As the 2015 Eventing season draws ever closer, riders flocked to Hartpury College for the finals of the Baileys Horse Feeds Jumping and Style (JAS) series. Under the eagle eyes of judges Liz Parsons and Caroline Moore, competition was hot.

Melton Mowbray's Heidi Coy retained her BE90 JAS crown, this year riding Riversdale Magic Heart (Meg), on whom she won her last JAS BE90 class at Bury Farm. “Last year's vouchers went a long way to paying for most of my training with Ian Woodhead and Caroline Moore, so it's great to have won more this year,” Heidi admitted.

Heidi completed on her style mark of 10, three penalties ahead of Eve Hobbs from Pershore, riding Fivale Indian Art. Jane Bettles and Gold Rush, fresh from a third place in the Jump Training JT80 Final the day before, completed the podium line up.

“Meg jumped so confidently in there,” said Heidi. “We had a sticky moment but she managed to sort her legs out herself. I knew the time was tight so I kept pushing forwards. Meg is a really sweet little horse at home, she likes to be perfect all the time and always tries her best; a true girl!

“Aim wise, we have qualified for the Mitsubishi Motors BE90 Grassroots Championships at Badminton so I can't wait for that, it will be my first time.”

Kylie Roddy also repeated a 2014 Championship win, this year triumphing in the Novice class on last year's BE100 winner Guzzi. She owns the Grafenstolz sired seven year old with her aunt, Melise Blunstone.

“I really like using the JAS series as it sharpens me up for cross country before the season. The format is such good prep for rider and horse, as it is tighter and sharper than a pure show jumping course. Ideally Guzzi will be aimed at Le Lion d'Angers Seven Year Old Championships this year – but one step at a time for now.”

Phoebe Locke rode Tullibards X Factor into the runner up spot, after adding two time penalties to a style score of 10; Kylie had added three time to a score of nine, giving both riders identical totals, and the final rankings reverted to style scores. An on-form Heidi Coy slipped in to third place, this time partnering Forrests Foxy Lady, with a final score of 16.

British Young Rider squad member Sophie Beaty posted a relatively comfortable win in the BE100 Final. Woodend Scooter finished two points clear of the field, a notable achievement given that Sophie has only ridden the eight-year-old twice. She also scored the maximum marks for use of rider aids - specifically 'Effectiveness and appropriate use of the aids without upsetting the horse'.

“He belongs to one of our liveries, and I am standing in while they are on holiday,” Sophie explained. “He's a very genuine and keen little horse who is being aimed by his owner at the Open Novice u18 Regional Finals at Weston Park.”

Sophie, who has recently become part of the UK Sport Lottery funded World Class Development programme, is currently studying for a business diploma while running a string of five horses from home. “My mum is being amazing, exercising them on the days I am at college. I'm hoping to again be selected for the Askham Bryan British Young Rider team and, if all goes according to plan, getting to Bramham for the 3*.”

Eve Hobbs and Fivale Indian Art came closest to catching Sophie, while Alana Collett piloted Interstat into third place.

Nici Wilson denied Sophie a double win when she rode Naomi 55 into the top spot in the Open Novice, having added just one time penalty to her style score of 11.

"She's just a bit crazy! She only came in from her winter break in January,” Nici admitted. “She's really careful so she's good at this kind of thing, and I might aim her at Hickstead's speed derby in the summer. JAS offers good prize-money, and if you aren't on a training scheme, £500 towards training is very useful."

With the top three all posting the same style score, Sophie's ride Stanley picked up four jumping and one time penalty, while Heidi Coy was yet again in the ribbons with Forrests Foxy Lady, adding one jump down and two penalties to her score.

The final award of the day was that of the Kenneth Clawson Memorial trophy. The JAS series was the brain-child of British senior team show jump trainer Kenneth, and he put a huge amount of time and effort into it over the years. The trophy is in his memory, and awarded to a rider chosen by the Judges and Organisers to a rider who has been truly dedicated, as well as showing a marked improvement throughout the qualifiers and Championships. This year's recipient is Heidi Coy.

Paul Davies, of the JAS Organising team, said: “Kenneth's vision when he created the JAS series was to promote rider improvement and preparation before the season.

“We felt that Heidi was so deserving of the Memorial Trophy because she has shown consistency and professionalism beyond her young years throughout the series. She has been a great supporter of JAS and it has been great seeing her make such a successful transition from ponies to horses this year. She got her just rewards today, winning the JAS BE90 section.”

Visit the JAS pages for more information on the competition.

For more information on the series sponsor visit www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk