MULLINGAR CSI2* International came to an exciting conclusion on Bank Holiday Monday, with the SJI, Plusvital and Friends of Mullingar CSI2* 1.45m Grand Prix. After two weeks of top-class competition, 61 horse-and-rider combinations entered the arena, all aiming to secure victory in the final Grand Prix of the show. Despite wet weather making an appearance, the rain did little to dampen spirits, as spectators packed the arena to witness a thrilling and nail-biting final class.

With Ireland’s top names on the start list, the course, which was designed by Elena Boix Gracia, assisted by Gueorgui Gueorguiev, was technical and saw nine combinations book their place against the clock.

First to go in the class, Jason Foley knew that he had one shot at it, as he took it on with the Chedington Equestrian and Ellie Guy-owned Cute Face. Setting off strongly, Foley took a series of tight turns - in particular from the oxer at 13 and back to a tall vertical. A daring gallop to the last saw him set the unbeatable time of 40.95 seconds.

Speaking after the win, Foley said: “I am delighted with the win today. My horse has a massive stride, and I knew I could use this to my advantage. I knew that I had fast combinations coming behind me. I was fast to the last and left out a few strides. This horse was very good last year, and I jumped him in a five-star Nations Cup last year in St Tropez, but it’s always great to win on home soil.

“It was great course-building, with nine back for the second round. The Fagans put on a great show here and there are improvements every time we come back.”

Hot contenders

Cute Face is a 12-year-old gelding by Christian 25 and out of the Argentius-sired dam Almeeda. The combination were hot contenders, taking the win in the six bar, eighth in the qualifier in Mullingar on Saturday and second the week before in the qualifier. This pairing has plenty of experience at this level and have competed at CSIO5* with a host of top-10 placings, which included 10th in the 1.50m at Sopot CSIO4*.

Dermott Lennon came closest to catching Foley with Kinmar Right On Time, but a clear in 41.79 would only prove good enough for second place. Owned by Lennon, the nine-year-old was bred by Gerry Marron and is by Aganix Di Seigneur and out of the Dancing Boy-sired dam, Kinmar Dancing Queen. This pairing recently finished fifth in the TRM Spring Tour in Mullingar.

Commandant Geoff Curran and Hawthornhill took third with a clear in 42.01. This 14-year-old gelding was bred by Jerry Quinn and is by Cardento out of the Limmerick-sired dam, Tummery Limelight.

Jack Kent’s decision to play it safe with Ollie van de Klotputten paid off, as they delivered a clear in 49.23 for eventual fourth. This 12-year-old gelding is by Jackson de Regor and out of Goldwin. This combination was part of the Irish team that finished as runners-up in Compiègne (FRA) in April. Jonathan Smyth and Mulvin Lui beat the time, clocking 40.94, but it came at a cost as he had one down and had to settle for fifth place. The 16-year-old gelding was bred by Vincent Loftus and is by Luidam and out of Castleconnor Baron. Francis Derwin returned to the line-up, finishing on four faults with Flexi K in 41.75 for sixth. This 13-year-old gelding was bred by Knightfield Stud in Kildare, and is by Flexabill out of the Luidam-sired dam, Deeply Dippy K. This team had a great start to their year, taking two runner-up placings in the CSI4* in Ocala, Florida in January and then later in April.