KINROSS-based eventer Louisa Milne Home was the rider to beat at Eglinton Horse Trials, held at the picturesque Barskimming Estate in Ayrshire, winning the advanced with King Eider, with Porthill Rusty Nail runner up.

This was the 55th running of the horse trials at the Galbraith family's estate, organised by Miss Heather and Miss Jean Galbraith, who originally planned to stop after 21 years! With one of the few Scottish events holding an advanced class, it was encouraging that Scottish riders filled the top three placings.

King Eider lying first after drerssage, jumped clear before posting the fastest cross country time to lead by 10 marks. They also won £500 and the Polly Phillipps Memorial Trophy for being the highest placed rider not selected for a senior GB team.

Stable mate Porthill Rusty Nail was also double clear for second.

"King Eider really suits this course – it allows big, bold jumpers to really get into a rhythm," said Louisa.

"There's so much more for them to think about – the course isn't trying to catch the horses out and suits horses that are honest and straight."

King Eider goes to Hopetoun CIC*** next weekend and Louisa plans to take both horses to Burghley.

Third place was Wills Oakden with Nicola Malcolm's McFly, and he was also sixth and eighth with Greystone Midnight Melody and Alfi Brown.

Andrew Downes from Staffordshire won the OI and intermediate classes, with Kimberley's Crusador and Ashfields Pollyanna, .

Local rider Olivia Wilmot was second in the OI class with Zebedee De Foja who led after dressage. She was also double clear for fifth with her Badminton ride Cool Dancer.

Emily Galbraith was second with Caughtery Red Adair, climbing 14 places after dressage, after going clear across country within the time. They next go to the CIC** at Hopetoun. Emily's great aunts are Miss Heather and Jean, and there was further succes for the Galbraith famly when Emily also won a BE100 class with Harry OH, and third in another with Kilroe Silver Fox.

Oliver Townend gave Ballaghmor Class won the second intermediate section, on their first run at this level and also collected third with Some Spring. Aberdeen rider Douglas Edward set off on a mission with Impudent Echo, recording the fastest time of the section to be second, just 0.9 penalties behind.

Entries were bouyed by a number of German riders at the event. Niklas Bschorer (18) rode Chris Bartle's Ballyengland Rebel to win the OI under 21 class.

Daniella Page from Jedburgh won the open novice under 18 class with Monarch. This was their first win having has two thirds at Richmond and Belsay and they are aiming for Weston Park. "She jumped amazing today and is teaching me the ropes," said Daniella of the 13-year-old mare.

Morven Pringle won a novice class with Dunbog Gypsy Rose, purcahsed from Wills Oakden in 15 months ago. They've qualified for the Scottish novice championships at Hendersyde and the CIC* at Hopetoun. "It was a really nice course, the jump into water was a surprise for us both," said Morven who works for showjumper Alex Barr.

Wills Oakden also won a novice with Annabel Sall's Nordic Diamond Dan, following on from their win at Hopetoun. Jessica Mckie from Northumberland was the other novice winner, aboard Ask The Boss.

LEADINGawards

Go Ape advanced – 1, King Eider, L Milne Home; 2, Porthill Rusty Nail, L Milne Home; 3, McFly, W Oakden. Ian Gordon Commercials OI – 1, Kimberley's Crusador, A Downes; 2, Zebedee De Foja, O Wilmot; 3, Loughnastousa Gypsy Diamond, A Downes. Country Telecom int sec C – 1, Ashfields Pollyanna, A Downes; 2, Caugherty Red Adair, E Galbraith; 3, Cooley Srs, O Townend. Sec C1 – 1, Ballaghmor Class, O Towend; 2, Impudent Echo, D Edward; 3, Some Spring, O Townend. Patey Corne OI U21 – 1, Ballyenngland Rebel, N Bschorer; 2, Millridge Auroras Diamond, S O'Neil; 3, Zipp, E Ryder. KBIS ON U18 – 1, Monarch, D Page; 2, Be Touchable, S Dodds; 3, Elina, S Hislop. Hillhouse Quarry Group Ltd novice sec F – 1, Dunbog Gypsy Rose, M Pringle; 2, R'Gylle, N Innes; 3, Cero Song, F Luedeke. Sec G – 1, Ask The Boss, J McKie; 2, Kilhalle, A Gardiner; 3, Chachacomani, A Johnston. Sec I – 1, Nordic Diamond Dan, W Oakden; 2, Stainsby Alberto, J Adams; 3, Coolnaboy Jay, W Oakden. CKD Galbraith BE100 sec H – 1, Harry OH, E Galbraith; 2, Desitaire, J McGregor; 3, Torbreck, K Hague. Sec J – 1, Cruising By, O Townend; 2, Happy Voyager, S hardy; 3, Cals Lad, A West. Sec K – 1, Rear Gunner, O Townend; 2, Winona, M Johnson; 3, Kilrose Silver Fox, E Galbriath. U18 sec L – 1, Apaches Blaze, I Mackenzie; 2, Dassett Cooley Designed, E Jamieson; 3, Devonair S H, C Wishart.

BE90 sec M – 1, Chester XX, S Magennis; 2, Primitive Faerie Bell, E Carmichael; 3, Banaher, J Rome. Sec N – 1, The Raindancer, L Crawford; 2, Laughtons Jackpot, L Ramsay; 3, Razzamachas, S Campbell. Sec O – 1, Greenburn Sunrise, J Moses; 2, Borthwickshiels Jake, G Ramsay; 3, Nenny Station, L Edward.