The Bronze and Silver League qualifiers were the main attraction at Highfield of Howe’s recent two-day show, with competitors vying for direct qualification to the second rounds.

Over the moon with her performance was Lesley Paton, who took a day off going to junior shows with her daughter, Lucy, to find herself the winner of the bronze section.

Accountant Lesley was side-lined earlier this year when a fall resulted in a broken bone, but back in the saddle and building back up to fitness she has worked away steadily over the summer with this a popular win on her favourite horse, Quin Kannan, a 16-year-old by Kannan out of a Carnaval Drum mare. He has been with Lesley since she purchased him from the Lohoar brothers six years ago.

Their forward round was enough to stay out in front from runner-up David Brown on a relatively new ride to him, Americo.

This eight-year-old, by Al Pacino, was bought from George Babes just a few months ago, with David mostly jumping newcomers with him so far.

This will give David his second ride at the finals as he already qualified when standing at the top of the league table on his own Lou Lou De Rouet, which gained enough points send her directly to the second round.

Ashley Grant was also through on her own Irish-bred eight-year-old mare, Badgerhill Euro, which has been on form recently, winning at The Cabin – finishing third on this occasion.

The Silver League winner was Dundee’s Scott Coyle on his eight-year-old Belgian-bred Eros SC.

Scott has been riding Eros for the past two years, stepping up to foxhunters this year. Sitting around 30th place on the league table, this win ensured he has a chance at qualification through to HOYS later in the year.

Lisa Hood stood second on the super Crailyn Clover Bay. Eight years this partnership has been together and in that time they have won most things, with several appearances at the Royal Highland.

By Obos Quality, the Irish-bred 16-year-old can be careful and quick, slotting just in behind Scott but still earning a qualifying ticket.

Emma Pilkington took the third and final position with the Scottish-bred Born To Fly. Bred by the Low Mitchells, at Balcormo, by Calvaro out of the Flagmount Diamond mare, Can But Try, this gelding joined Emma four years ago and was unlucky not to qualify for the Royal Highland foxhunter earlier in the year.

It was good to see Susan Deasy’s super little mare, Woliena BB Back, in the ring doing what she loves after some time off. Looking not too rusty, they stood at the head of the line in a 1.1m as well as second in a 1.2m, behind Mark Turnbull, who was picking up his second red rosette of the day on the versatile Beseeka Red Hot Chilli Pepper,

which was also handy in the working hunter ring.

Rachel Duff’s Clarabelle jumped her heart out to finish in the money the previous weekend in the foxhunter regional final and carried on her form to win a 1.3m

open here. An attractive bay with loads of white, Clarabelle is Scottish-bred by Fiona Horne’s Clarius

and has been produced by Rachel

from day one, stepping up to some 1.3m classes this year which she’s making look easy.

Douglas Duffin was on a smart mare winning a 1.2m, but also featuring in the

1.3m. Owned by Fiona Burgoyne, Fan II is a seven-year-old by Clinton and although new to Douglas looks worth watching.

LEADING awards:

Club 70cm – 1, Whiterock Mini Cruise, F Shearer; 2, Dana Van De Noordheuval, E Giacchetto; 3, Smokey, A Thompson. Club 80cm – 1, Mr Leggs, M Peebles; 2, Paris XV, T Getty; 3, Topenga Di Chico Z, N Brown. British novice – 1, Paris XV; 2, Somthin Secial, J Brrown; 3, Goldie, N Brown. 90cm open – 1, Hawthorn Flight Path, K MacPherson; 2, Ullrich, P Sivewright; 3, Hi Miss Colienne M, S Kelly. Discovery – 1, Hanleen Chaccoa, J Thomson; 2, Vicorde, S Dawson; 3, Ugolinno JX, C Hamilton. 1m open – 1, Hawthorn Flight Path; 2, Emiliano, E Geddes. 1.05m open – 1, Dynamic II, C Hamilton; 2, Penny Blue, L Yeoman; 3, Typhoon, K MacPherson. Newcomers/1.1m open – 1, Beseeka Red Hot Chilli Pepper, M Turnbull; 2, Woliena BB, S Deasy; 3, Calibra Z, L Yeoman. Foxhunter/1.2m – 1, Beseeka Red Hot Chilli Pepper; 2, Clarabelle, R Duff; 3, Perrotta JX, H Aird. 1.3m open – 1, Clarabelle; 2, Queen Elisabeth, M Arnott. Discovery – 1, Cool Contendra Blue, N Billington; 2, Paris XV. 1m open – 1, Ally D, C Hamilton; 2, Corroghoe Storm, D Kerr-Ramsay.Bronze League Qualifier – 1, Qiun Kannan, L Paton; 2, Americo, D Brown; 3, Badgerhill Euro, A Grant. Newcomers/1.1m – 1, Woliena BB; 2, Hanleen Chaccoa; 3, Condor III, S Currie. Silver League qualifier – 1, Eros SC, S Coyle; 2, Crailyn Clover Bay, L Hood; 3, Born To Fly, E Pilkington. Foxhunter/1.2m – 1, Fan, D Duffin. 1.3m open – 1, Queen Elisabeth.