THE weather gods could not have been more favourable than last weekend with the outdoor arenas of the Green Glens complex bathed in autumnal sunlight for the duration of the show.

No stranger to success in Millstreet, Ciaran Nallon had a busy weekend with no fewer than seven ponies to compete. Twenty-three combinations came forward to contest the 148cms 1.20m Grand Prix on Sunday morning and Nallon found himself in a two-way jump off, having provided the only two clear rounds of the competition with Judy Murphy’s Javas Ladybug and Sharon Fitzpatrick’s Petrus Spartacus.

Despite bettering his time on his second ride, the Mayo rider incurred four faults with Petrus Spartacus’ to seal victory with his jump-off pathfinder.

The 138cms 1.10m Grand Prix proved to be a family affair when, last to go in the seven way jump-off, Lucy Shanahan knocked almost four seconds off the leading clear time to seal victory with Susan O’Shea’s Creative Dancer and was presented with her trophy by her parents, proprietors of Kinsale’s Fishy Fishy restaurant and class sponsors, Martin and Marie Shanahan.

Earlier on Sunday morning, the Equestrian World of Maynooth 128cms 1m Grand Prix provided the perfect wake-up call with six faultless first round performances guaranteeing a fast-paced jump-off.

Having had to settle for second place in last year’s final, Limerick rider Sarah Fitzgerald was determined to do better and there was cause for celebration when she secured victory with Annette Fitzgerald’s Knockmenagh Rocco, stopping the clock at 31.64.

Emma O’Connor and Emma Lawler occupied second and third places with Are You Nearly There Yet and Miss Charming, while Marta Hughes Bravo’s fourth placing in the Grand Prix helped her secure the Tommy Harold Trophy for leading girl rider at the conclusion of the show.

A succession of placings across the 128cm, 90cm, and 1.00m classes with Monserrat Seamist saw Daragh Burns top the final standings for the leading boy rider award.