WILLIAM Whitaker, nephew of the famous Whitaker brothers, took the Krailburg Sapphire qualifier at Stainsby Grange on a day when many competitors had to turn back from Cumbria and Scotland because of gale force winds.

He won with Malnor Misty Lad, while second spot went to 12-year-old West Rounton rider Holly Stevenson on the ten-year-old Mister Shortie. She was also runner-up in the Scope adventurer qualifier behind Jodie Ward on Brooklands Done Dreamin and will be making her debut at Solihull.

Jamie Newnham took third place on Tick Tock Tiger and was also runner-up in the warm-up with Little Miss Baileys behind Redcar's Stephanie Robinson on Little Irish Lad.

Saltburn's Alice McCullogh and Little Storm took the fourth ticket, while Thornaby-trained Darren Smith took the fifth ticket on Sir Benjamin Brown ahead of other qualifiers Zara Kelly, Holly Davies and Alice Walker.

David Harland and Colourwood Colando clinched the 1.15m select open ahead of Little Irish Lad, while his younger brother Joe on Ultimate Challenge was runner-up in the Winter 128cm qualifier. Jordan Whitaker was first and third with Spring Disney and Proud Flyer.

The Winter 138cm qualifier was won by Adam Valks on Diego III, ahead of James Reveley on Double Dominic and Spirit of Boadicea.

The senior show held qualifiers for the Scope Festival in September, with Donna Lillie on Alpine March winning the Blue Ribbon/Foxhunter ahead of Julie Robinson on Howcroft Psammite.

The latter, from Stokesley, took the stable express 1.25m open on her advanced eventer Just Dominic, ahead of 1.20m open winner Amanda Cowan with Dovecote Jilly.

Louise Smailes took the Newcomers on Deeper in Debt, ahead of Karl Fuller, while Joanne Bailey and May Design took the Scope Novice ahead of Charlotte Home on Ginger Connors. The Adventurer went to Sara Dreary on Shiver St George ahead of Emma Wright on Westbourne Special E.