WELLAND-based Sophie Hooper showed some good form at a national show jumping qualifier staged at West Wilts Equestrian Centre near Bath.

The 34-year-old was competing in the Elevator Discovery qualifier, which offered eight tickets to the final of the national Blue Chip Championships, to be staged at Solihull in the West Midlands this April.

The class attracted a strong field of over 60 starters from several counties, continuing over several hours, and 20 made it into a highly competitive jump-off.

Hooper jumped a good clear to finish sixth and make sure of her place at the final, which is for horses with winnings of £175 or less.

Her partner was the 16hh bay gelding Dark Master, who at just four years old was one of the youngest horses in the class.

"Sophie came from mid-way through the jump-off and wanted to go clear without rushing such a young horse," explained her mother Mary Hooper, who runs Hill View Riding Stables at Welland.

"She bought Dark Master in Ireland late last year and he hadn't done anything before then.

"Sophie was at the Blue Chip Championships last year with two or three horses and went well."

Dark Master has also qualified for the British Novice and Discovery regional finals later this year, which leads to finals at the Festival of Show Jumping and Horse of the Year Show this autumn.

Hooper has also enjoyed many top successes in the showing world and is a Sports Horse judge.

"She won the Working Hunter showing championship title at the Three Counties Show last year, on her chestnut Classic Gold, and gained a lovely trophy presented in memory of Teresa Norman," Mrs. Hooper continued.

"She was also sixth at the Royal International Horse Show on this horse and is now getting him ready for the working hunter qualifiers for the Horse of the Year Show, which start in May."