Emer Bermingham
WITH record numbers taking part in the autumn show jumping league in Warrington Top Flight EC in Kilkenny, more than 100 combinations lined out for the final to battle for the league titles. In the Newcomers 60cms class, Jimmy Murphy’s foot perfect round with Pepper ensured that he took the overall league, while the Newcomers 70cms title went to Orla Walsh and George when they delivered a double clear.
It was a good day for Allegra Hancock as she took the final leg of the 128cms/70cms league with Woodfield Surprise, going clear in 28.93 seconds. Sallyanne Geoghegan and BB Berose slotted into second, ahead of Hancock who also picked up third with Archer VHS. Placed fourth in the final leg, Chloe Hughes-Kennedy and Golden Grove Czar had enough points accumulated to win the league title.
Marta Hughes-Bravo and Cocky Rocky delivered a clear in 23.80 to claim the final round of the 128cms/80cms league but it was Tara Fogarty who took the league title, having slotted into third with Battlestown Twister and fourth with Corbaegh Black Magic.
The 128cms/90cms class went down to the wire but in the end it was Ciaran Byrne and Kilmoylan Joey who won, going clear in 27.00. Byrne was chased by sisters Marta Hughes-Bravo (Cocky Rocky), clear in 27.04, and Molly Hughes-Bravo (Lisboy Minik Magic), clear in 27.46. The league winners were Isobel Hughes-Kennedy and Flash Dance, who also went on to claim the 128cms/1m league title.
Molly Hughes-Bravo, this time riding Little Miss Big Time, made no mistake in the 128cms/1m as she rode to victory by jumping clear in 26.05.
Victory in the 138ms/80cms went to Sophie Foyle riding Tina, clear in 30.21. A good performance from Evan O’Neill and Bisto, clear in 35.69 placed them fourth in line-up, which clinched them the league title.
VICTORY LAP
Ruairi Aylward and Coppenagh Celtic Rebel led the victory lap in the 138cms/90cms class but it was Jessie and Borovale Storm who won the overall league.
Aylward was again back in the ribbons claiming the 138cms/1m with Coppenagh Celtic Rebel, clear in 28.54 seconds. Hot on his heels was Gillian Costello who delivered a clear in 28.74 with Ruthstown Trooper for second place in the class and first in the league.
A familiar face in the pony ranks, Warrington-based Jack Ryan put in a great performance to claim the final round of the 138cms/1.10m and the overall league victory.
Jessie Lennon and Kilconley Duke claimed the 148cms/80cms, ahead of Isabella Boyd and Arthur, who won the league.
Shannon Fogarty and Coppenagh Athena put in a blistering round to claim the 148cms/90cms final but it was runner-up Clodagh Burke and Paris Texas who won the league.
Hugh McOwan collected two wins of the day with Annaghmore Boom Odyssy. The first of the wins was in the 148cms/1m and the combination landed their second victory when taking the honours in the 148cms/1.10m. It was also a double victory for Maddie Brennan, who won the 148cms/1m league with Delas Boy and the 148cms/1.10m with Polly’s Baby.
The winner of the 148cms/1.20m final round was Jack Ryan and Ardglass Lady, while the winner of the league was Kayleigh Soden riding Castlehill King.
CLOSE COMPETITION
Competition in the horse arena proved just as close with little separating those on the leaderboard. In the opening 80cms class, the red rosette went to Hannah Walsh-Brennan and Silver Ghost, while the league winner was Grace McCormack riding Diamond From The Rough.
Joe Lennon and Missy led the victory lap in the 90cms class and runner-up Olivia Byrne and Georgie Bee took the league crown. Lennon wasn’t too disappointed as he rode to victory in the 1m, with Missy, soon afterwards. The league crown went to Niamh Burke who was placed fourth in the final with Harlequin Beauty.
Nicola Ring took the honours in the 1.10m with Errigals Rock and as a result also took the league. It was a good show for Ring, who also took second in the 1.20m class.
Winners of the final round of the 1.20m were Katy Russell and Dante Van De Noordheuvel, clear in 29.93. Not content with the winner’s rosette, she also claimed third place with Arendsoog B, clear in 34.52.
The 1.20m league winner was Maria Lanigan and Countess Rock, who were consistently placed over the duration of the league, while the 1.30m league title went to Michael Ormonde and Arenteggle Mr Puissance.