THE Millar McCall Wylie Under 10’s Grand Prix saw many of the country’s top young riders do battle in the Main Arena at Balmoral Show on Saturday afternoon, nine of whom had managed to qualify two ponies apiece for this inaugural 128cms championship.

Some 15 of the 24 starters went clear in the opening round, with Zara Jane Kelly just failing to progress with her first pony, Bright Bling, when picking up a single time fault.

Local rider Eva Sloan, who had her own fan club in the stands, was third to jump against the clock and recorded the first double clear on Kofi Kingston in 42.15. Sixth-last to jump and the first of those with two ponies through to the jump-off round, Jamie Clarke was setting a very fast time when Phoenix Phantom jammed on the brakes at the final fence giving his young rider no chance of staying on board.

Kildare’s Ben Connors then set a new standard when clear with Just Little in 40.48 seconds, a time which was immediately bettered by Paddy Reape on the one-eyed Vladimir (38.41) who also left all the poles intact.

The Sligo combination had little or no time to enjoy their lead as Sloan returned on Mosstown Little Dream to go clear in 38.32.

However, she too had to immediately surrender her advantage as Mullingar’s Alanna Fagan cut all corners to record a clear in the winning time of 34.59 with Tomas Ryan’s 19-year-old grey gelding Little Bob.

Disappointingly for last-to-go Robert Russell, he had two fences down with Newtown Black Guy.

While there were rosettes down to 12th place in this class, the need to have the Main Arena cleared for the cattle parade meant that only the first six were brought back into the arena, led by a delighted Fagan.