THE Waterford/Tipperary Branch of the SJI held their Autumn Pony League Finals at Ballinamona Equestrian Centre last Sunday and what a spectacular day’s jumping these young athletes provided.
The main title sponsors – Equine Warehouse in Clonmel, Coolmore Stud and NutriScience/Mackey – were justifiably delighted with the fantastic finals on a lovely bright day after the devastating storms of the previous week. The nine winners’ sashes and top awards went to Gearoid Bolger, a double winner, Natasha Foley, Alexandra Hourigan, Ellen Power, Jack Kelly, Emma Byrne, Saoirse Curran and Olivia Shanahan.
The Waterford/Tipperary Branch committee were happily surprised with the great turn out from all the competitors and their parents and especially a big thank you to all the staff at Ballinamona Equestrian Centre for their efforts in ensuring a super day’s jumping especially after hurricane Ophelia.
Paddy O’Donnell sponsored the young pony awards and was on hand to present the four-year-old leader Madges Lane Ben, ridden by Brid Ryan, and the five-year-old leader Josh Lad and Tristan Merrigan. Emma Walsh on Meddlesome Myrtle won the six-year-old award after an amazing battle that went down to the final round before her award was confirmed.
Tristan Merrigan and Josh Lad also deservedly won the Leading Connemara Pony award, sponsored by Colligan Equestrian Centre.
The NutriScience/Mackey 148 1.10m was, as expected, a super competition. Saoirse Curran set an amazing target of 33.72 with Aherlow Boy but Olivia Shanahan, who has had a great season which included qualifying her 128cms pony for the RDS, has already moved on to 148s and with Neilstown Puffin is proving pretty unbeatable. She scorched round in 31.11 to take the winner’s sash along with a hoard of prizes from the sponsors. Mark Moloney was presented with the Cuffesgrange For Sure trophy as league leader with Regan Lass.
Saoirse Curran earlier won the Coolmore 148 1m with another scintillating round on Moin na Guise Lass in 33.18 while Hazel Harte got closest with Joan Dahill’s Glencairn Sixpence in 34.60. Emma Byrne and Coco Baby were awarded the Mountgrove trophy as league leaders. Emma and the wonderful Coco Baby also took the Aherlow Boy trophy as leader of the 148 90cms Equine Warehouse Carling King league and, for good measure, won the final as well with a super time, ahead of Kym Jolly and Lundy who were fractions behind.
SPECIAL DAY
Jack Kelly on Bobby Lee won the NutriScience/Mackey 138 1m ahead of his great rival Robyn Lee with Leandro Van Het Koekoeschof. The P.J. O’Sullivan Memorial trophy also went to Jack Kelly as league leaders. Ellen Power and Glountane Beauty were another combination to win the final and take the leader’s trophy for the 138 90cms. She was presented with the Gay O’Donnell memorial trophy by Paddy O’Donnell and took the top share of the prizes from sponsors Coolmore Stud. Katie Doyle was runner-up here with Mr. Rock and Roll.
The Equine Warehouse 138 80cms was won by Gearoid Bolger and Freemount Tayto, giving him the second leg of a great double of wins, and to ensure a special day, he also won the Tipperary Equestrian Centre trophy as league leader. Natasha Foley was the worthy runner-up with Jerpoint Dancer to add to her tally for the day.
The day commenced with thrilling excitement, as is the norm from the 128s and their diminutive riders. The Equine Warehouse Carling King League for the 70cms class had a thrilling final. The relatively new partnership of Calum Harte with Tantassig Miss had a great time of 30.25 then Oisin Hogg on Dashing Marvin flew round in 28.55 but Gearoid Bolger was in flying form with Tullibard’s Silver Princess and he shot through the beams as the winner in 28.16.
Amy Woods and her lovely grey Amy’s Little Man brought home two leading awards. She achieved the Shanakill House Stud trophy for the 70cms and the Stay Fence trophy for the 128 80cms having great scores in both leagues. The 80cms final had another super jump-off and to huge cheers, Natasha Foley won in 29.00 with Spectacular Spartacus. Trevor Gahan had a brilliant round with Castle Ellis Tina to get so close in 29.10 but he was thrilled to take the lovely cooler rug from Coolmore Stud for runner-up spot.
The NutriScience/Mackey 128 90cms final had as favourites Natasha Foley and Araglen Minuska, leaders of the league who were awarded the Sprinter’s Magic trophy but they settled for third in the final. Charlie Weldon probably had the round of his life with Magnificent Magnet getting everything spot on in 33.19. However, Alexandra Hourigan and Little Rock Hopscotch used a little bit of luck but got the marvellous time of 30.68 to win another superb final.
In their second year, these leagues have proven to be very popular, and the Waterford/Tipperary Branch awards night in Dungarvan on November 18th is sure to be still buzzing after Sunday’s excitement. A special evening is in store as the senior branch members have had the most remarkable season, winning all the top awards. Greg Broderick is the New Heights Premier Champion while Liam O’Meara won the National Grand Prix Championship. Francis Connors once again was crowned Munster Grand Prix Champion and internationally Denis Lynch was part of the brilliant quartet who won team gold at the European Championships.