Setting off early in the morning from her County Durham base 25-year-old Annabel Shields made the long hours worth it when clinching two major titles at Morris Equestrian.

The first win came in the much sought after Winter Novice qualifier which sends the top two to contest the final in the main arena at Hickstead as part of the Royal International.

A strong 46 horses had started over a square track followed by a very fast and furious jump off which seems to be the standard for this ‘novice’ class.

Up to height and offering some interesting routes Annabel was taking no chances that she’d be beaten by setting off over the first, landing and turning to the second, turning very tight inside to the champagne bottle fence where Amy Ryan’s 7year old Adagio sired Heather M bravely took it on immediately turning back to another oxer before a double followed by yet another turn to the last.

It looked quick, it was quick. The clock read 29.47 which put her well in front of second placed Jodie Crawford who was having a great show with her team of horses with her 7year old CES Wicked Contender qualifying in this class slightly in arrears in 31.76.

Win number two came at the end of a busy day in the Winter Grades B+C qualifier. This time Annabel partnered her father Robert’s Capriole an 11year old by Sir Shutterfly.

Having only moved up to Foxhunter at the end of last year then tackling some 1.30m Opens this gelding finished third in a Winter Grade C at Area 12 before coming to Morris to return a perfect double clear and take the honours in the biggest class he’s jumped to date.

Sitting up and letting him run to the last upright a slight rub at the fence did not dislodge the pole and gave them an almost four second advantage over second placed Jonathan Dixon on Camaro and Declan Irvine in third with Mystic Independence.

Both these boys had a fabulous show taking plenty of prize money home with them.

Three wins fell into the grasp of Declan who is based just outside Glenboig and is main rider for RD Sport Horses.

He warmed up with a win in a 1.20m with the ever reliable Keeford Carousel before winning the big one the Winter 1.35m Open.

Only 12 came forward for this class but a super smooth double clear from his mount Mystic Independence saw Declan slot a few seconds in front of another in form rider Millie Allan this time on Newton Tigre.

In the Winter 1.25m Declan completely dominated the class taking all three top prizes.

Gary Charlish’s HHS Dramarko seems to have hit it off with Declan who has only had the ride a couple of months.

They came home just behind Keeford Carousel in the 1.20m before going a bit quicker in the 35 starter 1.25m to take the top spot.

Just for good measure Declan, who along with the RD team spent a good few weekends abroad last year gaining experience and valuable mileage and will be heading to France for a month now, then finished second with Keeford Carousel and third with Zandeur Clover who is normally ridden by Sandy McLean who joins their team full time in April to start producing the novices for this year.

Jonathan Dixon of QC Sport Horses near Carlisle has always a team of very useful foreign bred horses and seems to have some really handy ones at present.

The Winter Grade C was to be his when his double clear on board his father David’s Gogobantus was good enough to stay out front.

Formerly ridden by Douglas Duffin and Aimee Bell this 7year old by Crespo VDL has only just recently stepped up to Foxhunter with Jonathan gaining all his double clears with this his biggest test so far.

Riding into second was Millie Allen who travelled up from a snowy Stainsby Grange to take her place in the final with 7year old For Fashion gelding. Recently returned from a tour in France they were also double clear.

Alex Barr only just missed out with another clear for third on his own Falco.

Millie featured in a few line ups but also added a Blue Chip B+C and a 1.30m to her list of victories over the weekend.

It was Charlotte Arnold’s Quinu De Pravia who gave her one of these victories in the Blue Chip. Millie has been riding the 9year old by Actionbreaker since October last year tackling their first Winter Grand Prix at the Morris Premier in November.

The weather has hampered the start to their year but a trip to Aintree preceded this show then a short break before coming out fresh and ready to head this qualifier.

Emma Crawford was happy with her second place on her Ustinov sired Ferragamo L who is also now through to the Highland show B+C final as well as this National championship.

Emma then swapped to her other ride Dukes of Hazzard whom she has produced from British Novice to Foxhunters. A German bred son of Caretino he made the 6year old qualifier look easy to stand at the top of an almost all Scottish line up.

Jodie Crawford was runner up on the Zirocco Blue sired Moonlight Van De Kortweg, another who has just moved up to 1.20m level.

Third this time was Sean Henderson on Inventor with Alex Barr on Mandalay Bay in fourth.

Lindsay Jeffrey is enjoying sitting back and being an owner and what fun she is having. Kelly Connor is riding her 7year old chestnut mare Cool Flo who has already secured her place in the Winter Novice final following a win at Alnwick Ford but backed that up with yet another win this time in the 7year old qualifier.

This delightful chestnut mare saw off strong challenges from Jonathan Dixon yet again this time on another Zirocco vdl sired mare HS Agri Gucci Blue winner of the same class at Area 12 just the weekend before.

Millie Allen slotted into third rounding off her busy weekend with Fashion Statement.

LEADING awards

Morris EC Development Classic 2018

Newcomers – 1,Moonlight Van De Kortweg, J Crawford; 2, Dukes Of Hazzard, E Crawford; 3, Glorialudine, G Kennedy. 1.10m Open – 1, Esperanza IV, L McWade; 2, Diamond Chip, A Moorhouse; 3, Harperland Mickey Finn, I Warnock. Foxhunter-1, HS Agris Gucci Blue, J Dixon; 2, Up To Date Showgirl, K Hamilton; 3, Blatinka, S Borthwick. 1.20m Open – 1, Keeford Carousel, D Irvine; 2, HHS Dramarko, D Irvine; 3, Don Adelheide Z, V Wight. Blue Chip Dynamic B+C-1, Quinu De Pravia, M Allen; 2, Ferragamo L, E Crawford; 3, Cendara De Mies, S Borthwick. Winter 1.35m – 1, Mystic Independence, D Irvine; 2, Newton Tigra, M Allen; 3, Bettilina, A Barr. 1.10m Open-1, Mark he Man, A Moorhouse; 2, Thornwood Vision, M Smith; 3, Shanemullagh Lady, D Irvine. Winter Novice – 1, Heather M, A Sheilds; 2, CES Wicked Contender, J Crawford; 3, Grace 55, S Ward. Foxhunter-1, Oldlands Valme, L Creighton; 2, Aghamore, J Dixon; 3, Aredis De La Rose, B Thompson. Winter 7year old-1, Cool Flo, K Connor; 2, HS Agris Gucci Blue; 3, Fashion Statement, M Allen. DDS Demolition 1.25m Winter qualifier –1, HHS Dramarko; 2, Keeford Carousel; 3, Zandeur Clover, D Irvine. Winter Grades B+C-1, Capriole, A Shields; 2, Camaro, J Dixon; 3, Mystic Independence. 1.10m –1, Lacoa, A Birch; 2, Whitegates Just For Pleasure, J McNally; 3, Warhol Wulfselection Z, C Leitch. Winter 6year old – 1, Dukes of Hazzard, E Crawford; 2, Moonlight Van De Kortweg; 3, Inventor, S Henderson. 1.20m – 1, Harmonizer, A Moorhouse; 2, Eclipse XII, S McLean; 3, Bo Gi, R Walker. Andrew Hamilton RHS Novice – 1, Aredis De La Rose; 2, Arsouilles Mickey Finn, I Warnock; 3, Millfield Cascade, B Thompson. Winter Grade C – 1, Gogobantus, J Dixon; 2, Fashion Statement; 3, Falco, A Barr. 1.30m Open/Young Masters – 1, Newton Tigra, M Allen; 2, Hamilton h, A Moorhouse; 3, Camaro.