JUST a week after the final of the New Heights Champions Series, where the senior National Show Jumping Champion (Greg Broderick) was crowned, pony riders were out in force as they contested the last of their national championships at Portmore last weekend.

Amongst the championships to be decided were the Coolmore Stud Premier, Allianz Starfinder, Springboard and Gateau Stables Young Pony.

Coolmore Stud 128cm Under 10s

On Sunday, Francis Derwin and Kian Dore were neck and neck in the final round, with both riders on 23 points. Following a tough competition, it was Kian Dore and Drumcaghey Jacko who won out in the under 10 division.

One of seven clears from the 27 starters in the first round, the combination set an unbeatable time of 32.90 seconds in the jump-off. The victory rounded off a hugely successful couple of months for Dore.

At the SJI National Championships, he was runner-up and third in the 1m Championship, before going on to take the National 1.10m Championship with Kilcreene Basil. The Limerick rider also accounted for third in the championship with Drumcaghey Jacko.

James Derwin was almost three seconds behind with Ballyknock Master Roan when they galloped home in 35.62. Alice Wachman and Little Ceaser were just a second behind in 36.74 for third, ahead of Robert Russell and Newtown Back Guy in 37.61.

Winner of the GlenCarraig league, Emily Moloney made her first visit to the winners’ enclosure at Portmore when she piloted Expresso into fifth place after going clear in 39.02. Roisin Burns and Monserrat Seamist also kept everything in place, in a time of 39.35, for sixth.

Coolmore Stud 128cm

Marta Hughes Bravo, who hails from a family long associated with show jumping, added another title to the fast-filling cabinet when securing victory in the Coolmore Stud 128cm final. Hughes, who was awarded an accolade for outstanding regional performances at the pony awards earlier this year, was the faster of only two clears in the jump-off, producing a time of 35.64 aboard Little Miss Big Time.

The other clear came from Coen Williams and Lakefield Stormy, in 41.22 seconds. RDS champion Tom Wachman battled hard in a bid to win the final round with Murphy Spartacus. He put in a fast time of 37.32 but, with four faults, had to settle for third.

It was a decisive place for Wachman as it saw him take the series title for the second consecutive year, having gone into the final round with a 12-point advantage.

The Tipperary rider also accounted for eventual fourth place with Sparkel after a four-fault round in 37.47. The 128cm SJI National Champion, Katie McEntee, and Star Spangled Banner also broke the beam with four faults, in a time of 38.91, to finish fifth.

Aine Shortall erred on the side of caution as she took to the course with Toorboy Tommy, but despite this, four faults in 57.08 was only good enough for sixth place.

Coolmore Stud 138cm

Placed third in the 128cm, Tom Wachman made no mistake in the 138cm as he claimed victory. Riding the wonderful 22-year-old gelding Fountain Ranger, former mount of top international show jumpers Mark McAuley and Bertram Allen, he delivered the only clear round in the jump-off, in a time of 37.30 seconds.

Roisin O’ Sullivan and Triplicate took the runner-up position with four faults in a time of 40.17. John McEntee and Mentos Lara incurred eight faults in a time of 44.29 for third, ahead of Sinead Sweeney and Sakama Chezni, who finished with four faults in 32.35.

In fifth place were Niamh McEvoy and Glenford Clausa, also faulting once in the second round but in a time of 34.50 seconds. The 138cm SJI National Champion, Francis Derwin and Ruby Brown finished sixth on this occasion, which was good enough to claim the overall league title, having had a consistent league campaign, winning two classes and placing third and seventh.

Coolmore Stud 148cm

Cork’s Abbie Sweetnam put in a spectacular performance to win the final leg of the 148cm section. Riding Dynamite Spartacus she was one of only two triple clears and posted the winning time of 36.95 seconds.

The other clear came courtesy of Seamus Hughes Kennedy and Cuffesgrange Cavalidam in a slower time of 39.37. The only other rider to make it through to the third round, Emma McEntee picked up four faults, in 42.96, to finish third.

Charlotte Houston and Sweet Whispers was fastest of the four-faulters from the second round, home in 38.12 for eventual fourth, ahead of Eve Donnelly and Rincoola Babog, who also had four faults in the second round, albeit in the slower time of 48.97, for fifth.

A prolific winner in this year’s series, Ciaran Nallon had to settle for sixth place on this occasion when picking up eight faults in round two with Lislan Picola, though in a quick time of 37.22 seconds. Nallon didn’t go home too disappointed however as he was crowned the 148cm champion. He had a commanding lead going into the final on a total of 34 points.

The Mayo rider had claimed three out of five wins in the series.

148cm six/seven-year-old Allianz Starfinder

Winners of the six/seven year-old pony championship in Dublin, Seamus Hughes Kennedy and Keatingstown Hunky Dory added to their tally when they landed the 148cm six/seven-year-old Allianz Starfinder.

The combination were one of five clears in the jump-off and posted the quickest time of 27.13. Bred by Sharon Fitzpatrick, the seven-year-old mare is by Heart Stealer and out of Glen Golden Wonder.

Abbie Sweetnam and Perseus Spartacus were fractions behind in 27.28, while Jack Ryan and Fionn Thyme went clear in 29.85 to place third. Emma McEntee and Sparkling Mr.Boomtastic followed closely behind in 30.74, ahead of Sorcha Monaghan and Burning Wind in 31.73.

Fastest of the four-faulters were Niamh McEvoy and Fireman, in 28.28, for sixth.

Gateau Stables

Young Pony Series

On Saturday, the Gateau Stables Young Pony Series kicked-off with the 128cm four/five-year-olds and Camryn Clarke and Lackaghmore Barbie led the victory lap.

In the 138cm four/five-year-olds it was Galway rider, Ciara Daly, and Cornhill Snowey, who won, while in the 148cm four/five year olds victory went to Jennifer Torrens and WDS GI Jo.

Paddy Reape and Fls Chester won the 128cm six/seven-year-olds when they delivered the fastest of the two double clears, in 38.63. Conor Harris and Creaghduff Charlott were clear in 44.66 to take second, and Jack Conlon Gateau and Derrypatrick All Grey were fastest of the four faulters, in 35.14.

In the 138cm six/seven-year-old section, it was Niamh McEvoy and Riot Del Pegulil who led the victory lap when clear in 35.57. John McEntee opted for the safer option with Dooneens Captain Classic and it paid off as he lodged a clear in 43.56 for second. Jack Conlon Gateau returned to take another placing when he was also clear with Gneeveguilla Lady, but in a time of 45.28.

Please note: Springboard final results were not available at the time of going to print. All efforts were made to obtain the results.