Billington's biggest win

An early Christmas present comes up trumps, Daisy Williams proves successful on her mission to qualify and Tabitha Kyle scores a stylish hat-trick

- MARGARET SHAW

JENNY BILLINGTON has enjoyed a dream start to her first winter 148cm premier season, as the local rider collected two tickets to the Charles Britton Equestrian Construction winter JA final which takes place here in April.

Jenny scored her biggest win when Merlijn VD Bisschop powered home ahead in the second JA qualifier of the weekend.

“This was the biggest course we have taken on and while Merlijn can be a bit of a Jack the-lad, I knew he had the ability to jump clear,” said Jenny, who received Merlijn as an early Christmas present in December.

The Flipper D’Elle eight-yearold had previously been ridden by Irish rider Leah Stack, and Jenny first tried him in Belgium.

Course-designer David Cole set a tempting third-round course with a mixture of long runs, inside lines and sharp turns. Jenny took every option and Merlijn never wavered.

“He is naturally quick and he turns well. Although we were a bit tight at one point, I put my leg on and he picked up well,” concluded Jenny.

Taking the next two tickets were Megan Li, who produced the only other triple clear with Harry, and third-placed Elissa Hermann riding Lapislazuli.

Jenny collected her first ticket to the winter JA final the previous day, after finishing third with her partner of just over 12 months Faith X in a time of 35.79sec.