Rowallan AC had a busy pre-Christmas show tempting riders with their schedule of Highland Show qualifiers.

Earning early qualification for the grade C final and one of the most delighted riders was Lloyd Jamieson who headed a hard fought class on the Sunday.

With the first round standing at the required 1.25m with two fences at 1.30m 15 found it to their liking and headed in against the clock.

Cranked up to just short of 1.40m it looked like it would be a test of jumping rather than speed but after the first few had gone it was obvious that it would all be down to the clock.

James Smith had two through and set what he thought would have been a quick enough time on Gibside Smokey Joe which held the lead for a couple of horses.

Having discussed tactics with his mother Linda Jamieson-Cowan, Lloyd entered the ring with his route chosen. JJ’s Indiana is no slouch against the clock but this would have been one of her biggest tests to date, yet she relished the challenge and hitting every stride and turn spot on, Lloyd crossed the finish line thrilled then was even more pleased when it was announced that he had gone into the lead.

The challengers came thick and fast with another four returning double clears. The serious danger came from near the end firstly from Stacey Babes on her HOYS finalist Waldemar who as usual jumped very well but fell just short of the time to earn eventual third and a qualifying ticket.

James Smith had another shot with Lonneberger but this talented gelding wasted time in the air to slot into fourth.

The Jamieson family found JJ’s Indiana almost by chance when horse shopping down south they had been disappointed by the one they had travelled to see so before heading home had another look in a magazine, spotted an advert for a potential jumper locally, had a look and this daughter of Utah Van Erpekom was bought and brought home.

Always aware that his mother may steal the ride Lloyd has been working as hard at this horse as his work commitments allow admitting that he has not always the time to put into her that he’d like.

Another to be over the moon to qualify at such an early stage was Mary Jane Clarke who headed a new class for 2010 the star of the future qualifier.

Starting over 1.25m it is run as an A10 which means that the end of the first round can be up to 1.35m then the jump off can potentially rise to 1.45m setting a fair test for horses in grades B and C.

Drawn early Mary Jane had her hands full with her lively chestnut Baladine who looked difficult all the way round. Keeping her cool and letting the horse jump they knocked fractions of a second off the time set by the in form Calvaros’s Ace and Mercedes McDonald to secure their place at the Ingliston showground in June.

Bought from Jack McGeoch a few years ago Mary Jane has produced this Belgian-bred mare up through the grades herself having qualified for all the finals from foxhunter this year.

In her final school year 18-year-old Mary Jane, who travels from Stranraer to compete ,will head off to university next year to study to become a vet and then hopes to specialise in horses.

Also qualifying were Mark Turnbull with an effortless round on Ursula who improves each time the fences go up; Lucy Guild on Fiona Good’s Mr Pink and Mercedes with Calvaro’s Ace.

Merecedes was rounding off a good weekend and what was to be a super week for owner Jim Wilmer in which she picked up two tickets for the Highland Show, the second being in the young masters qualifier behind James Smith on Temple Bonte Lola.

Then after travelling to Myerscough, Preston they finished runner up in the British Open 1.20m qualifier ensuring an appearance at Birmingham in April.

Irish visitor Suzanne Posnett sailed home on the Sunday night in profit when her team of horses won four classes and finished in the line ups every time.

A very popular instructor, Paul Barker had been working from dawn until dusk at Rowallan all week where his lessons are so much in demand he has filled his next two visits in the coming months.

Just to prove he practises what he preaches he also claimed three classes on different horses plus many placings throughout the three days.

LEADINGawards:

Discovery – 1, Salodon, L McKee; 2, Gora, K McArthur; 3, Urgent III, J Hanson. 1.05m open – 1, Karmyn, S Posnett; 2, Rijeka II, N Smith; 3, Loughnatousa, S Psnett. Newcomers – 1, Temple What A Quirk, P Barker; 2, Wicarla, L McKee; 3, Mandalay, P Barker. 1.15m open – 1, Thornwood Mirage, M Smith; 2, Karmyn, S Posnett; 3, Roscoes Skip On, L Babes. Grade C/foxhunter – 1, Chruchill, A Valks; 2, Vilucienne, J Smith; 3, Gibside Smokey Joe, J Smith. 1.30m open – 1,Temple Bonte Lola, P Barker; 2, Dansson II, S Posnett; 3, Babs Van De Rostaal, J Scullion.

British novice – 1, Maximum Voltage, A Valks; 2, Gravantos, L Montgomery; 3, Just Ruby, N Coupe. Discovery – 1, Romance V, A Valks; 2, Love Handel, A Valks; 3, Gravantos. 1.05m open – 1, Karmyn, S Posnett; 2, Temple Croesus, H Mousley; 3, Diamond Jack, M-J Clarke. Newcomers – 1, Mandalay; 2, Love Handel; 3, Salidin. Grade C/Foxhunter – 1, JJ’s One Fine Day, L Jamieson – Cowan; 2, Churchill; 3, Rough Diamond, L Cecchini. 1.30m open/young masters – 1, Temple Bonte Lola, J Smith; 2, Calvaro’s Ace, M McDonald; 3, Lanzelot, S Russell.

Discovery – 1, Wilco, S Gibb; 2, Wirkeness, L Templeton; 3, Just Ruby. 1.05m open – 1, Forrest Hills, A-J Richardson; 2, Karmyn; 3, Rijeka II. Newcomers – 1, Luxa Gudun, S Posnett; 2, Romance V; 3, Simply Casanova, R Edge. 1.15m open – 1, Karmyn; 2, Shakira, M McDonald; 3, Dansson. RHS grade C – 1, JJ’s Indiana, L Jamieson; 2, Lonneberger, J Smith; 3, Waldemar, S Babes. 1.25m open/RHS star of the future – 1, Baladine, M-J Clarke; 2, Calvaro’s Ace; 3, Lanzelot.