Annette Buckingham and her eight-year-old gelding The Kennel Man emerged with the top ticket to next year's Royal International Horse Show in the Grylls & Page working hunter qualifier at Camborne Show, which climaxed in an all-Cornish line-up.

"This was probably the best round we've ever jumped," said Annette, who lives at Helston. "I saw a black cat crossing the road on the morning of the show and thought, 'If that doesn't give me good luck, I don't know what will'."

Course builder Luke Ingram's flowing track included a skinny roll top and a set of Derby rails. These proved influential, with the only clear rounds posted by Annette and Mel Hennah, riding Carolyn Steven's Anchorman.

"This course required accurate and thoughtful riding," observed the judge, Laura Szutowicz.

"It had plenty of scope to be jumped at hunting pace." Ingram added. "My aim was to reward an accurate rider and an obedient horse."

Maintaining her momentum, Annette produced a polished show on the Kennel Man, who confirmed his manners by giving the judge a super ride. "I've waited a long time for something like this to happen," said Annette, who juggles her busy career as a building control officer with Cornwall County Council with competing.

Annette acquired her son of Ghareeb direct from Ireland as a four-year-old and has spent time producing him with great care.

"It's taken a long time to get him this far," she said. "I'm absolutely thrilled our hard work has paid off and he's done it as last."

The five-year-old prospect Anchorman continued to fulfil its promise by picking up the second-placed qualification.

Franking their Stithians Show form, which saw the pair finish second in their first Horse of the Year Show qualifier, the exciting combination of the horse and Mel Hennah looked impressive.

"He's jumped two clears in his two qualifiers," said Mel, who combines competing with running her Trenerth Equestrian Stud and AI Centre at Leedstown.

Carolyn Steven's scopey 17.1hh son of Elmshorn looks a star in the making.

"We looked far and wide for a working hunter prospect but found him on our doorstep in Cornwall with Sammie Jo Coffin," she said. "We all think a lot of this horse and are excited about his future."

Mel agreed. "I have high hopes of him turning into a top class working hunter," she said. Adam Ellery secured the final ticket with Tim and Rosemary Ball's six-year-old bay gelding Storm Force, who has been knocking on the door all season.

This son of Puissance is another exciting working hunter prospect being produced in the county.

A winner of the riding horse class at Stithians, Hennah was thrilled when her home-bred four-year-old De Tox collected a successive victory under Buckingham.

"She's by my resident stallion My Eclipse and is the first of my home-bred horses to be out competing," said Mel.