Club chairman James Kernan was course builder for the day and his tracks were more widely lauded than the weather. Riders in the morning’s higher graded classes had to endure the worst of the elements, but did so with good humour.

The Castle Hill and Castle Leslie clubs recorded two wins apiece, the former landing the concluding primary class through Alison Molloy and the evergreen veteran Hilltop Festy, a 1993 grey gelding by Ashfield Festy.

Going clear in 46.72 seconds, the Castle Hill pair was closest to the optimum time, while the Castle Leslie partnership of Jane Leighton and Milfords Lady were next best in 58.13.

Hilltop Festy, who has a huge amount of experience behind him in all disciplines, also took part in the competitive advanced primary class. Here, clear in 50.38, he finished third under Molloy’s sister, Cathy Flanagan, who is also a member of Castle Hill.

Castle Leslie representatives took the top-two placings in this division which was also judged under the optimum time ruling. Kathy Nolan and Killeshandra Shakira finished second (49.84) behind Evanne McKenna and her well-known 11-year-old grey mare Bella Rosi (50.15).

The Monaghan club had initiated a double in the strong intermediate class where the honours went to David Breakey and his tall brown gelding Whats It All About Alfie. The 13-year-old, who is by the Touchdown stallion Rassan Boy, was home in 35.02, while the closest rivals, Cheval’s Sandra Hannigan and Yukon Rosey, were clear in 37.01.

Cheval had better luck in the advanced intermediate class where club members Laura Carrick and Jacqui Doupe finished first and second. The former, who is regional chairperson, was clear in 35.35 on her 10-year-old Westside Mirah mare My Foxy Lass, while Doupe was home in 35.40 with Ballustree Firecracker Lad.

Disappointingly, there were only three starters in the open class won by Border Counties’ chairperson Rosemary Bellew and the family stalwart, Cloncaw Chief, a 15-year-old piebald gelding who was clear in 42.27. Representing Castle Leslie, Olivia Johns and Derryhee Sirocco were faster (37.61), but had to settle for second place with a fence down.

Just three also came forward for the Intermediate B where the honours went to Ashbrook chairperson Ann O’Dowd and the 11-year-old bay mare FCD Touch Of Class. Representing the same north Dublin club, John Gavin claimed the runner-up position with Good News Charlie.

The new Inter A class attracted five starters, but only Castle Hill’s Petrina Reilly and her seven-year-old roan gelding Fiddlewood Mr Buddy managed to leave all the poles intact. Second place went to Border Counties’ Laura Finegan and Meneval Moonshine.

The Equipet league continues tomorrow at Broadmeadow Equestrian Centre and, throughout the region, each Sunday up to and including March 2nd when it concludes at Killossery Lodge Stud.