THE opening arena event at SNEC was a roaring success, with excellent courses and the day running to time.

Lousia Milne Home and her consistent partner King Eider came out on top of the OI section ahead of Emily Parker and her new ride Riffala Du Buisson. Louisa has owned the Badminton bound 13-year-old since he was a gangly four-year-old.

The now strapping 17.1hh was bought from Louisa's show jumping trainer Alistair Gatherum and Louisa has produced him slowly and carefully to 4* level.

Louisa said: "We had to dig our way out of the yard with the snow, and I was meant to take seven horses but it took more time than anticipated so we only took four! It was worth the effort though. Their preparation has been a little different as they have not had any schooling or jumping in the last week so instead they have been working very hard exercising in knee deep snow round the fields. The course was a perfect start back to competing, with a bit of everything from turn backs, to skinnies and related distances. It really helped get the brain in gear. Horses and riders needed to be picking up their lines from one fence to the next quickly."

King Eider will start off his season at Lincoln and then have a couple of advanced runs before heading to Badminton.

In the novice, Claire Johnston and Dutch N Go topped the class, jumping a double clear inside the time to be the only combination to finish on a clean sheet. Sarra Mayberry added just three time faults aboard her talented Moores Stream.

Sarra and the Cavalier Two For Joy daughter have competed up to 3* level. Sarra explained: "There were plenty of questions on the course to sharpen horses and riders up for the season ahead. I am planning on doing some more advanced and CIC runs with her before a CCI*** later in the year."

Kirkcudbright based Sarah Clark rode her own and her mother Anne Harvie's 21-year-old The Master Farrier to win the pre-novice section. The Master Farrier is Sarah's retired advanced horse who was brought out for a bit of fun.

Sarah commented: "It has been so muddy I brought him in this winter and I decided to keep riding him to give him some exercise. He was thrilled to be out and put in a lovely performance. He has not been to a party for years, but he is still so much fun to jump! I did get asked if he was my new horse!

"He got Lyme disease when he was 15 and he never really recovered from that to event again. I still enjoy riding him and I think everyone should have a horse like him."

Runner up was Perth-based lawyer Lizzie McFadzean and Carnival Star. The Chacoa-sired 10-year-old has evented to novice level although after feeling below par last year he was found to have been suffering from gastric ulcers.

Lizzie explained: "The course looked twisty, but it rode really well for both young horses and the more experienced ones."

The intro was won by Arnprior-based Eva Sheppard and Arrow.

Intro – 1, Arrow, E Sheppard; 2, Ferryman, C Mills; 3, Wahiki, D Still. Pre-novice – 1, The Master Farrier, S Clark; 2, Roo, L McFadzean; 3, Ballygrey Bot, C Reid. Novice – 1, Dutch N Go, C Johnstone; 2, Joy, S Mayberry; 3, Brodlyns, E Cameron. OI – 1, King Eider, L M Home; 2, Mr Preseley, E Parker; 3, Riffala Du B, E Parker.