Tara Dunne

SHANE Dalton was the winner of the inaugural Shires Equestrian Products Series Final held at the Irish Breeders Classic Show in Barnadown.

With qualifying rounds running throughout the season, the €4,000 grand final, sponsored by Shires Equestrian Products Ireland, was restricted to horses that had not jumped a 1.35m class this year or in 2015.

Dalton proved fastest in a 13-horse decider when coming home over two seconds clear of nearest rival Sarah Agnew.

Riding Gabriel Slattery’s 13-year-old Kannan-sired mare Castlelawn Kannan, Dalton set the unbeatable standard of a clear round in a time of 33.59 seconds.

A new ride to Dalton this season, Castlelawn Kannan has proven to be a dependable performer.

The pair have a myriad of wins from 1.10m to 1.25m and hold the title in the 2016 Connaught Region Eurohome.ie Step Up 1.25m League.

Dalton has had a successful season all round, also the winning the Connaught Sunshine Windows and Doors 1.35m Grand Prix league and the five-year-old Horse Sport Ireland Irish Sport Horse Studbook Showjumping Series.

He was also being selected with the five-year-old stallion Castlelawn Captain Junior for the WBFSH world breeding championships at Lanaken.

Sarah Agnew secured the blue rosette with a time of 35.63 aboard her own nine-year-old Dario-sired Galwaybay Hummer narrowly edging out Paddy O’Donnell and Hey There Delilah, home in 36.17.

The times became more sedate after this point, with 44.00 earning Tholm Keane and the six-year-old Newmarket Valentine fourth position.

SRS Sporthorses rider Sophie Richards was over a second off this time with Kilpatrick Brigade, logging a tim of 45.44, while completing the line-up was Andrew Byrne and his mount Starling (47.35).