BEAMING children and proud family members were testimony to the success of a first royal visit to the area for more than a year.

The Princess Royal came to Peebles to join in the 30th anniversary celebrations of the Tweeddale Group of the Riding for the Disabled Association.

Princess Anne is the first member of the royal family to come to Peeblesshire since the Queen visited the John Buchan Museum in Peebles in July last year.

On a scorching hot day the Princess spent almost two hours at the RDA’s base at Crookston Farm on the edge of town.

She came by car from a private engagement at nearby Dawyck Gardens, Stobo.

The youngsters relished the opportunity to show their riding skills in front of the Princess Royal, who is president of the charity.

Peebles mum Claire Russell revealed that her 10-year-old daughter Chloe had been excited ever since receiving the invitation to take part at the end of May.

“She’s just never stopped talking about it since we were asked to come - she’s been grinning from ear to ear,” she said.

Grandmother Barbara Russell was also there to watch as the Halyrude School pupil took part in the second of three fun races at the event.

Chloe’s proud mum said: “Chloe has learning difficulties and it was the school that recommended she should give this a try. She’s been coming for a year now every Monday with the school.” Chloe was well-acquainted with her mount Rugrat, having been riding the pony for around two years and she showed her sure touch in the saddle in a race named the Haggis, Neeps and Tatties Stakes.

The six competitors were required to drop the foodstuffs into a narrow chute as they sat on their horses.

The Princess Royal, dressed in a brown top and beige skirt, was a keen spectator of all the races and at the end of each event presented the competitors with rosettes.

Chloe’s mum said: “I know Chloe will cherish that rosette and she will have it on her bedroom wall as soon as she can.” Chloe added: “It was great to meet the Princess - I wasn’t scared at all - and it’s something I can tell all my friends when I go back to school.” As well as two President’s awards and a special award to RDA’s pony Su for 16 years service, the Princess presented a number of long service awards as follows: for five years - Catriona Robertson, Cath Milne, Caroline Brophy, Sue Wills, Mark Tilley, Maggie Carson, Doris Darling, Harry Darling, Sheila Miller; for 10 years - Susan Rodger, Eveanne Nicholson, Mary Wright, Mags Mills; for 20 years - Dhileas Lukas; for 25 years - Katherine Carson, Annette Hammond Chambers; for 30 years - Jane Holmes.

The President’s award went to Agnes Inness and Yvonne Miskell. The Princess posed for photographs with Lord-Lieutenants past and present, including war veteran Colonel Aidan Sprott, who lives at Crookston Farm.

She then cut the 30th anniversary cake before meeting parents and special guests.

The Princess Royal was presented with a posy by one of the riding competitors, 25-year-old Helen Rodger, before being whisked off by helicopter into the clear blue Borders skies.

Mum Brandi Headon and her 10-year-old daughter Isabel, a pupil at Priorsford School, were among those watching as the Princess, on her way to the helicopter, remarked to the guests on the wonderful Peeblesshire weather.

“We couldn’t have wished for a better day and this has been great for Isabel. It was a big thing for her meeting the Princess,” she said.

Another Priorsford pupil, seven-year-old Lewis Matthews, was there with his mother Lorraine and grandmother May, who said: “I think the highlight for him might have been watching the Princess go off in the helicopter. But we feel really proud that he was able to come here today.”