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Picture caption: John Facey presenting Sammie Jo Coffin and James Luker’s stallion Zig Zag with the Betty and Denis Hooper Memorial Trophy on their win in The 300 Club 1.30m senior open championships. Picture by Kathryn Pearn

Fresh from their success at the British Young Horse show Jumping championships, Sammie Jo Coffin and James Luker’s six-year-old stallion Zig Zag, franked their recent form by securing the biggest purse of the day in The 300 Club 1.30m senior open championship.
Course-builder Steve Fazakerley upped the game for this headliner class and only two combinations could master his technical track with clean sheets coming from Andrew James riding Sonia Gilmore’s mare Ulriqua II and Sammie Jo on Zig Zag.  
Utilising the ring’s gentle gradient, the course designer cleverly positioned his fences giving the 19-strong field plenty to think about with an influential hot spot at the triple bar set on a dog leg to a tall airy upright and with the best five scores going through to the jump-off Sammie Jo cashed in by filling the remaining places with the fastest four faults on Willem De Lux, Torzo and Vicaros.
“The odds were truly stacked in Sammie’s favour,” said Andrew who only took the ride on this dark bay daughter of Lester a month ago.
“This was a big ask for Sonia’s mare.  My main objective was to keep her confidence and jump a good double clear.”
Sammie Jo opened her attack with clear rounds on her trio of four faulters applying the pressure on Andrew and Ulriqua II who had to stay clear.
“Sonia’s always had a lot of faith in this mare and she certainly showed her scope and carefulness in this class,” said Andrew. “I couldn’t be more pleased for them both. I knew we’d left plenty of room for Sammie Jo and Zig Zag and they came back with a winning round.”
It was a poignant moment when Sammie Jo stepped forward with Zig Zag to accept the Betty and Denis Hooper Memorial Trophy from John Facey together with a prize fund of £550.
This was the second time in as many weeks that this outstanding 16.2hh, son of Concorde has secured a prestigious award having been presented with the coveted Tom Hudson Tankard as the highest placed British bred stallion in the finals of the six-year-old championships.
“We firmly believe in testing our stallion’s temperament and ability under the pressure of competition,” said James of the Roseway Stud, St Day. “We’re hoping his achievements will be acknowledged by prospective mare owners.”
Sammie Jo showed her rivals a speedy pair of heels in The Stockdale Asset Management 1.15m championship making a clean sweep with her own Crosswinds Bobby Dazzler,  Elizabeth Watkins’ Torzo,  Tina Evans’ Promise Me Lottie and Zig Zag.
“It’s good to have all my horses in the money,” said Sammie Jo of Crosswinds Equestrian, St Austell.

Picture caption: Amy Parkin and Silver Shrew winners of the Cornish Farriers 1.05m Area 51 Small Open sponsored by local show jumping farriers, l-r: Joel Tamblyn, Ryan Chapman and Andrew James. Picture by Kathryn Pearn

It was a case of déjà vu for Amy Parkin from Whitemoor and Silver Shrew who claimed the Cornish Farriers 1.05m Area 51 Small Open sponsored by local show jumping farriers, Ryan Chapman, Joel Tamblyn and Andrew James.
Amy and her prolific grey pony recalled lining-up with the farriers after winning the junior equivalent at this fixture two-years-ago.  
A serious combination against the clock this combination broke the beam to clinch the class from Amanda Cole (Temple Queenie) and Clare Gwennap riding Tara Physick’s Clover.
Amanda and Temple Queenie came close to a one-two having already taken the previous Green Waste 1m single phase warm-up while the KBIS Insurance Senior British Novice went to Jon Paull riding Sandy Merrell’s Georgie’s Girl.

BALL DETAILS go to CALENDAR

Picture caption: Thomas Eggins and Frankie’s Ace winners of The 300 Club Area 51 Pony championship. Picture by Kathryn Pearn

Thomas Eggins unveiled his raw potential recording a winning double riding his grandfather Art Cole’s schoolmistress Frankie’s Ace.
The 12-year-old from Lake Farm, Yelverton, has taken to the sport like a ‘duck to water’ and his natural ability is turning him into a young rider to follow with interest.
Thomas opened his campaign on the ultra careful Frankie with a second place in The 300 Club 85cms open championship and this newly formed combination cemented their partnership with a duo of impressive victories in the following Pellowe Family open and The 300 Club Area 51 Pony championship.
“Frankie’s an amazing pony,” said Thomas who is a pupil at Tavistock School. “I’ve only been competing for two months and luckily I’ve got granddad and Frankie to help me.”
Course designer Steve Fazakerley asked a series of questions over this three round championship which tested the young field fully over the biggest junior track of the day.
Fifteen-year-old Edward Sampson set the standard with a flawless performance on Wave Rebel and this was matched by Sasha Aghdam (Derravaragh Craic) , Mollie Trethewey  (Prospect’s Diamond) and Thomas with Frankie’s Ace.
With the six best scores going through to the jump-off, Josh Hutchins and Charlie XIII joined the party on four faults while Jordanna Morrish (Cuffesgrange Z) carried forward a first round score of six.
Edward maintained his momentum over the shortened course producing a foot perfect round while Jordanna increased her chances with an impressive clean sheet.
A costly four faults put Sasha on the back foot and the door opened for Mollie and Thomas who made sure of every fence.
A calculated clear from Josh on his promising five-year-old saw this talented young rider rise to an eventual fourth place and then all eyes turned to Edward, Mollie and Thomas in their battle against the clock.
First draw went to 15-year-old Mollie who paid the penalty at the tall vertical for an eventual second place. This fence also proved influential for Edward who added a further four at the final fence for a total of eight.
Taking full advantage of final draw, Thomas set sail on Frankie and daringly sealed the class with a well time cut inside to a meaty oxer.
“I planned the jump off myself and I’m glad it worked out,” said Thomas who also took home the Betty and Denis Hooper Memorial Shield for his win in the Pellowe Family open.
“Thomas posted his very first win at Torrington Show a week ago and it’s encouraging to see him come back out with a consistent performance,” said a delighted Art Cole.  
Josh Hutchins from St Wenn highlighted his bright future with a close run second place in the Pellowe Family class on his ever improving young pony Charlie.
This careful bay gelding has been home produced by his young rider who is blessed with the invaluable asset of having a good eye for a stride.
Sammie Cotton from Looe is another competitive youngster who is accumulating an impressive record. The ten-year-old held off a strong challenge from Thomas (Eggins) and Amy Merrell (Llangeitho Valoir) to claim The 300 Club 85cms open championship on her new ride Racing Rasher.
“This was a fabulous show,” commented Area Representative Pam Warren. “I’d like to thank the area committee and their team of helpers for all their hard work, everyone who helped on the day and of course our sponsors for their generous support.”