THE Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show proved to be a memorial one for Tyrone native Jenny Rankin as she not only took home a series of prizes in the young horse area but also demonstrated her talent in the young rider division when claiming the 1.40m championship.

1.40M CHAMPIONSHIP

First of of the young riders division to contest the Gallagher/Meller E2-sponsored championships on Friday was the the 1.40m riders. A total of 16 qualified combinations took on the Eduard Petrovic-designed course and from this number, six maintained clean sheets first time out. Jessica Kuehnle and Tullibards Benny’s Legacy kept all the poles in place, but a single time fault kept her out of the jump-off, but later ensured her sixth place.

First to go against the clock was Noelle Barry aboard Norway Venture. No stranger to this pressure, Barry knew what was required. Setting off strong, she negotiated a very tight line to the water tray, this matched with a final gallop to the last saw her cross the line in 32.2.

Seamus McSorley wasted no time with Beach Ball, but despite maintaining a clean sheet, a clear in 32.6 proved good enough for fourth place. Next in, Jenny Rankin set off in a determined pace with Richard Bourns’ nine-year-old mare Colorland’s Cheyenne. Negotiating a series of tight lines saw her up on time but it was the brave gallop to the last that clinched her the win as she stopped the clock 31.40 seconds to take the championship.

Tim MacDonagh proved out of luck when finishing on 12 faults with Point Two Elvis in a time of 32.60 for fifth. Last to go, all eyes were on Matt Garrigan. Setting off strong with Sterling un Prince, he followed Rankin’s line, but despite this, a slower time of 32 seconds saw him divide Rankin and Barry in the final line-up.

Owner Richard Bourns said: “It has been a great week for Jenny and we are so pleased for her. Her riding just gets better by the day. The mare is by Coupe de Coeur and out of Landfriese II She has only been riding this mare for a short time and we got it with the young rider European Championships in mind for next year.”

1.30M CHAMPIONSHIP

Victory in the 1.30m championship went to Waterford’s Laura Connors aboard the nine-year-old Master Imp-sired mare Justjump. From the 20 qualified combinations, just six booked their place in the jump-off, with four of these delivering clears. Third to go against the clock, Connors did not ease up on a throttle with Just Jump and with all the poles staying in place a clear in 31.91 seconds, it was enough to take the championship.

Connors said: “It was a great week for the family as my brother Nicholas was also placed in one of the qualifiers too with Lantino 31. I was told to do my best but when there is a championship up for grabs you are going to do everything to win. I just went as fast as I could and it worked out.

“My grandfather picked the mare for me as a four-year-old from our neighbour Pat Cunningham. Justjump competed with Seamus Hayes as a four-year-old in Dublin but it is her first win here.”

Almost two seconds behind and occupying second place was Anna Caraway and Claricella, clear in 34.01, while third place was filled by Jennifer Kuehnle and Fly Ligh, clear in 34.90. Fourth was occupied by John Greene and Tonagh Trip The Lights, clear in 35.27.

Last to go, Cliona Costello lodged the fastest round of the class in 31.05 with Annestown Clover Concorde, but it came at a price as she crossed the line carrying four faults for fifth place. Daren Hopkins and CC Captain’s Cruise took sixth when finishing on four faults in 34.3.

1.15M CHAMPIONSHIP

The last of the championships took place early Sunday morning with young riders battling it out for the 1.15m title. Although this division is open to the less experienced horses between the ages of five and seven, they found very little problems with the track, 13of the 20 combination’s proceeding to the timed round.

Taking the honours was Tyrone native Jonathan Smyth riding William Craig’s seven-year-old Beach Ball-sired mare Twentyfour Main Street.

Smyth said: “I am delighted for the her owner William Craig as he rides her out every day at the age of 80. I would like to thank my dad Richard for keeping me some very good horses to compete on. It was a very fast jump-off, so you needed to go fast. I got a good shot back to the fence four and then again to the double and I just met all the right strides.”

Kilkenny’s Wesley Byrne was first into the arena with Bellisimo and he set the target when clear in 31.46, which later proved good enough for fifth.

Rebecca York’ E. Corletta had a rattle at fence seven, but they managed to keep all the poles in place in 33.69 for sixth place.

Next in, Roisin Fagan lowered the target with Pocahantas. A great turn to fence four and taking a stride out to seven saw her reduce the time to 28.9.

Drawn sixth in the jump-off, Jonathan Smyth set off strong with Twentyfour Main Street. A cracking turn back to four, matched with a tight turn back to the double saw him clock the unbeatable time of 28.28 seconds.

There was anxious moments for Smyth as next in Kevin Gallagher and Knockmullen Chap took a very tight turn back to the double. Despite this, he failed to catch the winner and a clear in 28.76 proved good enough for second and demoted Fagan to third.

Gallagher wasn’t too disappointed as a series of good results, which included second in the qualfiier and fourth in the 1.30 qualifier meant he was also awarded the leading young rider of the show.

Aoife Cuffe had her foot firmly to the floor with and Lady Amaretto, but despite taking every risk a clear in in 29.56 slotted her into fourth.

It was a good week for Clare native Noelle Barry as she was awarded the Michael Meller E2 Award Cup. Meller said: “We award this prize in shows all over the world. It is an award for the most stylish rider inside and outside the rings. Its not just for the young rider that wins the most.

“Ireland has such a great pool of young talent and it’s a show that we are extremely proud to be associated with.”