IRISH eyes were smiling at the recent Home Pony International at Cavan, as riders clocked up a series of impressive results over the four-day show.

Last Saturday, the team events took centre stage and the Irish were certainly in form, claiming three of the four events.

Victory in the 148cm team event went to the Irish team of Molly Hughes Bravo (Carrickaduff Pet), Ellen Thompson (Sligo Little James), Robyn Moran, (Colesgrove Cavalier) and Ryan Sweetnam (Perseus Spartacus).

Ireland also took the win in the 128cms Under 10 team event. The talented team of Senan Reape (King of Rock & Roll), Lauren Adams (Dimples Delima), Isobel Sheehan (Ardfrey Chiswick) and Alanna Fagan (Little Bob), didn’t bow to the pressure, clinching victory.

Following some nail-biting rounds, victory in the 138cm team event went to the British quartet of Tabitha Kyle (Playboy Van de Zoetewei), Luli Loveridge (Arrowhead Quiver), Patrick Thurston (Karino Z) and Aimee Jones (In the Moment).

Irish riders completed the hat-trick when they claimed victory in the 128cm team event. The victorious team was Jack Conlon Gateau (Blaengwen Kato Star), Kian Dore (Dooneens Electric), Aine Shortall (Toorboy Tommy) and Matthew Conlon (The Silver Legend).

GRAND PRIX CLASSES

Senan Reape had much to celebrate as he took the win in the Ballywalter Farms-sponsored 128-85cm under 10’s Grand Prix with King of Rock & Roll. He was chased all the way by his team mate Lauren Adams and Dimples Dilema. Not content with the win, Reape also took third with Flying Star. Juliette Mcintosh accounted for eventual fourth with Twin Cam. Lauren Adams returned to claim fifth with Killaloe Gypsy, ahead of Robert Russell and Newtown Black Guy.

Victory in the Belmont House Hotel-sponsored 128-1.10m Grand Prix went to Coen Williams and Parc Giggles. Senan Reape added to his haul when he piloted Valor into second. A solid performance from Jack Conlon Gateau and Uquam d’Emery saw them take third ahead of Alice Wachman and Murphy Spartacus.

Accounting for fifth place were Matthew Conlon and The Silver Legend, while sixth place was filled by Kian Dore and Kilcreene Basil.

A great performance from Alice Power and Bear Me in Mind saw them take the win in the Ballywalter Farms 138-1.20m Grand Prix (The Brian Taggart Memorial). Riding for the UK, Tabitha Kyle and Playboy Van De Zoetewei took the runner-up spot.

Matthew Conlon added to his record when he took third with Glenford Clausa. RDS Champion Alex Finney and Western Oreo, slotted into fourth, ahead of Aine Shortall and Ruby Brown. Completing the top six line-up was Alexandra Hourigan and Aille Stewy.

Ryan Sweetnam dominated the Ballywalter Farms 148-1.25m Grand Prix (Kerry Turkington Memorial). Following some calculated riding, Sweetnam took the win aboard Blessington Grand Mist. Separating Sweetnam’s placings was Harry Wood and Victoria Wood’s Landlord.

Sweetnam returned to take third with Perseus Spartacus. Aidan Kavanagh and Clonmoyle Cowboy took fourth, ahead of Hannah Mcgoldrick, who was riding Riverview Annie. On form this year, Niamh McEvoy added to her impressive record, when she partnered Fireman into sixth.

Following some tough competition, victory in the Erne Communication Services 148-1.15m Championship went to Saoirse Curran and Carrigeen Clover. Olivia Shanahan and Diamond took the runner-up spot ahead of Robyn Moran and Mohulla Playboy.

CHAMPIONSHIPS

Taking the win in the 128-75cm Championship was local rider Alexandra Kiernan and Boreton Rocketeer. Kian Dore also featured in this line-up when taking second with Sparkling Miss Leglands. Slotting into third was Peter Ashe and Woodpark Pippa.

In the 128-85cm Championship, English riders filled the top spots. Taking the win was Connie Mensley and Madonna 11. She was chased home by Tabitha Kyle and Barracurra Jelly Baby while third place went to Beth Thompson and Ruthstown Speed.

Jessica O’Sullivan and Almighty Alvin took the win in the 128-95cm Championship (The Alison Torrens Memorial), while Gemma Buckley and Knock Socks Off, was hot on the winner’s heels for second. Robyn Lee and Pass Wasabi took third.

Connaught’s Stephen Gibbons and Rogild’s Artax emerged victorious in the 138-95cm Championship, ahead of Sam Martin and Little Field Twilight for second. In third were Alex Reynolds and Caoimhe’s Robyn of Old Road.

Tyrone’s Niamh McEvoy lodged another victory when delivering the winning round in the 138-1.05m Championship with Sparkling Boomadonna.

It was a worthwhile trip for Tabitha Kyle who also took second place with Lisduff Royal and third with Playboy Van De Zoetewei.

Winner of the 148-95cm Championship was Alexandra Kiernan and Killeen Appraisal, while the runner-up spot belonged to Colm Fitzpatrick and Killimor Magic. Ryan Sweetman add to the family’s record when claiming third with Colourful Spartacus.

Lewis Trenier and Princess Nora emerged as the winners of the 148-1.05m Championship. Emma Byrne didn’t hang about with Coco Baby, slotting into second. J Naughton and J’s Silver Eye took third.

Following a host of good results, Senan Reape was named as the leading 128cm rider, while Tabitha Kyle took the leading 138cm accolade. The Leading 148cm rider was Orla Duffy.