WORCESTERSHIRE duo Laura Hollier and Lori-Dee Jackson collected tickets to the Blue Chip finals after impressive performances in a national show jumping qualifier staged at Gracelands Equestrian Centre at Elmbridge.

Laura, aged 14 and from Wychbold, was fourth on the 11 year-old bay mare Muirsland Sprite.

Thirteen year-old Lori-Dee Jackson, from Lyppard Woodgreen, Worcester, was fifth on the ten year-old bay pony The Vision.

Completing the local success was Redditch 14 year-old Brogan Adams, who was eigth on the six year-old grey Dunkern Clover, one of the younger ponies in the qualifier.

Webheath 12 year-old George Morrissey led the way at Elmbridge.

The Birchensale School pupil headed the Kitt Sapphire qualifier, a junior competition for riders aged 16 and under on ponies.

The win takes him on to a final at the national Blue Chip Championships, due to be held at Solihull Riding Club's arena next April.

"There were lots in the qualifier and 19 ponies made the jump-off," said mum Mrs. Amanda Morrissey.

"George was last to go against the clock and was supposed to go for a steady double clear but he didn't - he really went for it and ended up winning! The pony isn't too fast but turns really well."

George, who qualified for the Blue Chip Championships two years ago on a 13.2hh pony, rode the 14.1hh bay gelding Half Star.

"We only had the pony at the beginning of June and at first we had teething problems with him - he was a bit of a pig," Amanda added.

"He's really come on since though and the pair won the second round of the national Junior British Novice competition to make the final at the Festival of Show Jumping this autumn."

The duo also qualified for the national Scope Festival in Staffordshire this autumn, where they picked up a sixth in the Novice and Progressive competition. The pony is now out of Newcomers competitions, having increas-ed his prize-money winnings from £79 to £400 while he has been with George.

"Half Star has already qualified for the Newcomers regional finals next year, having jumped four double clears," Amanda concluded.

"George is aiming him for the Horse of the Year Show junior foxhunter final next year and the pair has some sponsorship from cybermarket.co.uk"

Second spot went to South Gloucestershire's Rebecca Harraway, who also came from towards the end of the jump off on the eight year old chestnut R Hamlet.