THE first of three young horse competitions worth a combined total of €9,000, kicked off on Saturday morning at the Emerald Irish Masters, with a group of five-year-olds first to do battle in the CT PR & Event Management Final.

The class was dominated by Co Waterford riders, with former Irish National Champion, Fenor’s Paddy O Donnell claiming the winner’s prize, when third last to go in the jump-off with the mare Cillbhrid April.