OLIVE Clarke was celebrating last weekend after she secured her third Autumn League title after the final in Cavan last Sunday. Clarke first took the title 15 years ago in 2004, and then again in 2005 when points earned on her two Grand Prix mounts, Spitfield and Handsfree, saw her win the league win ahead of such notable horses as Hermes de Reve (Clem McMahon), OBOS Quality (Denis Coakley), Waterford Crystal (Cian O’Connor) and Chippison (Marie Burke).

This year Clarke recorded three wins and six placings from September to December. A total of 22 rounds, 14 at 1.35m and eight 1.40m competitions were held at 13 venues throughout the country.

Clarke’s 65 points meant she took first place, Jonathan Smyth was runner-up with 52 and Derek McConnell (Dothraki Warlord) was third on 39.

Speaking after the win, a delighted Olive Clarke said: “(Clonguish) Vivaro is really the star here, I’ve only had him since the first show in Mullingar so I had to figure him out quite quickly.

“It just shows what a talented horse he is, I was still figuring out what bridle was best for him, etc., and he was still jumping fantastic.

“It was nice to have a couple of Grand Prix horses to ride for a change, with the business we are in, everything is for sale so when you do find one that is nice and can go all the way they are normally sold before I get to compete in the bigger classes with them.

“During the autumn league, I got to do some of the classes on Vivaro, Norway Venture and Luigi; it was a nice change to get to go against the clock. I enjoyed seeing if I could still do it – you can get rusty if you’re out of practice.

“It’s hard to believe that it is so many years ago that I won this league before; I had two great horses in Spitfield and Handsfree, at the time and like many young riders, I probably didn’t appreciate quite what I had, I took them for granted and thought that there would be many more like them.

“I know now that they were special and I was lucky to have them.

“Vivaro has gone home for a well deserved holiday now and he’ll come back in the New Year. Norway Venture will be back too but I’m always aware of the fact they can be sold for the right money.

“I’m excited to see what 2020 holds, we have some very talented youngsters coming through and I’m looking forward to working with them.

“I think we have a few nice ones but there is one in particular; the six-year-old Outlaw by Contender, he is a slow burner I think but he feels pretty special.”

Clonguish Vivaro is owned and was bred by noted Co Longford sport horse breeder Bernard Jordan.

Clonguish Vivaro (10) is by Vivaldo van het Costerveld (by Clinton) out of Clonguish Cameo (by Tanaos (TB) out of Farnagh Goldie (ISH)).