Les Smith kicked off the first of his annual Arena Event series for 2014 at SNEC in January.
Perthshire-based Stephanie O’Neil had an excellent start to the year with Expert winning the intro section and Candela taking third spot.
Stephanie has had the Zurich-sired Expert, known as Silver, for two years, having bought her as an unbroken three-year-old.
“I have taken my time with her as she has been slow to mature and still has a lot of filling out to do,” she said.
“This was her first proper show and she has never seen a water tray or corner before, but she took it all in her stride.
“I am aiming to do five-year-old classes with her this year.
“Candela is a relatively new ride for me. I bought her from Holland a few months ago and the hope is that she will event this year,” she added.
Stephanie intends to start Candela’s season with some BE100s, and progress the six-year-old to contest an international one-star later in the year.
Louise Edward was second with her seven-year-old partner Benny Station.
Kirstin Bamford won the pre-novice section with Twinkel. The Humbie-based rider has owned the eight-year-old by Quadrillo for about six months.
Kirstin said: “He had only showjumped when I bought him so he is a bit green cross country, but always tries his best, so I am excited about the season ahead.”
“The Arena Event series is a great preparation for the horses, so I am hoping to do some more.”
This combination are hoping to do some U18 BE100 classes.
In the later classes, Sarra Mayberry had a double win with Moores Stream after being the only combination in both the novice and intermediate classes to finish on a clean sheet.
In the novice, Sarra pipped Stephanie O’Neil into second spot after Beek Fee collected three time penalties on the cross country section.
Stephanie said: “Beek was extremely happy to be out jumping again. He is a very spooky horse so the course kept his attention, as there is no room for error.”
She added: “I am hoping to move him up to intermediate and international two-star level this year.”
Thornhill-based Sarra has produced the Cavalier Two For Joy-sired Moores Stream for eight seasons, having brought her from a novice to an advanced horse.
Sarra reflected: “Moores Stream had a great time . . . She has been doing a bit of BD over the winter, gaining points at medium level, but jumping is much more her idea of fun. I will be aiming for a CCI three-star this year, probably at Blair.”
Runner-up to Sarra in the intermediate was Christina Rennie and her own Lilliesleaf.
Christina said: “We have had a year out as she wasn’t quite right, but she came back last year and did a few intermediates and feels like she’s getting better all the time.
“I want to have a crack at CCI two-star again and am planning on starting the year intermediate at Burgham.
“Let’s hope we don’t get snowed in!
“I bought her as a four-year-old and have produced her myself. We are proof that it is possible to work full time and move up the grades eventing as a hobby.”
Results
Intro: 1 Stephanie O’Neil, Expert; 2 Louise Edward, Benny Station; 3 Stephanie O’Neil, Candela.
Pre-novice: 1 Kirstin Bamford, Twinkel; 2 Georgia Mitchell, Zacarno; 3 Lucinda Crawford, Vattrick.
Novice: 1 Sarra Mayberry, Moores Stream; 2 Stephanie O’Neil, Beek Fee; 3 Lucinda Crawford, Vattrick.
Intermediate: 1 Sarra Mayberry, Moores Stream; 2 Christina Rennie, Lilliesleaf; 3 Morven Pringle, Dunbog Gypsy Rose.