By Emer Bermingham

IT was an early start for amateur riders as they were first into the main arena at Dublin last Sunday to contest for their championship title. As expected, the Allianz sponsored championship went down to the wire, with all 12 riders coming through the Longines gates with only a win in mind.

In the end, despite some tough competition, victory went to Saturday night’s qualifier winner, Edel Kelly riding the 16-year-old gelding, Delphi Flyer.

Kelly, who qualified at the round at Ravensdale, was naturally delighted with the result: “It was always going to be a fast jump-off and going early I knew that I just had to go for it. I needed to keep the pressure on as there were fast combinations such as Paul Carroll and Castleroche La Roche coming after me.

“The plan now is do a few more shows before going back to college in University College Cork where I am studying commerce. I would like to thank my family for all their help as without them this result wouldn’t be possible.’’

Although the heavy rain the night before meant that jumping conditions weren’t ideal for the championship on Sunday, it didn’t seem to have an effect on the riders’ performance as the first ‘A’ rider Erinn McCullagh riding Fabulux delivered a clear.

Following this round, a further five ‘AA’ riders maintained clean sheets to join her in the jump-off. Friday’s qualifier winner, Sarah McLean riding Diamond Obelix could have only gone home disappointed, as a single time fault denied her a place in the jump-off.

Pathfinders in the jump-off, McCullagh maintained her clean sheet with Fabulux. A series of good turns, along with a nice rhythm throughout the course, saw her set a good time of 34.83 seconds, to put it up to the remaining riders.

Although McCullagh set the bar high, her lead held only temporarily as next in, Edel Kelly riding Delphi Flyer, negotiated a great turn back to the last which saw her make up valuable time and so reduce the target to 34.61 seconds.

TIGHT TURN

All eyes were on Sheikh Samir Mirdad as he was next to take it on with Mirdads Hubbb Alrahmaaan. A tight turn back to fence two saw him on target, which was under the 30 second mark at this point. Mirdad’s hopes of a win were dashed however, when the mare faulted at the penultimate fence. A fast time of 33.16 proved good enough for eventual fourth.

A familiar face in the amateur arena, Warrington-based Maria Lanigan cantered into the arena at a determined pace with Countess Rock. Lanigan first made up time in the turn back to the second fence but four faults at the mid-way point ruled her out of contention. A quick time of 32.62 was enough to see her finish in third, just one place behind McCullagh.

Placed second in each of the qualifying rounds with Castleroche La Roche, Paul Carroll was considered a hot favourite in this division. Carroll knew that there was no other option but to go for it and he didn’t hang about as he took all the tight lines. The tight turns however, came at a price, as the combination crossed the line carrying eight faults in a time of 35.62 for eventual sixth.

Lauren Webster opted for the safer approach with Silent Surfer and all was going well until they faulted at the penultimate fence.

A slower time of 36.88 meant that she had to settle for eventual fifth place in the line-up.