Summer is upon us, the weather is finally heating up and the competition scene is becoming even hotter. Riders have been given their freedom to travel further afield with many choosing to head south in search of good surfaces, prize money and of course, qualifiers.

Several have already hit blistering form despite only having just started venturing out.

Young rider Emma Crawford has had a quiet spell over winter since her last outing at the British National Championships back in October. Heading to South View turned out to be a very good move when each of her horses finished in the money and she rounded off the show with a convincing one-two in the Young Rider Under 21 Championships.

Taking the win was the nine-year-old Caretino-sired Dukes of Hazzard. They warmed up with double clears in a 1.25 and a 1.30 Open before setting off at speed in the Young Riders jump off.

Already in the lead with Gina Gold, penultimate drawn Emma knew she had nothing to lose and galloped from start to finish over the long jump off track to record an even faster time again.

When the last in couldn't catch them Emma was the delighted winner, and runner up plus for good measure stood seventh on Ferragamo.

Back at home Muirmill EC had a three-day show planned before one horse on their livery yard tested positive for strangles and they gallantly held their hands up to it, shut shop and went into voluntary quarantine.

The Daimler Foundation at Morris EC with the help of Craig Blackie offered to take the show on and despite the last minute arrangements things went smoothly and a great show was had all round.

The change of venue made no difference to Emma who stayed on her form to pick up an elusive Horse of The Year Show ticket in the Talent Seekers. Having three through to the jump off was an achievement in itself but then she recorded the two fastest times in the jump off.

Dukes of Hazzard this time just rubbed a pole leaving it up to Gina Gold to remain clear all the way standing almost a second ahead of Chantelle Duggan on Linton De Chapelle with Claire Leitch having a tremendous season with her two super consistent horses Warhol Wulfselection Z and her third placed and now HOYS-bound Incredibola.

Back to Morris and having her first ever go at the Ladies and Gents Championship Emma had two through to the six-strong jump off but being the only female rider forward had already earned the title before she went against the clock.

Just three returned double clears with Jordan Thompson getting a good tune out of Douglas Duffin's talented, but quirky Quidam BZ to finish third.

A sensible, forward round saw Emma on Dukes of Hazzard stop the clock on 44.01 which would see her finish in second but with the Scottish Ladies Champion title.

Alex Barr was crowned Scottish Gents Champion following his winning round on Mandelay Bay in 41.90. Alex is another who has been heading south of the border with Mandelay Bay finishing third in the 1.40m at Chard CSI2* then jumping double clear in a 1.40 at Bolesworth preceding this win.

The juniors have been holding their own in good company down south with a few HOYS tickets falling into their grasps.

Millie Lawson already has Noah's Lady through to the 138cms final but this pony is now joined by the six-year-old palomino Jimdone. Produced by Millie since a four-year-old Jimdone just touched a pole in the second round to finish sixth at Weston Lawns to give her her second ride in the finals.

Sandra Low-Mitchell has an eye for finding potential superstars in the rough coming across the seven-year-old Tyrone D standing in a field. Retaining a share was a good move with this novice jumping three super clears with Millie in the Newcomers second round to see them head to HOYS in October.

Winning a Winter second round at SNEC will see Millie and Noahs Lady also head to the Royal International this summer along with second placed Sophie Wicks on Icarus and the third treble clear, Anna Black on Its Bob On.

Jointly owned by David Lawson and David Wicks, Robe Silver Lady is an out and out trier and partnered with the talented Amy Morris they are a formidable team. Their winning round in the Winter JC RIHS qualifier stood them almost a second clear of Rachel Proudley on Queen Mac, Poppy Deakin on Candi Girl then Rachel again on Epee Nazar.

Izabella Rogers was fifth on Neil 55 and Drew Ross was the final double clear with Moon Man.

Drew took over the ride on Moon Man later in 2019 and despite a stop-start year managed to qualify for the National Championships in both the Newcomers and Foxhunter sections.

This year as a result of a fabulous treble clear at Keysoe they will head to Birmingham and the 'real' HOYS to contest the Newcomers final.

Just missing out, in third, in the senior Foxhunter second round was David Harland on board John Jamieson's homebred JJs Sure To Fly. They will head to the Foxhunter Masters where they gain another chance at a HOYS ticket. This pair is very competitive and will be determined to go to Birmingham.

Alistair White and partner Angela Wiltshire headed south to their favourite show of the year the Aintree Amateur and Veterans Championships where Hanleen O Tess proved the model of consistency earning Alistair two podium finishes with travel mate Whiskey Girl also bringing home some rosettes.

Megan Cowan scooped up three wins on the super-speedy Tullycars Peek A Boo who is practically unbeatable around 85 and 90cms rounding their show off by winning the 85cms Amateur final.

Megan then travelled to Weston Lawns to score an incredible five wins and a second more than earning their diesel money home.

Declan Irvine is another to have headed south with good results jumping the 1.30s and above with Hanleen Beatrice as well as more novice classes with Prince Malko and Hamar Two TH. The scopey Jitterbug won two of her three classes at South View but as a result of finishing third in the Newcomers Second Round at Weston Lawns has the Newcomers Masters to look forward to.

Sandy McLean has a number of rides but the lovely grey mare Gravin Tina JL has won or been placed at every show she's been at this year. Another grey, Crystalizer has been scooping up 1.20s and a couple of 1.30s but has now joined Ayrshire based Jim Wilmer to strengthen his team.

Mischa Irving picked up a red rosette, amongst others at Northcote on I Sir Marcus; Craig Hamilton was in the money on Phoenix VD Donkhoeve and Carrera Van Maarle at South View whilst Natasha and Charley Hamilton, Fraser Reid and Moira Young have all found their form with several wins each.

Fergal Holohan has been ticking away jumping good rounds north and south of the border with his clear round in the Scottish Branch Open Championship on JJ Lucky Star enough to claim the title.

Jackson Stewart has been busy with his family's business at Turlood stables but came out to contest the Scottish Outdoor 128cms Championship winning the class by almost seven seconds on the fabulous Billibob who now goes on the market while jackson pursues other interests.

Michael McColm has had the ride on David Lawson's Contendo Z for a couple of shows with their double clear at Blue Ridge faster than Charlotte Gaw on Coltstown Dun Cruiser to head the Scottish Outdoor 138cms Championship.

Only two returned double clears in the pony Discovery second round in which Sophie Paxton on Las Vegas took the spoils ahead of Emma Hannah on Abbeyside Brandy,

And after a day of championships Sophie Anderson didnt finish until 7.30pm but her late evening was worth it when she and Beezie's Topic became the Scottish JC Outdoor Champions for 2021.