The juniors headed up country for some good classes on offer at Tillyoch EC, at Milltimber, near Aberdeen, recently where the weather held long enough to allow the jumping to go ahead on their super outdoor arena.

Several riders were in top form, including young Charlie Rogan who is following in her big brother, Cameron’s footsteps by ably piloting their two home-produced ponies, AG Dynamo and AG Domino, into the top awards.

Based near Lesmahagow, Charlie took over the ride on both ponies from her brother who had broken and produced them himself with help from grandfather, Wull Stewart and the family.

Determined and brave, Charlie is making a fabulous job of both, steering AG Domino into a first and second place in the two 128cm winter first round qualifies to ensure her place in the second rounds later in the season.

Swapping onto the 148cm, AG Dynamo she then trounced her older counterparts to steal the 1.15m members’ cup as well as a 1.1m later in the show, for a successful weekend.

Battling against her in the 128cm classes was Fergal Holohan, who travelled up from Lochend Farm, in Coylton, south Ayrshire, to contest these with his own little grey, Harri Potter.

Not touching a pole all weekend, they collected a first and second in the winters then a third in a handicap. Fergal was also seen steering the former Paige Wright 128cm Midnight Whisper round to finish in the money.

Having only started competitively with this pony a few weeks ago, they have already look to be a promising partnership having jumped double clears at Harrogate and JM Equestrian before heading here.

Travelling from Banchory Devenick, 14-year-old Grace Beattie stood at the top of the line in the pony winter novice qualifier on her own super chestnut mare, Solo Wan Kenobi, who took some amazing turns to finish just under 5s quicker than Strawberry Smoothie and Sophie McDonald.

Also qualifying with double clears were Rachel Davidson, on Drumkeeragh Abbey Rose; Finn Thomson, on Narin Abbey; Anna Black, with Fenella Fudge; and Savannah Roper, with Hywel Stromy Night.

Nicole Lockhead Anderson rarely goes home without at least one red rosette and on this occasion took home three – first winning the Horsequest UK championship qualifier on the piebald seven-year-old Touch Of Marmite, which was originally produced by Nicole Kershaw.

Warming up with a second the previous day in a newcomers, they went one better to claim the qualifier in which just three remained clear all the way.

Nicole set the winning time of 29.34s exactly a second quicker than Emma Woods on Knix Unique Amethyst, an interestingly bred 148cm by the CHAPS graded coloured stallion Unique SQS out of a Welsh mare.

Nicole also picked up another qualifying ticket in third with Epee Nazar, which also has a unique pedigree. By the Warmblood, stallion Touche Fouquet, which has TB and Arab blood out of a pure TB mare tracing back to Busted and Northern Dancer, it was no surprise that it could show a turn of foot in a jump-off. He was responsible for Nicole’s second win this time the Horsequest UK 1.1m qualifier.

Win number three came from the Scottish-bred Miami Carwyn, former ride of Maia Andrews, who has moved out of ponies. Still owned by her mother, Tania, this pony was off a short spell getting part of a wolf tooth removed but is now back to form winning the Blue Chip Sparkle JC/JA.

In the 138cm classes, Codie McGowan and Natasha Hamilton fought it out and twice Natasha and Aristo Justice just stayed ahead with their fourth double clear at this level so far this winter.

Codie has only had the ride on the former Isla Kerr ride, Lennon Prince, for a few weeks but their second place here was their second double clear at this level following on from some good jumping at Muirmill a week earlier, ensuring they get a chance at the second rounds.

Oakhurst in the Spotlight has already qualified following double clears at Muirmill and Rockrose.

Sandy McLean is dividing his time between horses and ponies having been spotted steering some nice young horses round at Morris recently.

Riding the 148cm Tobar King he managed a time 3s quicker than Nicole Lockhead Anderson on Killack King to head a strong 1.2m open.

LEADING awards

Intro 70cm – 1, Miss Rosie D, S Roper; 2, Crossfort Chariot, L Lawson; 3, Hywel Stormy night, S Roper. British Novice – 1, Dakota VII, M Lawson; 2, Solo Wan Kenobi, G Beattie; 3, AG Domino, C Rogan. 80cm open – 1, Glen Hill, C Lockhead Anderson; 2, Midnight Whisper, F Holohan; 3, Miss Rosie D. Discovery/90cm – 1, Light N Lively, N Hamilton; 2, Lady Lux, Z Gauld; 3, Little Red Cloud, C Lockhead Anderson. 128/138cm handicap – 1, Oakhurst In The Spotlight, C McGowan; 2, Harri Potter, F Holohan; 3, Tatty Desire, C Lockhead Anderson. Winter 128cm – 1, AG Domino; 2, Harri Potter. Winter 138cm – 1, Aristo Justice, N Hamilton; 2, Lennon Prince, C McGowan. Newcomers/1m – 1, Kippure Lancelot, S McLean; 2, Touch Of Marmite, N Lockhead Anderson; 3, MHS Kansas, M Roxburgh Caira. JC/JD – 1, Chivaz, M Roxburgh Caira and Castlebaldwin Golden Arrow, C Hamilton; 3, I’m A Tom Boy, C Hamilton. 1.15m members’ cup – 1, AG Dynamo, C Rogan; 2, Castlebaldwin Golden Arrow; 3, Castlehill Clover, S McLean. 1.2m open – 1, Tobar king, S McLean; 2, Killack King, N Lockhead Anderson; 3, Bay Friend, V Selby. Pikeur pony winter novice – 1, Solo Wan Kenobi, G Beattie; 2, Strawberry Smoothie, S McDonald; 3, Drumkeeragh Abbey Rose, R Davidson. Intro 80cm – 1, Glen Hill; 2, Top Gun, S Roper; 3, Miss Rosie D. Discovery – 1, Miami Chuckles, H Forster; 2, Fenella Fudge, A Balck; 3, Foxy UV, h Lowe. Horsequest UK championship qualifier – 1, Touch Of Marmite; 2, Knix Unique Amethyst, E Woods; 3, Epee Nazar, N Lockhead Anderson. Intro 1m – 1, Taraco Emerald, C Hamilton; 2, Clailu Saffron, J Ross; 3, Harri Potter. Winter 128cm – 1, Harri Potter; 2, AG Domino. Winter 138cm – 1, Aristo Justice; 2, Oakhurst In The Spotlight; 3, Crag Strom, T McMyn. Horsequest UK 1.10M – 1, Epee Nazar; 2, Double Trouble, C Hamilton; 3, Little Red Cloud, N Lockhead Anderson. 1.1m open – 1, AG Dynamo; 2, Castlebaldwin Golden Arrow; 3, Im A Tom Boy. Blue Chip Sparkle – 1, Miami Carwyn, N Lockhead Anderson; 2, Novella, C Hamilton; 3, Castlebaldwin Goldne Arrow. 90cm pen – 1, Taraco Emerald; 2, Tynebank Royal Jubilee, R Stormonth; 3, Midnight Whisper. 128/138cm handicap – 1, Oakhurst In The Spotlight; 2, Harri Potter; 3, Tatty Desire.