IT was another busy week for pony riders as they bid to claim one of the many titles on offer at the Cavan Home Pony International last weekend. Action began on the Thursday and the four-day show came to a conclusion on Sunday with the Grands Prix and Championships taking centrestage.

As expected, the Ballywalter Farms-sponsored Grands Prix went down to the wire. In the Ballywalter Farms 128cms under 10 Grand Prix, victory belonged to Harry Rush riding Copperbeech Spotty. Harry was chased home by resident rider Jamie Clarke riding Pepsi Mac, while Senan Reape and Garryn Druig Ringo Star took third place. Winner of the 128cms Championship in Balmoral International, Alanna Fagan added to her tally when she took fourth with Little Bob, ahead of James Derwin and Ballyknock Master Roan.

The 128cms 1.10m Grand Prix attracted a large following and after some competitive jumping, it was Coen Williams and Lakefield Stormy who took the honours.

Aine Shortall followed closely behind with Toorboy Tommy for second place, ahead of Katie McEntee and Star Spangled Banner. Taking fourth place was Ryan Ruane and Birchhill Harmony, while Kian Dore and Kilcreene Basil accounted for fifth place. Matthew Conlon and the The Silver Legend completed the top six line-up.

A familiar partnership on the pony circuit, John McEntee and Hubba Bubba added to their record sheet when he took the honours in the Ballywalter Farm 1.38cms (1.20) Grand Prix and Brian Taggart Memorial. Not content with the win, McEntee also took third place with Airdisplay. The class acted as a good warm up for Mcentee who has qualified both these ponies for the RDS. Max Wachman put in a strong challenge with Youghal Paddy and separated Mcentee’s placings when he slotted into second place.

Amy Reape and Ti Chip were fourth, ahead of Rhys Williams and Sligo Lux To Queeny, with Aaron Killoran and Total Eclipse sixth.

Riding Sligo Little James, Cian Goggins put in a great display of horsemanship to take the win in the Ballywalter Farms and Kerry Turkington Memorial 148 -1.25m Grand Prix.

The Co Mayo rider has proved very consistent this season and booked his place to the RDS with Sligo Little James when finishing fifth in the round at The Meadows.

Team member for the upcoming European Championships in Hungary, Harry Allen was close on the winner’s heels as he partnered Aughnashammer into second, ahead of Robyn Moran and Moores Pride. Slotting into fourth was Max Wachman and Diamond.

Aidan Kavanagh and Clonmoyle Cowboy took fifth place, while Emma McEntee and Saxton Freedam filled the last place in top six line-up.

It was a win for Niamh McEvoy and Sparkling Boomerangs Clover in the competitive 148-1.15m Grand Prix. Tadhg Guinness and Black Assasin took the runner-up spot, ahead of Cora Sharkey and Midnight Sky.

James McOwen and Sodars Lad left nothing to spare and slotted into fourth place, while Nicholas Bothwell and Sparkling Apache Gold took eventual fifth. Jack Ryan and Fionn Thyme filled the sixth place spot.

CHAMPIONSHIPS

Along with the Ballywalter Farms Grand Prix, Sunday also saw riders go head-to-head in the final Championships.

Robyn McCormack and Miss Lexi took the 128cms 70cms title, Isobel Hourigan and Jingle Belle Rock emerged as the 128cms 80cms champions, and the 128cms 90cms Championship was claimed by Alexandra Hourigan and Little Rock Hopscotch.

It was a great outing for Hourigan as she later went on to take the 128cms 1m Championship crown with the same mount.

Alexandra’s good results over the course of the show paid dividends as she was awarded the Cladem Equi Store-sponsored leading rider of the show with Little Rock Hopscotch.

The Co Tipperary rider has clocked up some impressive results this season including a win in the Munster Stadium Jumping in the 128cms Future Champions.

Colm Fitzpatrick and Killimore Magic took the runners-up prize.

Aaron Costello and Ashfield Trobadour claimed the 138cms 95cms Championship, while Mullingar International’s Grand Prix winners Alex Finney and Keogans Boy took the 138cms 1.05m Championship.

Amy-Leigh McCauley finished her week on a high when she claimed the 148cms 95cms Championship and 148cms 1.05m Championship with Sunkist Lad.