With plenty of shows on all round the country, riders have a choice of venues, surfaces and classes to choose from including a new outdoor site sourced by Area ML to host their annual show.

Overton Farm, in Crossford, regularly runs point-to-points offering a large grass area that can have two rings as well as all the necessary parking space.

With Scotland short of grass arena venues, it was such a shame it wasn’t better supported. Hopefully, more events may be held there in the future. It certainly got a massive thumbs up from those who did.

Alex Barr did not have to travel far from his Kypehall Farm base, just outside Lesmahagow, managing to win the Scottish Branch Championship on his super mare, Bettilina.

Produced originally by Alex, this 12-year-old mare was sold briefly before coming back to him and moving on up the grades to jumping an area trial last year.

Recently returned from a successful trip to Kronenberg, where they were placed in the CSI2* classes they maintained their form finding the fences easy and the ground to their liking to beat 13 competitors over a strong track to take the title.

Graham Babes is another to have returned to home soil following a trip abroad. Back home and looking to carry on the incredible form he had in Vilamoura, he took a ride new to him, Chloe Aston’s Figaro, to jump into runner-up position.

Graham’s own HOYS finalist, Glencoe, was successful in young horse classes in Vilamoura, returning home after easily jumping round the RHS B and C qualifier to claim his ticket to the final.

Riding into second place here was the new combination of junior Charley Hamilton and John Aird’s Amadora JX.

Normally ridden by Fraser Reed, Charley took over just three shows ago and had been jumping well at Howe and The Cabin before pushing all the right buttons to slot into second. This mean s she will tackle both senior and junior classes at the Highland.

Another to divide time between juniors and seniors successfully is Chloe Templeton who already has some ponies through for the Liz Fox JC/JD and the 148cm sections but swapped onto the speedy family favourite, Vurelise, to scoot round and post an unbeatable target in the RHS Classic qualifier.

Following her was Nicky Williams, who with the rest of the Bellfield team, has hit top form recently.

Taking time out to build an arena and stables at Coalburn, the Williams family now has facilities on their doorstep rather than having to travel and the results speak for themselves.

Having had good shows at Muirmill and The Cabin, Nicky came with his Muirmill winner, Floorludine, to settle for the blue ticket and a qualifying place.

PJ headed a foxhunter with Master Calvaro while Nicky steered Billy Stewart’s WS Deal Up round the bigger classes and the championship.

Falkirk’s Jodie Crawford only just stepped up to foxhunter level with Moonlight Van De Kortweg at the end of last year so after a warm up place in the 1.05m they were delighted to win the RHS Novice qualifier.

LEADING awards

Blue Ridge

85cm Nat Am – 1, Tullycars Peek A Boo, M Cowan; 2, Rokeby, L Watts; 3, Ficolino, L McCourt. 90cm – 1, Tullycars Peek Boo; 2, Bernita, L Rennie; 3, roomhill Freddi, F Hunt. 95cm Nat Am – 1, Lou Lou De Rouet, L Urquhart; 2, Hollygate Beloved, E dawson; 3, Fire Fly, E Jamieson. 1m open – 1, Ankaras, M Young; 2, Valdiron, G Taylor; 3, Swarovski Blue, A Diamond. 1.05m Nat Am – 1, Millabbey Du Care, M Wiliams; 2, Priestown Clover, W Dunn; 3, Swarovski Blue.Newcomers/1.10m – 1, Fogas Adare, K McGregor; 2, CES Seaamanchip, F Hunt; 3, Electro Van De Vallei, A Jacinto.

Morris

British Novice – 1, Kabalou, K Reilly; 2, Cappucino Classic, C Simpson; 3, Gregor Z, L Crighton. 90cm – 1, Tullycars Peek A Boo; 2, Pippa Du Perron, E Ryder. Discovery – 1, Pippa Du Perron; 2, Roll Back Time, V Walker; 3, Saskia Sinseir, J Thompson. 1m open – 1, Conny WH, A McCulloch. Newcomers/1.1m – 1,Glow DK, L Stewart; 2, Cruella De Revel, C Rogan; 3, Saskia Sinseir. Foxhunter/1.2m – 1, Cancun, L Stewart; 2, Zenas Flight, V Hewson; 3, Kanseier, L Creighton.

Area ML

1.15m members’ cup – 1, Breckenridge, K Aird; 2, Don Karlos, G Gresset; 3, Just Elody, A Hood. Foxhunter – 1, Breckenridge; 2, Don Karlos; 3, Harvey, A Barr. 1.2m – 1, Tawnmore Lux Furious, J Smith; 2, Born To Fly, E Pilkington; 3, Beseeka Red Hot Chilli Pepper. RHS B and C – 1, Glencoe, G Babes; 2, Amadora JX, C Hamiton; 3, Eccosse, G Babes. National 1.3m – 1, Figaro IV, G Babes; 2, Jumping Mac Flash, K Aird; 3, Idem Dito, S Lohoar. Novice Championship qualifier – 1, Jack A Rooney, M Cairns; 2, Hio Imp Dale, B Brewster; 3, Gwernfythan Flash, M Cairns. British Novice – 1, Harlinneke, M Warnock; 2, Hio Imp Dale; 3, Gwernfythan Flash. 90cm – 1, Broomhill Freddie, F Hunt; 2, CES Seaamanchip, F Hunt; 3, Hold Up Princess, I Drummond. Discovery – 1, Clarity S, M Brown; 2, Ochil Henley, K Hamilton; 3, Kirkton Courtney, A Wilson. 1m-1, Ankaras; 2, WKD Cosmopolitan, L Forrest; 3, Harleys Revenge. 1.05m open – 1, Harleys Revenge; 2, Utopia Of Jaks, S Lohoar; 3, My Hallo Jessie, N Devlin. Newcomer/1.1m – 1, Arsouilles Mickey Finn, I Warnock; 2, Granturo VH Laageind Z, J Smith; 3, Franko R, A Gray. Foxhunter – 1, Master Calvaro, PJ Williams; 2, Breckenridge; 3, Harvey. 1.2m – 1, M2 Cruise, G Donnell; 2, Coulters Candy, N Devlin. RHS Novice – 1, Moonlight Van De Kortwg, J Maher; 2, Breckenridge; 3, Goemanan Musterd, G Donnell. RHS Classic – 1, Vurelise, C Templeton; 2, Floorludine S, N Williams; 3, Hattrick Magic, A Craig. Scottish Branch Championship/Young Masters – 1, Bettilina, A Barr; 2, Figaro, G Babes; 3, Elo, K Frew. 95cm – 1, Rockrose Destination, S Cunningham; 2, Gemalin VD Donkhoeve, A McArthur; 3, Quadro, C Mills. 1m novice – 1, Ochil Henley; 2 Swagger, S Deasy; 3, Cowboy Balou, P Williams. Newcomers/1.1m – 1, HBF Diva, T Nicholson; 2, Carcadia Van De Vallei, T Grier; 3, Dandy Man MFS, S Cunningham.