TWENTY squads took part in the ninth running of the Supporting Ovarian Cancer Knowledge (SOCK) team show jumping challenge at the Cheval Riding Club grounds in Jordanstown, north Co Dublin last Sunday.

The Nations’ Cup style competition was split into two rings with the 60cms and 70cms competitors jumping their two rounds in the sand arena, where they judged by Gilly Beare, while the 80cms and 90cms riders competed in the grass arena under the watchful eye of Christine Walsh.

The tracks were built by Laura Carrick who must have been pleased to see three teams conclude two rounds of jumping on a zero score with a further four on four faults apiece. The Piperstown Equestrian Centre near Drogheda fielded seven teams – all named after Snow White’s good friends, the Seven Dwarfs – and it was the Centre’s Happy squad who came out on top following a jump-off between their captain and those of last year’s victors, Meath Gold, and the optimistically-named The Winners!

Linzi Sullivan is no stranger to speed and, riding Madison, she shaved two seconds off the time set by Ian Quinlan of Meath Gold on The Plasterer to secure the win for Piperstown Happy. Kieran Cahill of The Winners! had to settle for third place on this occasion following his jump-off round on Srilanka Diamond. Sullivan and her winning teammates of Conor McBride (Big Mac), Jack Geraghty (Harry) and Miriam Walsh (Kacey K) were presented with the Jane Keating memorial trophy by Jane’s brother Kevin.

Jumping-off for the minor placings were Karen Kelly who was captain of Cheval Coogars (fourth), Sophia Johnson of Piperstown Sneezy (fifth) and Sophie Rock representing Piperstown Grumpy (sixth).

This show continues to be a success thanks to some very generous sponsorship. On Sunday, the winning team were presented with Horse Mad Store Rugs, prizes from Whites Agri as well as Equine Show & Action Photography vouchers while the placed teams received Orchard Equestrian jackets, gifts from the Equine Warehouse and Bluegrass goody bags to name just a few.

The Martin O’Brien-sponsored leading rider award in the grass ring was judged by long time Cheval member Aileen Bradish who opted for Niav Cahill riding her 12-year-old dun mare, Dinan Sinead. This combination, who lined out for The Winners! on Sunday, will be competing for Thomastown & District in tomorrow’s Horseware team show jumping championship final at the Dublin Horse Show. The Piperstown yard continued its fine form when young rider Meabh Gibbons and her pony Sky collected the Kenure Flashdance award for the flashiest horse or pony.

As always, the cake sale, the Vincent Doyle-sponsored barbeque, the dog show and monster raffle drew the crowds and circa €5,250 was raised for Ovarian Cancer Research. To date, the show has raised close to €40,000 and the SOCK team wish to extend their thanks to all the loyal sponsors, supporters, riders and to Cheval Riding Club for their continued support.