IN the blink of an eye, the showing season is suddenly in full swing and Robert Walker had the best possible start to his 2017 campaign when he rode every flat hunter winner and champion at the North of England Spring Show at Warren Farm, Lancashire.

Just for good measure, while the Cheshire rider stayed aboard the novice and open champions, the stable also fielded both reserves ridden by Walker’s wife Sarah and their 12-year-old son Sam.

Every hunter winner was Irish-bred and Walker was quickly off the mark with the winning small, Chantilly Bojangles.

Last season, this son of Kroongraaf was champion small hunter at Dublin for previous owner Paul O’Shaughnessy and just weeks after he was sold to Kim Colosso, the six-year-old took the small hunter title at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) last October.

Following his opening win, Walker then made a clean sweep of the novice classes, first winning the four-year-old class with Corniche Chil.

This son of Chillout, bred by Ann Jennings in Co Mayo, was a young horse winner and reserve in Dublin last year and this was his ridden debut.

“We backed him last October and he’s ticked along nicely over the winter. He’s a great sit on and is enjoying his job,” said Walker, who won the next class (six-year-old and over) with the six-year-old Our Kingsman (Omar) who was purchased from PJ Casey.

While Walker stayed aboard Corniche Chill to take the tricolour in the championship, he handed the reins of Our Kingsman to his son Sam and they duly took the reserve.

The Walker stable also made a clean sweep of the open divisions with Viewpoint, Caesars Palace and Patricks Choice winning their light, middle and heavyweight classes.

In the championship, Robert stayed on Viewpoint to take the title, with his wife Sarah claiming the reserve with Patricks Choice.

The Walker winning run was extended further as Paul Mortimer’s Randalstown Rolex topped his lightweight class before taking the cob championship, and Chantilly Bojangles (Mikey) won the show hunter line-up and took the intermediate championship for Rae Colosso, who was having her first outing with Mikey.

Working hunters turned out in force to take on a Derby type course in the huge grass arena at Warren Farm, where the 2015 and 2016 Royal International champion Killderry Rupert (pictured last week) never missed a beat to win the open and amateur classes before standing champion working hunter.

It proved to be a grey day in the working hunter ring as Kelly Ward claimed the reserve riding her restricted winner Noble Gladiator, who was bought from Gorsebridge Sales three years ago.

Last year, the Dunkerrin Leader-sired six-year-old gained numerous wins and three times earned the perfect 20/20 marks for his ride.

Turned away to grow on mid-term last season, the cracking grey never put a foot wrong in the air and on the flat.

Jane Bartle, whose husband Chris is British Eventing’s team coach, made her first working hunter ride a winning one when Rathcool Diamond (by Glidawn Diamond) won the novice class.

Bought in Ireland by Andrew Callwood, the 13-year-old grey has enjoyed some great seasons whipping in to the West of Yore with his owner Alex Mooney.

“When a close friend saw him hedge-hopping, she suggested we try some workers and I think we’ll be doing some more,” said Bartle.