HISTORY was made at Portmore Equestrian Centre at the weekend with the official opening of their new outdoor arena.

Making her mark was 13-year-old Mackenzie Healey, who had just returned from a successful week at Dublin and took Portmore by storm, winning both the 1.10m and 1.20m classes on Sunday.

The talented Dungannon teenager won the 1.10m on Desmond and Shane McFadden’s Mr Easy Street, while she steered Recolpa Rose, Robert Good’s 13-year-old mare by Aldato, to victory in the 1.20m.

This was the mare on which she won the Children on Horses class in Dublin Horse Show.

The showcase event on the day was the 1.35m Mini Grand Prix, which had over 30 starters take on the challenge of a technical course designed by Rafael Suarez, assisted by Ray Buchanan and Stephen McAlinden.

Unfortunately, weather conditions were difficult for the start of the class, but all credit must go to those who braved the elements.

Just five riders made it past the first round, with the majority of others finishing on a four fault score.

Suzanne Posnett came to the jump-off double-handed with horses owned by Patricia Connon of Crumlin. She was first to go with Wolina Roundthorn and the combination put in a foot-perfect round to post a clear.

Again, windy conditions worked against some of the riders but Suzanne, who was last to go with Patricia Connon’s Sjappo mare, Zinniz Roundthorn, released the handbrake early on and delivered a blistering round to win the class almost two seconds ahead of her stablemate.

Third-placed Annabelle Heffron is another rising starhas who is building a strong reputation in children on horses classes.