Emer Bermingham
ALTHOUGH just a week after the Discover Ireland Horse show, pony riders showed no sign of tiring as they contested a range of classes at Millstreet which included the Champion of Ireland titles.
As expected the 128cm Champion of Ireland final went down to the wire with 12 of 14 combinations securing their place in the timed round. First to go, Caoimhe Walsh and Dooneen’s Mystical Star proved out of luck when faulting at the last, which kept her out of the top six. The first double clear was delivered by Rhys Williams and Parc Giggles, who crossed the line in 32.36.
There were anxious moments for Williams as Alex Finney and Ballyknock Master Roan crossed the line with nothing to add in 32.50 for eventual second.
Not content with the runner-up placing, Finney also accounted for third place with Some Journey when clear in 33.08.
Yiayan Evans and Laithehill Paisley looked set to take up the gauntlet, but a clear in 36.70 proved only good enough for eventual fourth.
Another clear came courtesy of Jane Cassidy on Two Socks who galloped home with nothing to add in 39.08 for fifth. Max Foley posted the fastest time of 30.25 with Sparkel but it came at a price as he faulted once for eventual sixth.
Although Williams took the win, the accumulation of points meant that Alex Finney was crowned 128cms Young Champion of Ireland when finishing on 41 points.
138cms
Action in the pony arena last Saturday kicked off with 138cms prestigious Young Champion final. From the 13 qualified combinations, just six proceeded to what turned out to be a nail-biting the jump-off.
On form having won the leading pony rider in Dublin, Jason Foley wasted no time with Ferrybank Roy and lodged the unbeatable time of 33.70 seconds. Little separated second and third place as Seamus Hughes Kennedy aboard Lisboy Latte crossed the line in 36.65, just 0.03 seconds ahead of John Murray and Quantum Qt (36.68).
Ciarán Nallon’s time of 40.53 with Boten Anna was good enough for fourth place. An unfortunate eight faults for Robyn Moran on Western Oreo in 33.48 saw them slot into fifth, while Katie Power and Trendy Royale accounted for sixth.
Following another impressive show, Foley’s win ensured that he also crowned the 138cms Young Champion of Ireland on total of 45 points.
148cms
Winner of the 128cms Young Champions of Ireland last year, Ciaran Nallon returned to Millstreet to claim the 148cms Champion of Ireland title. As expected this competition put riders to the test and as a result, just three from 14 combinations progressed to the jump-off, of which two were ridden by Mayo rider Ciaran Nallon. Although Nallon had the advantage, it was Carla McGarry and Chocalarto that lodged the winning round of clear in 35.82.
Nallon delivered his best result with Tony Carrabine’s Sligo Little James, clear in 36.93. Nallon proved that the time could be beaten as he clocked 34.38 with Java’s Lady Bug, but it came at a price as he faulted once, which saw him take third.
Nallon also slotted into fourth having posted the fastest four faults of the first round with Prince Of Lady Town (69.37), ahead of Mickey Pender and Carlton Diva (70.17). Sixth place was occupied by Conor Mc Mahon and Banagher U3 (80.05).
Although Carla McGarry and Chocalarto won the class, Nallon had done enough to take the Young Champion of Ireland title when finishing on 40 points.
Nallon said: “It has been a super week here in Millstreet as I got to compete in all different levels from horses to ponies. It gives riders great experience and hopefully sets us up to the future. Along with my own win, my sister Katie won the under 10s Grand Prix with Rashers and Sausages so we are all going home happy.”
148cms Grand Prix
Returning from Sweden, where he was part of Irish Pony European silver medal-winning team, Mikey Pender demonstrated his talent as he rode to victory in the 148cms Grand Prix.
Riding Clive Swindell’s Cul Ban Mistress, he was quickest of the five-way jump-off in 32.39 seconds.
Pathfinder Conor McMahon and Lady Capulet set the bar high with a clear in 33.81 but this later proved good enough for third.
Four faults at the oxer at fence eight with Cinderella Girl saw Hannah O’ Shea hopes of a win dashed, but a fast time of 33.43 for fifth, ahead of Daniel Carroll and Knockeroghery Prince.
Ciarán Nallon’s decision to play it safe with Sligo Little James paid off as he crossed the line with nothing to add in 38.41 for eventual fourth.
Last-to-go Mikey Pender and Zirima had already secured the title but he duly delivered another clear round in 32.41 to take the runner-up spot as well.
Pender said: “ I have just arrived back from Sweden and went straight to Millstreet. All the ponies are on top form so I was confident that I could do well.
“The two ponies that I was first and second on had qualified for Dublin but missed out due to the Europeans, so it was nice for them to do so well.
“I also won the 1.20m Grand Prix with Derrymore Chip. The plan now is the SJI National Championships, hopefully the ponies can hold their form and we can pick up another few wins.”