Emer Bermingham

WITH the end of the season fast approaching, pony riders got another chance to demonstrate their skills at Cavan’s two day Winter Pony Championships.

Action kicked off last Saturday with the 148cms 1.10 class and taking the honours was Jade Singleton and Delphi Sammy. Singleton was chased home by Brendan Murphy and Sheersheen Gentle Breeze while Max Wachman took third place with Diamond.

Ciaran Nallon recorded his first win of the day as he piloted Sligo Little James to a win in the 1.20m. Michael Pender was close on his heels, claiming second with Entourage and third with Dalestown Cavalier. Saoirse Curran made no mistake with Aherlow Boy and went on to claim the 1m section. Michael Pender had another runner-up place when crossing the line just fractions of the winner’s time with Kilcorban Rihanna. Hollie Coaster partnered Too Posh into third.

Leading the victory lap in the 90cms was Jordyn Magill and Cashmir Jumper, ahead of Cerys Howell and Essenar Luizza. Ciaran Nallon was back to claim another rosette when slotting into third with Killoran’s Flyover Earl.

On Sunday, Ciaran Nallon added to his tally as he steered Sligo Little James to a win in the 148 1.30m Tansan Properties final Grand Prix when clear in 36.33. Not content with the win, he also took second place with Dibidoe, clear in 48.14.Oisin Aylward was 0.5 seconds behind with Coppenagh Tom Sparrow (48.19) for third. Sean Monaghan proved that the time could be beaten as he clocked 36.30 with Adja, but it cost him dearly as four faults resulted in a fourth place finish for the Connaught rider. Michael Pender also faulted with both his mounts but four faults in 37.97 with Dalestown Cavalier proved good enough for fifth and sixth with Entourage when he had two poles on the ground in 34.24.

Earlier, victory in the 148cms 1.20m speed class went to John Carr riding Barnaboy Bouncer. Victory in the 90cms went to Emma McCreadie and Destiny’s Dream while Saoirse partnered Aherlow Boy to victory in the 1m class.

In the 138s, Jason Foley got his weekend off to a good start last Saturday as he partnered Mayfly Green Peter to a win in the 1.10m division. Ciaran Nallon demonstrated his skills in the section as he partnered Quest Du Buhot into second, ahead of Robyn Moran and Western Oreo.

John Murray and Ruscai Earl Boy made no mistake and went on to take the honours in the 1m class while Gillian Costello and Ruthstown Trooper took second place ahead of Daragh Sharkey and Nye the Apache.

Victory in the 90cms belonged to Jack McKeon and Soxs Unwanted while Ashley Dunne and Astral Ruben took the runner-up spot. Orla Henry’s gallant attempt with Loughville Ranger saw her take third place.

In the 138cms Tansan Properties Grand Prix final, it was another win for the Foley’s as Jason partnered Ferrybank Roy to a win when clear in 32.73. Foley was chased home by Max Wachman and Dycott Masterman, who crossed the line in 33.16. Kate Derwin put in a gallant attempt with with Sligo Lux To Queeney but a clear in 35.95 saw her slot into third. Foley was back in the ribbons taking fourth with Sandy as fastest of the fourth faulters in 34.46. Kate Derwin and Max Wachman also added to their tally as Derwin took fifth place with Small Titan and Wachman claimed sixth with Scarlett’s Billy The Kid. Sunday saw another win for Max Watchman as he partnered the ever experienced Fountain Ranger to victory in the speed class.

Later in the day, Ellen Kenny and Double Dash Dot took the honours in the 90cms while John Murray and Ruscai Earl Boy took the honours in the 1m class.

COMPETITIVE

Action in the 128 division kicked off with the 90cms where Katie Power took the honours riding Sasha. Katie McEntee was fractions behind with Lurgan Darragh while Alexandra Hourigan and Ipley Shiraz accounted for third.

Victory in the 1m went to Ashley Dunne and Wingland Heloise. Francis Derwin collected another rosette when claiming second place with Buachaill Baire. Max Foley added to his results when claiming third with Remington Steel.

The 85cms under 10s proved very competitive but in the end it was Stephen Gibbons and Sligo Little Star that took the red rosette. Second place belonged to Leo Dunne and PARC Popper, ahead of Alexandra Hourigan and Ipley Shiraz.

In the 128cms section Tansan Properties Grand Prix final, it was Max Foley and Sparkle who took the win when clear in 31.31 seconds. Tom Wachman put in a gallant attempt with Murphy Spartacus, but a clear in 32.51 saw him slot into second, ahead of John McEntee and Star Spangled Banner in 35.92. Fourth place belonged to Francis Derwin and Buachaill when they were fasted of the four-faulters in 31 seconds.

Max Wachman’s fast round with Little Jack Spratt (31.03) cost him dearly as he crossed the line carrying four faults for fifth place while Francis Derwin also had an unlucky four faults with Derwin’s Essenar Jinja Ninja in 31.32 for sixth place.

In the 128-1m Fintan Shortall-sponsored speed class, it was Katie Power aboard Sasha that took the honours.

As expected, the Shortall International Transport under 10s 128 85cms Grand Prix proved very competitive. Taking the honours was Maeve Clarke and Lenamore Mini Metro when they lodged a clear in 34.42 seconds. There was no shortage of support for Camryn Clarke who partnered PARC Crème Brulee to second when clear in 37 seconds. Oliver Doherty and Emerald Lucky slotted into third place when clear in 37.49, ahead of Senan Reape and King of Rock and Roll in 38.04. Maisie Adams cautious approach with Dimples Dilemma paid off as she delivered a clear in 38.96 for fifth, ahead of Timmy Brennan and Absolutely Beautiful in 40.32.

Later in the day, victory in the 128-90cms went to Ashley Dunne and PARC Popper while Lewis Trenier and Ms Blueberry slotted into second. Third place was claimed by Aoife Drea and Travis.

Incorporated into the schedule was the final of the Kingsland Pony League. Taking the crown in the Kingsland league in the 128cm section was Freya Sayle riding Fenaghbeg Ever. The 138cms winner was Morgan Cummins riding North Star while the 148cms crown went to Caragh Charlton riding Woody’s Girl.