Emer Bermingham

ACTION in the Young Rider finals kicked off on Saturday at Millstreet, with the 1.30m Grand Prix final taking place in the main arena on Sunday.

As expected, little separated the top three placings. From a start-list of 32, eight riders delivered clear rounds to proceed to the jump-off, but with the pressure on, just three delivered double clears.

Taking the honours was Brian Morrison aboard Jemma Knox’s Senator. Morrison left nothing to chance, as he crossed the line in 35.74 seconds.

Delighted with the win, he said: “I was so pleased with the result. It rounded off a great week for me as I was also told that I had also won the Equest Pramox Eventing League.”

Darragh Magner (Ushas) was fractions behind in 36.87 for second place, while third place went to Canadian rider Nicole Walker riding Contenance 15, clear in 36.99.

Tommy Harty and Little Bighorn delivered the fastest time of the class in 35.84, but it came with four faults for eventual fourth.

Stephanie Morrison slotted into fifth (Napoleon YAC) in 35.92, ahead of England’s Rebecca Patterson (Knockroe Decies Girl) in 36.61

Joanne Blair and O.T.T Alfie proved unbeatable in the 1.20m Young Rider Grand Prix final when they galloped home with a clean sheet in 32.79 seconds. Brian Morrison found himself back in the ribbons, claiming the runner-up spot with Cia Bella, clear in 33.79.

Little separated the next two placings as Michael Hutchinson riding Laith, clocked 34.75 and with nothing to add took third, while Jonathan Andrew and the Hurricane chased him home in 34.80 for fourth. Bianca Terrell (Rouet Du Four) accounted for fifth, clear in 35.41, ahead of Emmet McCourt (Latika) clear in 36.02.

Blair said: “It was a fast class, but as I went towards the end of the jump-off, I had the advantage. I kept a good pace throughout the course and I took out a stride between fence one and two and then again to the last, so this is how I made up the time.”

It was a worthwhile journey from Louth for Mark Murphy as he rode to victory in the 1.10m Young Rider Grand Prix final. Riding Tom MacGuinness’ Horseware Foxy, Murphy scorched home with nothing to add in 31.70.

Lisa Hitchmough was fractions behind Murphy with Cailin Leathsli in 31.90 for second. Third place was occupied by Madeline Roberts Allen (Pleasant Cherry Blaze), clear in 32.36, ahead of Emmer McCourt (Latika) in 34.01.

Lisa-Marie Dolly’s more cautious approached paid off as she lodged a clear (Newgrange Lady) in 36.34 for fifth, while the Mc Cabe family picked up another rosette as Aoife Mc Cabe (Sportsfield Lady) took sixth (36.73).

In the 1m final, it was Kevin Mc Cabe that took the honours aboard Aaron Ri. Mc Cabe was the only rider to stay within the 31 second barrier clocking 31.75. Patrick Joyce was over a second behind the winner with Nelgar Vixen in 32.79 for second, while Daniel Joyce was fractions behind with Groove Armada (32.90) for third. Fourth place went to Colm Donohue (Dicksrove Wildfire), clear in 33.32, ahead of Patrick Downes (Dromelihy Imp Flight) in 33.60. Marie Hartly and (Kilpatrick Fred) slotted into sixth, clear in 33.86.

McCabe said: “Going late in the jump-off, meant that I could see what I had to beat. I knew that I needed to be very fast, so I kept my foot to the floor. I took a stride out in the last line which helped me make up the time.

Children on Horses were also in action, taking centre stage on Sunday in the final of the 1.15m division. Taking the honours aboard Deirdre Bourns’ Valtaire was Shane Moloney, clear in. Second place went to Kilkenny’s Jack Ryan with Something about Mary, clear in 30.88. Sean McGee took third with Golden Cruise (32.67).