David Abbott

BENBULBEN Riding Club won the TRI Equestrian-sponsored Team Show Jumping Challenge at the Riding Clubs Festival at Stradbally Hall Estate, Co Laois last Sunday after a close finish.

The Sligo-based club, which last won the competition in 2011, finished on just one time penalty as their last rider into the ring, Sharon McGowan, picked up just one time penalty to win the competition on Somethings Gotta Give.

Thirteen teams representing 12 clubs contested the TRI Equestrian class, where just three teams finished their opening round on a clean sheet over James Tarrant’s track. They included teams from Benbulben, Greenhills and Thomastown and District.

Last year’s winners Carne, along with teams from Clonlara, Clonshire, Mill Road and Mo Chara, were closely behind on four penalties.

Just 10 double clear rounds were recorded during the competition as the pressure mounted in the second half.

Carne and Clonlara both ended the day on a total of eight penalties but when time was factored into the equation, Clonlara were awarded fifth place, just ahead of Carne in sixth.

Greenhills dropped down into fourth place after they picked up five penalties in the second round.

This brought them level with Mill Road after the Tipperary club picked up one time penalty in the second round to also finish on five. Mill Road claimed third place as their accumulated time was fastest of the two teams.

Thomastown and District picked up four penalties in the second round after the husband and wife duo of Kieran Cahill (Srilanka Gotham Lad) and Niav Cahill (Dinan Sinead) provided clear rounds for the Kilkenny based club.

The pressure was mounting on Benbulben as a clear round was required from their captain Sharon McGowan. McGowan, riding her 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse Somethings Gotta Give, opted for a steady clear round and the Benbulben member crossed the line with all fences intact but incurred one time penalty.

It was enough, however, to secure the spoils for the Sligo club as Kean O’Hara (Seamus Of Annaghmore) and Louise O’Hara (Charisma Of Annaghmore) provided double clear rounds while Fiona Tansey also contributed a clear round on Cloon Silver Cloud to bring the honours back to Yeats County.

Club chairperson, Finola Murphy said afterwards: “It’s the third time for our club to win the competition and Sharon’s carefully planned and perfectly executed second round was enough to secure the win.

“All team members brought their horse from ‘green’ to ‘great’ and are excellent ambassadors for our club. They deserve a bualadh bos,” she added.