A GREAT turn out of competitors in the horse and pony show jumping league finals at Tipperary EC in Thurles made for some hotly contested jump-offs last weekend.
The horses 80cms final was won by the very feisty Cola Fox on her equally feisty mount Kelshamore Dandy, while Michael Kearney took the win in the 90cms final on his ever-consistent horse Montazuma.
On home ground, Brendan Ryan blazed home in record time to win the 1m final on Margaret Kimmel’s chesnut mare Rythmic Ruby. Cathal O’Regan made the trip from Clonakilty worthwhile by securing the win in the 1.10m final on his father’s horse Sligo Lux.
Taking a break from his Leaving Certificate studies, Darragh Ryan took first and second in the 1.20m final on John Waters’ The Dubliner and second place on Domonique Hallinan’s Furisto Jack.
As exciting as the horse finals were, the pony jump-offs were exhilarating.
First to post in the 128cms/70cms final was Tom Hayden on his mother’s pony, Tullowcussane Morning Jewel. Hayden also won the leading rider title for the league.
Orlaith Ryan rose to the occasion by winning the 128cms/80cms final on Millfield Duke. Second place went to leading rider John Darmody and Fidra Star.
Ryan returned to set out a blistering pace on Little Bob in the 128cms/90cms final and win, also securing the leading pony title on her other mount Millfield Papoose.
Once again, John Darmody was runner-up, this time with Fidra Star. Third place went to Emma Lawlor and Miss Charming, fourth to Harriet Penfold and Gelliganol Guinever, fifth to Orlaith Ryan and Millfield Duke and sixth place to Olivia Deveraux riding Munsboro Plunkett.
The 128cms/1m final was again kept on home ground as there was no stopping Little Bob and Orlaith Ryan, who won the leading rider title and took first place on the day. Second place went to Hariett Penfold and Gelliganol Guinever.
The 138-148cms/80cms final was won by Niall Butler with Mountgrove WR steel Diamond, while Butler also won the 138-148cms/90cms final with his other mount Mount Grove Golden Girl.
James O’Meara won the leading rider title in the 138-148cms/80cms league, while Kym Marett took the title in the 138-148cms/90cms final with Ardfionnain Spring Time.
The 148cms/1m and 1.10m first place went to Cashel rider Sarah Murphy on her lovely Connemara mount Cailin Bui.
Killian Ryan, just back from his very successful trip to Fontainbleau where he won the first of the international classes on the six-year-old Graiguecullen Bens Boy, kept up his form by winning the 148cms/1.20m final on Buzz Light Year.
He also claimed the leading rider title in the 148cms/1mand 148cms/1.10m finals.
Tipperary EC hosts Tomas and Fiona thanked all their sponsors on the day, who ensured that there were plenty of happy faces leaving Thurles on Sunday evening.
They included Toorela Equine Performance, Ryan Brothers Enviromental Services, Boomerang Animal Bedding and Equestrian Store, Gain Horse Feeds and Pegus Horses Feeds, as well as Coolmore, who sponsored all of the pony classes.