JUMPING in the Amateur National Championships began on Saturday morning at Mullingar Equestrian with the 90cm Welcome Stakes. The opening class was very close, which set the tone for jumping over the course of the weekend. Taking the win was sports member Lloyd Wadding and Kalinka when double clear in 26.94 seconds. The runner-up place went to Julie-Anne Hannon [A] when fractions behind in 27.32, ahead of David Ryan [A] and Lawnview Diamond, clear in 27.62.
Winner of the Aloga Amateur Power and Speed was Colm Fitzpatrick [AA] and Bluestone Diamond Fly when fastest of 34 clears in a time of 24.17. Little divided the next placing as Ava Stubb and Tullyhill Lucy Diamond galloped home in 24.22. Aileen McDermott [AA] added to her record when she took third with Amber Balou, clear in 24.31.
Roisin Gilsenan took the win in the Studio and Academy Sports Member, when they delivered a double clear in 41.86. The only other first-round clear of the class was delivered by Lloyd Wadding and Kalinka, who placed second after picking up faults in the jump-off.
Foot-perfect
All eyes were on the NAPS Amateur Derby in the afternoon and taking this victory was Caitlin Duffy [AA] and Jockeyhall Midas Touch, when late to go, she put in a foot-perfect round in 33.38. Leinster league champions, Gemma Drennan [AA] and Cool Finesse, took the runner-up spot with a clear in 34.04, and also third with Cavachino, with another clear in 35.58. Jessie O’Flynn Hall [A] and Mms Loreal accounted for fourth place with a clear in 36.10, ahead of Luke Barton [A] and Roadstown Lark, in 36.38. Completing the line-up was Amanda-Jayne Comyn [A] and Eirian Gatsby, clear in 36.50.
On Sunday, winner of the opening Boomerang Horse And Country Store 90cm Sports Member Two-Phase was Robyn Butler and Limestone Lady Gaga, with a clear in 24.14. She was chased home by Roisin Gilsenan and Major Tom Franklin, who kept all the poles in place in 25.79. Jenny Clarke and Boora Clover took third with a clear in 26.83.
A total of 52 qualified combinations lined out to contest the Peter Dargan Memorial Farmers Journal A Championship. Kate Houlihan [A] was crowned champion when she was fastest of the seven double clears aboard her own Boss Z in 38.78. Almost two seconds behind in 41 seconds was Nicola O’Sullivan and Rossabelle Fortunas for second place. Third place was filled by Denise Byrne and Cara Aurora, who clocked 41.47, ahead of Fiona Tansey and Talbots Lass in a time of 42.66. Nora O’Donovan and Muckross Shadow opted for the longer routes and clocked 44.85 for fifth, ahead of Breda Perrin and Lks Bianca in a time of 45.72 for sixth.
Victory lap
It was a weekend to remember for Colm Fitzpatrick, as he led the victory lap in the Honeycomb-sponsored Paddy Mullen Memorial Amateur Grand Prix, when he partnered Maretto Flight to a clear in 35.03 in the 15-way jump-off.
Fitzpatrick and Maretto Flight had also claimed the win in the Demlay Equestrian speed class and placed third with Bluestone Diamond, with Gemma Drennan and Cook Finesse separating his placings.
Runner-up in the Grand Prix went to Vicky Curran and Rnh Coco Chanel, when they crossed the line clear in 35.74, while in third was Karen Boylan [A] and Pinegrove Aro, clear in 36.49. Lisa Doyle [AA) added to her impressive record when she took fourth with her home-bred Ballinaguilkey Dignified, when they kept the poles in place in 36.62. Kate Houlihan [A] returned to the line-up to take fifth with Boss Z, while Breda Perrin [A] and Lks Bianca added to their takings when they completed the top six, with a clear in 39.76.