One young lady who has already proven she is extremely hard to beat is Ayr-based Lucy Stewart who, riding her own 12-year-old Cancun has added a few more wins to their growing list of accolades earned in their six-year partnership.

A trip to the British National Championships saw them crowned National 1.15m Members Cup champion following a very fast, galloping jump-off, which this pair seem to thrive on.

They returned home to win a 1.3m at SNEC before heading south again this time to Hickstead where they won a 1.2m qualifier before topping the leader board in the 1.2m Open Classic, completely unfazed by the atmosphere of that iconic arena. As if that wasn’t enough stablemate Glow DK was runner up in the Classic and also won a 1.2m qualifier.

Waiting in the wings is the talented novice, Jortel La Vie, a seven-year-old by Zirocco Blue, which hasn’t always been the easiest to produce but is starting to become more rideable – winning a Newcomers at Hickstead and tackling his first Foxhunters.

Douglas Duffin also experienced a lap of honour at this prestigious venue when he partnered Jo McGlory’s Zara Zing, formerly produced in Scotland by Ailsa Black to a 1.2m final in the main arena at one of the mare’s first shows back in almost a year.

Douglas also now has the ride on Vicky Kenny’s home-bred Klein Stargette, which is by Big Star and out of the wonderful Soliegette Vicky, rode to 1.5m level. This little mare looks careful, sharp and scopey and under Douglas is already starting to shine winning a Newcomers.

Katie McArdle’s Imperium RJ made light work of a strong 1.4m to pick up a second in good company.

Jordan Thompson was delighted with his round on Quidam BJ who collected a couple of time faults in one 1.4m but finished fifth on the 1.4m A10 Science Supplements final.

Alistair White set off to Weston Lawns with Hanleen O Tess and Whiskey Girl, with the latter winning three 85cm classes which has now pushed her up to Grade B.

The fabulous mare, Hanleen O Tess, wasn’t quite fast enough in the Major Veteran Championship to slot into fourth then after a nail-biting jump-off had to be content with runner up spot in another fast jump off for the 1.05m Grand Prix.

Megan Cowan won four classes at SNEC with Tullycars Peek A Boo and Helza Poppin, but she earned a leading rider title for the 90cm classes when winning again at Harrogate EC.

James Smith had a successful run to Bolesworth where he won the 2* Grand Prix on the super consistent Simply Splendid, jumping one of only two double clears over the 1.45m track to take the victory from Ireland’s Jenny Rankin and Carmela Z.

Riding Jim Wilmer’s promising six-year-old HOYS-qualified Prince Malko, James was seen jumping some double clears in the 1.3m qualifiers before just one pole on the floor in the 59-starter final dropped them to a creditable fifth place.

Jim Wilmer has a few useful horses on the circuit at the moment ridden by various riders. Greg Taylor has been winning with the lovely chestnut, Larezzo P, which earlier in the season qualified for the British Novice final. Greg is also doing a good job producing the talented Just White, as well as winning some speed classes with For Ever.

Alistair Grey keeps the ride on the big chestnut, Postscriptum J and F Champblanc, which is now jumping double clears in Newcomers and tackling his first Foxhunters, but has also been winning with Ballyhane Etto.

A few riders have won on the nippy grey Crystalizer, but it's Sandy McLean who has earned the most prize money on her so far with a 1.2m win at Scope, then wins at Howe, Morris, Muirmill and more recently Tillyoch.

Riding for a few owners seems to be suiting Sandy who has been winning at every venue including finishing sixth in the ladies and gents championship at Scope on Gino F. This nine-year-old, by Ultimo, warmed up with a win in a 1.3m qualifier before going on to finish his show winning the championship final.

Finding almost a whole second to shave off the leader’s time, Sandy steered Dee Dee Damour round to win the Pathfinder final at the same show held at South View this year.

At a very busy and always popular Blair Castle Horse Trials, it was the turn of Declan Irvine to pick up the £250 prize money for his winning double clear in the National 1.3m A10 which was jumped in front of plenty of spectators who added to the atmosphere. Just for good measure, Declan also stood second with the only other jump-off clear on Fendiela.

Coming close to winning a title at Scope was Megan Morris having one of her last shows before heading to uni. Riding the unorthodox, but scopey Lets Hope, she picked up a blue in a 1.3m qualifier before finishing fourth in the Blue Riband final.

Alongside a successful 148cm season, Fergal Holohan has been there or thereabouts in the Children On Horses classes with Killossery Cameo, which was runner up in a qualifier then in the final at Scope.

The Scottish-bed Loretta Blue MFS, under the guidance of Charley Hamilton, slotted into seventh in the Pathfinder championships whilst Charley’s other rides, Innishannon Red Squirrel, Faluna and Horatio Van Ter Holst, were all in the money and the return of her former ride, Amadora JX, saw her win a 1.15m at The Cabin.

Blue Ridge-based Morgan Thompson has a nice string of mostly young horses just now winning with T-Rex, Miss Fifi as well as Kilimanjaro B and Lex.

Busy instructor, Lorraine Buchan, has been back in the ring more recently with her home-bred team. Both Heirloom Lorellen and Forever Lorellen were in the winning mood at her local venue, The Cabin EC.

In the junior ranks, Millie Lawson was on fire at Scope where she won three championship finals as well as several other wins and placings throughout. Riding her HOYS finalist Noah’s Lady, Millie cracked the hold Tabitha Kyle had on the 138cm classes to beat her in both the 138cm championship final and in the Heath 138cm finals.

Normally having to play second fiddle to Tabitha, who has multiple ponies and therefore the advantage of a late draw, these victories were all the more sweet when they finally managed to outpace their rival.

The talented six-year-old Jimdone has a new home to go to at the end of the year but not before he wins some more with Millie. It was his turn to win a rug in the Pony Progressive final where he was one of the youngest in the class but totally unfazed to record the fastest time.

Sophie Anderson continued to have the best final season with her own Beezies Topic. This partnership has been unstoppable all summer. They won two 1.1m and a 1.2m at Aintree before heading to Bishopton EC to win two more classes then rounding off a fabulous month winning another three classes at Blue Ridge.

It wont be long before we see Amy Morris jumping her sister’s horses but in the meantime she continues to feature in the line ups winning the speed classes with Robe Silver Lady, the 1.2m and above with Tobar King and collecting double clears with FC Flirty For Thirty.

Claire Leitch keeps herself busy dashing to senior shows with her successful Warhol Wulfselection Z but son, Owen, is catching up with a fourth place in the Cats and Pipes 128cm Final at Scope.

Taking over from sister, Anna, Lucy Black is wasting no time getting to grips with It Bob On. A trip to Blue Ridge resulted in a win in a 1m but also a win in a 138cm winter first round setting them up to get qualified for next year.