PONY riders were first into the Laya Arena on Friday morning to battle it out for a coveted championship. A field of 14 combinations contested the 138cm division, set over a course which proved quite technical. It began with big oxer and a treble at four (vertical, oxer, vertical), followed by the water tray at six and on to a tall vertical.

From the original starters, five booked their place against the clock and, from those, just two double clears were delivered. A winner the day before in Simmonscourt, Lucy Kent had the championship in her sights, as she took to the course with Little Pretender.