SADLY, there were a lot of eliminations and problems in jumping across the country on Sunday, as the Under 12s and Intro Juniors tackled the final phase of their classes at the Connolly’s Red Mills/Irish Pony Club National Eventing Championships at Tattersalls Ireland.
However, 10 of the 19 teams completed in the Under 12s’ team championship for the Broomfield perpetual challenge cup, with the honours going to the North Kilkenny Trojans’ Molly Jean Clarke (Taylors Dicey Riley), Sarah Eardly (OMS Lady Equire), Katie Murphy (Cartoor Larry) and Nancy Lyons Teehan (Buachaill Buí), who posted a combined score of 94 penalties.
The Duhallows Dolls, who included the Arena 12 winner Sophia Philpott on the 17-year-old bay gelding Kilbeg Tommy, finished second on 102.5 with the Shillelagh Greens slotting into third on 106.75.
Given the summer they had, it was little surprise to see Nancy Lyons Teehan and the Connemara gelding Buachaill Buí (Templebready Fear Bui - Golden Bee, by Glaskopf Golden Siskin) record a comprehensive all-the-way victory in Arena 13. Prior to their appearance here, they won the working hunter championship at Clifden and, this week, they have been competing at the British Show Pony Society’s Summer Championships in Grantham.
Meath’s Rosita Dunne moved up from second after dressage to win the Under 12s’ individual championship for the Marina Brennan trophy on board the 12-year-old Welsh gelding Fontmell Jack Sparrow (Carrwood Zeus - Fontmell Joie de Vivre, by Fontmell Race Against Time).
There was no team championship at Intro Junior level, but there were two individual championships for the Ivan and Lynda Hatton trophy.
In Arena 10, the honours were claimed by the Carr & Day & Martin dressage winner, North Kilkenny’s Anna-May Keogh riding the 14-year-old ISH gelding Ferros Kandy (S Creevagh Ferro - Killossery Kandida, by Crosstown Dancer). Only third after dressage, Tipperary’s James Gleeson remained on 26.75 to take the win in Arena 11 on board the 17-year-old Grade A gelding Llanafanfawr Nicolas.