IT was a busy weekend for amateur riders, as they travelled to Emerald Equestrian Centre in Co Kildare for the Leinster Amateur Show last Saturday. The Welcome Stakes saw 32 go to post and taking the win was Sportsmember Tom Hogan and Limerick Jewel with a double clear in 35.85. Less than a second separated the next placing, as Paul Tarpey (AA) and CHF Kenavo came home with nothing to add in 36.77 for second.

Val Ward (A) took third with his own Venture, with a clear in 36.79, while in fourth was Jack Martin (A) and Concordes Cruise Queen, with a clear in 36.98.

Nicola Dowling (A) partnered Martin Flinter’s I’m Special to a clear in 37.36 to fifth, while in sixth was Joanna McCurry and Rock Back Again, with a clear in 39.61. Winner of the best turned out was Nicola Dowling and Rathduff Good Parcels.

Farmers Journal Qualifier

There was a big turnout for the Farmers Journal Qualifier, which had eight qualifying places up for grabs. A familiar face in the amateur ranks, Colm Fitzpatrick (AA) and Maretto Flight took the win, when they were the fastest of 21 double clears in 35.56. Ciara Kelly (A) and Juan Amigo took the runner-up spot, when they crossed the line in 37.69, while in third was Karen Macgrath (A) and Monocular, in 39.46. Fourth place belonged to Liz Keegan Comerford (A) and Edoxtown Cash Cruise, when they crossed the line in 41.16, while in fifth was Denise Byrne (A) and Cara Aurora in 41.63. Completing the top six was Tommy M Parr and Irresistible, with a clear in 42.19.

Grand Prix

Colm Fitzpatrick was back in the ribbons again, as he took the win in the Leinster ShowJumping Grand Prix. Riding Bluestone Diamond Fly, he was one of 14 double clears in a 14-way jump-off in a time of 30.14. Linda Gillespie (AA) on Archibald took the runner-up spot, less than a half a second behind in 30.52. Just over a second slower was Suzanne McLoughlin (A) on Amber Ferro, in 31.55, while in fourth was Steven Greer (A) on Dundrum Symphony in 33.16.

Fifth place belonged to Karen Macgrath (A) and Monocular, in a time of 33.37, while in sixth was Graham O’Brien (A) and A Hermes Gift, clear in 33.91.