Santa Claus somehow found time in his extremely busy schedule to pay a visit to Greenlands for their Showing Show - and even to show off his own prowess as a carriage driver.

Congratulations to Isla Metcalfe who won her first ever sash, taking the Equitation and LR Pony and then the Championship. There was a Championship too for Margaret Wright.

The centre’s next Tiny Tots Showing Show will be on Boxing Day and will include jumping.

Jess Rawsthorn’s partnership with Ann and Hugh Lawson’s horse Drummer continues to flourish. The pair had a successful outing to West Park Equestrian in Bishop Auckland for the British Dressage show, winning the Elementary and then coming second in their first ever Medium together, pipped to joint first place by just one per cent.

Having qualified in both Novice and Elementary, they are now looking ahead to the Winter Regional finals in February.

At the recent Dressage Show at Blackdyke, Fiona Stewart and Maclachlan had a particularly successful day, winning their P2-S and P19-S sections along with Rose Baynes and KEC Chicago Rose, then going on to take the Novice N23 along with Heather Conn riding Pipers Appeal, who also won the Novice N39 along with Carolyn Gospel riding Deludo.

Proving to be a day of dual firsts, Suey Browne and Josie II won both their sections in the Elementary 45 and E54, as did Lindsey Birch riding Newlands Bank Tommy.

In the unaffiliated section, Novice N23 went to Paula Coopland with Fabbienne VI, and N39 to Allison Rankin with Tullys Happy. Ian Mackay and Matilda topped the board in the Prelim P19, while the P2 went to Kerry Graham riding Rollux. Carolyn Phillipson won the Intro A with Blackdyke Magic.

The next affiliated and unaffiliated dressage show at Blackdyke is on Sunday January 12.

Meanwhile, the centre’s winter horse showjumping points league is headed by Grace Wood, riding former Racehorse Drinking Buddy. Grace has been riding the 16.1, 12-year-old gelding for the past four years.

The Indoor Carriage Driving season is well underway, with events held at Newton Rigg. 2019 has been great for Louise Kaiholm and Stephie White, both trainers with the Chariots of Fire team based at Boreland near Lockerbie.

At the National Championships, held at Bywell, as the culmination of the year’s outdoor events, Louise won the National Open Pony Championship, driving Ruth Martin’s Welsh Cob and ably assisted by groom Kimberly.

Stephie took the title of National Pony Pairs Reserve Champion. Driving her own pair of Dartmoor Hill Ponies, she was the highest placed open pairs driver, beaten only by a pair of Advanced level ponies who have already won at international level.

n PLEASE send your equestrian news and results to: gilly.fraser@gmail.com