JUNIOR European Champion Kate Derwin demonstrated her talent on home soil as she clinched victory in the penultimate round of the TRM/HSI New Heights Champion Series at Maryville last Sunday. In doing so, she beat off the challenge off veteran riders in a gutsy performance.

Speaking after the win, Kate Derwin said: “Genuinely, I didn’t think that I could catch Dermott (Lennon), but once I got over fence 13, the big oxer, I knew I could pick up the pace. He had a good career with Greg (Broderick) and with Jim he was fast against the clock. I knew going in that he warmed up well and that he was jumping well. He is a big horse with plenty of stride, and he rides as big as he looks. As he is also a long horse it takes a bit to keep him together. The plan is Dublin and the final of the series in Barnadown,” she added.