Castle Leslie Riding Club hosted the third round of the North East Region/Equipet winter league on home ground last Sunday when club chairman Meredith Jackson landed the very competitive intermediate class with Miss Arkansas.

The 10-year-old VDL Arkansas mare is the sole registered Irish Sport Horse produce out of the thoroughbred Edan Na Greine, an unraced daughter of Wood Chanter and a half-sister to Daytona Warcraft (by Warcraft), dam of the Grade A mare Daytona Du Rouet (by Taloubet VDL).

Jackson was the only one to break the 30-second barrier when it came to the timed round, Miss Arkansas coming home clear in 28.75 seconds. Nuala Stafford, a new member with Cheval this year, filled second place on Mistify Me (30.48), while Castle Leslie also took third through Conor Meehan and Sonnys Mount (30.68).

Miss Arkansas was appearing for the second time on Sunday having earlier filled the runner-up spot in the advanced intermediate section where she and Castle Leslie member Louise Flynn were clear in 29.78.

The winners were the well-known speedy combination of NER chairperson Laura Carrick and My Foxy Lass (28.94).

The Cheval pair won the opening round at Kernan’s Equestrian Centre, but had to settle for second place at their own qualifier at Broadmeadows Equestrian Centre.

There they were beaten by Dorsey’s Jacqui Boland and Maverick Na Ri, who were third on Sunday in 30.06. My Foxy Lass, who has 40 ShowjumpingIreland points, is a 10-year-old bay mare by the Connemara Westside Mirah.

Cheval doubled up when, for the second week running, the Inter B class fell to Rachael Switzer and her 10-year-old bay gelding Cobey Step. They were slow (65.40), but posted the only double clear. Of the three Castle Leslie riders who filled the remainder of the placings, Eve McKenna fared best when picking up four faults in 60.79 with Lisbrogan Swatch.

The hosts’ two representatives in the open division also had to settle for minor honours behind Killossery’s Aoife Maguire, who recorded the only double clear on her 11-year-old Finns Clover Inn mare Mane Attraction, and Border Counties’ Rosemary Bellew. She finished second on eight faults with Cloncaw Chief.

The advanced primary class attracted the largest entry of the day and finishing closest to the optimum time of 60 seconds was Drynam’s Rachel Carey and Drynam Rivie (59.70).

The home club’s Evanne McKenna slotted into second with Bella Rosi (61.74).

A double clear saw Mullaghmore’s Caroline Tierney, riding Hugo Parker, claim the Inter A from her sole rival, Castle Hill’s Petrina Reilly and Fiddlewood Mr Buddy.

The Mullaghmore club doubled up when Charlene Sherry landed the concluding primary division where, once again, the optimum time ruling came into play.

Only two combinations completed on a zero score, Sherry and Killytur Johnny stopping the clock on 65.24, while Castle Leslie’s Jane Leighton and Milfords Lady were home in 65.86.

The league continues tomorrow at Castle Hill before returning to Co Monaghan on Sunday next, February 23rd, when Border Counties will host the penultimate leg of the series at Cloncaw Equestrian.