Scotland was very well represented at the British SJ National Championships held at the National Agricultural and Exhibition Centre, Stoneleigh with three rings running over five days offering the finals for series held throughout the year.

Talk of the junior circuit was Nicole Lockhead Anderson, who has already earned the reputation for being one of the best pony riders on the circuit in the country but completely stamped her authority in the 148cm classes on the first few days.

No fewer than four championship titles fell into her grasp on three different ponies showing her as a versatile jockey.

The clear round machine, Gangnam Style, must be one of the most consistent ponies finishing in the money in most of his classes since joining Nicole over two years ago.

Two classes were there’s for the taking, the Silver League 148cm final and the much-coveted newcomers masters. This will be just be a warm up for October which sees them contest the newcomers and foxhunter finals at HOYS.

Gangnam Style has already stepped up to pony SJ classes and will be a serious contender next year at this level.

Tiernisks Cruising Clover which, as the name suggests, carries some of Ireland’s finest bloodlines may just have missed out qualifying for HOYS earlier in the season but two foot perfect rounds in the Foxhunter Masters completely unfazed by the lights and music saw them stand at the top of the line earning their ticket to Birmingham.

In the National 18cm final it was Claggan Gypsy Delight which took the honours for Nicole, again a good warm up for the pony SJ appearance at HOYS in a month’s time.

Rounding off her incredible couple of days Nicole was also runner up in the members’ cup 1.15m final with Little Red Cloud and sixth in the foxhunter masters with Gangnam Style.

James Smith was there or thereabouts all weekend with his team of horses, with Bolton Gate Ben and Twix De La Roque helping him secure the wildcard ticket which will see him compete at HOYS for the week

Declan Irvine is another heading for Birmingham. What a year this young man has been having – with a superb team of horses thanks to business partner, Richard Duncan and some loyal owners, he now has a few really useful top-level horses and is bringing home the results.

Angie Main’s Horatio Van Ter Hulst was third out of almost 80 horses in the Speedi Beet grade C qualifier then Richard’s Mystic Independence has been stepping up a level to 1.4m classes with the aim of jumping an area trial soon not only qualified at Dumfries for the grade C but finished second in the National grade B final here amongst some of the biggest names in the sport to give him yet another ride at HOYS.

Absolutely over the moon was Chloe Templeton, who rode her home-produced Scottish-bred Still Got Me to finish just behind Nicole and Gangnam Style in the Pony Newcomers Masters whilst also collecting seventh with Rockmount Casper.

Mya Roxburgh Caira wasn’t far away in the same class with MHS Kansas also finishing fifth in the National 148cm on Chivez.

Driving the length and breadth of the country to compete, Stuart Muirhead has a few qualifications for the amateur finals at Aintree in a month’s time but his trip to Stoneleigh resulted in him being crowned the reigning NAF 5* champion thanks to his hard-working partner Merllyns Mondena, which is never far away in any class she jumps. This would have made their long run back to Aberdeen feel a bit shorter.

The South-west Scotland show jumping team came home with the best score to head the team competitions. Delighted team members were Mike Smith, on Thornwood Vision; partner Romy Chassels on Neat Cooley; Amanda Jayne Creighton with Porscha H; and Lucy Stewart who had a good show with plenty of minor placings this time on Cancun.

Other finalists were the Stewart brothers, from just outside Lesmahagow, who featured in the 128cm finals.

Younger brother, Jackson, wasn’t far away from winning the Stepping Stones 128cms finals just pipped into second on Ardfry Sherpa.

HOYS qualified William was 6th in the National 128cm final with Sox Pocket Rocket and seventh with Billibob.

Natasha Hamilton rode well for a fourth in the National 138cm final on Aristo Justice. Emma Crawford has taken to senior classes easily coming a respectable fourth in a strong foxhunter masters while Graham Babes was a force to be reckoned with runner up in the newcomers masters with the already qualified Glencoe.