CLAIRE Gosden, from Alresford, took top spot in the last of this year’s Dodson & Horrell 1.05m National Amateur Second Round competitions, held at Crofton Manor Equestrian Centre, near Fareham.

The starters were bidding to secure one of the last qualifying places on offer for the Dodson & Horrell National Amateur Championships which take place at Aintree Equestrian Centre in Liverpool this weekend.

Competition in the first round proved to be particularly tough and less than a third of the field made it through to the jump-off.

And victory was achieved by the penultimate combination to go – Claire Gosden on board her own 11-year-old grey mare, Billy Jean IV.

Claire rode with accuracy to deliver her second foot-perfect round on the mare in 51.04secs, a time that proved fast enough to secure the win.

Sarah Evans, from New Milton, took second place on her own 11-year-old bay mare, Capitol Duell. They left all the fences untouched in a time of 52.35secs.

Third was Laura Stringfellow of Newbury, riding David Mason’s eight-year-old bay gelding, KEC Cocktail Hour. Laura clocked a fast 50.39secs, but picked up four faults early in her round.

Results:

1st, Claire Gosden & Billy Jean IV – 0/0 – 51.04secs; 2nd, Sarah Evans & Capitol Duell – 0/0 – 52.35; 3rd, Laura Stringfellow & KEC Cocktail Hour – 0/4 – 50.39; 4th, Laura Stringfellow & Guidam Red Pepper – 0/39 – 90.54.

Qualifications to be updated pending official grading of results.