There's nothing like live entertainment and judging by the electric atmosphere oozing from the packed grandstand at the Grange Equestrian Centre during last Saturday's Puissance, people remain hungry for the spontaneity created by this high energy sport.

Hundred of spectators poured into the Okehampton-based centre for a magical night of showjumping brought to a magnificent climax by a dozen brave riders who faced the challenge of the Westcountry Puissance Wall sponsored to the tune of £3,000 by the Clydesdale Bank (Devon/Cornwall).

It's little wonder that the Puissance captures the imagination of the crowd. It takes no prisoners - one mistake and you're out keeping the crowd at the edge of their seats captivated by the drama which rises round by round as the wall grows in height.

Phillip Ghazala's professional commentary, crowd pleasing tracks designed by international coursebuilder Peter Gillespie from Surrey and an arena adorned with beautiful fresh flowers cultivated for the night by the Oldham family at their North Devon Streamways Nurseries set the perfect scene for a night of good old fashioned entertainment.

As a measure of the high quality of the horses and riders in the Puissance it required a dramatic rise in the stakes to reduce the entry. But in the end the enormity of the wall and triple bar began to cast a big shadow across the arena and just five riders remained in the fifth and final round where the wall stood at a massive 1.95metres.

Taunton 's Martin Brake and his chestnut gelding Sandpiper were the trailblazers for this difficult task and they came close but a light clip at the wall left bricks on the floor.

Next came Cornishman, Adam Ellery on Dick Wills' big grey Pendarves Raffles but it wasn't to be and the bricks again toppled.

With three left in the fray the crowd raised the roof in support of the next combination, cheering Andrew James and his charismatic grey Presco S into the arena willing them to jump clear.

Not a pin was heard dropping around the packed house as Andrew turned his son of Corland into the triple bar jumping it with feet to spare. Then they turned down to the towering wall and what an amazing reception they received as they conjured the perfect jump to clear this enormous challenge.

"Presco was fantastic and so were the crowd," said Andrew who lives near Bodmin, Cornwall . "What a night. The Puissance is totally unique. It brings the riders and the audience together. We're all grateful to the Clydesdale Bank for supporting this class."

Next into the arena came Sammie Jo Coffin from St Austell, Cornwall on her big bay No Wise Cracks, one of the firm favourites with the bookies.

As cool as a cucumber, Sammie Jo sailed over the wall with her scopey gelding to secure a share of the £3,000 prize fund. "There's nothing like the feeling when you're jumping the big Wall," said Sammie Jo.

Flying the flag for Devon , Justin Tuff brought the evening to a perfect conclusion on Karen O'Brien's Retro receiving a standing ovation as they became the third combination to jump clear.

"It's brilliant in there," said Justin who lives near Totnes. "The crowd really got behind me and were willing me home every step of the way."

Managing Partner David Bird, of the Clydesdale bank's Exeter Office said: "It's been was an evening of pure entertainment and the bank is delighted to support such a wonderful class enjoyed by so many."

The three-day festival attracted riders from all over the country in their quest for one of the many qualifying tickets on offer to the Blue Chip championships, the Scope Festival, Welsh Masters and the Royal Bath & West Show.

Taunton-based rider Tom Dunn and Mr Willoughby held onto the Grand Prix title for a second consecutive year holding off a close challenge from Justin Tuff and Retro to take the top ticket to the High Offley Stud National finals.

A small field came forward for the Blue Chip Dynamic B&C Handicap qualifier and it was Jamie Douglas from Ivybridge on his own Vicky Van De Zuuthoeve and Clare Beacham from Helston riding Sandra Gummow's Second Time who came up with the answers to Peter Gillespie's technical track.

First draw went to Clare and Second Time but in applying the pressure they paid the penalty and knowing exactly what to do Jamie produced a copybook round on his 16.1hh, eight year-old mare.

"I bought her from John Whinnett exactly a year ago," said 23-year-old Jamie who trains with BSJA accredited coach Mandy Frost.

Zara Trim from Dorset set an unbeatable standard from opening draw on her father Julian's mare Zarco to claim the top ticket in the Blue Chip Performance qualifier. This seven year-old mare was acquired via Mark McCourt as a five-year-old from Jack Leemans in Holland .

"It's only her second show after coming back from a long break," said Zara who trains with Bina Ford and Blair Willmer and is a third year student at the Royal Agricultural College , Cirencester.

Julian Mincher made his journey from Kent worthwhile when he dominated the Derby House Winter Novice qualifier securing a duo of Royal International tickets with Charlotte Baines' six year-old geldings Idol and Uncle Gerrit.

GRANGE EC, Okehampton, Devon

23-25 February 2007

1.10 open.- 1, Pristina (L Clarke); 2, Oase (A Ellery); 3, Shiraz II (A Ellery). Petplan Equine newcomers.- 1, Zebedee V (L Wiegersma); 2, Ruby Ravel (S Botterill); 3, Liska D'Aurore (M Grose). 1.15 Welsh Masters qualifier.- 1, Parkmore Coleen (A Ellery); 2, Oase; 3, Santos III (Z Trim). Blue Chip Performance qualifier.- 1, Zarco (Z Trim); 2, Libero Raphael (A James); 3, Sonic Sailor (V Eklov). 1.25 Welsh Masters qualifier.- 1, Senorita O (J Kirkby); 2, Amoray (B Ford); 3, Presco S (A James). Blue Chip Dynamic B&C qualifier.- 1, Vicky Van de Zuuthoeve (J Douglas); 2, Second Time (C Beacham); 3, This Time (C Beacham). Accumulator.- 1, Retro (J Tuff); 2, Oscar IV (J Tuff); 3, Presco S. 1.05 Grange open.- 1, Condies Express (S J Coffin); 2, Prince Farn (V Done); 3, Wiana V (H Finch). Derby House Winter Novice qualifier.- 1, Idol (J Mincher); 2, Uncle Gerrit (J Mincher); 3, Top Gun IV (L Bevan). Horse & Hound foxhunter.- 1, Sonic Sailor; 2, Master Blaster (J Lazenby); 3, Bootylicious (L Harris). 1.20 open.- 1, Parkmore Coleen; 2, Tilana S (C Al-Redha); 3, Calfariba Du Mont Ch (A Watson). Petplan Equine Newcomer.- 1, Ulla Van Lange Weeren (D Lane); 2, Stormhill Storytime (S J Coffin); 3, Millenium IV (C Beacham). 1.10 open.- 1, Oase; 2, Shiraz; 3, Thildora Weering (L Harris).1.20 open Scope & Welsh Masters qualifier.- 1, Remy VZ (C Baker); 2, Crosswinds Bobby Dazzler (S J Coffin); 3, Mr Cruising (C Al-Redha). Horse & Hound foxhunter.- 1, Libero Raphael (A James); 2, Tanja (J Engel); 3, Zarco. High Offley Stud National 1.30 open qualifier.- 1, Mr Willoughby (T Dunn); 2, Retro; 3, Crosswinds Bobby Dazzler; Clydesdale Bank Puissance.- eq 1, Presco S; No Wise Cracks; Retro. 1.25 Bath & West qualifier.- 1, Amoray; 2, Nalevus (J Kirkby); 3, Second Time. Derby House british novice.- 1, Amazula (H Finch); 2, Tobias VII (K Stockdale); 3, Tyme Ferwyne (J Johnson). Equenox discovery.- 1, Mystic Mars (J Stacey); 2, Pure Gold (L Wiegersma); 3, Freya (J Lazenby). 1.05 Top Tack Adventurer.- 1, Liska de Aurore (M Grose); 2, Claryns (B J Watts).

Button