SALLY Carpenter proved the perfect substitute for Sam Kitson when she partnered Jethro Bloodstock's heavyweight hunter Grand Tavern to the top honour in the ridden hunter championship.

Having already won through to the tri-colour judging on Jethro's seven-year-old middleweight hunter Magnifire, Sam called on Sally to take over the reins on Grand Tavern.

"Sally only lives two-miles from us at Lifton and we know each well," said Sam. "I'd like to thank her for stepping into the breach so beautifully."

This was only the second outing of the season for Jethro's prolific winning nine-year-old who earlier in the month stood head of the heavyweights at North Somerset Show.

The reserve ridden hunter championship went to Robert Oliver and Loughkeen Dancing Lord, owned by Mrs White of Somerset.