ALL roads led to Cavan Equestrian last week as it played host to its popular Cavan Indoor Championships. On Friday, competitors battled it out in the main arena in the 1.30m speed class.

Riders were up to the challenge and very little separated the placings. A clear round in 51.69 seconds saw Rose Biedron and All Gold Des Isles claim victory. They were chased home by Lee Carey and Furisto Cruise who stopped the clock in 52.52. Gerard Clarke was not far behind with Fabio M, and the pair came home in 52.81 for third.

Shane Goggins and Baliea De Loup opted for a more cautious approach and a clear in 55.24 secured them fourth place in the line-up. Casey Phair kept all the poles in place with Metralis for fifth. Young rider Jenny Kuehnle also jumped clear with Tullibards Miss Optimistic to finish sixth.

CONSISTENT PARTNERSHIP

It was a well worthwhile trip from Mayo for Ciaran Nallon as he won the 1.30m final on Saturday. Riding the ever reliable Bally Fair Deal, he jumped clear in 35.09. This combination have proved to be a very consistent partnership and among their good results this year was a second place in the 1.30m young rider championship at the Dublin Horse Show.

Angela Percy was hot on the young rider’s heels as she crossed the line with Active Cruise in 35.59 for second. Damien Griffin and Pembrook Millenia put in a gallant attempt to finish third.

Not content with the win, Nallon also finished fourth.He partnered Ted Talks to a clear round in 36.06. Olive Clarke and Aimoise Valiere were only fractions behind to finish fifth and Charlotte Arnold and Leestone Blue Voltet completed the line-up in sixth.

CLARKE WINS CHAMPIONSHIP

Gerard Clarke left nothing to spare in the 1.25 All Ireland speed championship on Saturday. Riding Fabio M, he finished over one second ahead of Lee Carey and Furisto Cruise. The Dutch-bred gelding Fabio M is by Flipper D’Elle out of the Grannus -sired dam Piba P.

Jake Hunter and Ogara filled third place, with fourth place going to Mark Finnerty and Emma. No stranger to success in Cavan, John Floody added to his record when he partnered Craigmanus Hold Up Diamond to a clear in 50.46, for fifth. Event rider Emma Jackson and Amy B finished in sixth.