SCOTLAND

New music gave Jennifer JohnstonHarman the winning edge this week.

Jennifer had a good outing at Gordon ahead of the winter regional championships when posting 75.58% to win the freestyle gold elementary with Sugar Plum Fairy.

This was Jennifer’s first time riding through the test with Reay Campbell’s rising seven-year-old home-bred mare “Plum” (Sir Donnerhall x Don Schufro).

Jennifer explained that Reay has always dreamt of Plum performing to Nutcracker music, so commissioned Tom Hunt to make up a compilation.

“The music was just fabulous and very correct to ride to,” said Jennifer, who returned from a week’s holiday to New York just 24 hours before.

“Plum can be a little tense in a test — she will take some time to relax and go as well in a test as she does at home. There’s definitely plenty more to come. Tension can affect her balance and confidence; once she has strength and confidence, she will be fabulous.”

List Four judge Fiona Busby was a double novice silver winner at the Ian Stark EC with Fine China, a rising 10-year-old Irishbred piebald mare.

Purchased barely broken from a dealer five years ago, China is now a successful all-rounder.