A HORSE trainer from Maybole is in line for a coveted accolade.

Caroline von Linden, 40, an equine trainee from Maybole, has been short-listed for Lantra Scotland’s much-anticipated ALBAS (Awards for Land-based and Aquaculture Skills), which take place at the Doubletree by Hilton Dunblane Hydro Hotel on Thursday, March 5.

Caroline has been doing an Equido Level Four qualification through Ross Dhu Equestrian Ltd. She said: “Finding Equido allowed me to pursue my life-long dream of working with horses and making the world a better place for them.

“Over the last few years, I have been able to gain a lot of knowledge about horses and turned myself from an insecure, doubting horse owner into a confident, knowledgeable and capable horse trainer.”

Lantra Scotland is the sector skills council for land-based, aquaculture and environmental conservation industries, and the awards play a vital role in promoting careers within the rural sector, celebrating the achievements of learners and highlighting the importance to employers of investing in skills.

MC and host for the evening will be well-known Perthshire farmer and stand-up comedian, Jim Smith.

There are categories for the agriculture, aquaculture, equine, horticulture, game and wildlife, trees and timber, land-based engineering and environmental conservation industries, as well as Higher Education, Rural Schools, Modern Apprentice of the Year, CARAS (Council for Awards of Agricultural Societies) and a new Partnership Working Award.

The CARAS Award was established by the UK’s four national agricultural societies, including the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS).