IT'S been a week since the streets of Hawick were packed with supporters cheering on their Cornet Euan Reilly...but let's take a look back at the highlights of the town's Common Riding.

It is the week that Teries young and old cherish.

Hawick comes alive for that special time in June when the Cornet lifts the Banner Blue to signify the start of the Common Riding celebrations.

More than Over 500 riders from across the Borders gave their support on Thursday and Friday for this most historic of occasions, which traces its origins back to the the capture of an English flag in the Battle of Hornshole in 1514 as well as the marking of the boundaries.

And this year, 23-year-old Euan Reilly from the town had the honour of leading the famous event.

Speaking to the Border Telegraph, a delighted Euan said: “It is a dream come true. I have never missed a year since 2004, but to actually be leading the Common Riding this year is something else. It is a huge honour, and I hope I didn’t let the town down.”

A love of equine sports was fostered at a young age. Euan – who works as a joiner with the Scottish Borders Housing Association – started out working at the stables aged ten, with close family friends Mark and Phil Nichol aged 10.

“I used to muck the horses out and eventually they bought us a pony in 2003 and it just started from there,” said Euan.

“2004 was my first year attending the Common Riding and I go to as many of the other ride-outs across the Borders as I can.

"It is always great to meet the principals and riders from other towns. But ours is special – and of course I am biased!

“There is such a great buzz around the town, from the build-up to the day itself. And we had people travelling from all over the world to attend, from Australia, the USA and beyond.”

Border Telegraph:

Euan’s father Tony works as a a chief firefighter in Qatar, but returned had to be back to see his son lead the procession. “My best friend Michael Roberston came all the way from Sydney to be here, too. But I know they weren’t the only ones travelling a long distance to be here.”

Chairman of the Hawick Common Riding Committee Ian Scot confirmed as much.

“We had people here from Adelaide, Melbourne, and Western Australia; from Texas New York, Denver, Georgia and Arizona. There were a couple over from Germany and even from Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia this year.

“People tend to come back for the Common Riding as opposed to New Year, so we have always had exiles who make a point of returning in the summer. And it is great that they do so.

"They look forward to it and will always comment on the changes they see in the town.

“We have the Kennedy family who come up from every year from Essex. Their grandfather left Hawick decades ago to set up a knitwear company down south.

“Yet every year they come back to support the Common Riding. That is probably the the fourth or fifth generation of Kennedys who do so.

"And there are many more families who might be able to tell a similar tale. The Common Riding is a uniting factor and still has that pull.”