KILKENNY teenager Jack Ryan clocked up some mileage last weekend as he divided his time between competing in The Meadows Summer Championships, Lurgan, and the SJI Young Rider Championships at Barnadown.

It was all worthwhile however, as he was placed in the the ISH Studbook final at the Co Armagh venue and also went on to be named as the SJI Young Rider Champion at Barndown for the second successive year.

At Barnadown, Ryan clocked up a series of results from the first day, taking fifth with Finnisk Beowulf in the Welcome Stakes Art, fourth with Sandballin in the 1.20m Challenge Stakes, first and second in the 1.30m qualifiers with Cavalier Teaca and, to top it all off, won the EIS-sponsored 1.30m championship.

TEAM EFFORT

Jack Ryan said: “It was a great way to end the summer season before returning to school. Yes there was a bit of running around this weekend but we did it and I have to thank my mum Marguerite for doing all the driving.

“It was a real team effort and I would also like to thank my trainer, Eddie Moloney and Caroline Chambers, who keeps the horses in top shape, and my sponsors Mervue who have supported me throughout this year. It was a great championship and Alan Wade designed great courses that really tested us. The jump-off in the final was always going to be competitive, but going towards the end gave me a bit of time to see what I needed to do. I am going to Gothenburg tomorrow for the European Championships for a bit of a break.”

Ryan has enjoyed a glittering career in ponies and now in horses. Just 15 years old, Jack Ryan competes both on ponies and on horses. Some of his accolades include winning the Under 25 National Young Rider Championship last year and winning the power and speed class at Cavan International at the age of just 13.

He has been a member of four European Championships squads and the Junior Nations Cup at Wellington Equestrian Festival, Florida. This year he won the Grand Prix in Coilog and was part of the Nations Cup team in Opglabbeek.

Last Sunday, riders took to the Connolly’s Red Mills Arena to contest their championships. First up, the 1m Championship saw 30 qualified combinations go to post. Taking the Championship, when he delivered the faster of two double clears, was Cavan rider Lewis Trenier. Riding Royana De Clairias, he completed the winning round in 32.65. This combination is in form having won the qualifier on the Saturday.

Tipperary rider Lorraine Younge erred on the side of caution and it paid off as she delivered a clear in 44.60 for second. Trenier’s determination to win was evident as he proved fastest of the four-faulters with Lanzamore in 33.55 for third. Leanne O’Halloran and New Premier Girl also had one on the floor, but in a slower time of 38.24 for eventual fourth. Nicholas Connors chose to take the more cautious approach with Holy Blue, but despite this, he crossed the line carrying four faults, in 47.74, for fifth.

Tatianna Ormiston clocked the fastest time of the class, 30.83 with Bobbie Carolan, but it came at a price as she faulted twice and, as a result, slotted into sixth. The pairing had better luck in the 90cms class on Saturday as they took the win when clear in 25.35, over three seconds faster than closest rivals Freya Sayle and Drumralla Lady in 28.56.

It was also a good weekend for Waterford rider Shane Moloney as he took the 1.10m Championship with Ballynoe Cruising Riot. This partnership also emerged victorious in the 1.15m Sportsman final for Pro Am.

In the 1.10m Championship, Moloney was a second faster than his closest rival when he delivered a clear with Ballynoe Cruising Riot in 32.90. James Connors Smyth, accounted for the next two placings when he partnered Madelaine Gervais’ Miss Tonic into second, clear in 33.96, and third with Gervais’ Pepper Pot, clear in 34.44.

Hollie Whelan also kept all the poles in place with Longfield Aphrodite, though in a slower time of 38.26 for eventual fourth, ahead of Aimee Barry and Sarco Girl in 40.82.

Orlaith Ryan and Lates Sparkey completed the top-six line-up when she was fastest of the four faulters, in 35.50. Ryan didn’t go home too disappointed as this combination took the 1.10m Children on Horses Championship final later in the day.

1.2m CHAMPIONSHIP

Winner of the 1.20m championship was Daniel McAlinden who delivered the winning round aboard Knock Ash, clear in 37.09. Little stood between that and the next placing as Laura Connors and Just Jump galloped home, clear in 37.15, for the runner-up slot.

A contender in the Mervue league, Stephen Murphy demonstrated his talents in the young rider arena when he took third place with his father Paul’s Exelsoir Van De Noordheuvel, clear in 38.14.

Following a great week in Dublin and, before that, at the Pony European Championships, where he formed part of the winning team, Ciaran Nallon made his mark in the young rider arena as he took fourth place with Bally Fair Deal, clear in 38.38.

Liza Hurley and Calypso Z slotted into fifth, clear in 38.70, ahead of Harriet Ella Cooper and Carraigh Samraigh, clear in 41.23.