What a month it has been for Scottish show jumping as riders travel out an about securing gold medals and HOYS tickets aplenty.

Beating some of the best riders in the world and on a young up and coming horse it was great to see Scott Brash on form at the London leg of the Global Champions Tour.

Riding the nine-year-old Mr President, Scott once again showed why he has previously been ranked as world No 1 when he scorched round the track cheered on by a home crowd to not only stand on the top of the podium in the grand prix but confirm he has a team of talented horses ready to break through again into the big time to back up established mounts such as Hello Ursula and Hello Forever.

As part of the British team, two young Scots ladies claimed gold for their performances at the NAF Junior European Championships, at Bishop Burton.

Nicole Lockhead Anderson, on Gangnam Style and Shaunie Greig, on Casino Royale, have both had an exceptional year at home and abroad earning their place in the British team as well as each qualifying a handful of pones for HOYS.

Both jumped double clear in the teams, with Nicole starting her week with a win in the individual trial and Shaunie finishing sixth in the overall individual.

Gaining praise for his tracks, Scotland’s own Mark McGowan is no stranger to building for the junior Europeans but this must have been a nail-biting competition for him with two home-based riders taking part. He gained praise throughout setting a tough enough challenge from start to finish.

Assisting Mark, it was good to see another young man picking up tips and increasing his knowledge. Shaun Sands, who was also in charge of some of the courses at this year’s Royal Highland, is continuing to learn his craft, which will be a great benefit to riders and equestrian centres back home.

Not so many seniors are through to HOYS this year, with no representatives in newcomers, only one in the Grade C and three in the ‘talent seekers’, so it was good to see a couple of Scots go through from the foxhunter second round held at the Summer Extravaganza.

Jumping treble clear after a last-minute decision to take part, event rider Rosie Pindar was delighted if not also a little surprised to find herself the outright winner on Claire and David Shand’s Hanleen Beatrice.

Based in Marybank, Ross-shire, with Beatrice’s owners, this former broodmare was bred in Scotland by Harry Aird and had already finished just outside the qualifying places in the newcomers the previous day, leaving Rosie unsure whether to jump again. Thankfully, she chose to go and was more than rewarded for her decision.

Joining Rosie in the foxhunter final at HOYS is fellow eventer, Kinross-based Louisa Milne Home, riding Harry DV. Having evented up to intermediate, Louisa has since taken Harry show jumping working up to recent placings in 1.3m classes and finishing sixth in the Talent Seekers at the Highland this year. An immaculate treble clear saw them slot into second and book their ticket to Birmingham in October.

On form since her return to the saddle following injury at the start of the year, Lucy Stewart is always flat out fast on her super Cancun, whether it be a 1.1m or a 1.3m gaining points that saw her head to Bishop Burton for the Silver League semi-finals.

Galloping from start to finish, she once again left the rest of the competition standing to win the class outright earning her ticket for the HOYS final and if all goes to plan and she gets through to the jump off will be extremely hard to beat.

Two more Scots lifted their HOYS tickets this time in the Bronze section at the same venue.

Meghan Ballantyne has been there or thereabouts all summer with Cookie De Reve, so it was just reward to see her get it right again on the day to record the fastest overall time and take the win.

Jodie Cairns is relatively new to affiliated jumping but has spent a good part of her year heading the unaffiliated league at her local West Kype centre. Stabled with and trained by Mischa Irving, she was over the moon to find herself and her partner, Gigolo, in runner up spot claiming a much-coveted HOYS ticket.

One young lady having a year that most can only dream of is Chloe Templeton, who has produced her 148cm Still Got Me from a baby and is now reaping the rewards.

This pair has now qualified for the newcomers, foxhunter and Pony SJ of the Year finals, then headed to Hickstead to finish fifth in the main arena in the Winter JC finals, before travelling more recently to the National Championships to show she means business – heading a strong foxhunter masters in strong compa ny. A truly Scottish combination this pony was bred in this country by Morag Crockett.

One surprised but extremely happy family were the Campbells, from Wigtownshire, who opted not to jump the premier circuit this year, but

have travelled to all the home pony shows instead. At the Welsh leg, Isla found herself booking a HOYS junior foxhunter ticket on board her own Murphy.

Isla started her show

off winning a 1.1m then being placed in a 1.15m before she rubbed one pole out to finish fifth in the second round, giving her a first HOYS appearance to look forward to.

At the Scottish Home Pony, it was Will Stewart who was in top form cheered on by his fellow competitors.

Will not only qualified Billibob through for the 128cm final, but also the evergreen Loughcutra Lad jumped a smashing jump off to see him book his ticket to head south to tackle the 138cm final to round off his fabulous season.

His brother, Jackson, was not to be outdone. He won the family sponsored 10 and under final, picking up his share of rosettes and prizes on the consistent Ardfry Sherpa.

Winning the 138cm qualifier at this show was Welshman Iwan Carpenter, but his ride, Follow Jazzy Lady, is Scottish-bred and owned by Rhona Henderson, who drives for Stobart and managed to stop in to watch this victory. She then had more cause to celebrate when she watched this pair go on to be crowned 138cm champions at the Royal International the following week.

British Young Rider Team gold medallist, Graham Babes, carried on his form in Fontainebleau, rounding off his show with a second in the grand prix with Boucheron, but also winning classes with Glencoe and Ma Fleur JX.

James Smith was also at Fontainebleau, winning a 1.35m with The Black Flyer, Twix De la Roque is back on form with a second in a 1.4m, Flinstering was being placed in the 1.4m classes and Oliver’s Diamond in the 1.3m.

Back to his local show, Dumfries and although not many forward for the Scottish South-west championship, he still had to jump double clear to win this on board The Black Flyer to retain his title.

Alex Barr won the Summer Extravaganzas 1.4m grand prix on board Ferrara Durona before he and his string headed out to Kronenberg, where they have been picking up minor placings throughout.

It was good to see Aimee Bell winning the 1.25m at Turriff. Her top mount, Cameron Poe, is side-lined following an injury sustained at the Highland, so she now has the ride on Gary Charlish’s HHS Dramarko previously ridden by Holly Miller.