FOLLOWING a series of highly competitive regional qualifiers, the top combinations travelled to Mullingar Equestrian last Saturday for the Pony and Children on Horses SJI Interprovincial Finals, held in association with Flexi Equine.

With a total of 19 finals contested throughout the day, there was plenty of competitive action as riders battled for valuable points for their respective provinces.

Leinster emerged as the overall champions, finishing on 2,915 points. Ulster secured second place on 2,571 points, narrowly edging out Connaught, who finished third on 2,567 points. Munster completed the provincial standings in fourth place on 2,514 points.

The 128cm competitors got an early morning call as the Connaught Region and Flexi Equine 128cm Under 10 Final kicked off shortly after 8am in the Aloga International arena, with 34 combinations battling it out.

The first three places went to Ulster as Tim Morton and Dutch Lady took this win, coming home clear in 25.55. Fellow Ulster rider Harry Kelly took second with Ryehall L’Adore, clear in 25.83 and also third with Ashwey El Britaniko, clear in 27.10.

The Munster region emerged victorious in the SJI National Pony Committee and Flexi Equine 128cm 70cm, as Kate Motherway and Barrera Martini delivered a clear in 21.05. Over three seconds behind was Kieva Walsh (Leinster) riding Fortmill Francesca in 24.08, followed closely behind by Matthew Carroll (Leinster) riding Pixie Mai in a time of 24.36.

Ulster riders were back on the podium as Harry Hannaway and Lucky Number (Pi) claimed victory in the 128cm 80cm, when they came home with nothing to add in a blistering time of 19.54. He was chased home by Munster rider Georgia Foley and Manordeilo Cardinal’s Dream, who were fractions behind in 19.85. Third place belonged to Leinster rider Lola Sheehan and Ballynoe Bulls Eye, clear in 20.73.

Winner of the Leinster Region and Flexi Equine 128cm 90cm Final was Munster’s Mairead Kate Barry aboard Ryehall Marble Arch, when fastest of 15 clears in 17.80. Following closely behind was Ciara Flavin (Ulster) riding Parcglas Maid In Splendour in a time of 20.43. Hvar Kelly, who was representing Leinster, took third with Just Max, with a clear in 21.17.

Mairead Kate Barry was back on the podium, this time claiming the Munster Region and Flexi Equine 128cm 1m final.

Riding Little Jacko, she came home clear in 26.83. Her closest rival was Leinster’s Julia Sheehan and Heartbreaker Charlie, who delivered a clear in 27.31. Connaught rider Daniel McKeon Devaney and Glenford Beag took third, with a clear in 28.20.