STAINSBY Grange Equestrian Centre, Thornaby, hosted the final junior premier show of the winter season which attracted excellent entries and produced an electric atmosphere.

The show, with courses designed by Walter Taylor assisted by Brian Candler and organised by Paula and Peter Allen, included several second round qualifiers for the Royal International Horse Show.

The AK Horseboxes JA Classic qualifier for the Royal Show was won by Phillipa Dobby riding Expression III.

Ten-year-old Pippa Allen, a pupil at Red House School, Norton, clinched her fourth ticket for the Royal International with Duncrynes Jungle Bunny. The pair were fourth in the winter 128cm, but Pippa already has two ponies through to the Hickstead final.

She qualified at College Equestrian Centre with Silver Wonder after finishing third behind her other pony, Midnight Dynamite, which was third in the Scottish 128cm championship.

Pippa also achieved the only triple clear round to clinch the qualifier at Rowallan with Stainsby Stardust.

Ten-year-old Helen Smallwood, from Trimdon, was also on top form with Metric, which was runner-up in both the winter 128cm and the national 128cm championship.

Alice McCullagh was also in tremendous form, finishing fifth in the winter 138cm to earn a Royal International ticket.

The 12-year-old, trained by her mother Clare and a pupil at Yarm Secondary School, rode the home-produced Alpental Crystal Canyon.

Holly Stevenson, from West Rounton, will make her Hickstead debut after finishing third in the winter JC from a four pony jump-off. The 14-year-old, trained by Peter Allen, jumped a triple clear on Stainsby Irish Mist, bought from event rider Helen Bell two years ago.