Top pony riders claim leading titles

FOLLOWING four competitive rounds, the Coolmore Pony Premier came to an exciting conclusion last Saturday, with JAG Equestrian in Co Kildare hosting the final leg of the series.

It was neck and neck going into the final round in the 128cm under-10 competition between Elizabeth McCracken and Charlie Flynn, both on 23 points. In the end, it was Elizabeth McCracken and Sweet Lily who took this title when finishing seventh in the final round.

The 128cm Under-10 Coolmore Stud Pony Premier (85cm/90cm) saw 34 combinations go to post and from those, just two double clears were recorded. Claiming victory were Andrea Barry and Parc Kickin It when they raced home in a time of 38.01 seconds.

It was a good outing for the Barry family from Co Clare as her brother Michael and Grace Gifford delivered the only other clear in 44.56 seconds. Jack Dore almost beat the winning time when clocking 38.03, but one on the ground meant a third-place finish.

No stranger to success in this league, Senan Reape and Mickybo took the title win in the 128cm division. The combination dominated the league, claiming four wins overall. Leading the victory lap in the final after a faultless performance, the only clear in the third round, was Lauren Adams and Ravara Mohawk in a time of 29.87. Reape and Mickybo took the runner-up spot, the fastest of the four faulters in 28.50. Lauren Adams took third place when she crossed the line with four faults with Brandon Reepicheep in 28.88.

In the 138cm section, Ellen Power and Bear Me In Mind took home the leading rider and pony crown. In the final round, 29 combinations battled it out and five triple clears were recorded. Victory went to Lauren Murphy and Shersheen Second Fiddle when they clocked 34.90.

Taking the runner-up spot was northern rider Jenny Dunlop with Rockin Roxie, who was almost two seconds slower in 36.69. Isobel Sheehan partnered Bay Times to a clear in 37.81 for third place.

A previous winner in the league, Francis Derwin Jnr’s strong performance saw him take the leading rider title in the 148cm, while Rincoola Babog was crowned the leading pony. The combination went into the final round on 36 points, and a win at JAG when they delivered the fastest of seven triple clears in 29.75 cemented the title.

The young Athlone rider also took the runner-up spot with Cul Ban Mistress, stopping the clock in 30.32. Aaron Costello and Clonlee Clint took third when they came home in 34.01, ahead of Niamh McEvoy and iFlex, in 34.64.

The leading combination in the 148cm six- and seven-year-old Starfinder was Niamh McEvoy and Sparkling Lackaghmore Joey. The combination shone in the final round when they delivered a clear in 41.40 to take the win. Also delivering a clear was Oliver Doherty and Springhill Premier in 43.01 for second, ahead of Rhys Williams and Dundaniel BigSky B in 43.54.