Hosted by the O’Brien family at their Galway EC, Paul Duffy Jnr was the appointed course designer for this venue and produced excellent courses throughout the day.

Following tradition, the 148cms HSI 1.30m class kicked off proceedings. From 24 starting combinations, just five riders recorded clear rounds, Sean Monaghan providing three of these. Four competitors completed on zero, with Michal Pender being the fastest of these on Dress To Thrill in a time of 35.35 seconds. This put him ahead of Monaghan, who took second and third places with Quantum Solace on 40.42 and Attyrory Rebel on 40.74. Hannah O’Shea and More Clover finished fourth in 43.16.

Some 61 competitors started in the 148cms 1.20m spring tour class, where 16 continued into the jump-off. This was a race against time as darkness was falling fast. Cormac Foley and Another Destiny eventually won the class on a zero score in 35.5. With points and a half on offer for the final, this moved Foley up from third to claim the spring tour title on 21.5 points. Olivia Roulston was relegated to second, staying on her 16 points, and Michael Pender third on 15 points.

Abigail McGeoghan-Santry made the journey from west Cork worthwhile when she took second and fourth place on her father Wayne’s Garryndruig Gold Digger (clear in 36.90) and Garryndruig Churchill (four faults in 35.92). Third place went to Waterford athlete Nicholas Connors on H O’Donnell’s Mighty Patch, the only other double clear in 40.29.

Joseph O’Brien was in charge of the 128/138cms arena and was very impressed with the standard of jumping from younger athletes.

The 128cms SJI Pony Spring Tour was another great competition, with victory going to Ciaran Nallon and Ardfry Chiswick. With 16 through to the jump-off, this pair left everything up in a time of 35.62 and secured enough points to take third place in the league.

Charlotte Houston kept up her consistent form by finishing in second place with Little Jack Spratt also clear in 39.32. This guaranteed Houston the 128cms Pony Spring Tour title, having amassed 23.5 points.

Orla Duffy and Mickybo slotted into third in the class, jumping a lovely double clear in 39.65. Second place in the league went to Robbie Coote, who picked up three points for a fifth place finish and a league total of 12 points.

The 138cms spring tour competition went right down to the wire, with Jason Foley, Jack Ryan, Harry Allen and Robbie Clancy fighting it out to the end. Foley and Allen each had two rides in the jump-off and league leader Clancy was treble-handed. With Clancy on 17 points, Allen second on 11, Ryan on 10 and Foley on 8, the atmosphere was tense.

Foley was the fastest on Bear Me In Mind, finishing in 33.48, ahead of Ryan and My Little Lady in 35.85. Allen was third on Fountain Ranger (36.05) and Clancy fourth on Chocolate Sauce (38.20). This was enough to keep Robbie Clancy at the top on 21.5 points and see him crowned as 138 Pony Spring Tour Champion, Jason Foley moved up to second place on 18.5 with Jack Ryan taking third 17.5.

The 2014 league was another resounding success thanks to the host venues, officials, athletes, families and Showjumping Ireland’s pony committee.