THE idyllic setting of Castle Irvine, Co Fermanagh was the setting for the finale of the 2022 HIVE and ESI Pony Premier Series, The Boomerang.ie Starfinder six/seven-year-old and the Bob Sweeney Future Champions Series.

With the weather cooperating, the action kicked off in the Walled Garden with the Boomerang.ie Starfinder in glorious sunshine. Daisy McNamara took the winner’s rug with MVS Carvelle. Second place went to long-time leader James Brennan and Coolcronan Liberty with Ciara O’Connor and Gleann Princess taking third.

Thirty-three riders mastered John Doyle’s first round track in the 128 U10 Premier, leading to another blisteringly fast decider. Ella Cash and King of Rock & Roll denied Colm Widger with Barryroe Prince William, while Edward Walsh Jr and Zulus Dream picked up third in a tight jump-off that saw the top five all within a second.

These results decided the league, which saw Ella Cash as Leading Rider, Edward Walsh Jnr in second and Lucy Kent in third. The legendary U10 pony, King of Rock & Roll was the leading pony.

Home win

On home turf, it was Ulster’s Cliodhna McEvoy and Tynnan Tuttle Pip who won the 128 Premier with Robbie Sheehan and Hes A Touch of Magic in second place, which was good enough to give the combination the overall Leading rider and Leading pony titles. Ted Fagan picked up third with Dooneens Electric, leaving him second in the league with Helen Walsh taking third place overall.

In the middle of the day the crowds of families and friends were treated to the spectacle of The Parade of Champions, where all of the national and international pony rider champions were bedecked in their winning rugs and sashes. Some 26 riders and ponies participated, led by gold medal winning heroes James Derwin and James Brennan. Lauren Adams was awarded her Leading rider prize for the National Championships, kindly sponsored by Flexi-Equine Tack Lockers.

The 138 Premier went the way of a determined James Derwin with Ruby Brown, while Lauren Adams and the consistent Riot Del Pegulil took second, which left the combination with the overall Leading rider and Leading pony in the 138 section to add to their recent National Champions title.

Charlotte McCracken and Drumcaughey Diamond took third on the day which left her third in the league with Annie Boland slotting into second place overall.

Babog strikes again

James Derwin added to his growing list of accolades by taking the win on the day and the overall Leading rider title with Rincoola Babog who seems to be the gift that just keeps on giving, also earning the Leading pony title. Second place went to Lauren Adams with Corradino du Bary, while Annie Boland and Jimtown came third. Alexandra Kiernan took second place in the league, leaving James Brennan in third.

Battling the light, the Children on Horses class and overall Leading rider title went to Isobel Sheehan with Robyn McOwan and MHS Cuffesgrange in second, and Annie Boland taking third with Carrick on the day.

Meanwhile in the Rose Garden, the winners of the Bob Sweeney Future Champions were Ronan Gilvarry in the 138 1.05m with Melview More Clover; Abbie Oakey with Annaghmore Boomahontas in the 148 1.15m; Priya Mai Cosgrave and Paulank Redbreast in the 128 U10; and Eunan Kelly with Tynwydd Alun in the 128 95cm.