ON Saturday, Mullingar played host to the Balmoral qualifiers and first up were the amateur riders. Taking the win was Rachel Shaw (A) and Leestone Vitaire when fastest of 20 double clears in 28.61. Nicole Lynch (AA) and My Velvet Lady followed closely behind stopping the clock in 28.61, ahead of Brian Cassidy (AA) and Pharos Hazy Cove, in 29.46. Louise Craig (AA) and Toberdanes Floras Motion took fourth, clear in 29.60, while in fifth was Luke Barton (A), and Bright, in 29.71. Rounding off the top six was Tara Brandon (AA) and Bec Phoenix in 30.22.

A strong field of 78 went to post in the six and seven-year-old class and taking the win was Max Foley and Kilbrackan Stakatto, clear in 25.58. Foley also took third with Private Entrepreneur D’Or, clear in 26.49. Taking the runner-up spot was Shane Treanor and SJ Cornet Og, clear in 26.21. A clear from amateur rider, John Jordan and SJ True Grit in 26.78 saw them take fourth, ahead of Kate Derwin and Fuerty Roc, in 26.91. Slotting into sixth was young rider, Billy Sinnott and Springrove Presley, clear in 27.78.

Winner of the 1.35m qualifier and MEC Easter Mini Grand Prix and taking the winner’s share of the €1,000 on offer by the host was Marta Hughes Bravo and HHS Figero when she delivered a clear in 25.08. Her closet rival was Lt. Raphael Lee and Derrycus, clear in 25.46, while in third was Max Foley and HHS Madonna, clear in 25.96. Sven Hadley also featured in this line-up, taking fourth with Maximum Numero Too HSH, clear in 26.30, while in fifth was Emily Moloney and Clovalent, clear in 26.77. Junior rider, Brid Ryan and GCS Jasmine completed the top six, with a clear in 26.83.

It was a good day for Max Foley as he took the win in the five-year-old class. Riding HHS Pasandena, he lodged a clear in 30.93. Eddie Moloney was almost four seconds behind with Alpha SRC, clear in 34.51 for second place. Moloney also accounted for third with Soco Flex, crossing the line in 35.35, while in fourth was Beth Burton and HHS Lugano, clear in 35.39.

A clear from James Derwin and Ruben in 36 seconds saw him take fifth, ahead of Taylor Cummins and Rhea-Duela, clear in 37.56.