THE first of the championships last Sunday, the Telford’s Hardware Portlaoise and Horse Sport Ireland 128cms 1m saw 29 combinations battling it out and of those, five delivered double clears.

Leading the victory lap was Robyn Lee, riding Vinny Duffy’s Little Lord of the Hills, in the winning time of 31.73 seconds. Taking second place, almost a second behind in 32.50, was Kilkenny rider Marta Hughes Bravo and Little Miss Big Time, ahead of Sarah Fitzgerald and Tower View Lady, clear in 32.70.

Katie McEntee and Shangan Ritmo accounted for fourth place, clear in 32.96, while fifth place belonged to Jack Conlon Gateau and Blaengwen Kato Star, who was last of the double clears in 36.30.

Marta Hughes Bravo put in another good performance with My Little Shadow, but four faults in a fast time of 30.40 saw her take sixth place. It was a memorial show for Martha who was awarded the Leading Girl Rider for her performance on My Little Shadow. This was her second consecutive time to win the accolade having won it last year with Little Miss Big Time.

Under 10 Grand Final

Following in her brother Ciaran’s footsteps, Katie Nallon demonstrated her talent when she took the win in the Under 10s Grand Final. Riding her mother Sandra’s Piggy Bank, the Co Mayo rider was almost two seconds faster than her closest rivals when crossing the line clear in 30.80. In second place were Paddy Reape and Northlight Giorgio, clear in 31.55. In third place were Abbie Oakey and Gateau Sonic, clear in 31.79.

138cms

In the Allfresh Wholesale and HSI-sponsored 138cms Championship, it was Max Foley who took the championship title. Riding Buttons Two, he was the fastest of the five double clears in 28.19.

David Costelloe and Hello Coco was hot on the winner’s heels when they lodged a clear in 31.58 for second. John McEntee accounted for the next two placings when he partnered Mayfly Black Pennell to a clear in 31.80 for third, and a clear with Dooneens Captain Classic in 34.55 secured him fourth place.

Max Foley was back in the ribbons when he took fifth with Mayfly Green Peter, clear in 35.65. Foley’s good results had an extra bonus for the Carlow rider as he was awarded the prize of Leading Boy Rider for his results with Mayfly Green Peter. Aoife Whelan was fastest of the four-faulters with Ban Dubh when they crossed the line in 31.54 for sixth.

148cms

The 148cms 1.20m Eclipse Feeds and HSI-sponsored championship proved very competitive with 36 riders going to post, eight of whom delivered double clears. Claiming victory was Oisin Aylward and Slaney Capitalist Cruise when clear in 30.60. Second place went to Jason Foley, who put in a foot-perfect round with Rincoola BabòG in a slower time of 31.45.

Lucy Shanahan and Caliber De accounted for third when clear in 33.25, ahead of Emma McEntee and Saxton Freedam, clear in 34.08. Slotting into fifth place were Patrick Kavanagh and Rock Of Dawn, clear in 34.08, while sixth place belonged to Conor Campion and Coppenagh Vogue, who were clear in 34.09.

Young Riders

Sponsored by Equestrian World of Maynooth, the Young Rider 1.20m Grand Prix was also a very high standard class with seven of the 35 starters delivering double clears. Leading the victory lap were Lorraine Younge and Belfield Flight who delivered a clear in 29.44.

Younge was chased home by Daniel McAlinden and Knockash Galanta who clocked 30.61. McAlinden also accounted for fourth place with Knock Ash, clear in 32.41. Separating McAlinden’s placings were Mikey Pender and Zavatar F, clear in 31.31. In fifth place were Ellie Humphries and Sumas Duiske, clear in 32.41, and it was Adam Carey and Quinn Z who completed the top-six line-up when clear in 36.52.

Taking the win in the Duggan family-sponsored 1.30m Grand Prix were Nicholas Connors and Abordable du Talus when they lodged the winning round in 32.93. Returning from the European circuit, Sven Hadley added to his tally when he claimed the runner-up spot with Quanbell, clear in 33.07. In third place were Michaeli Ann Byrne and King Diego, clear in 34.58. Hadley returned to take fourth place with Sumas Taloubet, clear in 36.18. Australian Jake Hunter proved that the time could be beaten when he clocked 32.98 with Ballylynch Take Advantage, but it came as at a price as he faulted once and had to be content with fifth place.

Completing the top six line-up were Mark Finerty and All Action who also had one on the floor but in a time of 35.30.