Off in search of better prize money, warmer climes and a different level of competition, quite a few Scots are still abroad at this time of the year.

Several are currently in Opglabeek, in Belgium, led by Graham Gillespie who was just beaten by fractions of a second denying him a win in the grand prix on Andretti.

James Smith rode his grandfather, Charlie McKerlie’s grey Just Max into second in a CSI2* 1.45m and into fifth in a 1.4m whilst also jumping clear and four faults in 1.4m classes with the Gillespie’s up and coming Flinstering.

Holly Miller has a long haul from her home, near Insch, to Belgium but her six-year-old Hardy has jumped into a sixth place in a young horse 1.25m class with Dolcendro L eighth in a 1.2m so far.

Alex Barr is still in Kronenberg where just one time fault denied Falco of a jump-off in the CSI2* Grand Prix but he has been in the money with the young horses HBF Delta, Ferrara Durona and Mandalay Bay.

Declan Irvine popped over to France, to Sancourt, and has already had a third and first with the ever reliable Keeford Carousel before winning a 1.25m final on the Irish-bred Zandeur Clover.

Douglas Duffin and Jordan Thompson are enjoying hot weather and the chance to cool off on the beach at Oliva, Valencia although Douglas has already picked up some prize money in 1.35m classes with Gordon Baillie’s Moonface JX and Jordan was one time fault away in a 1.45m on Unistop.

At home, some of the juniors have been travelling around the country with Wigtownshire-based Emma McCornick, who was delighted with a good fourth in the 138cm grand prix at South View recently on her 18-year-old feisty gelding, Ravensdale Rossi.

Just for good measure, they then headed to Tillyoch to claim their RHS ticket with an outright win.

Little sister Ruby was also seen tackling the grand prix but although a couple of poles fell this was still a big step up on the capable Kiltormer Curragh.

Shaunie Greig has topped the pony gold league this winter with wins north and south of the Border, but it was also at Tillyoch she picked up yet more qualifying tickets this time with Chivas and Teagan Arla Rose into second and third in a 148cm qualifier behind Nicole Lockhead Anderson on the already qualified Killack King.

The super little 128cm Tatty Desire, which was initially produced by Sandy McLean many years ago joined Jayden Hendry at the turn of the year and already they have struck up a partnership. They jumped double clear to take the RHS 128cm qualifier at Blue Ridge.

William Stewart endured the few days of mud and rain at Pony of the Year Show, being placed throughout before returning home to stand second to Jayden in this qualifier.

Another to have braved the conditions and enjoy POYS, Savannah Roper, slotted into third here with the super Styx Evo.

Having finally been able to get out and about after being snowed in for part of their winter the Morris family headed to Blue Ridge where Amy rode Whos Carnhill Diamond to record a double clear and qualify with a red one for the RHS 138cm final

The Archibald family were seen showing the day before but still headed to Blue Ridge where Madelaine stood second to Amy this time on Mitchel Troy Welsh Express.

Finishing fifth twice and third once it was the turn of Isla Campbell and the coloured Murphy X to take a win in the Liz Fox JC/JD giving them a chance at the finals in June.

In the seniors it was Claire Leitch’s turn to qualify she did courtesy of the family’s Warhol Wulfselection Z.

A fast and furious jump-off ensued but Claire, who has been close on three occasions managed to find the fastest route home to score a satisfying victory.

James Smith filled second with Casienna just before he shot off to Belgium again and Jordan Thompson rode Tracey Brown’s Her L’Amour into third before he too shot off this time to Valencia.

Heading to Opglabeek later in the week Carlisle’s Jonathan Dixon and wife Joanne took some prize money home with them thanks to three wins with a team of mostly foreign bred horses,

Joanne is enjoying riding the nippy Camona whilst Jonathan always has an ever-changing string but his winners here were Gogobantos and Florentina.

There is no keeping Lucy Stewart at bay. Having only just recovered from an injury, she is back galloping to wins with Cancun booking his ticket to the main arena at the Highland show by winning the Young Masters qualifier at Ingliston.

Brampton based instructor, Beth Ion, had a team of horse with her at Ingliston but it was Gelayla, a seven-year-old grey by Astrello, which came home with the most prize money with several wins under their belt.

Megan Cowan had a trio of wins at Morris with her own nippy Tullycars Peek A Boo while Annelli Larsson was kept busy with her team of Southburn horses all of which were placed over the weekend at Ingliston with Southburn Shakira heading a 1m open.

LEADING awards

Tillyoch

Pony Intro 70cm – 1, Cosmic Chaos, M Walker; 2, Toffee Tornado, L Black. Intro 80cm – 1, Double Trouble, C Hamilton. Intro 90cm – 1, Taraco Emerald, C Hamilton; 2, Machno Legacy, V Selby; 3, Little Red Cloud, C Lockhead Anderson. Intro 1m – 1, Taraco Emerald; 2, Apache Joe, K Woods Young; 3, Clailu Saffron, J Ross. 1.1m open – 1, Little Red Cloud; 2, Kids Sister, N Hamilton; 3, Castlebaldwin Golden Arrow, N Hamilton. 1.15m open – 1, Killack King, N Lockhead Anderson; 2, Bay Friend, V Selby; 3, Novella, C Hamilton. Stepping Stones – 6 shared. British Novice/80cm – 1, Nanteglwys Rowan, J Leavey; 2, Ruby Girl, E Noble; 3, Tynebanks Royal Jester, M McMyn . Discovery/90cm – 1, Taraco Emerald; 2, Apache Joe; 3, Clailu Saffron. Newcomers/1m open – 1, Apache Joe; 2, Clailu Saffron; 3, Going Platinum, C Miller. RHS 138cm – 1, Ravensdale Rossie, E McCornick; 2, Oakhurst In The Spotlight, C McGowan; 3, Mr JK, L Lawson. Liz Fox JC/JD RHS – 1, Epee Nazar, N Lockhead Anderson; 2, JJ Lucky Star, M McCormack; 3, Going Platinum. 148cm restricted – 1, Castlebaldwin Golden Arrow; 2, Apache Brave, K Benson; 3, Bay Friend. 148cm – 1, Gangnam Style, N Lockhead Anderson; 2, Novella; 3, Wildwood Silver, N Lockhead Anderson. Stepping Stones – 1, 4 shared. British Novice – 1, Peanut, PP Walker; 2, Amontillado, PP Waler; 3, Tynebank Royal Jester. Discovery/90cm – 1, Apache Joe; 2, Taraco Emerald; 3, Caribbean Prince, S Lusk. Newcomers/1m – 1, Apache Joe; 2, Little Red Coud; 3, Maylim Lily B, M McCormack. 128cm RHS – 1, Bylands Music Man, J Hendry; 2, AG Domino, C Rogan; 3, Tatty Desire, J Hendry. 138cm – 1, Oakhurst In The Spotlight; 2, Kids Sisters; 3, Triple Treat, T McMyn. Foxhunter/1.1m – 1, Nightgirl Van Het Sonnishof Z, N Lockhead Anderson; 2, Vigo, N Lockhead Anderson; 3, AG Dynamo, C Rogan. RHS 148cm – 1, Killack King; 2, Chivaz, S Greig; 3, Teagan Arla Rose, S Greig. 148cm – 1, Casino Royale, S Greig; 2, Gangnam Style; 3, Lynncot Fancy Pants, N Lockhead Anderson.

Ingliston EC seniors

British Novice – 1, Addicus Storm, R Sherry; 2, Eden Fourth Addition, N Wannop; 3, Kielty’s Shadow, J Stead. Discovery – 1, Eden Fourth Addition; 2, Addicus Storm; 3, Ballinamonapark Hquinn, B Davidson. Newcomers – 1, The Best Of Three, F Malcolm; 2, Conqueror, C Ryce; 3, Gelayla D, B Ions. 1.1m open – 1, Whitegates Just For Pleasure, J McNally; 2, Ard Lipstick, J Stead; 3, Porscha H, AJ Creighton. Foxhunter – 1, Gogobantos, J Dixon; 2, Camona, J Dixon; 3, Florentina, J Dixon. British Novice – 1, Spring Dawn, V Walker; 2, Kabalou, K Reilly; 3, Miss Southburn Sarsparilla, A Larsson. 90cm – 1, Gigolo, J Cairns; 2, Southburn Shakira, A Larsson. Discovery – 1, Ballinamonapark Hquinn; 2, Topenga Di Chico Z, N Brown; 3, Mr Southburn Sirius, A Larsson. 1m open – 1, Southburn Shakira; 2, Causeys Hearthrob, S Pitt. Newcomers – 1, Gelayla; 2, Honeylands Gisele, C Simpson; 3, Kanselier A, L Creighton. 1.1m – 1, Licido H, B Ions; 2, Con 3, L Stewart; 3, Coppers Dream, J McClelland. 1.15m open – 1, Quattro 27, J Smith; 2, Hugana Vant Heike, L Guild; 3, Zenas Flight, V Hewson. Foxhunter – 1, Florentina; 2, The Black Flyer, J Smith; 3, Gelayla. 1.2m – 1, Camona; 2, Hugana Vant Heike. RHS B and C – 1, Warhol Wulfselection Z, C Leitch; 2, Casienna VI, J Smith; 3, Her L’Amour, J Thompson. British Novice – 1, Dark Surprise, R Kane; 2, Condella, K Gilmour; 3, Im Presley CJS, B Ions. 90cm – 1, Java Scatlot, J Hickman. Discovery – 1, Ballinamonpark Hquinn; 2, JJs Sure To Fly, D Brown; 3, Incredibola, L Montgomery.1m open – 1, Currabawn Cinderella, A Ion; 2, Southburn Picallili, A Larsson.Newcomers –1, Antrim October, S Williamson; 2, Gelayla; 3, Watch Me vh Leysehof Z, L Forysthe. 1.1m – 1, Ard Lipstick; 2, Thornwood Vision,M Smith. 1.15m – 1, Ard Lipstick; 2, Thornwood Vision; 3, Zenas Flight. Foxhunter/1.2m – 1, Hugana Vant Heike; 2, Camona; 3, Rosses Captain, I Innes-Ker. 1.3m/Young Masters – 1, Cancun, L Stewart; 2, JJs Prince Chaccomo, G Anderson; 3, Fanadwest Dancer, S Price.

Blue Ridge juniors

90cm/1m Handicap – 1, Milou Delagrange, C McGowan; 2, Mr Jk, L Lawson. 128cm RHS – 1, Tatty Desire, J Hendry; 2, Billibob, W Stewart; 3, Styx Evo S Roper. 138cm RHS – 1, Whos Carnhill Diamond, A Morris; 2, Mitchel Troy Welsh Express, M Archibald. British Novice/80cm – 1, Greenbarrow Desert Rose, S Cobban; 2, Lochend Prince, F Holohan. Discovery/90cm – 1, Fifty Shades, A Thomson; 2, Apache Joe, K Woods Young; 3, Greenbarrow Desert Rose. Newcomers/1m – 1, Clailu Saffron, J Ross; 2, Garryards Odds On, D Whitfield; 3, Josie Jump, K McFadyen. Liz Fox JC/JD RHS – 1, Murphy X, I Campbell; 2, Northbeech Forever Rhodri, A Vallionis; 3, Nightgirl Van Het Sonnishof Z, N Lockhead Anderson. 1.15m – 1, AG Dynamo, C Rogan; 2, Bay Friend, V Selby; 3, Dream Cruise, A Wallace.

Morris seniors

75cm – 1, Rea Diamond, J Page; 2, Ickle Wickle, E Johnston; 3, Whiskey Girl, A Wiltshire. 85cm Nat Am – 1, Tullycars Peek A Boo, M Cowan; 2, Morning Flight, C Caldwell; 3, Whiskey Girl. British Novice/90cm – 1, WKD Cosmopolitan, L Forrest; 2, Bernita, L Rennie; 3, Tatiana, L Whitfield. 95cm Nat Am – 1, Bernita; 2, Tatiana; 3, Beech Dude, R Caulfield. Discovey/1m – 1, Apricor Sunshine, L Whitfield; 2, Rossdaragh Hickstead, A Steel; 3, Electra L Lane. 1.05m Nat Am – 1, Rossdaragh Hickstead;2, Parkhill Legacy, L Rennie; 3, Elecctra. 1.1m Nat Am – 1, Darko Dancer, M Pringle; 2, Glow DK, L Stewart; 3, Coulter Candy, N Devlin. 1.15m members cup – 1, Cancun, L Stewart; 2, Eurocommerc Zonnekoning, T Heath. 75cm – 1, Roxane Du Talis, I Forsythe; 2, I Am Who I Am, E Hendry; 3, Second Choice, C Caldwell. 85cm Nat Am – 1, Tullycars Peek A Boo; 2, Morning Flight; 3, Valasay, S Trenchard. British Novice/90cm – 1, Tullycars Peek A Boo; 2, Mol Mor, E Jamieson; 3, RJM Lucky Lad, K McKellar. 95cm Nat Am – 1, Apricor Sunshine; 2, Firefly, E Jamieson; 3, Top Gear, N McKee. Discovery/1m –1,RJM Lucky Lad; 2, Tatiana; 3, Hey You, E Hendry. 1.05m Nat Am – 1, Dassett Cooley Designed, E Jamieson; 2, Gigolo, J Cairns; 3, Ethan, S Girvan. 1.1m – 1, Big Spender, S Laird; 2, Eurocommerce Zonnerkoning.