AS the last of five qualifiers for the Star of the Future championships at Balmoral Show (May 14th to 17th), the entries at Lusk Equestrian on Sunday were, as expected, a bit smaller than at other venues but there was a great atmosphere as two classes were run in conjunction with the centre’s Derby Day where the simple rule of the fastest clear round prevailed.

Such, of course, was not the case in the Balmoral qualifiers where some nice young horses were judged for conformation and type, paces on the flat, jumping scope and technique, way of going, gallop and potential/star quality. There was good support from owners and riders in the south who were most complimentary about the course. Organisers Harold and Jenny Lusk didn’t have to look too far for a judge with Harold’s brother Brian undertaking the task.