THERE could be no better way to see 2016 out than with a home-grown talent winning the biggest class at one of the most prestigious horse shows of the year.

Peebles-born Scott Brash has had a meteoric rise to fame over the last few years, especially with his superstar horse, Hello Sanctos, but it was good to see him beat the best in the world on some of his other horses.

Lady Kirkham and Lady Harris’ Hello M’Lady gave Scott victory in the world cup qualifier at London’s Olympia Horse show amidst the glitter and lights that makes this Christmas show so spectacular.

Beating the likes of Markus Ehning, Edwina Tops Alexander and the Whitakers is becoming all too common for Scott but how satisfying it should happen on home soil in front of a very supportive crowd.

Just for good measure, he pulled out Hello Guv’Nor for the following night’s grand prix where, and although a pole fell in his jump-off, he still finished in equal third place to claim the highest placed British rider award.

Some other young Scots attended the show an gave good account of themselves.

In the Olympia under 23 world class performance final, Graham Gillespie was unlucky just to rub a pole in the jump-off to settle for fourth place on Celine.

Aimee Bell, Cameron Poe and Graham Babes, on Boucheron, made it through to the jump-off where it didn’t quite go to plan for any of them dropping them to ninth and 10th places, respectively.

Finishing in the money in the Mince Pie Stakes for 148cm riders, Fraser Reed collected four faults in the first round on Quilitymaes Z which was a superb effort considering just four ponies managed to jump clear. This would see Fraser come back in for the prize giving in seventh place.

Emma Crawford’s round on Stars Surprise wasn’t her usual, but what a year this young lady has had. She won’t be too disappointed as she moves on into seniors.

Amy Morris missed out on HOYS when her mount, Madonna, needed some time off but back in form this pair have already secured their qualification for the winter second rounds.

Partnered with one of Britain’s fastest lady riders, Laura Renwick, they scorched round to collect a third place here in one of the most daunting arenas in the country.

Natasha Hamilton competed in the mini class with her own Koda and, whilst her round didn’t quite go the way she would have liked, it must all be great experience for these up and coming youngsters.

Back home and the amateurs were being well catered for at Ingliston Country Club which offered a range of classes over two days with plenty of entries forward in every section.

Jane Ault was on form taking home two red rosettes as well as a few placings.

Fortuna Q was found in Ireland as an unbroken three-year-old by Jane’s employer Joanne Fairbrother before being broken, produced and sold on.

Back in to be ridden and sold for the current owner, this little four-year-old mare by Heritage Fortunas advertised herself well with a first and a second in the British Novice classes each day.

Ever reliable, Triomf L did her usual and blasted round a 1.05m to win and end her show jumping career on a high as she now retires to become a broodmare with Jane.

A former broodmare came out of retirement to score a win in the very first class of the show.

Jim Wilmer’s Uschi has bred a foal for him and after three years off appeared back out under saddle with Lucy Rennie on board. This was Lucy’s first senior show and a promising start for her partnership with this 15-year-old daughter of Heartbreaker.

Carlisle-based Helena Pedrosa makes frequent trips to Scotland in between competing on the north of England circuit with her three horses.

The ever consistent Lupicor-sired Abadan accounted for a competitive 1.15m open at this show, whilst travelling companion Valencia added some extra prize money with a good win in a Discovery.

This five-year-old chestnut is by Simon Buckley’s former ride HFS Valentino.

Lauren Laird has only had the ride on her Captain Clover-sired Claragh Captain for a few weeks but has already been in the money a few times at Blue Ridge and Morris before she caught a win here in a British Novice.

Glasgow’s Sean Hislop only rides and competes his one horse, Cashbreaker D, a son of Heartbreaker who stands just short of the 15.2 mark but has a huge personality.

Quick and careful, they have been in the money at most shows in the small open sections and on this occasion in the 1.05m open they outpaced the 19-year-old Phoenix Gold Quest and Amy Stewart.

Iona Drummond has just returned from a successful trip to the Aintree Amateur finals at Liverpool where she and Starfield Diva picked up a couple of placings.

Finishing in second place here in a 95cm behind Jodie Cairns, who found some tight inside lines in the jump off phase on her own former Kathleen Hamilton ride the five-year-old Ustinov gelding Galileo.

Iona may have collected a blue rosette, but daughter Siobhan went one better to bring home a red one in the 85cm on her ever-faithful ride of two years, Remy Martin.

LEADING awards

Ingliston December 2016. 70cm – 1, Uschi, L Rennie; 2, Valentines Praline, S Henderson; 3, Our Beau Regards, C Graham. 85cm national amateur – 1, Remy Martin, S Drummond; 2, Lisnakill Lottie, K Donoghoe; 3, Valentines Praline. 95cm national amateur – 1, Galileo, J Cairns; 2, Starfield Diva, I Drummond; 3, Lisnamarra, J Ault. British novice – 1, Claragh Captain, Laird; 2, Fortuna Q, J Ault; 3, Ashley Wood, S Margerison. Discovery – 1, Valencia II, H Pedrosa; 2, Breckenridge, K Aird; 3, Lilly The Filly, E McFarlane. 1.05m national amateur – 1, Triomf L, J Ault; 2, Crailyn Clover Bay, L Hood; 3, Valencia II. British novice – 1, Fortuna Q ; 2,Lisnakill Lottie. 90cm open – 1, Casino Royale XI, F Short; 2, Carina IV, A McTaggart; 3, MEC Could Be Cassini, G Dignall. Discovery – 1, Luis So Vis, L Lorimer; 2, Balou Fair, J McLelland; 3, Moment In Life, F Kolberg. 1m open – 1, Sagrannus, G Babes; 2, Tuidam, V Moore; 3, Zikro, K Ritchie. 1.05m open – 1, Cashbreaker, S Hislop; 2, Phoenix Gold Quest, A Stewart; 3, Coppers Dream, J McLelland. Newcomers – 1, Bowes Warrington Walter, H Denholm; 2, Eclipse, D Irvine; 3, Turlood Errigal Touch, J King. 1.15m open – 1, Abadan, H Pedrosa; 2, Zoniee, R Duff; 3, Sun View Star, A Brown. Foxhunter – 1, Queen Elisabeth, M Arnott; 2, Abadan; 3, M2 Cruise, G Donnell.