AFTER a busy few months of show jumping, the Warrington Autumn League came to an exciting conclusion on Saturday, November 4th.

As always, the Newcomers division proved very popular, with 36 riders going to post. It was Lucy Hearne and Wat a Cookie that claimed the Leading Pony and Rider title for the 60cm class, while Lucy Fitzgerald and Curious took home the title for the 70cm. A nail-biting finish in the 70cm division saw Lucy’s sisters, Sadhbh and Maebh Quinn, and Leah Hickey, each having performed consistently throughout the league, battle for the crown, with Lucy ultimately emerging victorious.

Brilliant

In the novice 128cm pony classes, it was Tommy Moloney and Kate Sinnott, who claimed the wins for the 128 70cm and 128 80cm respectively. Brilliant performances in the 128 90cm final saw Tommy Moloney and Is Fearr an Star deliver a clear in 26.55 seconds, followed closely by Jennifer Meagher and Crystals Tigerlily, who also kept the poles in place in a time of 28.87. Katie Barrett with Hythyme Lord Darragh secured the Leading pony and rider title for the league, after consistent performances throughout, while the crown went to Thomas Meagher and Little Miss Big Time for the 128 1m class, jumping clear in a lightning speed of 24.79 to claim both the win and the class title.

Lucy Fitzgerald and Curious were back in the ribbons in the 138 80cm section, claiming the Leading pony and rider title, but failed to defeat Lily Dooley against the clock with Isabelle Queen delivering a clear in a blistering 21.29. Lily would go ahead to beat her time record again in the 138cm 90cm in a record time for the day of 20.92. However, the Leading pony and rider title was claimed by Ivana Cahill with Knockbrack, who went into the final with the highest scores on the league table for both the 138 90cm and 1m divisions. Henry Sinnott - a consistent supporter of the 138cm classes - emerged victorious in the 138 1.10m, claiming the title and the win aboard AMS Fi Divine.

Out in force

The 148cm riders were out in force, with Max Egan delivering a clear in the 148 80cm class, with Rough Diamond II in a time of 26.92, followed closely by Leah Hickey with Cloontrask’s Bear in 28.79 and Maggie Kate Anthony with I’m Misty in 29.93. Ellie Tallis, after consistent performances throughout the league aboard Gortderryboy Sally, claimed the Leading pony and rider title in the 80cm section.

The 148 90cm and 1m divisions, sponsored by Master Farrier Paul Byrne, were hugely supported, with nearly 40 riders battling for titles across both sections. Ultimately, Lexie Brennan with Stealth claimed the coveted Leading pony and rider title in both divisions, Hannah Curran was out in force in the 148 1m, claiming pole position with the six-year-old Connaught Curlew in 24.08, only narrowly defeating her time with Lissroe Rose in 24.66, while Hannah Donohoe claimed third place with Lady Raven in a time of 27.26.

The open 148cm classes saw strong performances with Leading pony and rider titles being awarded to Isobel Hourigan with Shirsheen Cruiser for the 148 1.10m and Hillary Brannigan and Gryffindor Dream Dei for the 148 1.20m. Iseult Fleming and Hello Noble Lady took home the red rosette for the 148 1.20m, delivering a clear in 29.12, followed closely by Alice Moloney and Coppenagh Gatsby clear in 29.27.

Consistent

In the horse classes, a consistent performance from Gillian Hoban and Innocent Voltaire resulted in an all-round win for the 80cm division, while Niamh Walsh and Equinimity LLC’s Ragtime Lady secured the double win for the 90cm class. Young rider Daniel Ring, who was riding Marie Ring’s five-year-old Kilkern Quality, claimed the leading title for the 1m class, while Des Hourigan and his own Rosscarbery’s Lucky Star took home red rosettes for both the 1m and 1.10m classes. The leading league title was awarded to junior rider Doreen Bates with Deirdre Bates’ Balmar Catch Up in the 1.10m division.

The evening drew to a close with young rider Henry Sinnott, back for more after his successes in the 138cm divisions, claiming the win for the 1.20m with Julie Sinnott’s Lassban Safirah, while young rider Patrick Fleming and MHS Six, emerged victorious in the 1.30m, narrowly defeating young rider Harriet Penfold with Gerald and Joanna Penfold’s eight-year-old Kyra, both riders kept all the poles in place in times of 42.83 and 48.32 respectively.

The team at Warrington were once again delighted to work in conjunction with the Committee of the Dunnamaggin Charity Show in incorporating their 2023 Gymkhana into the Autumn League. The team is very grateful for the generous support provided by Master Farrier Paul Byrne and Radka Preislerova for her photography on the day.