CALLIAGHSTOWN riding club continued the Linda Moore spring show jumping league, hosting their leg on Easter Monday at Calliaghstown EC in Rathcoole. The fourth leg of the Linda Moore league took place in the venue’s outdoor arena, where the sun shone down all day on competitors, a far cry from the hailstones and torrential rain the week before.

Judged by Maureen McGranahan, the competition included a clear round class, a sportsman’s class and six graded classes. This leg of the league was well attended with over one hundred entries on the day.

Following the clear round class, the graded competitions commenced, beginning with the primary class. Maria O’Brien from Rathfarnham riding club won this class, riding a clear round closest to the optimum time, on Cavalier. Second place went to the only other clear round, Liz Burbage and the Generals Daughter from Riverside riding club.

Just three of the 17 competitors in the advanced primary class completed a clear round. This class was also judged on optimum time and the winners were Lisa Keogh and Alfie from Abbeylands riding club, with Eric McCarthy and Victor taking second place for Moyglare riding club.

The sportsmans class, open to intermediate riders and above, also took place over this class. Eva Byrne from host club Calliaghstown, won this class with Tierney, ahead of fellow club member Sheena Boran riding Huff & Puff.

The intermediate class, always the largest of the day, had 33 entries on this occasion, of these just six were clear in the main round and progressed to jump against the clock over a shortened course. League leaders and winners of the first three legs, Sara Woods and Wacky Jack from Celbridge made a valiant effort at winning their fourth in a row, however a pole down at the last fence in the jump off put them into fifth place.

Julie Benson and Naoise B from Abbeylands riding club were clear in just 31.77 seconds to win the class. Fionnuala Lennon from Winterdown riding club and her gelding Carrenruth Hero took second place in their first ever jump-off, having delivered a clear round in 35.23 seconds.

DECIDER

The advanced intermediate class, with a total of 19 entries resulted in a four way jump-off to decide the placings. The jump-off resulted in just one clear round from Victoria Neiser, who won riding Master Darcy. The pair competed at Abbeylands and also had the fastest time in the jump-off with 31.59 seconds. Second place went to John Harkin and Creevagh Diamond,this partnership from Cill Dara riding club had eight faults in 35.01 seconds.

The open class proved to be another great day out for Winterdown riding club member Liam Gaffney. For the second time in the league, Liam took both first and second place riding his horses Knockalane Silvano and Wembley. The day’s competition was completed with the advanced open class where Kilrainy member Aisling Carter and Ace Bank Raider finished the competition taking first place.

The next leg of the Linda Moore league will take place on Sunday, April 12th, hosted by Winterdown riding club at Kildare International EC.