Emer Bermingham
A LARGE crowd of spectators gathered to watch the children on horses classes in Simmonscourt, where the qualified combinations battled it out in the team and individual Botanica-sponsored championships.
Taking place on Saturday, the team championship saw four teams go head to head. Following two rounds of jumping, it went to Michael Kelly’s team of Ciarán Nallon (Bally Fair Deal), Robyn Moran (Cartown Rubber Bandit), Jennifer Torrens (Sonconcorde) and Annabelle Heffron (Calvade Van De Pikkerie Z).
The quartet were in second place after the first round on a score of four faults, but they bettered this performance second time out when finishing on zero penalties. An overall score of four saw them take victory.
Team manager, Michael Kelly said: “I had very four very good riders and really it was an easy team to manage as they all knew what was required. I was very impressed with them and I think we have very good riders for the future.”
Following the first round, the Denis Flannelly-led team of Jodie Creighton (I Am A Legend), Karla O’Donnell (Hickory Hill), Dan Geaney (Doon Alright) and Aisling McGuinness (Boomerang Breeze) took an early lead, finishing on zero penalties, but they were out of luck in the second round, adding eight penalties to their tally to share joint-second.
Sharing second place was Tom Slattery’s team of Molly Hughes Bravo (Quarrycrest Clover), Tadhg McGuinness (Glynnwood Joy), Charlotte Harding (Novavic Temara) and Theo Van Cauwenberge (Quantum Quest).
They had a first round score of four and a further four penalties in the second round saw them finish on a total of eight.
Johnny O’Connell’s team was at a disadvantage from the start as Niamh McEvoy (Bally Kingdom Clover) was forced to pulled out, so they had no discard score.
Despite this, the team put in a strong performance with two riders delivering clears first time out and one rider incurring seven penalties, to finish the first round on seven.
In the second round the team had an unlucky four faults and finished on a total of 11 for eventual fourth.
individual
The individual Botanica-sponsored championship took centre stage on Sunday afternoon and Mackenzie Healy, riding Recolpa Rose, took the honours.
First to go in the jump-off, Healy meant business from the start and took a very tight line from five to six. This, coupled with a good turn back to the double, saw her clock the winning time of 40.25 seconds.
Owned by Robert Good, Recolpa Rose is a 13-year-old mare by Aldato and out of Miss Beckett.
This combination have been together since last summer and have clocked up a series of good results, including second place in the 1.15 Derravarra Championships at Mullingar International.
Speaking after the win, Healy said: “The horse jumped amazingly and it was hard to go in first and win it. I knew I had to put in a fast round to be in with a chance. I would like to thank Robert Good for letting me ride the horse and my grandfather Denis McFadden for his help.”
Donal O’Connor set off at a blistering pace with Ben’s Beauty and, cheered on by the crowds, he galloped home clear in 43.12 for eventual third place.
Theo Van Cauwenberge took a similar approach with Quantum Quest and a clear round in 48.61 proved good enough for eventual fourth.
Robyn Moran opted to take a more careful approach with Cartown Rubber Bandit and it paid dividends as she lodged a clear in 49.56 to take fifth place, ahead of Jodie Creighton and I Am A Legend, clear in 55.72.
Last to go, Molly Hughes Bravo was unlucky as the rain fell heavily during her round. However it didn’t deter her as she took to the track with Quarrycrest Clover. The Kilkenny rider took a tight turn back to fence five but opted for a longer route back to the double. She crossed the line in 42.90 to take second place.