A SUNNY Sunday and lots of happy smiles were the order of the day at the Barrow Valley Riding Club leg of the AIRC South East Series Show Jumping league, hosted at Carrigbeg Riding Stables by kind permission of Susan Patterson last weekend.

With an impressive 69 competitors, judge Rory O’Sullivan-Hennessy and photographer Claire Sheehan in situ, the scene was set for an exciting day’s show jumping. The Newcomers class saw eight competitors take up the challenge, with the win going to Barrow Valley member Heather Minchin riding Killoran Mary on their competition debut, as they finished closest to the optimum time. Joey Cullen (Thomastown) riding Franklin’s Vision took second spot, while Linda Grace (The Rower) with Silver finished third.

The RC70 got underway and optimum time came into play as all three combinations went double clear. Linda Grace with Silver weren’t settling for third again and they went on to top the podium in this class, bringing home the red rosette for The Rower. Another partnership making their competition debut, Aimee Skehan aboard the chesnut gelding My Johnstown North Star, shot into second place, while Heather Minchin riding Killoran Mary continued their excellent day by claiming another podium finish in third, giving the host club two of the top three placings.

The biggest class of the day saw the RC70 Open competitors put on skilful performances, with optimum time proving the deciding factor, as the top six competitors all jumped double clear. The luck was with Horetown, as the Wexford-based club claimed all three podium places. Elaine Howlin riding My Blessington Lucky Clover took the win, ahead of Paula Ronan with Killea Calypso in second, while Anne Hayden on board Son of Sal finished third to complete the clean sweep.

RC80

In the RC80, optimum time again sealed the deal as the top eight combinations all jumped double clear. Casey Cushe, riding the sparkling Penure Fred, crossed the line closest to the optimum time in 40.53 to secure the win for Coole Lane Riding Club, just 0.38 seconds ahead of Anne Hayden (Horetown) on Son of Sal, who had impressively shaved exactly six seconds off their earlier RC70 Open time to claim second place. Fellow Horetown member Elaine Howlin and My Blessington Lucky Clover stopped the clock in 41.32 seconds, earning them third place.

Optimum time played its role again in the RC80 Open, as the top six combinations were clear of jumping faults. This time it was Aileen Walshe (The Rower) riding Meadowland Silver Diamond, who took the red rosette stopping the clock in 39.50 seconds to take the lead from Belinda O’Brien (Warrington) with Glyntown Blake. Third went to Emma O’Hagan (Coole Lane) on Derryeighter Smokey.

RC90

The course was raised to 90cm and the Young Horse class commenced. This class turned out to be a head-to-head between two of the host club’s own members, with the win going to Sarah O’Neill riding Kizzy Casall, stopping the clock in a time of 43.22 seconds to take the honours over Niamh Roche on board the handsome Banaglen Beau.

The RC90 class saw the top three finish double clear, giving the fastest time the win. It was Caoimhe Curran riding Clonfin Lolalicious for Barrow Valley that found the tightest turns to speed across the line in the fastest recorded time of the day, an unassailable time of 36.50 seconds. Martina Mulligan (Greenvalley) on board Tallyhoe Bob gave it a good go to finish second in a time of 41.37 seconds, ahead of Lauren Cushe riding Floyd Mayweather for Coole Lane in third.

In the RC90 Open, Celine Salter (Castledermot) with Irish Tot stole the spoils being both the fastest and only double clear in the class. Second went to Joy Ffrench (Carne) riding Lily’s Rose and third place went to Ballycanew member Amy Lambert aboard Coumbrack Droichead.

RC100

The RC100 win went to host club member Paul Roche, who guided Kereen Jess over the line in the fastest time of 47.12 seconds. Joy Ffrench (Carne) and Lily’s Rose followed in second to claim their second runner-up finish of the day, while Celine Salter (Castledermot) and Irish Tot added a third-place finish to their earlier win.

The onlookers held on to watch the last class of the day, where Paul Roche and Kereen Jess soared over the RC 110 for host club Barrow Valley to round out a fantastic day’s show jumping.

The Autumn Show Jumping series continues on Sunday, October 4th, with Horetown Riding Club hosting at Ballyrue Equestrian.