THE need for young event horse producers to get some experience into their stock in this strangest of seasons saw increased numbers in the Childeric-sponsored classes at the second qualifier in the Stepping Stones to Success league held at Wexford Equestrian on Tuesday.

However, although she faced four more opponents this week, the Dutch Warmblood mare Ardeo Gold again won the final five-year-old division. The bay, ridden by Melanie Wrynn for husband Neil, topped the scores in both the dressage (55.8) and jumping (144.5) phases for a total of 200.3 points.