JAMES Crowley, who is well-known on the pony show jumping circuit, partnered his first point-to-point winner last Sunday at Curraghmore where, on his second ride between the flags, he landed the older geldings’ maiden for novice riders on Suspect Getaway.

The winner, a six-year-old chesnut son of Getaway trained by James’s father Pat, is owned by Virginia Considine, who also has an interest in show jumping, and was bred by Hammie Hamilton who, after many years’ service, has only recently stood down from the committee of the Northern Region of Eventing Ireland.

James (17), who also has a big interest in hurling and football, is in fifth year in school, but rides out when he can for Declan Queally, who has provided him with three rides on the track, and Joseph O’Brien. The young amateur jockey hasn’t been lost entirely to the world of coloured poles, as he has a four-year-old mare who is coming along nicely and should make her jumping debut soon.

Coumshingaun was nominated by James as the best pony he competed and the ride on that eight-year-old Grade A gelding has been taken over by his 12-year-old sister Charlotte.