PONY riders were first into the Laya Arena on Friday morning to battle it out for a coveted championship. A field of 14 combinations contested the 138cm division, set over a course which proved quite technical. It began with big oxer and a treble at four (vertical, oxer, vertical), followed by the water tray at six and on to a tall vertical.

From the original starters, five booked their place against the clock and, from those, just two double clears were delivered. A winner the day before in Simmonscourt, Lucy Kent had the championship in her sights, as she took to the course with Little Pretender.

She set off strongly, with a good pace from one to two. She negotiated a very tight line from the double to the new vertical across the arena and a gallop to the last saw her set the unbeatable time of 29.51 seconds. Next to go, Elsie Tunney and Lurganmore Little Rocket also took a good turn to the oxer at three and then to the new vertical at 14 and came home with nothing to add in a time of 31.53, which would see her take the reserve title.

Lily Lennon and Blackwood Killamaster set off at a similar pace, but they saw their hopes of a win dashed as they faulted at both parts of the double. They finished on eight faults in 29.07 for eventual fifth. Chloe Clarke and Skybreaker Van Den Kievit left nothing to spare, but unfortunately faulted at the second part of the double and their time of 29.14 saw them take third. Last year’s 128cm champion, Ben O’Connor and Tesla Van Het Klavertje were up on target, but a tight turn to the oxer at three proved too much and four faults in 39.77 meant they had to settle for eventual fourth place. Daniel McKeon and Cornhill Snowey were fastest of the four-faulters in the first round in 65.59 for sixth.

Robbie Sheehan and Daytona (Grenzhoehes O.C.), winners of the 148cms final at the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show \ Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net

A high standard among 148cm

The standard in the 148cm championship was extremely high, with 11 of the 14 proceeding to the timed round. First to go, Jack Dore and K-Little Hero set the bar high when they delivered a clear in 31.87 to put it up to the rest.

As pathfinder, Dore negotiated a good turn to the double and on to the oxer to a vertical, before a daring gallop to the final oxer. Sam Widger threw caution to the wind, as he took it on with Poynstown Hero. His tactic of keeping his foot to the accelerator almost worked, but four faults at the last in a time of 26.94 meant that he had to settle for sixth place.

Next to take it on, Lucia Keane kept it tight aboard Rdjw Merclov and a clear in 30.67 would see her take third. Padraig Howley Jnr and Lahorna You Two put in a foot-perfect performance and stopped the clock in 33.18 for eventual fifth. Fourth last to go, Robbie Sheehan knew what he needed to do, as he took it on with Daytona (Grenzhoehes O.C), and a great turn to the double matched with a strong pace to the last saw him clock the winning time of clear in 29.09. Last to go, and the winner of the qualifier on Wednesday, Charlie Flynn and HK Zena were up for the challenge and they almost did it, as they delivered a clear but stopped the clock 0.01 of a second slower in 29.10 to take the reserve championship.

A late start for 128cm

It was a later than usual start for the youngest riders, with the RDS Elite Show Jumping Foal Sale taking place directly after the Aga Khan Trophy and pushing the 128cm competition back an hour. With daylight slipping, the lights were turned on for what is one of the most popular championships. Despite the late hour, the crowds remained in place to cheer on the qualified combinations.

While some parents had voiced concerns about the championships running so late for the youngest competitors, the class delivered its usual competitive action and just five combinations produced clear rounds. The jump-off started with the Rolex oxer, on to fence nine and then a roll back to the double, before turning to the vertical heading to the final line.

First to go, Lilly Lennon and Woodside Jerry were up for the challenge as they set off strongly. They negotiated a very tight line to fence nine and maintained the pace, stopping the clock with nothing to add in 30.97.

Finn Russell also had a win in mind, and he galloped in with pure determination with Shine Bright Like a Diamond. He also took a tight line to fence nine and was tight to the double and came home fast, stopping the clock clear in 33.09, which put him into provisional second. All eyes turned to Jack Derwin, as he took it on with Deelside Dolly. Cheered on by the crowd, he took every tight line at speed and lodged the winning round of clear in 29.54 and, as a result, Lennon took the reserve title and Russell third.

Grace Mellett put in a gallant attempt with her stallion Bronheulog Ruben, and a clear in 33.38 saw them take fourth. Last to go, Caitie McEvoy and Tynnan Tuttle Pip proved out of luck when they faulted at the second part of the double and stopped the clock in 30.55 for fifth. Saoirse Murphy and DHS Summer faulted at fence 10 in the first round, but their time of 62.87 proved good enough for sixth place.

138cm six and seven-year-olds

On Thursday, the North Star Young Pony Championships were decided when the 138cm six and seven-year-old division was first to battle it out in Simmonscourt. As per the qualifying rounds, little stood between the top placings. Taking the title was Lauren MacMahon on the six-year-old Loughwell Lucas on a total of 158.5. This gelding took the highest mark for jumping ability on a mark of 76.5. He was bred by James Walsh and is owned by Carol MacMahon and is by Atlantic Tiger out of Loughwell Lily. The reserve title went to Chloe Clarke and the seven-year-old Brummerhoeve’S Salomon on 150.0. Third place belonged to Nikita Dennehy and Killerisk Rosehill Empire on a final mark of 148.5. A solid performance saw Darragh Donovan and Forest Oscar finish on 145.5 for fourth place. Slotting into fifth was Nuala Arbuckle and Bridgepark Thumbelina on 144.0. Completing the top six was George Kelly and Miss Lexi on 142.5.

128cm six and seven-year-olds

The 128cm six and seven-year-old ponies saw 12 combinations battle it out and again it was a very close class. Taking the title on 154 marks was Dylan Cregan with Believe In Me. This six-year-old skewbald Belgian-bred mare is owned by James Cregan and is by Pablo and out of the Hustlers Chris-sired dam Enjoy Me.

The winner was awarded 73 marks for jumping ability, 40 for future potential and 41 for rideability. The reserve title went to Harry Hannaway and the six-year-old Bryngwennol Captain Tom on 146.0 marks. Third place was filled by Georgia Foley and Carlton Abi on 145.5. Slotting into fourth was Mairead Kate Barry and Ryehall Marble Arch, who finished fractions behind on 145. Brian Kelly and Annandale SOS took fifth on 141.5 marks, while Taylor O’Neill and Brookhall Royal Ensign finished on 137.5 for sixth.

148cm six and seven-year-olds

On Saturday, 23 combinations contested the 148 six/seven-year-old Championship and taking the title was Saoirse O’Neill and Corona Boy. The pairing had finished fifth in the line-up the day before. Corona Boy is a seven-year-old and is owned by Aoife O’Neill and was bred by Eamonn McCrann, by Colour Cruise.

From the original starters, nine booked their place against the clock and four delivered double clears. Fifth to go, O’Neill started off at a determined pace with Corona Boy and was very tight to the Children of Lir Fence and on to the double, delivering the first clear of the class in 35.71.

Next up, Zara Sharkey and Jubel De Nev followed a similar path and came home in 38.83. Sharkey was demoted from second place as Ella Rush put in a gallant attempt with Rsk Pixie, stopping the clock clear in 37.12 to claim the reserve championship.

Next up, Sam Donovan kept all the poles standing with Happy Hooker Sts Z, but in a slower time of 41.26 for fourth. Sam Widger looked set for the win with Poynstown Son Of A Mustang, but four faults at the last in 35.95 saw him take fifth.

Last to go, Charlie Flynn and Royal Remark saw their hopes dashed when faulting at the second part of the double and crossed the line in 37.91 for sixth.