Several riders have headed abroad this winter making the most of the better weather and to add some mileage to their horses before returning home for the summer season.

Most successful has been young Graham Babes who has been in the money in several world ranking classes, along with young horse classes in Vilamoura. His more established horses, Farao M, Cluedo II and Boucheron, have all had top three placings at CSI3* level.

Leading results were Farao M third in a 1.4m, Patricia Fraser’s Cluedo II sixth in a 1.3m and topped off by Boucheron standing second behind Laura Renwick and Bintang in a 1.45m.

This class finished with three Scottish riders in the top six.

Graham was second, fellow Scot Douglas Duffin was third with Quidam BZ and Jordan Thompson fifth with Uni Stop.

Douglas has been first, second and third with Gordon Baillie’s chestnut Moonface JX in the CSI3* 1.3m classes thoughout his week there and now heads back to settle into his new base near Eaglesham.

After many years being based with Ron Brady, near Saline, in Fife, Douglas has made the move to Kirkton Equestrian, south of Glasgow, where he will continue to coach, ride and run his own business.

In Kronenberg, Holland, Alex Barr has had a full team of horses competing. Tackling the young horse classes have been Ferrar Durona, Mandalay Bay, Havall and the Scottish bred HBF Delta bred by fellow competitor, Laura Tinto.

Produced from his Kypehall Farm base, just outside Lesmahagow, Falco and Bettilina have been knocking on the door in the CSI2 and 3* competitions.

Nicole Lockhead Anderson jumped at Muirmill EC, earning the South West Scotland Open Championship title before she made the long trek to Lier in Belgium a winning one when the uber consistent Gangnam Style did it again and topped a 1.2m followed by travelling companion Killack King scoring in a 1.05m.

Back at home the Winter Leagues have ended after a busy season for a lot of riders chasing points.

Natalie Devlin has had a fabulous winter with her two mares Coulters Candy and My Hallo Jessie with the former powering ahead in the Silver League.

Nearest rival, Lucy Stewart, lost ground when she was sidelined through injury for the last couple of months but still held onto second with Cancun and is now back out jumping again ready for the summer league.

Sandy McLean rode the Scottish-bred Eclips into equal third with Kathleen Hamilton on her scopey Up To Date Showgirl.

In the Bronze League, Lesmahagow’s Lauren Forrest was rewarded for making the decision of moving onto horses early when she took the top two places with WKD Cosmopolitan and Cyrena Du Carel who have both been winners at every venue around the country.

Standing third was Megan Cowan on Tulycars Peek A Boo, Megan also had Pieter in fifth with Andrew Blackwood on his super little chestnut mare Copper V in fourth.

The Horse Scotland Awards evening was a night to remember for show jumper Fraser Reed when he was presented with Youth Performer of the Year. Not long into seniors, Fraser has already jumped some grand prix with good results but is just as recognised for his ability to ride a variety of horses in a sympathetic style and will be one to watch as he settles into the young rider and senior ranks.

Flying home from Cailfornia and course designing duties, Mark McGowan headed off to Arena UK to build and watch as daughter Codie tackled the winter 138cm second rounds.

Describing this as more nerve wracking than building for the top riders on the world stage, Mark could finally breathe again after the third round which although finishing with faults saw Codie collect sixth place and a chance to compete in the International arena, at Hickstead, in July.

Borders Academy student, Amy Morris, was awarded the Live Borders Junior Sports Personality of the Year for her achievements in show jumping last year when her partnership with Madonna resulted in wins all around the country including Hickstead and HOYS.

At SNEC recently, more Highland show qualifiers were up for grabs but with a lot of riders already qualified the tickets would be decided further down the line.

Scoring a double was Chloe Templeton, who had a fabulous day out with her two ponies.

The home-produced Still Got Me, a HOYS finalist last year cruised to victory in the 148cm showing his class jumping an easy double clear.

This Scottish-bred pony stood above Charley Hamilton’s pair of Castlebaldwin Golden Arrow and Novella.

Chloe had earlier won the Liz Fox JC/JD qualifier with the lovely seven-year-old Rockmount Casper which was also a finalist in the Newcomers at HOYS.

Just missing out at Howe the previous weekend where they also jumped double clear they went a bit quicker this weekend to stand in front of Morgan McCormack on JJ Lucky Star and Isla Campbell on Murphy X.

In the 138cm section Tess McMyn was tackling only her second qualifier on a pony she’s only competed since October, Triple Treat.

A double clear from this rider from this Edinburgh rider saw them finish in front of another new combination of Lewis Lawson on Mr JK.

Lewis only took over the ride on this successful pony just under a fortnight earlier so was understandably delighted to qualify him so quickly and with such a promising double clear which bodes well for their future together.

Jayden Hendry has had a pole in each of her previous attempts in the 128cm sections but it all came together at SNEC where she came home with a zero score on Bylands Music Man to head this qualifier.

Fergal Holohan is already qualified but slotted into second with his RIHS qualified Harri Potter, with Charlie Rogan also through on the family’s home – produced AG Domino.

LEADING awards

70cm – 1, Silver Sienna, S Paxton 2, Whos Zigzag, D Scott-Watson; 3, Croftgary Coconova, D Whitfield. Stepping Stones – 1, 3 shared. British Novice – 1, Ramellor Flashman, A Bell 2, Leim Fair, D Whitield; 3, Kengarth Sally Anne, G Purves. 80cm – 1, Swanieston Simply Red, E Scott – Watson; 2, Millford Fair Kommander, C Johnson; 3, Castlepark Giant, C Johnson. Discovery – 1, Nanteglwys Rhodri, E Hooley; 2, Ramellor Flashman; 3, Machno Legacy, V Selby. 90cm – 1, Taraco Emerald, C Hamilton; 2, Chapelmill Choirboy, B Wilson; 3, Harri Potter, F Holohan. Newcomers – 1, Ballysheil Mr Monaghan, G Atkinson; 2, Kildea Hero, I Campbell; 3, Going Platinum, C Miller. Liz Fox RHS JC/JD – 1, Rockmount Casper, C Templeton; 2, JJ Lucky Star, M McCormack; 3, Murphy X, I Campbell. 1.1m – 1, Bay Friend, V Selby; 2, Harradene Jade, E Woods; 3, AG Dynamo, C Rogan. RHS 148cm qualifier – 1, Still Got Me, C Templeton; 2, Castlebaldwin Golden Arrow, C Hamilton; 3, Novella, C Hamilton. 70cm – 1, Toffee Tornado, L Black. Stepping Stones – 1, 4 shared. 80cm – 1, Millford Fair Kommander; 2, Patterson, M Turnbull; 3, Doby II, N Davidson. Discovery/90cm – 1, Gynebourne Degas, R McFadyen; 2, Apache Joe, K Woods Young; 3, Doby II. Newcomers/1m – 1, Noahs Lady, A Letham; 2, Apache Joe; 3, AG Domino. 128cm RHS – 1, Bylands Music Ma, J Hendry; 2, Harri Potter; 3, AG Domino. Foxhunter/1.1m – 1, Disney Way, M Morris; 2, Noahs Lady; 3, Harradene Jade. 138cm RHS – 1, Triple Treat, T McMynn; 2,Mr JK, L Lawson; 3, Oakhurst In The Spotlight, C McGowan.