AS the new showing season gathers momentum with fixtures coming thick and fast, it was job done for Sarah Lears who gained early tickets for the Royal International (RIHS) and Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

Riding Port Philip CE, the Lancashire rider won and stood working hunter champion at the Sports Horse Breeding in the North West show at Myerscough and North of England Show at Osbaldeston.

“We have been ticking over doing some show jumping and have lessons once a week with (show jumper) Keith Shore to keep us tuned up so we were well prepared,” said Lears.

The 11-year-old Port Philip CE (Ekstein), bred by Bernadette Boland, was a Goresbridge purchase for show jumper Toni Potts, who then sold him to eventer Emily Gilruth. The scopey grey gelding is now in his second season with Lears.

Robert Walker has also been quickly off the mark. The Cheshire rider and producer again has a real depth of talent to his string, particularly in the hunter ranks with some established rides and newcomers owned by Jill Day.

Walker was also successful at Myerscough and Osbaldeston where the winning middleweight Grand Slam took the open hunter titles at both fixtures. This Garrison Royal six-year-old bred by J. O’Keefe was bought as a foal at Goresbridge Sales and, after a couple of educational outings as a four-year-old, he was put aside to mature all last season.

“Even though this was his seasonal debut, I thought he was settled enough so we dropped him in at the deep end,” said Walker after his win and championship at Myerscough. On his next outing at Osbaldeston, the upstanding chesnut reproduced his winning form to land his second open title in two weeks.

Walker had a dream start to the season when the reliable Nash Me nine-year-old Vantage Point, bred by Sean Jones, triumphed at Myerscough and under Robert’s wife Sarah, the winning lightweight went on to stand reserve to Grand Slam.

Also winning at Myerscough was Vikki Clayton who claimed the amateur hunter tricolour with Perryville. Bred by Dessie Gibson, this quality bay gelding by Emperor Augustus was a winner in-hand at Balmoral and Dublin four years ago.

“We had to give him plenty of time to grow and he now stands just short of 18hh,” said Clayton.

Topping a decent novice hunter line-up at Myerscough was Laura Rowe riding her 2012 Dublin purchase Marksman (by Limmerick), bred by Michael Harte. The Lancashire rider qualified Marksman for Hickstead last year and she claimed her return ticket at one of the later qualifying shows last year.

“I hope to do two seasons with him astride before trying some ladies classes,” said Rowe, who gained a second win on the day with her unaffiliated horse Millrowes Money Talks, a four-year-old by Emperor Augustus who was making his show ring debut.

A former ‘happy hacker’ in Ireland won the novice cob class at Myerscough for producer Jo Shaw, who got a good tune out of Roy Healey’s seven-year-old Daybreak Lad to head an impressive line-up.

“It’s early days yet but it’s so far, so good. We’re concentrating on getting him fit and hope to hit the qualifiers within the next few weeks,” said Shaw.

One of the most impressive cobs hitting the circuit is Paul Mortimer’s Randalstown Rolex, who has taken two titles in as many weeks at BSHA Northern Spring North of England shows for Robert Walker.

The six-year-old, bought from Sam and Sheila McAteer, has really hit the ground running and is a rare sort who combines superb limb and substance with great movement.

“He is a real perky fun horse who goes about doing his job with a smile on his face,” said Walker.

While he was in Ireland looking at Rolex, Walker also spotted another potential rising star in Randalstown Musketeer. After tipping off his sister-in-law Vicky Hesford, the deal was done and the cracking six-year-old grey, who was only backed last year, duly won his novice cob class before going on to stand novice reserve to Robert Walker and the winning riding horse First Man.

“He’s light, carries himself and he’s such a quick learner who wants to be in a ring and win,” said Hesford.

HALLMARK IX

Simon Reynolds racked up two wins at Osbaldeston with the great Hallmark IX, who won his maxi cob class in great style and the winning open heavyweight Morrows Marksman.

Also notching up a winning double at Osbaldeston was Kelly Ward riding an impressive pair of greys, Dartans First Lady and Noble Gladiator.

First Lady jumped an impressive clear round over a tough course to head her novice class before standing working hunter reserve to Port Philip CE. The Young Carrabawn six-year-old was bought from Ward’s sister Louise Lyons in Ireland two years ago and competed in intermediate classes last year with his owner Beth Lewenden.

Noble Gladiator, who won the Blue Chip ridden sport horse class, is a free-moving four-year-old gelding by Dunkerrin Leader and he was bought at Goresbridge last year.

“This is his second win of the season and he jumps too so we will ultimately aim him at some working hunter classes,” said Ward.