Emer Bermingham
AS well as the international classes, Mullingar international show also had much to offer for those riders competing in the national classes, with €8,000 alone on offer in the horse finals.
1.15 DERRAVARRA FINAL
The 1.15m Castleforbes-sponsored Derravarra final took place on Monday, with riders battling it out for the €3,000 prize fund.
Following a tough contest, the red rosette went to Co Louth, as Mark Murphy and Horseware Foxy delivered the unbeatable round of clear in 52.27. The combination had shown form by taking the honours in the qualifier on the first day.
Crossing the line almost three seconds behind in 55.13 and claiming second place was Aoife McCabe aboard Carramore Oasis. Jordan Coyle got his morning off to a good start as he claimed third place with Lakeview Magic (55.86), ahead of Mark Hanley and Whispery (56.27).
Jonathan Guinan also delivered a foot perfect round with Banagher Coronado in a slower time of 57.04 for fifth. Dara Higgins took no chances with Kilcolgan Clover Skye and it paid off as a clear in 58.47 proved good enough for sixth place.
1.25M MIDLANDS
CLASSIC FINAL
Aoife McCabe may have missed out on the win in the 1.15m final, but she went one better when riding to victory in the €3,000 TRM-sponsored 1.25m Midlands Classic final to claim the majority share of the €3,000 prize fund.
Riding Carramore Oasis, she clocked the winning time of 63.35.
Mark Kinsella opted to take the more cautious approach with DMS Heartthrob and it paid off as he lodged a clear in 66.68 for second place.
Gabriel Slattery was almost one second behind with Captain’s Magic Touch (67.44) for third, ahead of Suzanne Posnett and Zinniz Roundthorn (67.74). Fifth place belonged to Peter Moloney and Arbutus Ohio (70.48), while Galway rider Olive Clarke crossed the line in 74.62 with Hillside De Reve for sixth place.
LAKE COUNTY 1.10m
LADIES FINAL
Suzanne Posnett came back to claim the honours in the Lake County 1.10m Ladies final.
Riding Karmijn, she recorded the fastest clear in 29.46 to claim her share of the €1,000 prize fund. The pair were clearly on form last weekend, also taking third place in Saturday’s qualifier.
Little separated them from second-placed Fiona Mullins, who galloped home with Mirdads Sheeefff in 30.59, to fill the runner-up spot. Not content with second place, Mullins also partnered Verolinde to a clear in 32.94 for third. Megan Clarke left all the poles standing with Clarke’s Sweet Image in 33.18 for fourth, ahead of Feaha Moore in 36.13. Alice Shally careful approach paid off as she lodged a clear in 36.88 with Broken Diamonds to take sixth.
LILLIPUT 1M FINAL
The Lilliput metre final proved exceptionally competitive, with only fractions of a second dividing those in the top six.
Taking the honours with a clear round in 32.03 was Mayo rider Daren Hopkins aboard Bay Of Biscay. Hot on his heels and taking the runner-up spot with a clear in 33.23 was Tom Whyte with Ardagh Airborne.
John Mulligan put in a gallant attempt with Mohill Quattro, but their time of 33.41 proved only good enough for third.
Fractions behind was Aidan Lee and Westmount Shadow Play (33.52). Kildare rider Feaha Moore was back in the ribbons, taking fifth place with Bubbly Bear in 34.06.
Fresh from her win in the RDS amateur qualifier in Ard Chuain EC, Aileen McDermott didn’t hang about with Amber Deluxe and a clear round in 36 seconds guaranteed her sixth place.