THE finals of the Gateau Stables Young Pony Series kicked off last Friday morning with the 128cm six and seven-year-old division battling it out for the first title.

Claiming victory were Daisy McNamara and Lambay Off Broadway, who were fastest of 10 double clears, in a time of 29.74 seconds. Bred by Anne Grimes, Lambay Off Broadway is a seven-year-old mare by Lennards Monogram out of Linksbury Cinderella. Taking the runners-up spot were Camryn Clarke and the six-year-old Lackaghmore Barbie, clear in 34.84. Cian Dore piloted Aldyth Roulston’s six-year-old Sparkling Miss Leglands to a clear in 35.50 for third.

In all four and five-year-old ponies classes, the final was judged following the format of four-year-old horse classes.

In the 128cm four and five-year-olds, it was Brid Ryan and Rhydygrug Annalee who took the win when awarded a score of 88. Bred by DL Sellick, she is a five-year old mare by Polaris Elner out of Bronheulog Araminta. Finishing on a score of 87.75 were Daisy McNamara and Tyrrellspass Vicount. The gelding is a four-year-old by Astral Scooby Doo out of Lady Venture. Kian Dore and the five-year-old mare Lackaghmore Ruby May were awarded of 87.25 for third.

PURE MAGIC

Winner of the 138cm four and five-year-olds was A Magic Motion (ISH). Ridden by Vivienne Hannan, the four-year-old skewbald mare was awarded a total of 87.25 points. Bred by John Mulvihill, she is by Bastion out of Reylem Lady Penelope. Finishing on a score of 85 was Rachel Carey’s mount, the five-year-old gelding Urlanmore JJ, ahead of Stephen Gibbons and Mayfield Welfenkrone (5yo) on 83.75 marks.

A winner at Millstreet International Horse Show, Joanne Sloan Allen’s five-year-old gelding WKD Aris Boy impressed again when taking the win in the 148cm division. Under the command of Jennifer Torrens, he was awarded a score of 100.25. The gelding is by Machno Carwyn out of WKD Angels Share.

Taking second place was the five-year-old gelding Lackaghmore Brendan who was under the command of Donal O’Connor and awarded 98.75. Rory Kavanagh partnered Leo Monoghan’s Machnus D’Hyrencourt Z into third on 91.25. Bred by Henry Andre, the five-year-old stallion is by Machno Carwyn out of Venus D’Hyrencourt.

In the 138cm six and seven-year-old final, victory belonged to Lauren Murphy and six-year-old gelding The Bulls Eye, when they delivered the fastest clear in the nine-way jump-off in 29.71. Four other double clears were posted and the next fastest of those was Lucy Brady riding the seven-year-old Mr Proper in 35.10. Connor Harris and the Priestown Spotty (6yo) crossed the line in 37.06 for third.

Winner of the the earlier 148cm 1.25 class, James Connors Smyth returned to take another victory when he partnered Mount Ross Sprinter in the 148cm six and seven-year-old division. Riding Shane Hawkins’ Mount Ross Sprinter, he lodged the winning clear in 31.78. A seven-year-old, the Connemara gelding is by Lycon Cong Blossom out of Glencarrig Annie.

Claiming the runner-up spot were the winners of the earlier 148cm 1.10m qualifier, Robyn Moran and Henrietta Star (7yo), clear in 32.94. Third place was occupied by Trudie Hermione McCoosh and the seven-year-old mare, MSH First Choice, clear in 34.12.