Róisín Sheridan

VINCENT BYRNE won last Sunday’s feature class, the Devenish Bet Showjumping Live Competition, at the international show in Mullingar Equestrian Centre. Partnered by his own mare Caugherty (Limmerick – Flagmount Diamond), Byrne saw off stiff competition from the 32 qualified starters to secure the €5,000 top prize.

The pair had enjoyed a run of good form during March, taking Spring Tour Grand Prix wins in Wexford and Ballinamona.

A delighted Byrne said: “I thought it was a great class. I was away in Portugal last year so I missed it so this was my first time. We only qualified the day before, she (Caugherty) had been going well and I thought a run around the qualifying class would keep her sweet; she went really well and that earned us our place. The fact that the class wasn’t really even in our plan made the win even better because it was unexpected. I think it’s a concept that wouldn’t really work every week but every now and then it’s a very enjoyable class for both riders and spectators.

“The crowd really got behind it and I think when people had a few quid on a rider they felt more a part of it; and because there was decent money on offer the riders were really trying to win.

“If there was any improvement I think that could be made it would be to make the second round table three; seconds added for a fence down; that way even if you had a fence down early on you would just try and go faster to stay in the placings and it would make it more exciting for the spectators that had bet on you.

“My plan now is to head to Ballivor and then Galway County and just follow the National and Premier classes. I’ve a four and five-year-old qualified for Dublin so I’m kind of working back from there at the moment. I’m not planning a trip away this year as there is enough good classes and prize money on offer here for me at the level my horses are jumping to keep me here.

NEW DIMENSION

“I really enjoyed the Bet Live class, it adds a new dimension to the show and the concept definitely gave the crowd a better day out. The crowd’s involvement made it more fun for the riders and the prize money on offer made it an attractive class to win. I would like to see it introduced at a few shows throughout the year,” said Byrne following the win.

The Devenish-sponsored final offered €10,200 in prize money. A place in one of the four teams of eight riders had to be earned at four qualifiers in May; the first was in Mullingar the second in Galway EC, the third in Ballinasloe with the final qualifier taking place the day before the final.

The start list provided details of the 32 contenders and prior to the class, the tote was opened and spectators and riders were encouraged to bet on their favourites.

The riders were then chosen at random to join a team of eight and given their team jersey in the team colour and with their start number on it. This made it easy to keep track of who was in the ring and a glance at the list made them easy to identify.

Team green were first and it was the third and seventh riders in; Susan Fitzpatrick (Isacorada) and Christopher Magahey (Charming Lady) that produced the fastest clear rounds to progress to the timed decider.

The time of the first round clear was relevant at this point because it decided the order of jumping for the next round.

Team blue was next. It was the final two into the ring, Gerard Clarke (Kellswater Crimson) and Jordan Coyle (Amigo VH Winkenshof Z), who progressed.

The third team wore purple and Michael Pender (Cardem Moonbeam) and Nano Healy (Trickin Around) earned the places on offer here.

The final team were dressed in red shirts and eventual winner Byrne (Caugherty) and Ger O’Neill (The Hurricane) proved best of the eight.

Christopher Megahey, as the slowest of the eight finalists, was first to go over a new nine-fence track. He produced a second clear round in a time of 45.38, which would be good enough for eventual fourth place.

Next to go was Susan Fitzpatrick. This was not to be her day and she collected 12 faults to finish in seventh place with Isacorada.

Ger O’Neill and the veteran Kellswater Crimson were third to have a try. Their hopes were dashed early on however, with a stop at number three. They finished up in sixth place.

Byrne was fourth in and with good tight turns into the double at three and a good gallop to the last he stopped the clock at 56.96 to secure the lead.

Jordan Coyle, who had started as one of the bookies’ favourites at the start of the class, then fell out of contention after running into problems at the double.

Local man Nano Healy produced a second clear in 41.80 as sixth to go, which would see him slot into the runner-up spot.

Ger O’Neill, who had a very fast first round, looked to be in contention after a very good left-hand turn into the double early on but just missed out, stopping the clock at 43.67 for third place.

Last in was the fastest pair from round one, Micheal Pender and Cardem Moonbeam. With it all to play for, they began well but an attempt at an inside turn to fence four did not pay off, and they had to settle for fifth place.

The other international class on Sunday, the 1.40 metre Grand Prix qualifier, was won by Captain Geoff Curran and Shannondale Rahona. Second place went to Michael Pender and HHS Hercules.