ormiston.
They are always encouraging and pushing out of her comfort zones to reach her full potential whilst giving her the opportunities to develop her passion with horses and the outdoors.
“Thanks also to David Olds for believing In her and nominating Ailie for this award though the rural skills opportunities available at Kingussie High School.
“We’re all so proud of her.”
Ailie excelled in a business project where students processed, marketed and sold venison at school.
Kingussie High School headteacher Ian Adamson said: "I am delighted that Ailie's passion for Rural Skills and in particular her love for horses has been recognised.
“Ailie has shown great commitment to the Rural Skills course, and I am very proud of her triumph at the Lantra awards."
The teen has further developed these skills through her weekend work at the Highland Horse Fun equestrian centre in her home town.
The awards were held at the Crieff Hydro Hotel and are run by Lantra Scotland to recognise outstanding achievement in the land-based sector.
Stewart Smith, from Cromarty, received the much-coveted Overall Winner Award, the highest accolade of the night.
He was also presented with Modern Apprenticeship of the Year Award and Trees and Timber Learner of the Year Award too.
Stewart is doing an SVQ in Trees and Timber through the Scottish School of Forestry UHI Inverness while working as an apprentice craftsperson at Forestry & Land Scotland.
More than 200 finalists, event supporters, employers, training providers and industry leaders, including Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie, attended the glittering awards ceremony.
