It was inevitable that James and Katie Robertson would start riding, as both their parents, James and Lynne, have a background in horses.

However, what they could not predict was the success that each of their children would reach.

This year, both James (15) and Katie (13) achieved international success – Katie was part of the winning Great Britain ‘children on horses’ team at the European Championships, in France and James was selected as part of the Great Britain pony squad.

It was through showing that the children first became involved in ponies, with Katie firstly catching the bug. It was only afterwards that James became interested as he was going to the shows to accompany his sister.

His first foray was at a local charity show where he was champion, although the family tease each other mercilessly when Lynne suggest that it may have more to do with the judge taking a passing fancy to father James who was leading the pony. This win encouraged young James even more as he says: “I wanted to see what it was like and got addicted to it.”

Katie had mountain and moorland ponies, which provided the family with many wins and special memories, including winning the mini mountain and moorland championship at the Royal Highland Show in 2004 with Waxwing Xcel. James, with a natural interest in jumping, was succesful in working hunter pony classes.

“It was always the plan to go into showjumping but we wanted them both to start in showing as it teaches them ringcraft and how to ride properly,” explained Lynne, who along with husband James showjumped.

A large photograph in the living room shows James senior jumping in the 148cm final the Highland around 20 years ago with Trixilyx, and once out of ponies he competed horses for a while before concentrating on the family farm near Freuchie, in Fife.

Around six years ago, good 128cm school master ponies for 10 and under classes were bought for both children, the purpose of providing a perfect introduction to showjumping worked.

Then open 128cm jumping ponies came along with Doneen Abbey being James’ mount and when he outgrew him Katie took over the ride and also competed her own 128cm pony Supersonic. Both qualified for the Horse of the Year Show and Hickstead, being third there in 2007. Both James and Katie rode Doneen Abbey in the mini major relay at Olympia, James finished second in 2006 when partnered by Ben Maher.

Further success with 138cm ponies followed, with Atlantic Swift fifth at Hickstead with James.

And, as this is Katie’s last year in 138cm ponies she took over the ride on Atlantic Swift and also has Cappagh Cindy to compete, the pair have a enviable record – last year Cindy won the 138cm championship at the Scope Festival.

James jnr enjoys working on the family farm, particularly the livestock side and is particularly keen to expand the Simmental cross beef suckler herd, although his father would like him to concentrate more on the arable side of the farm, which is mainly cereals and carrots.

Another interest James has is poultry and he recalls a tale of his first ‘cloakie hen’, given to him by David Blair.

He shows a natural flair to be outdoors working and told us, rather anxiously, that there was still 100 acres of carrots to be lifted – ‘if only the weather would improve’.

As James has been growing steadily, around Christmas-time last year it was decided to look for a horse to compete this year – the idea of a transition year competing both the horse and his 148cm pony Irish Hotshot. Bought from Douglas Duffin, Cameron Poe has proved the ideal transistion horse for the family. Just an eight-year-old the gelding’s succes has not gone unnoticed and is part of the BEF equine pathway for potential team horses.

This year, when the plan was for James to get used to the horse but also looking for Great Britain selection with Irish Hotshot he attended a viewing trial at Wales and West Showground at Chepstow, in May. And, as the family were travelling down to Chepstow, it was suggested that Katie took ‘Poe’ along for experience in the ‘childrens on horses’ viewing day held at the same time.

However, as Katie had never ridden Poe at a competition, the family were never expecting Katie to be selected for the team. Judged over three days, Katie and Poe showed they were very consistent – their performance had caught the selectors’ eyes and were picked that weekend to ride in a nations cup competition at Bonheiden in Belgium at the end of May.

‘Children on horses’ is a relatively new section for children age 12-14 to allow them the experience of competing horses over courses of 1.30m.

Out in Bonheiden, the team’s score of five faults put them into the gold medal winning position, with Katie and Poe jumping a vital double clear in the competition. James was also able to take Irish Hotshot, finishing second in the grand prix – to round off a pleasing and memorable trip abroad for the family.

With the European championships taking place in Jardy, near Paris, a further viewing day was required, this time at South View in Cheshire.

Again Katie and Poe jumped well, but the selectors took their time to announce the team – the riders only found out a week before the competition, but Katie and Poe had again impressed the selectors and the same team were again picked to represent Great Britain.

In Jardy, the riders were impressed by the venue and competition and the support received from the international showjumpers, William Whitaker and Matthew Sampson, who were also competing but made time to support the children’s team.

Judged on 1.30m tracks over four days and picked as the pathfinder for the team, Katie and Poe excelled themselves – having just one pole down over the entire competition. Their performance helped the team to win team gold and individually Katie was fifth.

“It was a fantastic experience for us all,” said Lynne.

However, the highs and lows of horses came upon the family. Just two weeks later, Katie had a nasty fall at the Welsh home pony international at Chepstow in contention for the Horse of the Year Show 138cm qualifier jump off.

Atlantic Swift paddled the planks and flipped over onto Katie, leaving her with a broken shoulder, broken collarbone and severe concussion.

“She missed out on the Royal International 138cm final at Hickstead and then, at the last HOYS qualifier at the Scottish HPI, she was second,” said Lynne.

“We were going on to the Royal International the next day and George and Muriel Babes took James and Diggla Reed on to Hickstead while Katie was in hospital. It was extremely hard but everyone was brilliant and so helpful, so thank you to them.”

For the family it shows how committed they are to the sport that Lynne can be found most weekends driving down the M74 and M6. Due to the farm commitments this year, dad James has not been able to attend as many shows as he’d like but did get out to Bonheidan and Jardy, leaving his parents in charge of the farm.

It’s hard to find a weekend that they are at home. Katie is back at school, at Kilgraston as a day pupil where they have been very supportive of her riding, allowing her days away to compete; and James, having sat his standard grades, is now busy working on the farm.

With the summer shows all but over, thoughts now turn to HOYS next month, James has Irish Hotshot in the 148cm final and Diggla Reed in the newcomers final.

However, once they return from Birmingham the family will be thinking hard for next year as, although James has another year left in 148cm, he has to continued to grow tall and a move onto horses full time is likely and with this in mind a new ride Copyricht has been bought.

The stallion is fairly experienced and had been jumping 1.40m tracks in Sweden. With James they have been jumping 1.30m classes and were double clear at Ingliston – next year the aim will be for under 18 classes.

This year has certainly been a fantastic one for both children. “Both James and Katie are very supportive of each other when they are competing and they work hard with the ponies. It’s been a great sport to be involved in – a real family activity,” concluded Lynne.