IT was a busy weekend for amateur riders, with a selection of shows taking place around the country. In the Connaught region, the Connaught Amateur Spring Show in Duffy’s attracted a good following.
First into the arena were competitors in the Friends of Connaught Amateurs Welcome Stakes, with 15 going to post. Taking the win was Naoimh O’Gorman Grealish (A), when she delivered a double clear in 34.98 with Ankaras (Montreux). Naoimh’s closest rival was Aisling Hughes (A) and Annaghbeg Cu Chulainn, when they left all in place in a time of 36.18. Slotting into third place was sportmember Mary McInerney and Little Silver Treasure, clear in 41.17, while in fourth was Christine Rabbitt (A) aboard her six-year-old, Dame Rabbitt (A), clear in 46.18. AA rider, Aoileann Nic An Iomaire and her five-year-old, Parkroe Amigo Lad took fifth, when they were fastest of the four-faulters in 46.30, ahead of Paul Tarpey and the Jessica Burke-owned CHF Kenavo on four faults in 47.94.
Power and speed
A total of 25 lined out to contest the O’Brien Cement Power and Speed (Incl Farmers Journal Qualifier) and taking home this win was Caroline Devine (A) with her own eight-year-old Captain Devine, when clear in 34.37. Almost a second divided the next placing as Joanna Hyland (A) and Queen Lu, also kept the poles in place, albeit in a slower time of 35.24. Ava Vaughan and Carrigshawn Condi, didn’t hang about, and a clear in 35.74 secured them third place. Fourth place belonged to Rachel Mahon (A) and Stralongford Christine, clear in 36.07, while in fifth was Ethan McGorisk and Redbridge Fintan, who came home with nothing to add in 36.65. Rounding off the top six was Rachel Foley (A) and Indra, clear in 37 seconds.
Grand Prix
The featured event, the Jim Derwin Equestrian and Niall Earls Easyfix Amateur Grand Prix Incl Naps and Circulo League Qualifier, saw 28 hopefuls go to post and, from those, 11 booked their place against the clock and just three double clears were delivered.
Taking the win was Joanna Hyland (A) and her own Queen Lu, with a clear in 38.60. Nicola Burke put in a gallant attempt with Baronscourth Dancing Boy, but she failed to catch the winner and a clear in 38.72 saw them take the runner-up spot. Rachel McAlinden (AA) and Knockash Flexi took third when they were last of the double clears in 42.49. Tomás Seoighe [AA] and Flaming Eyes opted for the longer lines, and three faults in a time of 52.98 saw they take fourth. Fastest of the four-faulters in 38.88 and taking fifth was Tara Brandon (AA), while in sixth was Rachel Mahon (A) and Stralongford Christine, on four faults in 45.01.
Lauren Kavanagh and Baxter's Miss Taison with Julieann Gaffney, winner of both the Farmers journal and the Grand Prix at the Amateurs show in Jag Equestrian
Jag Equestrian
On Saturday, in the Leinster region, Amateur riders travelled to Jag Equestrian for the Kildare venue’s Amateur show. The Farmers Journal Qualifier attracted the largest entry of 26 combinations. Leinster’s Lauren Kavanagh [A] (YR) won by guiding eight-year-old Baxter’s Miss Taison to a clear in 34.57. Louise Murphy (A) and the seven-year-old Stella Darling took the runner-up spot with a clear in 34.97, ahead of Anne Marie O’Neill and Quick Quintender, clear in 35.53. A clear from Grainne Alexander (A) and Cheeky Blonde in 36.15, saw them take fourth, while in fifth was Paul Whelan (A) and Fortside Definitely, clear in 36.58, ahead of Jessica Fryday (A) and Martha, clear in 40.82.
Winner of the two phase was Stuart O’Neill (A) and Tullineaskey Diamond Mate, when the were fastest of six double clears in 35.72. Mia Brown (AA) and Empress Nala slotted into second, clocking 37.48, while in third was Jessica Fryday (A) and Martha, in 38.94. Fiona Brady and Kilrainey Firefly took fourth when they stopped the clock in 40 seconds, ahead of Barbara Clarke and Lupins Lux Z, in 43.64. Completing the top six was Emma Nugent and Roscandy, clear in 45.12.
Grand Prix
A total of 18 contested the Grand Prix and just five delivered double clears. Claiming this win was young rider Lauren Kavanagh and the eight-year-old, Baxter’s Miss Taison when they came home in 38.60. Kavanagh was chased home by Brian Cassidy (AA) and Pharos Hazy Cove, in a time of 39.12.
Emma Nugent was back in the ribbons taking third with Roscandy in a time of 45.86, while in fourth was Catherine Keogh (A) on Jaguar Blue in a time of 46.28. Last of the clears in the nine-way jump-off was Barbara Clarke (AA) and Lupins Luz Z, in 49.70. Fastest of the four-faulters in 43.36 and slotting into sixth was Nathan Stynes(A) and Ardress Tyson.