IN THE hunter championship at Blair Castle it was the lightweights that found favour with the judges, writes Melanie Scott.

Gillian and Andrew McCowan's Fusilier was Cindy Sims and Will Murray's choice to claim the tri-colour.

A past champion here, the 13-year-old gelding has been ridden by Gillian to be overall champion at the Border Union and third at Bramham this season

"It was a lovely ride and had an incredible walk, a very athletic horse," said Will.

Reserve was last year's champion, Diane Brash with Rhey Striker, already champion at BSPS Strathallan, they've qualified for the RIHS six times in three sections this year although elected not to travel to the final.

Working hunter champion was Annabel Sall with the consistent event horse, Nordic Diamond Dan. The seven-year-old has had three BE wins this season, at Kirriemuir, Brechin and most recently the BE100 regional final at Eglinton.

Reserve was Clare Pearson with the open winner, Vicolando, a 10-year-old by Ircolando.

Gillian McGowan collected her second championship when riding her and husband Andrew's home-bred Third Time Lucky III to win the riding horse championship.

By Classic and out of the prolific riding horse mare Third Party, the seven-year-old was champion at the Border Union and also champion here in 2011.

"It was elegant with quality and light on its feet, a true riding horse," said ride judge Rose Macpherson.

Reserve was Sophie Brewster with Diptford Sea Eagle, a prolific show hunter pony which has qualified for HOYS the past five years.

Working hunter ponies were run during the worst of the afternoon showers and it was fitting that two ponies with hunting experience stood top.

Champion was Charlotte Dunn with Barralands Boy, a part-bred Connemara. They hunt with the Lauderdale and represented that branch at the recent pony club championships being part of the showjumping team which was placed second.

Katy Gillespie and Dragon Fire were reserve after standing second to Barralands Boy. They hunt with the Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire and the following day were due to travel to Cheshire to the pony club novice championship and have also qualified for the Burghley event pony final.

The sport horse section was run at the end of the day when most of the spectators had left. Standing champion was Ashley Honeyman with her home-bred filly Eillisonna, a three-year-old by Solaris Amourexx out of a Umenno mare. This year they were sixth at the Highland.

"It has the most quality and potential for a sports horse and moves beautifully with balance," said judge David Goldie.

Reserve was Jennifer McNeish from the Isle of Arran with the two-year-old winner, Rockhill Anaman, by Rockhill Triple Crown II, which was purchased a year ago from the Rockhill Stud.

The ridden Clydesdale class was judged by BHS president Martin Clunes and Hamish Cameron. Overall winner was Virginia Osborne with Kinclune Danny Boy.

LEADINGawards

Hunters (Judges: Mrs L Sims and W Murray). Champion – Fusilier, G and A McCowan. Reserve – Rhey Striker, D Brash. Novice – 1, Dark Moon, J Garland; 2, Balhagarty Nobleman, S Taylor; 3, Rabenowitz, S Cruickshank. Lightweight – 1, Fusilier; 2, Rehy Striker; 3, Rabenowitz. Small – 1, Bolero Greenfield, E Stewart; 2, Harley Street, H Mactaggart; 3, Ballytramore, P Clark. Middle/heavyweight – 1, Jenny's Prince, A Bowie; 2, Dock of the Grey, S McCellan; 3, Lamorna Storm, S Thom.

Riding horses (Judge: Mrs L Sims and R Macpherson). Champion – Third Time Lucky III, G andA McCowan. Reserve – Diptford Sea Eagle, S Brewster. Small – 1, Diptford Sea Eagle; 2, Unicot L, L Cruickshank; 3, Remember Rio, L Sheridan. Large – 1, Third Time Lucky III; 2, Intrepid II, L & C Coghill; 3, Durran Harrys Game, K Common.

Side saddle (Judge: Mrs L Sims). Best horse or pony to be ridden side-saddle – 1, Arabian Faroh, C Newlands; 2, Rehy Striker; 3, Conspiracy Theory, S Lane. Affiliated open side-saddle equitation class – 1, Conspiracy Theory; 2, Cahoots, A Stark; 3, Arabian Faroh.

Sports horse (Judge: D Goldie). Champion – Ellissona, A Honeyman. Reserve – Rockhill Anaman, J McNeish. Brood mare – 1, Moonlight Bay IV, J Lamb. Foal – 1, Cullenbay Beauregarde, J Lamb; 2, Furst Steinreich, Mannbury Stud. Yearling – 1, HHS Arkiro, Mr & Mrs G Charlish; 2, Fields of Gold, M Napier; 3, Hilltower Tinkerbelle, S Lawrie. Two-year-old – 1, Rockhill Anaman; 2, Elivingston Sauterna, L Wanale; 3, Me & My Monkey, K Uhlenbrock Three-year-old – 1, Elissonna; 2, Freckleton Maarita, A Geddie; 3, HHS Dramarko, Mr & Mrs G Charlish.

Working hunters (Judges: Mrs M Colquhoun, Miss R Mapherson, Miss J Hollands, Mrs O Wilmott). Champion – Nordic Diamond Dan, A Sall. Reserve – Vicolando, C Pearson. The Sturdi jump novice – 1, Rocky Heights, J Wilkie; 2, Foxcourt Tiffany, B Simpson; 3, Mr Darcy XII, A Brown. BHS Scotland riding club working hunter final 2011 – 1, Just Jackson, F Laing; 2, Karate Z, L Halil; 3, Hugo, L Elliot. Stewarts Building Supplies/BHS Scotland working hunter final 2011 – 1, Nordic Diamond Dan 2, Just Jackson; 3, Karate Z. Ayr Equestrian open – 1, Vicolando; 2, Just Jackson; 3, Tiree, C Cousar

Working hunter ponies (Judge: Mrs C Macmillan). Champion – Barralands Boy, C Dun. Reserve – Dragon Fire, K Gillespie. 133cms – 1, Barnaby Boy, M Bower; 2, Mossblown Miss Pippin, J Adam; 3, Sparky McDuff, M Douglas. 143cms – 1, The Raindancer, L Crawford; 2, Kengarth Miss Chelsea, K Brooks; 3, Crackerjack VI, H Florence. 153cms – 1, Barralands Boy; 2, Dragon Fire; 3, Barana Moy Boy, J Brisbane.

Donaldson. Ridden Scottish championship final – 1, Fair Signet, L Watson; 2, Strong Command, C Stennett; 3, Lowena, K Fleming. The Tattersalls and RoR Thoroughbred Scotland ridden show horse – 1, Belem Ranger, J Warwick; 2, Fair Signet, L Watson; 3, King Nicholas, D Kippen.

Ridden Clydesdale (Judges: H Cameron and M Clunes) – 1, Kinclune Danny Boy, V Osborne; 2, Bulwark Bay, C Davidson; 3, Glenside Prince Harry, J Hyslop.

CHAPS (UK) (Judge: M Adams). Native/cob/traditional open ridden qualifier – 1, Muffin, C Chesser; 2, Shantaine Sophie, N McLean; 3, PS I Love You, R Russell.

Non-native open ridden qualifier – 1, Master Tom, J Craig; 2, West End Boy, J McAughtrie; 3, Red Volianta, C Shaw.

Veterans (Judge: M Adams). In-hand – 1, Farhill Reflection, M Turnbull; 2, Easy Strider, L Henry; 3, Little Boy Blue, C Dall. Veteran ridden – 1, Farhill Reflection, M Turnbull; 2, Easy Strider, L Henry; 3, Shulah, L Cook.