Emer Bermingham

IT may be coming to the end of the season but there was no shortage of talent at the Home Pony International at Cavan EC last weekend. With over €2,500 on offer in the main arena on Sunday alone, it came as no surprise that the championships went down to the wire.

The 128cms/80cms under-10 Coolmore-sponsored Grand Prix proved very competitive, with 22 of the 39 competitors delivering first round clears. Taking the honours was Max Foley and Flying Start, clear in 27.19 seconds. Second place was secured by Rebecca Stack and Cuffstown Queen, who was fractions behind in 27.48. Lewis Trenier was almost a second behind with Ms Blueberry in 28.36 for third, while Yiayan Evans and Jazz Beat clocked 28.56 for fourth. Tadhg Clarke partnered Alloy to fifth, clear in 29.29, ahead of Tadhg Clarke and Lenamore Mini Metro, in 30.12.

The Coolmore Stud 128cms/1m Grand Prix saw 47 combinations go to post and 19 of those secured their place in the jump-off, of which 10 delivered double clears. Once again Stuart Clarke designed an inviting track with the jump-off offering riders the option of taking a series of tight turns from the off.

Against the clock, time could be made up in the turn back from fence three to the vertical at four. For those with a win in mind, a tight turn from fence eight back to ten and then to the double was a must to be in contention. Having accumulated an array of placings over the course of the three day show, Ciaran Nallon secured this championship, along with the winner’s share of the €500 prize fund. Riding the Silver Legend, Nallon skilfully negotiated all the tight turns and cheered on by the crowd, he galloped home in 31.10 seconds.

Pathfinders Alex Finnety and Ballyknock Master Roan set the bar high when recording a clear in 36.33 for eventual fifth place. Fourth to go in the jump-off, Natasha Kerr and The Nutcracker lodged a clear in 34.91 for second place. Darragh Sharkey riding Lisboy Black Magic looked set to challenge Kerr’s time, but a clear in 38.64 proved only good enough for eventual sixth.

All eyes were on last to go, Francis Derwin and Essenar Jinja Ninja. As expected, Derwin took all the tight turns, but despite his efforts, a clear in 35.05 proved good enough for third. John McEntee also had his foot firmly to the floor with Star Spangled Banner and a clear in 35.19 saw them slot into fourth.

FOOT-PERFECT

The Coolmore 138cms/1.10m Grand Prix saw 24 combinations battle it out. Second to go, Ciaran Nallon and Sparkling Va Va Boom lodged the first clear and following their foot-perfect round, a further nine joined them in the jump-off. Nallon maintained his good performance in the timed round by delivering another clear in 55.73 seconds for eventual sixth place.

However speed merchant Harry Allen had his foot firmly to the floor with Fountain Ranger and his efforts were rewarded as he recorded the unbeatable time of 34.02. Allen’s lead looked under threat as Jason Foley took all the risks with Mayfly Green Peter and clocked 36.01 for eventual third.

Returning with his second mount and with the class in hand, Harry Allen failed to lower his own target with Scarletts Billy The Kid, but a clear in 35.01 proved good enough for the runner-up spot. Using her late draw to her advantage, Jodie Flanagan lodged a clear in 36.40 for fourth place, while Robbie Clancy and Drumaclane Flight delivered a clear 42.70 for fifth.

The final Grand Prix in the main arena, the Coolmore 148cms/1.10m proved to be a competitive affair, with 12 riders proceeding to the jump-off to battle it out for the winner’s share of the €1,000 on offer. First to go in the timed round, Kayleigh Soden set the bar high as she delivered a clear in 40.86 which remained unchallenged. There were some anxious moments for Soden as Kate Derwin looked to be up on target with Springhill Annora. However despite a gallant attempt, Derwin failed to catch the leader and her time of 41.30 slotted her into the runner-up place.

Derwin didn’t go home too disappointed as she returned with her second mount, Vales Blue Melody to lodge another faultless round in 42.25 for eventual third place. Next to go with Kadia Mouche, Emma McEntee negotiated a series of good turns towards the end of the course which saw her clock 43.34 for sixth place.

Cora Sharkey had the advantage of going late in the draw with The Galway Blazer and she made no mistake as she lodged a clear in 42.25 for fourth. Last to go with the class in hand, all eyes were on Soden as she took it on with Boolagh Gypsy Boy. This time erring on the side of caution, the Kilkenny lodged another clear, albeit in the slower time of 42.68 for fifth place.