IT was a busy weekend for Cavan Equestrian as it hosted its three-day August Championships.

On Saturday, it was John Mulligan and Kathleens Candy Clover that took the win in the 1.35m Farnham Estate Grand Prix, when fastest of 21 clears in 31.05 seconds. Sven Hadley and the seven-year-old Toleen St took the runner-up spot with a clear in 32.11. Junior rider Jack Galway and BT Roca Rey secured third, when they stopped the clock in 32.31. John Mulligan returned to take fourth with Lough Scur Quality Lady, when they came home in 33.01. A clear from Aoife McCabe with Heritage Enigma in 33.87 saw them take fifth. Completing the top six line-up was Clem McMahon and Mr Basil, in 34.10.

On Sunday, Sven Hadley and Maximum Numero Too HSH took the win in the 1.35m Grand Prix. The combination was one of five to deliver double clears and did so in a time of 37.41. Robert Harrison was just over a second slower with his own Lagans Cornet Lad, in 38.55 for second. Holly Lenahan and Khalinov accounted for third, with a clear in 40.10. Richard McIvor and Jamboree VDL took fourth, when they kept everything in place in 41.82. Last of the double clears in 42.65 and taking fifth was Tara Dunne and MHB Ask Cazaan. Rounding off the top six was Megan McGettigan and Belmondo, finishing on four faults in 40.74.

In the 1.35m speed class on Friday, Louis Mellier and the eight-year-old Carrick Quidams Flake took the win with a clear in 67.67. He was chased home by Francis Derwin and Confidental, when they clocked 69.92. Isabel Fitzpatrick and Premier Lily took third with a clear in 73.89. Accounting for eventual fourth was Jack Murphy and MHS Oklahoma with a clear in 74.02, while in fifth was Jenny Dunlop and Gidion B, clear in 74.62. Enda Ivanoff and Nubalia DHF took sixth, when they kept all the poles in place in 74.87.

DAFM series

The DAFM HSI Development Series attracted a large following in each division. In the five-year-olds, 28 combinations delivered clears to share first place and a portion of the €2,500 prize fund (see double clears in results page).

In the seven-year-old division, victory stayed at home as Camryn Clarke and Billy Mombasa took the win, when they left all the poles in place in 34.86. This gelding was bred by Donal Barnwell and is owned by Jordan Coyle; he is by Billy Mexico and is out of the Capitol-sired dam, Idee Van Het Brvggeveld. Clarke also claimed fifth place with Coyle’s Diamond Candy Hill, when they had one down in 37.82. This gelding was bred by Peter Keaveney and is another one by Sligo Candy Boy and out of Hills Double Diamond.

It was a good day for the Coyle family as Megan McGettigan partnered Daniel Coyle’s Uptown Christov to a clear in 37.08 for second place. This gelding was bred by Linzi Johnston out of her reliable mare Uptown Girl (who Daniel rode) and by Cicero Z Van Paemal.

Lauren Murphy and the Sandra Frayne-owned Brianna B took third with a clear in 38.57. This mare was bred by Etter Sportpferde Ag and is by Ganesh Hero Z and out of Kingstona. Fourth place was filled by Dylan Ward and Lagans Candy Boy, when they had one on the ground in 33.94. Bred by Peter Rice, this stallion is by Sligo Candy Boy and out of Lagans Star. Completing the top six line-up, was Sven Hadley aboard the Hibernia Horses-owned Toleen St, with four faults in 38.85. This Belgian Warmblood mare is by Cornet Obolensky and is out of Oleen.

Leading the victory lap in the six-year-olds was Saga Gunnersson aboard the Dermot Forde-owned and bred Lara’s Joy, with a clear in 36.94. This mare is by Ganesh Hero Z and out of Westland Ruby. James Hogg followed closely behind with Gilbert Fletcher’s home-bred Hawkesbury Lad, with a clear in 37.10. This gelding is by Lithium VS and is out of the Touchdown-sired dam, Prada Lady. Third place belonged to Katharina Wildling and the Joan Ruttledge-owned and bred CS Chacco Latte. This gelding is by Chacco Blue II and is out of Ballintava Spring Well.

A clear from Kenneth Graham and the William Lapsley-owned and bred Altaskin Omerta, in 37.97 saw them take fourth. This gelding is by Beach Ball and out of Altaskin Arkan. Slotting into fifth was Orla Cassidy and Whitetree Baby, with a clear in 38.34. Another home-bred, this mare is by Zinedine and out of Whitetree Glen Kika. Completing the top six was Shane Treanor and SJ Cornet Og. Owned and bred by Sean Jordan, this stallion is by Cornet Oblensky and is out of Lisferty Cruise Adora.

One-two

Sven Hadley returned to the winner’s enclosure, to take the win in the 1.30m class on Friday. Riding Phenomene Bleu VDM, he delivered the winning round of clear in 40.12. Not content with the win, Hadley also took second with Tom McGurk’s Kannan Contessa, with another clear, albeit in a slower time of 42.01. Joyce Veld and KMS Rocco took third when they kept all the poles in place in 42.53. A clear from Ailsa Sexton and Cafre Tia Maria in 44.87 saw them take fourth. Fifth and sixth places belonged to Tom Keville, who placed fifth with CBI Invictus, clear in 44.99 and also delivered a clear with Corporal Tom in 45.47 for sixth.