WINNER of the opening class on Sunday, the Maxol-sponsored Welcome Stakes, at Cavan’s two-day Amateur Championships was sports member Robyn Butler and Limestone Lady Gaga, when clear in 31.68. She was chased home by Amy Smyth (AA) and Lisross Irish Knight, who delivered a clear in 33.11.
Taking third place was Emily Horne (S) and Lux Like a Cruser, clear in 37.62, while in fourth was Lisa McGrath (S) and Tequila Rose, clear in 38.28. Fifth place belonged to Roisin Donnelly (AA) and Seaforde Rebel, in a time of 38.78, while in sixth was Clodagh Fitzpatrick and Oxendene Rozi in a time of 39.89.
Cladem Equi Store 1m
Taking the win in the 1m class was Noelle Cobbe (AA) and Onc Eleanor when they were fastest of eight clears in 32.35. Hannah McCrory (A) and Garfield De Muze Z took the runner-up spot when clear in 40.49, while in third was Jane Field (A) and Creganna Girl Next D’Or, clear in 41.16. Slotting into fourth was Lisa McGrath and Tequila Rose in 41.46, ahead of Roisin Donnelly (AA) and Seaforde Rebel in 42.14. Rounding off the top six was Padraig Fives and Camaro TS (42.66).
Two-Phase challenge
A total of 38 A category riders lined out to contest the Ulster Region Committee two-phase class and, from those, 16 kept all the poles in place. Claiming victory was Connaught rider Rachel Foley with her own Indra when they galloped home in 25 seconds. Just over a second behind was Hannah Linane (Glaskenny Golden Star) and Joanna Hyland (Queen Lu) in a time of 26.11 to share second. Fractions behind and claiming fourth was Katelynn Dwyer and her own Moonlite Touch in a time of 26.22. Robyn Hartley filled fifth place with Rh Live for Now when they came home in 26.22, ahead of Mary O’Meara and Kilconnell Pluto in 27.20.
In the AA section, it was Nathan Kenny who took the win when he was fastest of 10 double clears with Lachain Princess in a time of 21.84. Kevin O’Reilly and Cranny West were less than a second behind in 22.48 for second. Lisa Doyle also featured in this line-up, taking third with Ballinaguilkey Dignified, in a time of 22.80. Vicky Curran also added to her record, taking fourth with Rnh Coco Chanel in a time of 22.97. Tara Brandon and Bec Phoenix occupied fifth place when they clocked 23.32, while in sixth was Diarmaid Lang and Globetrotter (23.34).
Plusvital Grand Prix
The weekend’s jumping came to a close with the feature class, the Plusvital Grand Prix with 43 riders taking up the gauntlet in the A section. Out of the original starters, 15 remained clear in the first round and, from these, five delivered double clears. Claiming victory was Amanda- Jayne Comyn and Gmh Ability when they put in a blistering round in 36.11. Comyn was chased home by Shauna Wilson and Omard Hannah who clocked 37.41. Denise Byrne opted for the safer lines with Cara Aurora and this paid off as they clocked 40.26 for third place. Steven Greer also played it safe with his six-year-old Dundrum Symphony and came home in 43.54 for eventual fourth. The last of the double clears came from Rachel Mahon aboard her seven-year-old Stralongford Christine in 46.91. Aoife Maguire had a win in mind as she took it on with Pharos Hazy Cove, but four faults in 35.57 saw her take sixth.
Plusvital Grand Prix (AA) Section
Laura Walshe topped off her weekend as she rode to victory in the AA section. Riding the home-bred Ballinaguilkey Heritage, they delivered the winning clear round in 33.14. Vicky Curran and Rnh Coco Chanel came closest to catching the winner, coming home clear in 35.38. Taking third place was Jim Maneely and Keamore Lord Cruis, who also kept the poles in place, albeit in a slower time of 40.04. The last double clear came courtesy of Faye Guthrie and Kilmulle Argentino in 43.40 for eventual fourth.
It was a good day for the Walshe family as Laura’s sister Lisa Doyle and another home-bred, Ballinaguilkey Dignified, took fifth when fastest of the four-faulters in 35.61. Sixth place belonged to Maeve Cotter and Cloonturk Picasso on four faults in 36.44.