THE first of the national show jumping classes - for which combinations had to qualify - began in Balmoral on Wednesday, drawing a competitive field and setting a high standard for the days to follow.

First up in the beautiful main arena was the Bluefrog five-year-old Championship where 20 combinations lined out and seven produced a first-round clear to make it into the jump-off. Taking the win was Aisling McGreal and her own Monbeg Crystal. Fourth to go against the clock, they lodged the winning clear round in 35.97. Bred by Marti Rudd, the mare is by HHS Cornet out of the performance mare Ballycapple Mist (Boherdeal Clover).

Aisling McGreal and Monbeg Crystal won the five-year-old championship at Balmoral \ Anne Hughes

Deane Rogan was almost two seconds behind with MCG Carrow Kuhnstuck as they came home with nothing to add in 37.26. Owned by Declan McGarry, the mare is by Karajan out of S-Cecillie x Stakkato.

A clear from Cavan’s Victoria Clarke and Eclipse Action in 38.38 saw them take third. Owned by Cavan Equestrian the gelding is by Emerald Van’t Ruytershof out of Emma x Nabab De Reve. Senan Reape opted for some longer lines with BP Rioja and a clear in 39.54 saw them take fourth place. Bred by GBBS and owned by Cathal McMunn and Jonathan Reape, the gelding is by Numero Uno out of a Plot Blue mare.

Last of the double clears in 46.76 and taking fifth was Caitilin Taggart aboard Palm Springs. This KWPN-bred gelding is by Harley VDL out of Charlotte x Tolan R. Shane Treanor and Dominic Rice’s Premier Jack (Jackaroo x Balout du Rouet) finished up as the fastest four-faulter in 40.22 for sixth.

Six/seven-year-old Championship

Following a great weekend at Barnadown where he took second in the Plusvital Premier Series, Mikey Pender was back in the ribbons at Balmoral with another strong performance.

This time riding HHS Flonix, he took the win in the Spillers six/seven-old Championship in the main arena with a clear in 37.31.

This stallion, winner of the four-year-old championship at the Dublin Horse Show three years ago, booked its place to Balmoral in Kernan’s when they finished fifth. Owned by Marion Hughes and bred by Brendan McSorley, he is by Aganix Du Seigneur out of the Clover Echo-sired Echo Peach.

Not content with the win, Pender also claimed the runner-up spot with HHS Arezzo, when he delivered another clear in a time of 38.97. This combination has been on form of late when claiming the TRM Spring Tour in Mullingar in April. A seven-year-old gelding, he was bred by Bravo Hughes Ltd by Luidam out of the Cavalier Royale mare HHS Chantilly Lace.

Katie McEntee put in a gallant attempt with Susan Fitzpatrick’s six-year-old Dare To Dream Z (Diamant de Semilly x Boreas) and her time of 40.61 saw her take third. A clear from Katie Nallon and Bob Sweeney’s Aganix Summer Tokyo Drift in 43.22 saw them take fourth place. Bred by Karen Mackenzie, the six-year-old is by Aganix Du Seigneur and out of Ladykiller de la Rubin.

Amanda Goldsbury and Cooley Farm’s KHH Romanov Park (Romanov x Don Juan de la Bouverie), bred by Sarah Crosbie and Brendan McArdle, crossed the line with nothing to add in 45.88 for fifth place. Completing the top six was Jamie Landers aboard David Hedley’s Agana van’t Vossenhof Z (Aganix du Seigneur Z x Carthago Z) when they finished as the fastest of the four-faulters in 38.81.

1.35m RUAS Championship

Also taking place on Wednesday morning was the 1.35m RUAS Championship, where Katie Nallon returned to take the win when she left nothing to spare with Tara Brandon’s CW Luiboutain (Luidam x Captain Clover), crossing the line with nothing to add in a time of 35.97.

Alex Finney put in a superb attempt with Absolutely Kingmar Z (Aganix du Seigneur Z x Radco d’Houtveld) and their time of 37.38 saw them fill the runner-up spot. A clear from Sean Foley and Lord of the Rings BMH in 38.90 proved good enough for third place, ahead of Ailsa Sexton and Sparky Lad, clear in 40.69.

Elliott Reeves’s decision to play it safe with Gorsehill Ruby paid off, as they were the last of the double clears in 41.24. Jenny Dunlop proved that the time could be beaten, as she clocked 37.29 with Questro Z - but with one on the ground she had to settle for sixth place.

Botanica Amateur Championship

Taking centre stage on Saturday morning was the Botanica International Amateur Championship with 25 hopefuls putting their best foot forward. Taking this year’s title was Caitlin Duffy [AA] and Jockeyhall Midas Touch when they were fastest of four double clears in the 11-way jump-off in a time of 37.83.

Duffy was chased home by Kate Murray [A] and Crynolisk Feisty Blue when they clocked 39 seconds to take the runner-up spot.

Little divided the next placing as Egle Zakaraite [A] and Talbot Siss stopped the clock in 39.22. Last of the double clears in 41.08 and slotting into fourth was Jane Hennigan [A] and Mayfield Romeo.

Tara Elizabeth Patton [AA] put in a gallant attempt with Castleroche Pretty Women but four faults in 39.04 saw them take fifth, ahead of Craig Lovett [A] and Sligo Candy Call after they finished on four faults in 40.11.

Karlswood Under 10s’ Championship

A firm favourite on the schedule, pony riders put on a brilliant display on Saturday, the final day of the show, as they contested the Karlswood Under 10s’ Championship. Taking the win was Ulster rider Tim Morton and Dutch Lady when clear in 30.29.

Leinster rider Jack Derwin didn’t hang about with Ginger Rodgers and a clear in 31.50 saw them take second. Munster’s Emily Mason also kept the poles in their cups aboard Shining Star and, breaking the beams in 32.26, saw them take third, ahead of fellow Munster rider Mairead Kate Barry and Ryehall Marble Arch (35.65).

Leinster’s Saoirse Murphy filled fifth place with Sparkling Lackaghmore Katie (37.40), while in sixth place was Ulster’s Georgia Bingham and Sweet Lily (37.84).