MEATH’S Elizabeth Power certainly proved that with horses, age is but a number as she partnered the 20-year-old Doonaveeragh O One to victory in the Gain Equine Nutrition/Alltech Ireland National Grand Prix at the National Balmoral Championships last Saturday.

Owned by Power, Doonaveeragh O One is by High Roller out of the Diamond Lad-sired Doonaveeragh Diamond. This loyal charge has delivered many results for Power over the years and in 2019 a series of wins in the Premier Series saw them gain their place in the international classes at Dublin Horse Show. The combination continued to impress as they went on to win the Theraplate Ireland Royal Dublin Society speed class.

Speaking afterwards, Esib Power said: “I am delighted with the win. He is an amazing horse and I think everybody knows him by now. He is 20 years old so we do spare him. Balmoral is a big grass arena and it was on my ‘to do’ list this summer.”

Regarding the jump-off, Power added: “I knew it was a fast time, but I’m not in it just to take part, so I was definitely going to give it a crack and luckily for me, from start to finish, it just worked out well. Tommy (Doonaveeragh O One) has the secret that us humans need to learn; he just loves life.

“When you put the headcollar on to get him ready for a show, he loves it and he absolutely loves his job. He was as happy with that win today as I was today.”

This round was well-supported with 64 combinations taking on the Klaus Wholle-designed track. Of the original starters, nine delivered double clears in an 18-way jump-off.

Waterford’s Paul Beecher and Ikona V’T Recht Eind were the first to answer all the questions. Beecher made up time from the start, getting a good shot back to the oxer at three. Another good turn back to the vertical at five and onto the double, matched with a gallop to the last saw him set the standard of clear in 41.50.

Owned by Paul’s wife, Seryna Van Kuelen, the 13-year-old Belgian-bred mare is by Deauville De La Vi out of Butterfly Vd Ruitershoeve.

Beecher also delivered a double clear with Glamstone, but a more cautious time of 48.14 meant a ninth-place finish for them.

Wicklow’s Brendan Murphy had his foot to the floor as he took it on with RHS Blue. Following a similar path to Beecher, he crossed the line fractions ahead in 40.51, which would later see him finish in third place, one place ahead of Beecher in the line-up. Owned by John Hoyne and bred by Deirdre McGuckian, the eight-year-old mare is by Cheers Cassini and is out of the Cruisings Mickey Finn-sired Tullibards Ask Benny.

Double-handed in the timed round, Cork’s Hannah O’Shea improved on her earlier performance when she kept the poles in place with the Sandra Duffy-owned Ardcashel Coovella in 42.06 for sixth place. This 12-year-old mare is by Luidam out of Prominence.

Young rider Isabel Fitzpatrick didn’t hang about as she took it on with Fourth of July and delivered a clear in 41.77 for fifth place. Owned by Barbara and Harry Fitzpatrick, the 11-year-old gelding (by Boss out of the Concorde-sired Lambada) has proved very successful for Fitzpatrick in the young rider arena and more recently at Grand Prix level, taking the runner-up position at Cavan.

No stranger to Balmoral, Jonathan Smyth and Mulvin Lights Out had a win in mind as they took to the course. Smyth took the necessary tight turn to the oxer at three and later to the vertical at five, a quick pace throughout the course saw him set a fresh target of 40.43. Owned by Noletta Smyth and Roy Craig, this impressive nine-year-old gelding is by Kroongraaf out of the Diamond Serpent- sired Diamond Vicky.

The penultimate rider in, Elizabeth Power entered the ring in a determined pace with Doonaveeragh O One and her experience showed as she maintained the pace from the off. This, with a series of sharp turnbacks, saw her set the winning time of 38.25 and in the process demote Smyth (Mulvin Lights Out) into second.

Young rider Robyn Fagan also kept the poles in place aboard the Carol Gee and Mark Fagan-owned Fernhill Holly Chay, but a slower time of 42.56 saw her take sixth place.

Fellow young rider Adam Carey and Quinn Z were a second behind in 43.56 for eighth place.