LADY CONA is looking a shrewd investment for Samantha Gervaise-Brazier. The combination is proving to be a very tough one to beat in their first season together and they lit up the first day of the BSJA Horse of the Year Show with a superb victory in the junior puissance.

Renowned for providing spectators with tremendous entertainment, this puissance was no exception, going right down to the fifth and final round.

The six starters had been whittled down to three, with Samantha’s sister, Gabriella, also in the hunt on Crystal Sword and Jersey’s Jo Leonard on Summer Rowes making up the trio.

For the final round, the wall had been raised to 1.45m, a big test for any junior combination.

First to go, Crystal Sword made a valiant attempt but knocked off the top block to finish on four faults.

Lady Cona then entered the arena and, once clear of the spread, raced round in typically brisk fashion to attempt the wall.

One huge leap later the crowd was in raptures, saluting a stunning clearance.

Having to follow such a quality round was never going to be easy although Summer Rowes and Leonard, like Crystal Sword earlier, gave it their best shot and commendably finished on just four faults.

That completed what had been a fine opening day for the Gervaise-Brazier family.

Earlier, Tiffany had placed first and second on Dazzling Silver and Springtide Pink Panther respectively in her first class of the show, the 128cm open, while all three sisters had several other placings throughout the day.

Leonard also had multiple successes, with Summer Rowes winning two classes, and her other pony, Houndsfield Madison County, triumphed in the two-phase jumping.

However, the most successful combination of the day was Becky Travers and Sweet Melody who won all three of their classes with a great display of jumping and speed.

Meanwhile, Jodie Travers riding Willow Parks Amos and Katie Fallaize on Secret Affair II both enjoyed double success.

There was some disappointment on the first day, though, as the wind and rough seas meant that many of the expected Jersey contingent were stuck in their own island while the French team were stranded in St Malo.

Although the senior team event was not affected as it does not start until today, the first leg of the junior competition between Guernsey and Jersey was postponed until later in the show.