Emer Bermingham
AS always, the Irish Masters in the Northern Ireland Indoor Championships proved to be one of the most popular classes of the four-day show at Eglinton.
Boasting a prize fund of €3,000, the class saw 27 starters go to post on Saturday evening. It came down to the wire but in the end it was Kelda Morgan riding William Lapsley’s George who claimed the honours.
Speaking after the win, Morgan said: “This was my fifth time competing in the Masters and it was my first time to get out of the preliminary round. The arena is always jammed packed and sometimes it’s hard for a horse to settle.
“The height and width of the fences never bothered me and this year we seemed to get it just right. It was great to have the crowd behind me, especially when there were some very strong combinations also looking to take home the prize.”
Kevin Mackey put in a gallant attempt with Cruising Lux, but had to contend with second place. Third place went to Jordan Coyle riding Windmill Master, ahead of John McLaughlin and Javas Wild Child. Daniel Coyle and Uptown Girl accounted for fifth, while Thomas O’ Brien and Amaretto slotted into sixth.
On Saturday, the Cavan Equestrian-sponsored class Speed Championship was the feature class and once again it was a lady rider who took the red rosette as Joanne Blair and OTT Alfie delivered the winning round.
Joining Blair in the line-up was Kerry Taggart, who slotted into second with Undercover, while Daniel Coyle and Country Cruising occupied third place.
On Sunday, the four-day show ended with a round of championship classes. The first of these was the 1.10m Young Rider Dromore Beg Veterinary Surgery Championship. Taking the honours was Mark Harley riding Whispery.
Second place went to Justine O’Hara and Shanvey Diamond, ahead of Shane Mc Closkey who slotted into third with Vancouver Cruise.
A well-known face at the championship, Frank Curran didn’t disappoint as he took home the winners purse in the1.20m Dunlop Transport Young rider Championship with the ever-consistent Lotita. Second place was occupied by Aoife Owens and Erribella Flight, ahead of Shane McCloskey and Bens Beauty.
Leading the victory lap in the Demolition Services Ireland 1.10m Championship was Lee Johnson and Tamni. Johnson was chased home by Victoria Brown and ZaZa B, while in third was Louise Stoner and Cool Impression.
Peter Smyth and Breezemount Fardross took the honours in the Benedicts Hotel Belfast 1m Championship, whileDermot McAlaney riding Carnones Endeavour took the runner-up spot.Simon Scott and Jasmine Tide filled third place.
The Willie Lapsley Four-Year-Old Championship saw six horses share equal first. Two of winners, Ploverfield Lilyana and Lady Charlton were under Simon Scott’s command. Sharing first with Scott was Richard Smyth (Mulvin Lui), Jordan Coyle(Essenar Crixus), Kelda Morgan(Galwaybay Mr Cruise R) and Kenneth Graham (Lenamore Nelson).
The 1.30m Open Championship, sponsored by Jim and Francis Derwin and Bob Sweeney saw another local win, as Kerry Taggart rode to victory with Starlight Express.
Frank Curran riding Apart was hot on Taggart’s heals, but failed to catch the winner and slotted into second. Daniel Coyle and Cappog Brian Harlequin claimed third.
Victory in the Loaneden Caravan Park 1.20m Championship went to Jordan Coyle and Lakeview Magic, ahead of Catherine Thornton and MHS Super Trooper. Simon Scott picked up another rosette, taking third place with Dullerton Eclipse.