James Smith is having a fantastic run just now scoring three out of three in the HOYS qualifiers on board Just Max.

Having already jumped through to the finals of the foxhunter and 'Talent Spotter' classes, this pair finished second in the Grade C qualifier at Bramham behind Dan Moseley on Arrogant Un Prince, to add this ticket to their collection.

James was on form throughout the show, with Bolton Gate Ben picking up seconds and thirds in the big classes and Jim Wilmer’s Quattro 27 second in the six-bar, before going on to head a 1.3m open with a fast jump-off time.

Mark Turnbull has been out in Holland competing at a CSI2* in Asten, where he rounded off his show with a good second from 48 starters in the grand prix on his home produced chestnut gelding, Cartouch III.

Nicole Lockhead Anderson continues to dominate the junior HOYS qualifiers, this time adding a foxhunter ticket to her ever-growing tally. Once again, it was the careful Gangnam Style which answered all the questions at Keysoe Junior Premier to take the win from fellow Scot, Mya Roxburgh Caira, who was delighted to settle for second to earn her place in the finals.

Nicole wasn’t far away in the newcomers' second round when she found herself in sixth with Little Red Cloud, but also with another chance at the national championships.

A second in the Pony SJ Of The Year on Claggan Gypsy Delight rounded off Nicole’s show. with this pair through to the finals already.

On home soil. Morris EC put on a good show offering bigger classes in time for the Highland show.

Carlisle’s Jonathan Dixon has spent as much time competing abroad this season and heads to Bolesworth after this show but will be in with a shout as his horses have stayed on form throughout.

The 11-year-old Gantico (Canturo/Darco) looks a useful addition to his string with this 11-year-old having previously been produced by Eric Van Der Vleuten a couple of years before finding his way to Jonathan’s yard this year.

Already successful in Kronenburg, Balmoral and Lier before this show, they looked comfortable heading the 1.35m Development class with Jonathan for good measure also finishing in second on the 15-year-old stallion Continio.

This horse was well placed in 1.4/1.45m classes in Kronenburg as well as in a Table A in Balmoral before returning a quick double clear well clear of the rest of the field from last draw with these two horses two seconds faster than the rest of the field.

There were 19 in the national 1.4m open in which six made it home clear over Neil Foster’s interesting track.

Drawn first was Douglas Duffin on Eclips VIII who is only just home from Suffolk County Show, where they were in the money in the speed classes.

They proceeded to record a time of 38.97s. The next three in could not break the 40-second barrier, showing just how quick Douglas had been.

Penultimate rider, Graham Babes, flew round on his Muirmill grand prix winner Boucheron to come closest in 39.41s to settle for a respectable second place, leaving Jordan Thomson settling for a steadier clear to slot Uni Stop into third.

Only 0.4s separated the top two in the B+C handicap which saw Douglas this time taking the blue ticket with Nicky Morgan’s Djoel.

Winner this time was Aberdeen’s Alan Spalding, who was having a great show with his team of horses.

His impressive Fire Fly VDL jumped well in his first 1.4m for just four faults, Junior H claimed a 1.25m open for daughter, Kayleigh, but it was Fleur De L’Isle who was foot perfect to stand at the top of the line in the B+C.

Alan has only had the ride on this low mileage six-year-old grey mare since April with this her biggest test to date having still been competed in British novice classes earlier this year.

Dan Ockenden divides his time between show jumping and eventing in which he is equally successful.

The past two weekends have seen him wearing more red rosettes starting by heading a RHS foxhunter qualifier last weekend at Central and West Fife on Carol and Neil Wivell’s Carneils Diamond Lady.

At Morris, this horse had to settle for blue when beaten on the clock by stable mate Carneils Black Betty to score a one:two in another foxhunter.

Mischa Irving is only just home from a trip to the young horse championships at Northcote, riding Hermes to a win in a newcomers, whilst Annan-based, Anna Dunlop, beat her mother Karen(Demelza) to win a Discovery on the former pony Braveheart.

LEADING awards:

1.4m open – 1, Eclipse, D Duffin; 2, Boucheron, G Babes; 3, Uni Stop, J Thompson. B+C handicap – 1, Fleur De Lis,A Spalding; 2, Djoel, D Duffin; 3, Up To Date Showgirl, K Hamilton. 1.25m open – 1, Junior H, K Spalding; 2, Cascara, L Stewart; 3, Bayande De La Bouverie, G Babes. Foxhunter – 1, Carneils Black Betty, D Ockenden; 2, Carneils Diamond Lady, D Ockenden; 3, Arsouilles Mickey Finn, I Warnock. Newcomers – 1, Hobelia, H Hunter; 2, Hermes, M Irving; 3, Grandioos, J Dixon. 1.35m open – 1, Gantico,J Dixon; 2, Continuo, J Dixon; 3, Drumconnick Verdi, T Nicholson. Foxhunter/1.2m – 1, JJ’s Impressive, J Hewitt; 2, Junior H; 3, Vurelise, L Templeton. 1.1m open – 1, Camona,J Dixon; 2, Larino, J Dixon; 3, Dandyman MFS, S Cunningham. Newcomers – 1, Hermes; 2, Lumbrooks Lad ; 3, HBF Delta, A Barr. 1.05m open – 1, Allie B, A Cowan; 2, Eyecatcher D,C Slater; 3, Quantom Clover Gold, J Fulton. Discovery – 1, Braveheart, A Dunlop; 2, Damelza, K Dunlop; 3, Diamond Flash, A Dunlop.1m – 1, Conny,A McCulloch; 2, Marcus Ceaser; 3, Dynamo V, A Jones.