With the Royal Highland Show now behind them, riders had the Scottish Extravaganza to look forward to.

Held at the same venue, but hosting purely show jumping, it has secured itself a place in the Scottish calendar as a must-go show with this year one of the most successful yet.

Run over four days, with classes from amateur level to Horse of the Year show qualifiers and enjoying some glorious weather throughout, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the event, praising the show organisers and team for a great event.

Travelling from Preston, Robert Murphy had already had a profitable Highland, but this trip proved just as fruitful when he collected two HOYS tickets up for grabs. The Foxhunter final is still the most prestigious national final for young horses, the one everyone wants to win so a strong field of 30 horses came forward to tackle this second-round qualifier and Robert was in the thick of it.

From the first round, 18 went forward for the second jump-off with 10 through to the final, a timed round and just four stayed clear throughout.

Drawn in the middle of the jump-off, Robert on Sienna Charles’ eight-year-old grey Blue Bayu, managed to turn tight back to the fourth fence, jumping it off one stride before he took one out to the last fence, managing to stop the clock on 41.47s.

Graham Babes has been having a brilliant summer with his team of young horses but it was his superstar, Monks I Am Casall, another eight-year-old by I'm Special De Muze, out of a Casall mare, which added a stride to the last to finish just 0.14s behind to take the second golden ticket.

Pathfinder, James Smith, had to be content with third in 41.66s, a good effort from a new partnership having only had the ride on Jim Wilmer’s big Wicked Vancouver since June. They recently finished third at Bolesworth in the seven-year-old final, proving their ability over bigger tracks. Qualifying for the Foxhunter Masters here, they will be a pairing to watch at the British Nationals where another qualifying ticket will be up for grabs.

Also qualifying for the Masters was Amy Morris, the only other double clear with Let’s Hope; Stephen Lohoar, on Kameron LSH; James again, this time with Neil Wivell’s Jodola B; and Robert with Deejay. This wasn’t the end to Robert’s week when the following day he earned HOYS ticket number two thanks to Heathcroft Farm’s Lightning TW, which was runner up in the Talent Seekers.

It proved to be third time lucky for Jessica Hewitt who had competed in the same class at Codham Park and Northcote. This time her mount, Arbitage, could do no wrong flying into the lead in 42.11s to leave Robert following in 43.78s.

James Smith steered Lee Smith’s Ibantos into third, then took another ticket in sixth with the highest placed seven-year-old, his own and Jim Wilmer’s Prince Malko. Prince Malko has also been in top form at Bolesworth where he headed a seven-year-old final.

Graham Babes only just missed out, finishing in fourth again with Monks I Am Casall, but this pair had been in form a week earlier at Morris EC where they were crowned Scottish Gentleman Champions ahead of Mark Turnbull on Elpaola and Nicky Williams on Darius Des Vignes Du Theil.

A very talented young man, it all came right on the day for Nicky Williams when he pocketed the £500 first prize in the Scottish Champions Tour Grand Prix. Eleven came forward, with Nicky on Darius Des Vignes Du Theil the only combination to remain clear throughout.

Fergal Holohan came closest to catching him but one pole fell along the way with his own Kan Annie for runner up.

Sandy McLean had another fabulous show when he was crowned Young Rider champion on his Young Masters Champion Gino F. Gravin Tina JL won from the front in the Scottish Champions Tour 1.25m, collecting the generous £400 first prize along with a rug and sash for winner of these classes. His own and Jim Wilmer’s Dee Dee D’amour scorched round the Bandrum Accumulator to fend off another 28 competitors adding a further £150 to his prize fund for the weekend.

The Scottish Champions Tour classes have been popular with riders as well as sponsors carrying some fabulous prizes to the winners and offering everyone from 95cm upwards the chance to stand on a podium and win rugs, sashes and other goodies.

Fifty-two horses entered the 95cm final, with one of the most consistent combinations taking the win – Harmen Lindsay on her own Vivaldi-sired Trance Dance Fancy Pants. This pairing had already won three of the qualifiers as well as some top three placings so it was good to see them take their share of the prizes at the final.

Charley Hamilton took the generous £250 first prize for the SCT 1.15m championship, although not without a serious challenge from Laura Hutt on Carrera Van Maarle Z.

Absolutely over the moon with her win was young Maia Loia, on her own Hiro Della Rivabella, which only started jumping 1.05m classes a few months ago, but with help and back up from the Babes family, has grown in confidence so much so that she was the only one double clear in the SCT 1.05m final.

They may have been faster but both Jackson Stewart, on Seefin Surprise, and hot favourites Katy McFadyen, on Diamond Dust, collected four faults en-route.

One of the organisers of this series, Margo King, also earned herself the title of Scottish 1.1m amateur champion when her super-speedy Aldatos Choice flew into the lead picking up a trophy for their efforts.

A team of Scottish riders decided to head south for the weekend where some amateur classes at Aintree’s Amateur and Veteran summer show were on offer. Alistair White maintained his form with his own Hanleen O’Tess winning all three veteran classes, as well as some placings; whilst partner Angela was seen in the money with Whiskey Girl.

Megan Cowan’s amazing little 17-year-old Tullycars Peek A Boo is becoming something of a phenomenon, winning no fewer than 44 classes this year alone. Only a 148cm, this combo can nip tighter to fences than their bigger counterparts and when against the clock are virtually uncatchable. They won five classes and were second once at this venue.

Carol Wivell was in the money with her own Black Betty in 1.1m classes, as was Isla Stewart with Clyntara.

Joining the Scottish contingent this time were Katherine McKellar, with RJM Lucky Lad; Keira Rankin, with Spring Collection as well as her trusty Wyzer By Far; and Laura McCabe taking a break from running shows at her Muirmill base to ride Easy Money Z and Cor Hof Ter Zeedycke Z.

Declan Irvine came home from Bolesworth with some decent prize money thanks to a good win and some placings with Amanda Derbyshire’s six-year-old Destine To Be and Gordon Graham’s Choice of Quality Z.

Juniors have been having a quiet spell, recently, with none heading to Cavan EC’s Home Pony instead preferring to wait until the Scottish leg at Morris. RHS 148cm champion, Aimee Paxton, though headed to Bishop Burton to contest the Newcomers second round with the lovely stallion Las Vegas VI.

Already through to the Foxhunter final, their third place there saw this son of Eurocommerce Berlin head to HOYS for his second final having picked up a Newcomers qualification a few weeks earlier. Aimee was also runner up in a busy 128/138cm handicap with Chapelmill Choirboy.

Fergal Holohan is another to be having a fabulous season both on horses and ponies with a very good second place out of 45 starters at Bishop Burton on Little Flexible ensuring him an appearance in the Foxhunter final at HOYS. He also headed a 1.05m with a speedy round on Kira Bell.