TAKING place over the Easter weekend, the Botanica International Show of the East ran over two days at Cavan Equestrian Centre. Commencing with the horse section on Saturday in glorious sunshine, the four-year-old hunters entered the ring. Under the watchful eye of judges Michael Harty and Amy Fitzgerald, the win went to Nicola Perrin and Ballarin Shannon.

Shortly afterwards action got under way in the Bramhams of Buckmingham Working Hunter Ring with the four- and five-year-old class, judged by Kevin McGuinness. A super course built by Killan Clarke showed some of the exciting four- and five-year-old horses that are up and coming, the winner here being Sarah Maxwell’s Carrafarm Constellations.

As the day progressed, some well known producers and riders took to the ring. Shane McKenna had a few entries, the first success of the day for him went to Joe Buckley’s Kamala, a four-year-old mare standing top on the line in the small riding horse class, and later went on to stand reserve champion in the Thyolo Equestrian Supplies Riding Horses Championship. Next one of the team to take the win was Jill Earls and John Carlin’s heavyweight hunter Mongorry Cormac.

Jennifer Kennedy arrived with her team of horses and started off the day with a win in the amateur hunter with the David Kenna-ridden Newmarket Kilmastulla Knight with whom Jennifer also stood second with in the lightweight hunters. Kennedy then brought forward her cob Moneycross to win the lightweight cob class and stand Reserve Supreme champion in the Equine Viewer – Ireland Supreme Championship.

Chris Carter had a hugely successful day with his and Damien McCormack’s Cloonan Hector: Carter took the win in the Bramhams of Buckingham Show Hunter Championship, followed by reserve in both the Irish Draught and Riding Club championships, his efforts then lead them to be first reserve supreme of show.

Coming forward from a spectacular win in the metre and 1.10m class was Ciaran Feldman riding his own KBF Paved With Stars to win the Whites Agri Working Hunter Championship and then take overall Supreme of Show honours.

Titles galore

The second day was the turn of the younger generation, with the pony day starting with the lead rein class, under judge Ciara Mullen. The winner here was C.J. Greene riding last year’s Supreme title winner Woodroyd Go Go Girl, his brother Cian’s previous mount. C.J. went on to win the mini ridden championship and reserve supreme champion. Mini working hunter saw him pipped at the post by his brother riding David Byrne’s 26-year-old My Starlight, who also was reserve champion mini.

Jessica Murphy had a busy day riding in numerous classes, having won the intermediate show hunter and the intermediate working hunter with Darcey de Chanteloube, they stood Champion show hunter and went on to be reserve supreme of show.

The Supreme Champion of Show came forward after winning the 153cm working hunter and champion in the J. and M. Marmion working hunter championship, Aoibhinn Ruane and Dartons Atom Man taking the top honours.