Leading the victory lap in the The Orthoderm 1.35m National Championship on the opening day of Balmoral Show was Brendan Murphy and PNP Rocco.

From a startlist of 23, nine made it through to the jump-off where six produced a second clear. Murphy produced the winning round in 34.80 with Ashley Stephens’ 15-year-old gelding by Chacoa out of Scoole Hill Clover (Farney Clover), bred by Noelle McGuane.

Francis Derwin Jnr was back in the line-up taking the runner-up spot with his father Francis Derwin’s eight-year-old Parvati AEG (Arezzo VDL x Darco) when they crossed the line in 35.63.

Savannah Marshall and her own 13-year-old Carmbole gelding Flambeau took third place when they crossed the line in 35.69. Young rider Alex Finney and Jean Finney’s Absolutely Kingmar Z accounted for fourth place when clear in 36.33 seconds. Bred by Gerry Marron, the 11-year-old mare is by Agamix Du Seigneur out of Class of Touch Hero who is a daughter of the great Liscalgot (Touchdown).

A clear from Eddie Moloney and the Niall Greene-owned and bred Damma Kannan Supreme (Kannan x Camiro de Haar Z) slotted into fifth place when they clocked 37.73. Robert Russell and Ballyrobin Nimmerdor, accounted for sixth place when clear in 38.10. Owned by Jane Russell, the 15-year-old gelding is by Lancelot and is out of Corbet Princess (Gypsy Duke).

Pony stars

On Saturday pony riders took to the main arena to contest the The Millar McCall Wylie 128cm-85cm Under 10s Championship. A popular class with spectators, 24 combinations went to post and eight booked their place in the second round.

Leading the victory lap was Chloe Clarke and Pepsi Mac when they galloped home with nothing to add in 35.90. Caoimhe Murphy and Sparkling Lackaghmore Katie also kept the poles in place in a time of 38.75 for second. Ben O’Connor opted for the safer lines with Lisboy Black Magic and it paid dividends as he came home clear in 42.10 for third place.

Slotting into fourth place was Indie Bingham and Dat’ill Do in 57.29, ahead of Katie McDonald and Barryroe Prince William who had one down in a time of 42.88. Completing the top six was Bobby O’Keeffe and The Candy Stripe Man in a time of 43.09.

Amateurs

Also taking place on Saturday, victory in the Botanica International Ltd Amateur Championship stayed north as Antrim rider Sarah Kinnear (AA) clinched the win when she delivered the winning clear round in a time of 35.72 in a 13-way jump-off.

This very experienced 20-year-old mare is by Kings Master out of the Green Shoon-sired Royal Shoon. Fellow AA rider Colm Fitzpatrick came closest to catching the winner aboard Maretto Flight 2, when also keeping the poles in place in 37.34.

Vanessa Sweeney [A] and Woodbank Clover played it safe and delivered that all important clear in 39.47 for third, ahead of Jessica Johnston and Eden in 40.19. Fifth place belonged to Roisin Donnelly [AA], and Ballinamurra Eargon, clear in 42.26, ahead of Danielle Logan [A] and Demero, who was fastest of the four-faulters in a time of 35.24.

Winner of the Horse Sport Ireland six/seven-year-old Balmoral Star of the Future was Lougherne Casanova (ISH), a six-year-old gelding by Lougherne Caravaggio (SATHU) out of Lougherne Gypsy (ISH) by Limmerick (HOLST). The breeder was Jane Allen-Collins and the rider was Hannah Blakely.