The clocks have turned back, the nights are getting longer and the weather colder – but there's still lots to look forward for Scottish show jumpers.

Riders, more than ever, are heading south for shows. Some have escaped abroad and at home; Netherton Equestrian has rebuilt its indoor arena after a fire, and look set to host some affiliated shows; Muirmill, in south Ayrshire, took the initiative to run junior classes at the end of its senior classes keeping everyone happy; and Morris EC are running the Winter Classic, with a range of classes and qualifiers to draw competitors from further afield.

The Cabin EC remains a popular centre, with strong entries at each show and along with SNEC, Howe and Blue Ridge things are looking very healthy on the jumping front.

One young rider to be seen at most venues as well as skipping off south to win his share of classes, is 19-year-old Sandy McLean, from Lasswade. A useful pony rider, Sandy has made the transition to horses seamlessly and is currently one of the most successful jockeys on the circuit.

He registered a new record when winning a total of nine classes at Morris one weekend with five horses, as well as some minor placings and double clears.

Sandy partnered Jim Wilmer’s Crystalizer to three of the wins in 1.2m classes, then his own and Jim’s Dee Dee Demour to another three ranging from 1.2-1.4m. Gino F and Charkan were the other two winners.

Heading onto Keysoe Winter Classic Show, the Womanizer-sired nine-year-old mare, Crystalizer, added another £100 to her record with another 1.2m win, but it was Gino F which brought home a golden ticket when his sixth place in the 1.4m/under 25 championship qualifier was good enough to see them head to Olympia in December.

Emma Crawford is another to have been across the Border on quite a few occasions and rarely comes home without a red ticket.

A visit to Aintree’s Winter Classic saw her on the ultra-speedy Dukes of Hazard jump a double clear in an earlier 1.3/1.4m before scoring a victory in the 1.4m/under 25 qualifier, picking up £750 prize money as well as a direct ticket to Olympia with the faster of just two double clears over Raf Suarez’s formidable track, leaving Chloe Reynolds on Vanilla Fusion over a second in arrears.

Douglas Duffin has already amassed more than £3000 in prize money with Imperium RJ in the sunny climes of Vilamoura, where he and his team have been since the first week in October.

Winning a 1.4m in good company, this grey – owned by Kirkton Equestrian’s Katie McArdle, who was also placed on the tour – being joined in the winner’s circle by travelling companions Renkum Kaymen, Olijfe Van Doperheide and Helen Higham’s Linares BG.

Amy Ogilvie has been abroad a few times now but scored her first international win when she topped a 1.2m on her Dutch-bred Leandro VD Eikelboscherheide. Now a 10-year-old, this Arko-sired gelding was bought from Scott Linford as a green five-year-old and with patience and time has become super consistent in 1.2m classes so far, winning at Hickstead and now giving Amy that overseas win.

Amy is just one of a few Douglas coaches whilst abroad with another, Cumnock-based beauty therapist, Jo-Dee Gault, also appearing in the line-ups with her own Moonlight Flicka.

There have been two sets of second round qualifiers in Scotland, recently, with the first at SNEC. At this venue, Megan Cowan maintained her normal form to scorch round the 85cm on the diminutive Tullycars Peek A Boo to collect her ticket.

Marion Brown is a true amateur juggling work, family and horses. Formerly a top 148cm jockey. she now rides a team of home-bred horses with the Grade B Abacus, out of De Beers Destiny, topping the 95cm second round.

Emma Woods was quick against the clock on Moonlight Van De Kortweg, taking the 1.05m qualifier, with Regan McHardy, riding for his own R+R Sport Horses' Lady Macbeth Z, scooping up the 1.1m with all four riders now through to the finals at Aintree, in November.

Another four qualified from a busy Cabin EC show. Coming from the far north village of Lybster, Linda Ramsoy made the four-hour trip worthwhile when she a good double clear to win the 85cm on her own Hinkelien.

Regulars to the Cabin won the following three classes. Claire Stewart accounted for the 95cm on Kelly Donald’s Clone Temptress; Aileen Ferrari took the 1.05m with her consistent Storm Ahead Ted; and Melissa Allen the 1.1m on Firenze.

With prize-winning dressage horses already on the go, MFS Stud Farm, Banff, now has a few nice horses on the show jumping circuit carrying the name forward.

Lucy Barclay’s MFS Irresistible Bella is now coming out from behind the shadow of her stablemate, Hugana Van T Heike, to win her share of 1.3m classes.

Lucy’s little sister, Aimee Bell, now rides a half-sister, MFS Malibu Bella and has been seen producing double clears in the baby classes.

Charley Hamilton has been producing MFS Loretta Blue for the stud with this lovely chestnut now tackling foxhunters with ease, but Charley, who has also been seen winning with Faluna and Innishannon Red Squirrel out and about, has now bought MFS Mademoiselle De Haar to produce.

Morris EC hosted some young horse classes which were well received, with Scottish riders almost winning all three sections. Laura Hutt did a lovely job as per usual riding Gordon Graham’s RB Just Anna, which is by Clarius and which was started by Craig Hamilton for breeder, Ron Brady.

Greg Taylor rode another up-and-coming youngster for Jim Wilmer to win the six-year-old section. Wicked Vancouver is now jumping foxhunter double clears.

Declan Irvine has a nice team of horses on the go just now, with Kid Rock II qualifying for the Blue Chip Power at the Cabin, but it was the Diamant De Semilly-sired Destine To Be which was runner up in the five-year-olds.

Other senior winners of note were Rachel More, who has been scooping up 90cm classes at Tillyoch and the Cabin on the Scottish-bred JJ’s Clio; Julie McMaster, who was winning at Muirmill with Isabeau and Oor Victor; and Danielle Morrison, who has been invited to compete at the SWS Gala evening on her home-produced British Novice winner, Tindale’s Charlie.

A flock of juniors headed south to the English Home Pony, held at Southview, for a fun but emotional show which would be the last for some of the juniors who now move up onto horses.

Millie Lawson is due to move out of 138cm after Liverpool at the end of the year, but now has the novice 148cm Lancaster Dutch Delight to look forward to. Bought earlier in the year, South View was their first real show together and after a few double clears, they took the handbrake off to win a speedy Novice Championship boding well for their future.

Owen Leitch brought home a few reds on Tatty Desire in the qualifiers, winning a Fledglings qualifier outright.

Sophie Anderson, on Beezies Topic, picked up a second in a Rising Stars; Amy Morris was never far away on Robe Silver Lady, who never had a pole down all show and Tobar King; Ruby McCornick, was placed in a 1.1m with Spot The Okehurst; Sophie Paxton won a 1m with the stallion, Las Vegas VI; Beth Stewart was third with Charlies Pride in the Novice Championship; and Drew Ross, on Moon Man, earned a third as well as performing very well in the teams amongst other placings and good double clears for Scottish riders.

Scottish Branch 1m winners, Michael McColm, on AG Dynamo, picked up a third as they got to know each other, with Michael also placed on Danny Boy a few times throughout.

Perth and Fife Academy individual 75cm and 80cm winner, Bonnie Seath, coached by Kelly Connor, headed a fast 30-starter 1m with The Bullseye, whilst sister, Laila – who only started riding CS Money Talks in July – jumped double clear in a 1.15m.

In one Rising Stars class, it was good to see seven Scottish riders in the top section, including Madelaine Archibald, Beth Stewart, Marni McMyn, Drew Ross, Crsita Lockhead Anderson, Amy Morris and Fergal Holohan.

In the teams' competition, Scotland’s 128cm and 138cm came home with bronze medals, but the 148cm team went one better to win silver, nearly catching the winning English team.

At Northcote, recently, Peter Ashe had a good show with Sugar Ray, which won a British Novice, was third in a novice championship qualifier, collecting two Blue Chip tickets, and Cara Wilmer was placed on both her rides, Doe Mate and Loughcutra Lad, with the latter finishing third in the Bronze Grand Prix.

Winning at Myserscough and Blue Ridge was Dumfries-based Eleanor Archibald, on Glenford Starlight. They are the reigning Scottish Branch 128cm champions following a win at SNEC, recently.