DAVID Harland, from Newton Mulgrave near Whitby, has qualified for the Blue Chip finals at Solihull in April after winning the 39-starter BEIB Star qualifier at Stainsby Grange, writes Malcolm Bewsher.

The 15-year-old was riding Teds Way, formerly ridden by Christopher Hill from Saltburn. He has also been selected for the Accenture junior/young riders squad and hopes to compete in the European Championships at San Remo.

The second ticket for Solihull went to Thornaby's Joanne Tanfield on Stainsby Don Edwardo. Joanne, back in action after breaking her collarbone in August, was also runner-up in the 1.15m open and third with Stainsby Sponeck in the open.

Tickets for Solihull also went to Tessa Blackburn (Murphy Obuga and April Star), Robert Shields (Westbourne, Everytime), Sarah Deary (Shiver St George), Alison Lines (Rapid Rascal) and Angie Mills (Gibside Sarleen).

Emma Denton, trained by Peter Allen, took the Newcomers 1.10m open riding Kepwick Julia and the Stable Express open on the six-year-old Goulton Zayla.

Lisa Boardman took the DMS novice on Hotspot ahead of Charlotte Ridley riding Indian Blues, while Christopher Hill took the Adventurer with Seacroft Sapphire ahead of international rider Alan Fazakerley on his Solihull-bound Primeur T.

Joanna Andrews from Husthwaite took the open with the Dutch-bred Jerina II ahead of Thirsk rider Sarah Russell on Toodjay. Joanna has sadly lost her great mount Cottage at the age of 19. Cottage won £21,393 in a fine career and won the International Trial at Driffield last year.

The horse also collected the Young Showjumper award at Olympia in 1991 among many other successes.

Meanwhile, Ian Brown built an excellent track for the 33-starter Blue Chip Power at Richmond. There were seven double clears, with the winning ticket going to Newcastle's young rider James Taylor on Landcruiser II. Sarah Russell put in a good challenge with Kosmic Colours to finish second, having finished third in the Adventurer.

Emma Denton was third with Goulton Zayla, with other tickets going to Angela Bell (Blofeld), James Taylor (Darraks Mario), Rebecca Williams (Cappiche), Jessica Russell (Temple Carrone) and Robert Shields (Westwood Red Fox).

Angela Bell had a double win with Opporto taking the Adventurer and Newcomers, while Donna Mewse took the Stable Express open riding DJA's Soft Touch and also had a second in the Scope novice with Lord Of The Rings behind Rosie Macauley's Final Answer.

Crook rider Robert Shields clinched the top two spots in the Scope B&C with Westbourne Everytime and Quatro, while Sarah Russell won the Foxhunter 1.20 open on both days with Toodjay and Aminimo.