Jane Gilchrist took the first and third qualifying spots at the recent Rowallan/ The Scottish Farmer qualifiers held at SNEC.

Jane topped the prelim with her home-bred Abergwiffy-sired Desander. This is a happy hunting ground for the combination who won the BE100 here last summer. Jane is planning on eventing the nine-year-old at novice later in the season.

Jane reflected: “I am hoping to take him BE100 and then novice this year, but when he comes out will depend on the lambing! He was very good today. He has already qualified at novice and prelim at Gordon Dressage Group, but I wanted to bring him here to practice in a 60m x 20m arena. I have been getting help from Ailsa Gilchrist since May last year and it is really paying off. She seems to have a soft spot for Des and I am worried she might try and steal him off me!”

Natalie Innes filled second spot with She’s Electric, while Jane took third spot on Vicander. Vicander is full brother to Desander and will come out in the second half of the season to event. Jane commented: “Vicander has also already qualified novice and prelim at Howe so again was needing long arena practice. He has really improved and I am really pleased with him.” Jane is planning on taking both horses to the finals.

The second prelim qualifier was won by Isabella Innes-Ker and Hobnob ahead of Ashleigh Warnock and Othello II.

In the novice qualifier Wendy Bell and Tactiform took top spot, ahead of Colin Meikle and Tullibard’s Pussycat.

Colin has had the15-year-old ISH mare for eight years after Doreen Allison from Summerhill Stud suggested she would be perfect to get him started riding. Colin said: “This was her first time out this year. I am based with my trainer Susan Dunlop and we only have an outdoor school so with the weather she has not done much. Doreen Allison had her in to cover but she didn’t take. When Doreen saw her she thought she would be perfect for me to learn to ride and here we are eight years later! She is a lovely mare. I really only turn the key and she does the rest herself.” Colin has already qualified at Jumps for the novice and elementary finals.

Joy McLean headed the elementary qualifier with her versatile eight-year-old, Fruelingssturm. Joy stated: “It was a nice surprise. He was relaxed and happy so I was very pleased with him. He got good marks in the warm up and the qualifier which was great as with the weather he hasn’t really been out anywhere. He is off to the Regional finals and then he will go to The SF finals.”

TopSpec sponsored Olivia Wilmot (nee Haddow) filled second spot with Cool Dancer. Olivia and the Duca Di Busted-sired gelding finished the season having completed two CCI** events and are aiming to run CCI** at Burgie this coming season.

Olivia commented: “It was great to get into an arena, especially a long arena as it is normally just big events where we see them. The Scottish Farmer series is great, as it is always so competitive and you have good judges without having to register with BD. Cool Dancer was a bit naughty as he spooked and kicked the board which proved very scary! I will be at Lincoln so will not be able to do the finals which is a real shame.”

LEADINGawards:

Prelim 19 SFQ – 1, Desander, J Gilchrist, 69.1; 2, She’s Electric, N Innes, 67.27; 3=, Vicander, J Gilchrist, Miss Melody, L Muirhead, 65.9. Prelim 15 SFQ – 1, Hobnob, I Innes-Ker, 71.1; 2, Othello II, A Warnock, 70.8; 3, Dauntless Knight, L Galloway, 68.7. N24 – 1. Cobbler’s Dream, G Sleight, 65; 2, Tactiform, W Bell, 65; 3, Arnie, J King, 63.8. Novice 39 SFQ – 1, Tactiform, 67.9; 2, Tullibard’s Pussycat, C Meikle, 66.8; 3, Pilgrims Fantasy, E McDonald, 64.4. Elem 42 – 1, Fruelingssturm, J McLean, 72.8; 2, Pilgrims Fantasy, 68.7; 3, Cool Dancer, O Wilmot, 67.5. Elem 40 SFQ – 1, Fruelingssturm, 65.8; 2, Cool Dancer, 65.1; 3, Pinksterbloem, L Bryce, 63.8.