THERE was only one flat Connemara class in the Horse Sport Ireland showing section at last weekend’s Association of Irish Riding Clubs’ Festival in Mullingar Equestrian Centre but, as was the case 12 months previously, Sunday’s breed champion came from this sector.

Abbeyside Sarkozy, returned to defend his title but, now representing the Border Counties club, he and rider Laura Finnegan were only fourth in their Connemara class as Mosstown’s Thomasina O’Reilly added a win here to her side-saddle victory on Saturday with her well-known grey, Rosscon Camille.