THE first of the pony championships saw competitors battling it out in the Brennan family 128 1m Grand Prix Championship. In total 21 combinations went to post and of those, four delivered clears. The fastest was Calum Davern and Ballyvalley Liberty in 37.05. Chloe Hughes Kennedy and He’s A Touch of Magic were fractions behind in 37.35, ahead of Kate Lynch and Coppenagh Hakuna Matata in 38.21. Resident rider Alanna Fagan and Millfield Duke were last of the double clears in 40.47. Kian Dore had no problem beating the time with his two ponies, but four faults on each, moved him down the line. Riding Kilcreene Basil, his time of 34.24 saw him take fifth while with Dooneens Electric, his time of 34.44 proved good enough for sixth.
The Ballynegall Feeds 128 80cm under 10 Mullingar International Future Stars Championship saw seven of the 17 combinations deliver clears. Taking the win was Harry Rush and King of Rock n’ Roll in 21.88. Joining his sister Alanna in the winnings, Ted Fagan and Little Bob kept all the poles in place in 24.08 for second, ahead of Helen Walsh and Little Orchard Melody, who stopped the clock in 24.73. Fourth place belonged to Caitlin Kelly and Bright Bling when clocking 24.79, while in fifth place were Ella Rush and Wee Honey in 26.24. Saoirse O’Neill and Millfield Papoose galloped home in 26.63. Alayna Hawkins’ decision to play it safe with Annaghmore Mini Monde paid off as she delivered the last of the double clears in 40.19.
The 138 1.10m Cavalor Grand Prix Final saw just two double clears delivered in this competitive class. Claiming victory in a time of 30.88 was Joshua Halford with Raggithill Ivor. The other clear came courtesy of Marta Hughes Bravo and Mayfly Black Pennell in 33.60 for second. Alexandra Hourigan and Aille Stewy were the fastest of the four-faulters in 31.27, ahead of Sarah Fitzgerald and Dooneens Captain Classic, also on four faults in 34.11. Kiera McGrath and Indie Anna were last of the four-faulters in 37.08 for fifth. Katie Nallon and Sergeant Jack picked up a single time penalty in the first round which would prove good enough for sixth.
Just one clear was delivered in the 148 1.20m Coolmore Championship Final and this was lodged by Leah Stack and Orchids Coryan in 36.40 to take the win. Francis Derwin and Master Stevie G came home almost a second faster, but a pole on the floor in 35.47 put them into second place. Ella Clancy and Fernando also suffered a similar fate, but a slower time of 35.97 saw them take third. Alex Finney and Dirraw Caleb also crossed the line on four faults but in a time of 36.23 for eventual fourth ahead of Hannah McGoldrick and River View Annie, carrying four faults in 36.89. Completing the top-six line-up were Aoife Whelan and Carrigeen Moores on four faults in 38.96.
Horse Finals
In the horse finals on Monday, the classes also went down to the wire. First up, were those competitors in the 1.20m Castleforbes Stud Midland Classic Championship. In total, 37 contested the final and the top six all delivered clears. Jack Ryan had a great weekend in the international classes, but he added to his record, as the led the victory lap in this national class. Riding Zavatar F, he lodged the winning round of 30.28. Waterford’s Paul Beecher was just over a second behind with Danqu in 31.22 for second, ahead of Louis Delplace and RHS Blue in 31.53. A clear from Paul Carberry and Cranny West in 31.88, insured him fourth. A familiar face in the line-up’s this weekend, Sven Hadley was back in the ribbons, taking fifth with Jessy Van De Heide in 32.71. Slotting into sixth was Ciara Fives and Future Storm, who were clear in 35.13.
The standard was also very high in the 1.10m Lake County Ladies Final, with the top six again maintaining clean sheets. With only a win in mind, Lisa Gerbola Bushaway and Carraigh Samraigh, were the only combination to stay within the 30 second marker, when clocking 29.88 to claim victory. Lisa Doyle and Corland’s Clipper were over two seconds behind in 32.34, for second. Little stood between the next placing as Tina Stephenson and Ballyconnell Kid clocked 32.92, for third, ahead of Carole Gee and Fernhill Splash in 33.19. Accounting for fifth place was Catherine Dunphy with Eden in 33.63, while sixth place belonged to Chloe Hughes Kennedy and Kofi Annan, clear in 35.05.
Placed fourth in qualifier, Aoife McCabe upped the ante to take the win in the 1.10m Derravaragh Championship aboard Carramore Oasis, when she delivered a clear in 32.80. Fellow Galway rider, Thomas O’Brien and Zizico, took second place when clear in 33.56. Winner of the qualifier on Saturday, Aileen McDermott was back in the ribbons, whe she partnered Amber Balou to a clear in 34.03 for third, ahead of Brian Cassidy and Looks Easy, who was clear in 34.55. No stranger to this pressure, Johnnie Fitzpatrick and Saunders Beach Ball Cruise kept everything in place in a time of 34.62 for fifth, ahead of Lewis Trenier and Royana De Clairias in 34.86.
One of the most competitive divisions of the show, there was much anticipation for the Horse First Amateur Championship Final. Leading the victory lap was Paul Tarpey with She Lux Quality after they lodged the winning round of 31.47. Winners of the qualifier on Saturday, Jacqui Boland and Maverick Na Rí had to be content with second place when clocking 32.11. Lorraine MacGuinness’ calculated riding with Horseware Kinmar Night, saw her deliver a clear in 39.38 for third, ahead of Val Joy, and MB Daddys Dollars, who was clear in 39.66. Tara Brandon and Belfield Captain were unlucky to have a pole down, but a fast time of 36.41 saw her slot into fifth, ahead of Sinead Behan and Winterdown Firecracker, four faults in 39.32.
The Charlestown Racing Lilliput Metre Championship Final saw a win for Lewis Trenier and Royana De Clairias, when they galloped home in a clear in a time of 30.60. Sven Hadley was back in the line-up, as he took second place with Bobby’s Womanizer, clear in 31.12. There was plenty of support for Hugo Harty, who took third place with Du Carels Vivendi, when clear in 31.40. Amateur rider, Sarah Kate O Donovan, kept all the poles in place with Valenthina in a time of 31.48 for eventual fourth, ahead of Fiona Claffey and Ferguson in 32.57. Accounting for sixth place was Patricia Woods and Kms Loving You, clear in 33.87.