THE penultimate Dodson & Horrell National Amateur Second Rounds took place at the weekend with Harrogate Riding Centre holding the 85cm, 95cm, 1.05m and 1.10m Second Round classes.

Combinations from across the North contested the classes with the hopes of securing a qualifying ticket to the Dodson & Horrell National Amateur Championships at Aintree Equestrian Centre in Liverpool between November 9 and 14.

Ten of the starting field in the 85cm Second Round navigated a first round clear across the course designed by Mark McGowan, with nine going on to pilot a double clear. Rebecca Hill from Stockton took the win aboard the 16-year-old bay gelding Portmore Stroller owned by Ashleigh Effard, crossing the finish line in 37.5 seconds. Close on their heels and taking the runner up spot was Lucille Brown and Sharp Future in 37.85 seconds.

In the 95cm Second Round, eight combinations produced first round clear across the ten-fence course. Durham’s Lindsey Craggs scoop first place with her own 16-year-old bay mare Lydia Van Opstee stopping the clock on 34.21 seconds. Taking second place was Clare Birtwistle and Art Candy on 35.44 seconds.

Eleven combinations came forward to tackle the 1.05m track, with Clare Birtwistle from Harrogate claiming top honours this time on her own 14-year-old bay gelding Art Candy. Clare produced a faultless double clear to cross the finish line in 34.3 seconds, more than three seconds clear of second place combination Julia Hardy and El Siera.

In the 1.10m track three combinations completed the ten-fence course clear in the first round. Cheshire’s Grace Wallace had her foot firmly on the gas to take first place, crossing the finishing line in 38.63 seconds with Eau Claire V, a 12-year-old bay mare owned by Victoria Wallace. Just behind them was Eleanor Mercer and Watsisname.

Eight qualifying tickets are given for each of the four classes which are allocated once official grading has been completed.