The Scottish Summer Extravaganza is perfectly placed in the calendar falling just after the Royal Highland when all the competitors are still on a high from their biggest county show.

Run on the Ingliston show ground it gives everyone the chance from 95cm upwards to step foot in this fabulous all-weather arena with currently the main target for the serious rider the Horse of the Year qualifiers of which there were three at this show alone.

The Talent Seekers proved to be the most popular of these attracting fifty-five starters to vie for four qualifying tickets. Such was the quality forward that twenty-two of these remained clear leaving the clock to decide who would be heading to Birmingham.

A regular winner north of the border, County Durham-based Annabel Shields managed to steer the huge Elgrando PS round to record the winning time of 34.60 keeping every turn tight and proving extremely nimble despite his size. An eleven-year-old by Eldorado this grey gelding has had quite a few riders including Guy Williams and Graham Babes before joining Annabel at the end of last year but they’ve already laid claim to a Grand Prix at Morris and have a B+C final at Hickstead to look forward to as well as this, their first HOYS qualifying win.

Ronnie Jones has already booked a couple of tickets to HOYS in the Grade C so he’ll be pleased to add yet another class and another horse on the lorry when he piloted Thomascourt Emirates into second in 34.94.

Kelly Connor was quick to praise Douglas Duffin for the training she has had on her own Glamour Boy H. This lovely Toulon/Concorde gelding has been bringing home the double clears for Kelly north and south of the border this year with their zero score in 35.72 good enough to collect their ticket.

James Smith may have finished in ninth with John and Laura Renwick’s Angelina but as the highest placed seven-year-old they also earned their place at Birmingham.

James is another rider determined to fill his truck for the trip to Birmingham and so far so good when he landed the much coveted Foxhunter Second Round with Tom Carruther’s speedy mare Juno Rose.

Started by Tom’s daughter Abbie the reins were then handed to Emma Crawford who took the mare on up into the open classes rounded their career off with appearances in the Grade C and Newcomers finals at HOYS.

James took over the reins at the turn of the year heading abroad to step up a few levels to jump and win some ranking classes and Grand Prix.

Always speedy against the clock this nine-year-old mare has really learnt her trade returning the only treble clear of the thirty-three starter class.

Delighted to take the other ticket was Emma Crawford who was pleased to see her former ride doing so well as well as being very happy with the results of her latest mount, Clifton Adelaide.

Having only been together for a few months they are still consolidating their partnership but have already recorded some very promising results.

The most frustrating position to finish in this class is third, just outside the qualifying places and this time it was Moira Williams on her Williams Sports Horses Ragazza Di Flamenco who collected the yellow rosette but what a useful ride for Moira who now has to juggle her time between shows as son Harry has been seen winning in the junior ranks.

Both of the Newcomers qualifiers went to riders from south of the border this year. Whitby’s Rachel Proudley(17) has won in this ring plenty of times on ponies so knows her way around and having tackled two previous second rounds with her latest ride Apollo Van De Kattevennen Z they knew what they had to do.

A pole on the floor of each of their other starts they made sure to stay clear all the way this time having had a few more weeks to get to know each other having only been together since April.

Homebred by Big Star out of the Nations Cup mare Wild Rose, Emily Ward’s Wild Star HF is just a seven-year-old but looked classy to jump into second place and book her ticket to Birmingham.

Once again a Scottish rider found themselves in third, this time it was Charley Hamilton still having a phenomenal run on her own Loretta Blue MFS, winner at the Highland show, but they now have their Masters ticket which means at least one other chance to qualify.

Rachel also added the Scottish Young Rides title to her name when she stood second in the 1.30m Open which featured the Young Riders championship.

Alistair Gatherum may not qualify as a young rider anymore but he still showed the younger ones a thing or two when he rode Gerard Van Den Katteneeck to win this class. Alistair has been travelling south of the border from his home on Dundee with a team of home-produced horses with consistent results. He was also crowned SCT 1.25m champion at this show when he managed to stay ahead of Young Masters champion Amy Morris on Lets Hope and Up To Date Showgirl.

The brainchild of show jumping enthusiasts John and Margo King along with the Scottish Committee the Scottish Champions Tour championships are well supported offering classes for all levels from 95cms upwards. Making an occasion of these wins riders are treated to a podium awards ceremony plus plenty of prizes and goodies donated by many generous sponsors.

Last year’s SCT 1.40 Grand Prix winner nearly landed a double when recording a very fast jump off round over a testing track set by course designer Mark McGowan.

Nicky Williams on Darius Des Vignes Du Theil looked to have done enough but Wrexham’s Jennifer Billington on Flipper Darco UK Z showed why shes earned selection to British Young Rider’s teams when she managed to shave just over one tenth of a second off the time to steal the trophy and the £700 first prize.

Emma Crawford was as consistent as ever for third with Dukes of Hazzard whilst the talented Rachel Williamson looks to have another superstar at the ready in the shape of the lovely stallion Tayvale Hunky Dory who picked up two time faults in the first round but jumped an impressive clear in the second round for fourth.

Still scooping up the classes in the junior ranks, reigning Highland show 148cms champion Aimee Paxton is giving the seniors cause for concern proving just as competitive in the senior ranks. Riding her mother’s Earnest she won the 105cms SCT then popped onto the super JJ’s Sure To Fly to stand on the top of the podium in the 95cms equivalent.

Veteran champion David Brown has made it two out of two with his ride Americo who covered the ground in this big arena to earn a SCT 1.10 champion title.