PONY riders turned out in numbers for the indoor pony show held at Kernans EC last Sunday, part of the SJI Ulster Region Bluegrass Autumn Pony Tour.

The main competitions were the three Grands Prix jump-off events.

First off was the 128 1m Grand Prix, one of five 128cm classes, the sponsorship of which was organised by Damian McPhillips, Co Monaghan.

Out of 18 starters, nine combinations managed to get through to the jump-off.

Only three of these produced double clears, one of whom Annabelle Heffron on Heffron Equine’s Miss Elegant whose fast time of 39.64 seconds secured her the red rosette.

Second place went to Natasha Kerr and Pepsi Mac (40.06 seconds) and third to Niamh McEvoy and Sparkling Majestic Ceasar (41.43).

The 138 1.10m Grand Prix was next and all 138cm classes were sponsored by Douglas Sport Horses of Aughnacloy. Three combinations went forward to test course designer’s James Kernan’s challenging jump-off course.

Second to jump, Emma McEntee provided the only double clear on her mother’s Hubba Bubba. Emma saw off all the competition with her time of 39.59 to emerge the winner.

Aisling McGuiness took both second and third places with Cider Girl and County Express respectively.

The last event of the day, the 148 1.20 Grand Prix, sponsored by McCaughey Foods of Castleblayney, produced eight competitors to the jump-off where only two had double clears. First to go, Michael Roche on Miss Delightful set the pace with a lovely clear in a time of 47.29 but his time was not good enough as third in, Tyrone Flannagan on Talyas Diamond Link scorched around in a very impressive 40.61.

Tyrone was rewarded with first place and Michael held on to his runner-up slot.

Olivia Roulston, a frequent winner at Kernans, was happy to put yet another win under her belt finishing up third in a time of 49.57 on Sparkling Apache Gold.