Katy Saunders

AS the summer season comes to a close and the pony athletes return to school, the Pony Premier Series also reached its conclusion at Banteer Gymkhana last Sunday.

The hard working committee of Banteer Gymkhana, headed up by Jerry and Maria Sweetnam, had secured the use of Cork Showgrounds on the southern side of the city, where Marinus Vos had been flown in from Holland to design the pony tracks.

It was the under-10 athletes who started the day’s proceedings with a total of 24 starters, 17 of whom produced a first round clear. Thirteen combinations made it through to the jump-off, which made for great competition in an electric atmosphere. League leader Alex Finney was double-handed going into the jump-off, where her best efforts saw her take seventh place on Some Journey, going clear in 34.32 seconds.

Yiyan Evans was in reserve spot at the top of the league leaderboard. He claimed sixth place with Princess Judy, also clear in a time of 33.91, but it was Brian Kuehnle, who entered the final day of the league in third place, who stormed home on PARC Crème Brulee in 30.88 to win the class and shoot straight to the top of the table, winning the title of Pony Premier League winner and leading rider.

Finney finished in second place in the league, with Evans taking third, while Princess Judy was crowned the leading pony at the tender age of 26.

Local lad and youngest of the Sweetnam dynasty, Ryan had a very successful day when taking second, third and fourth place in the Premier class with Piggy Bank (0/0/0 in 31.29), King Of Rock and Roll (0/0/0 in 31.31) and Pride Apache (0/0/0 in 31.47).

The 128cms Pony Premier saw 15 combinations start, from which 11 went into the second round and seven reached the jump-off.

Only three points separated the top of the league as Ciaran Nallon started the day on 38 points, with Francis Derwin on 35.

This order remained throughout, despite the best efforts of Derwin. Nallon was double-handed going into the jump-off and won the class on The Silver Legend by when leaving all fences intact in a time of 31.78. This pair cleaned up as they not only won the class and the league, but Ciaran was also crowned leading rider and The Silver Legend received the leading pony rug.

Derwin remained in second place in the league when he finished in second place in the class on Essenar Jinja Ninja, going clear in 32.10. John McEntee finished third in the league when taking eighth place on Lurgan Darragh on the day.

Orla Duffy and Mickybo, having taken a well-deserved rest after Dublin, made their return to the arena a very successful one by taking third place with a clear round in 32.56. Molly Hughes Bravo and Little Miss Big Time finished fourth.

138CMS DIVISION

Fourteen combinations went to post in the 138cms division where the standard of jumping remained as good as it had been all season.

Harry Allen and his RDS winner Lough Gill continued in their winning form when they took the class in 35.31, relegating his other mount Fountain Ranger into second place in 38.44.

Third place went to league leader Jason Foley on Kiltormer Hero in 40.91, giving this pair enough points to remain at the top of the table to win the league and the leading rider title.

Ciaran Nallon finished fourth in the class with Claggan Supreme, while Foley also took fifth on Mayfly Green Peter.

Kate Derwin took sixth and seventh on Dizzy Rascal and Sligo Lux to Queeney, the latter of her two riders giving her enough points to take the leading pony title.

In the 148cms class there were seventeen starters, from which there were four clear first rounds. Those four and the fastest four-faulter went into the second round, where only two remained on zero to go into the jump-off.

Conor McMahon and Lady Capulet completed on a zero score in 40.08 to win the class ahead of Patrick Hickey and New Forge Lady. Third place went to Michael Pender and Zirina, ahead of local athlete Rory Horgan and Strider, who finished in fourth place.

League leader going into the last leg was Cormac Foley, who finished in fifth with Crown Jewel, leaving him on equal points with Pender.

Both athletes share the leading rider title and is evidence of the talent at this level where we can produce two top athletes inseparable on points.

Olivia Roulston’s eighth place finish gave her pony Ballygawleys Little Ferro enough points to prove his consistency throughout the season and take the leading pony title.

Once again the sponsors must be acknowledged for having continued to back a very popular and successful league; O’Briens Saddlery and Country Clothing from Bandon and Middleton, The Equestrian Store NI and the Pony Committee of Showjumping Ireland.