DESPITE heavy rain last weekend, the Young Rider and Children on Horses Championship decider went ahead at the SJI National Championships in Mullingar.

Saturday’s 1.10m young rider championship was hotly contested, with 77 competitors going to post. Daren Hopkins and Bay Of Biscay delivered a clear in 24.66 seconds to take the winner’s prize of €1,500, while he also took runner-up spot when clocking 24.69 with Furisto Cruise. Third place was occupied by Stephen Murphy and Novella Clover when crossing the line in 25.77.

Leading the victory lap in the 1.20m championship was Darragh Ryan and Furisto Jack who finished clear in 37.33. Winner of the Connaught Grand Prix league, Jessica Burke once again showed her talent as she partnered Castlelawn Splendid to a clear in 39.22 for second place. Hopkins was back in the ribbons, this time taking third place with Furisto Cruise (39.83).

The Holmestead Saddlery 1.30m young rider final saw a total of 44 riders compete for a €3,500 prize fund, with 12 combinations making it into the jump-off. Darragh Ryan and Apache Van De Lange came out on top after they negotiated a tight turn-back to the double and took out a stride to the last oxer, recording a winning time of 36.73 seconds.

Tim MacDonagh didn’t hang around with Tick Tock Tina, a clear in 37.49 saw him finish second. Jake Hunter crossed the line in 38.17 with Cornet’s Little finishing third, while Jack Ryan and Cavalier Tecca stopped the clock clear in 38.36 for fourth place. MacDonagh and Point Two Elvis took fifth, ahead of Matt Garrigan and Sterling Un Prince in sixth.

The last of the young rider championships on Sunday was the one metre division. Kevin McCabe and Carramore Oasis clear round in 24.53 saw them take victory. They finished almost two seconds ahead of runner-up Jennifer Torrens and Lake View Star Appeal, while Lisa Gerbola Bushawary and Janua Coeli finished third.

The 1.15m pro-am classic, which was restricted to riders who had not jumped over 1.35m this year, was won by Mary Buckley and Dilona Blue, crossing the line in 59.85. Nicholas Connors and Adorable Du Talus finished second (61.57), while Brian Gallagher and Ri Mac finished third in a time of 62.69.

Following a series of placings throughout the weekend and points gained at qualifiers throughout the year, Galway’s Tim MacDonagh was crowned young rider national champion for 2015. His results included a fifth place finish in the 1.40m young rider class at the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show with Point Two Elvis.

The children on horses competition (for riders under 14 years) concluded last Sunday at the midlands venue, with the Bluegrass 1.15m championship. Taylor Sweeney and Zafira emerged as winners with a clear round in 31.06. Tyrone’s Mackenzie Healy finished as runner-up with Recolpa Rose when clear in 32.14 and she also took third spot with Mr Easy Street (32.95).