AFTER 21 hotly contested legs, which started in Gurteen College in March, action in the successful Top Spec Amateur League concluded at Scarvagh recently.
To qualify for points, all horse/rider combinations had to be registered with Eventing Ireland and declared themselves as amateurs.
Thirty-seven combinations took part in the Top Spec CNC* amateur league where Hannah Whittle and Mullybrannon Masterpiece topped the table on 36 points - being placed on each outing. Tara Rocca and Major Deegan held onto second position and third was Ann Bowe on Festy Breeze.
The entries to this year’sTop Spec EI 100 increased to 116, the most popular of the amateur classes - so winning this class was a great achievement!
Zoe Kavanagh riding Castlekirk topped the leader board with five outings on 34 points - winning four legs and runner-up in one. This is the second time Zoe has won the amateur pre-novice league, the first time being with Master Mexico in 2013. Caroline O’Leary and Balcarrig were second, finishing one point behind Zoe. Third was Pauline Faloon and Carlingford Sebastian.
Another record entry for recorded in the Top Spec EI 90 amateur league with 94 combinations battling it out during the season. The final winner was Katrina Clarke and Ballysheil Bryan Boru completing on 33 points. The runner-up was Kate Keenan and Ballinteskin June on 29 points with Ruth Logan riding Home Alone City and Tanya Doyle and Alffie coming in equal third.
Amateur committee chairman, John Joe Grace, said: “I’m absolutely delighted in the number of entries and interest in the amateur classes. It’s been a brilliant season. I’d like to thank Top Spec for their support this year and for their very generous prizes.”
Senior nutritionist and sponsorship and marketing director at Top Spec, Katy Mickle, said: “We hope that everyone has enjoyed the Top Spec Amateur Leagues this year and would like to thank everyone for taking part. We would welcome ideas for next year. If you would like feeding advice for your horse, please give us a call on 062 85401 and we will be happy to help. Don’t forget to collect the tokens on the sacks – use for free feed/supplements or horse and rider clothing – see www.topspec.com for details.”
A total of 126 combinations took part on day tickets in the EI 100A and EI 90A classes.
ALDON 3DE
Meanwhile, six amateur eventers are taking on the long format three-day-event in Aldon, in Somerset (October 22nd-25th). The class is not confined to amateurs, the entries include Italy’s Vittoria Pannizon Set at championship pre-novice standard, qualification is by way of three completions for horse and rider combination at pre-novice level. The top 10% finishers in the 3BE100 class gain automatic qualification to the Mitsubishi Motors Championships at Badminton 2016 grassroot level.
Four of those who competed last year are returning to challenge again the trials of the dressage, roads and tracks, steeplechase and cross-country, and final day of show-jumping - Zoe Kavanagh (Castlekirk), Caroline O’Leary (Balcarrig), John Joe Grace (Push The Button) and Jane Grace riding their home-bred mare Welwyn View. Joining the quartet for their first attempt will be Aisling Quinn (Try Time Diva) and Georgina Magnier (Really Rich) with Jane O’Flynn as chef d’equipe.