THERE was some top class show jumping at the Preston Park summer carnival, with competitors travelling from many parts of the country.

Paul Barker from Northallerton excelled in the Geoffrey Robinson Heating National Grade C qualifier, claiming his ticket for the Horse of the Year show at Wembley next month.

Riding the six-year-old Belgian bred Sunboy, he won the eight-horse jump-off over Walter Taylor's excellent course ahead of Lancashire riders Sharon Dillon and Nicola Bampton.

Barker filled the top three places in the first day's 1.25m open with Blue Chip Quinton, Waterford Lad and Sunboy and also won the Peart Speed Stakes on The Pride of EHG.

Pride of EHG was ridden on the final day by BSJA Area 15 secretary Catherine Savage to take the 1.20m Membership/High Amateurs ahead of Haswell's Angie Mills with Gibside Sarleen.

Angie was also runner-up in the Preston Park 1.05m championship, which was won by Don Carcary from Lingdale on the ex-racehorse No Ifs or Buts.

Sadie Osborne won the first day's Discovery riding Maguire Esquire ahead of Whitby's Marcus Richardson on Waste Warrior and Sedgefield's Angela Lowrie riding Zindagis Red Alert.

Angela qualified for the Festival of Show Jumping at Grantham after winning the 32-starter Hadrian Equine Discovey second round with her other mount Westwood Red Fox, while Emma Armstrong earned a ticket with a third place and a win in a novice qualifier with her prolific winner Lord Bertram.

John Brannan and Crievestone took a Newcomers ahead of Stokesley's Neil Robinson on Goulton Crack On, who also had a festival ticket in the Discovery.

The Preston Park senior novice championship produced a good win by Rachel Collinson from Darlington on Miss Inca, ahead of Bishopton's Sophia Cuthbert on River Dipper and Heritage. Sophia recently won the Charles Owen British novice qualifier at Sykehouse to take her ticket for the festival.

Thornaby's Darren Smith had a double win with Mrs Neilson's Apollo X and also had a good opening win with Flyaway Peter.

James Reveley from Lingdale won the Paul Fabrication Debut 18cm riding Stainsby Starburst, ahead of Pippa Allen from Thornaby on Highlight Hazelnut Twirl.

The 138cm qualifier went to Katy Hamton on Corra Lucky Strike, ahead of Eaglescliffe's Sally Jane Adams on Kosmic King.

Sally, trained by Joanne Tanfield, took the Preston Park novice tricolour ahead of Saltburn's Stephanie Robinson on Celtic Fusion.

Brad Valks won the members cup on Chocks Away Ginger, while his brother Adam had good placings on Royal Declan.

David Harland took the opening day's small pony open riding Grey Guy, while his brother Joe took a National 128cm qualifier with Ultimate Challenge. Jenny Siddons was another junior winner with Highland Robbie.