MUIRMILL Equestrian Centre, in south Ayrshire, always make an effort with a well-prepared arena, a good schedule, courses and a friendly welcome, so it was a shame that their Hogmanay junior show was not better attended.

Olivia Gillespie would travel home with a purse full of winnings on her first competitive outing with Zander Stormonth’s former ride, the eight-year-old mare, Popacatapetal.

Double clears in a foxhunter, a 1.05m and a win in a 1.15m collected the generous prize money on offer and started their career on a high.

Cielo Nightingale Robertson ended her season in style with two wins on her own Carlow Girl. Placings at Scope, the British SJ National Championships and in a Pony SJ Of The Year qualifier have all seen this pair progress with their last two classes of the year, both 1.2m opens seeing them victorious and must surely set them up for the year ahead.

Winning the Bluechip Newcomers was a bittersweet triumph for Olivia Coia, who now has to hand the reins of her home-produced TGF Sapphire onto her next jockey and take the step up into seniors.

Two second places and an equal first mark the start of the partnership of Codie McGowan and the well-known spotty 138cm Oakhurst In The Spotlight.

Formerly ridden by Tahnia Jordan Jones, this pony has already been in the top two every time for Codie who travelled onto the South View small pony premier just days later to collect some more double clears in the 11 and under classes then go on to take the style and performance award.

Lesmahagow’s Lauren Forrest now has the super little dynamo of a pony, Shappen Pilgrim to enjoy in 138cm classes. This little bay bucks and kicks back but has produced the goods for a few jockeys, including Nicole Lockhead Anderson, who won this year’s HOYS final on him.

He will join Lauren’s other rides, Kiltormer Curragh and Loughcutra Lad.

Lanark-based Honor Forster has taken on the ride of Karina Dunlop’s Scottish-bred dun mare, Miami Chuckles, to record double clears at her last few shows finishing 2016 with a win in a 95cm grand prix.

The winter second rounds were the main target for riders heading to Cheshire for the small pony premier.

Securing early qualification for the 138m final and current holder of last year’s trophy, Shaunie Greig made it look too easy again winning and recording two of only three double clears to head the class with Buttons Two and runner up with Drumaclan Flight.

The following day, Buttons Two collected a second in the same class followed home by Rhona Henderson’s Scottish-bred mare, Follow Jazzy Lady and Iwan Carpenter.

A new partnership came together to score what was a bit of a surprise victory in a 128cm second round.

Amy Morris has only ridden Natasha Hamilton’s Koda for a matter of days, yet they produced a cracking round to remain clear and take the win.

Madelaine Archibald's red rosette came courtesy of her palomino, Tazmania, who was double clear in a busy 11 and under class.

LEADING awards

Muirmill Hogmanay Juniors. 70cm intro – 1, Pattersun, M Turnbull; 2, Miss Daisy D, J Stewart. 80cm open – 1, Aru Cha Cha, F Holohan; 2, Bobby Blue Eyes, S Lusk; 3, Miss Daisy D. Discovery/90cm – 1, Charlies Lite, A Aitken; 2, Oakhurst In The Spotlight, C McGowan; 3, Yaribank Mayflower, B Perry. Springboard 128/138cm – 1, 6 shared. Blue Chip newcomers – 1, TGF Sapphire, O Coia; 2, Kildea Hero, K Benson. Winter 128/138cm handicap – 1, Yealands Mamzelle, S Cobban; 2, Harri Potter, F Holohan; 3, Shappen Pilgrim, L Forrest. Foxhunter – 1, Popacatapetal, O Gillespie; 2, Dun The Business, A Aitken. 70cm – 1, Becky V, K Murdoch; 2, Fudge VII, S Lusk; 3, Good Fun, T Dobson. 80cm open – 1, Sea Grey, A Mason; 2, Aru Cha Cha, F Holohan; 3, Golden Socks, R Stormonth. Discovery/90cm – 1, Magic Eclipse, A Wallace; 2, Misty Meg, C Rogan; 3, Muicineagh Lady, A McTaggart. Newcomers/1m open – 1, AG Dynamo, C Rogan; 2, Thorndonpark Prince Charming, H Duff; 3, Still Got Me, C Templeton. Foxhunter/1.1m open – 1, Dun The Business; 2, Murphy X, I Campbell; 3, Still Got Me. Winter 128/138cm handicap – 1, Yealand Mamzelle; 2, Oakhurst In The Spotlight; 3, Kiltomer Curragh, L Forrest. 1.2m – 1, Carlow Girl, C Nightingale Robertson; 2, Dun The Business; 3, Murphy. 85cm grand prix – 1, Bobby Blue Eyes; 2, Misty Meg; 3, Magic Eclipse. 95cm grand prix – 1, Miami Chuckles, H Forster; 2, Oakhurst In The Spotlight. 1.05m grand prix – 1, Popacatapetal; 2, Just Jenson, K Benson. 1.15m grand prix – 1, Popacatapetal; 2, AG Dynamo. 1.2m – 1, Carlow Girl.