Clancy shoots for the stars

ELLA Clancy and Shooting Star delivered a convincing win in Sunday’s HSI-sponsored 1.30m final at the Cavan Winter Festival.

The duo produced a very consistent performance over the four days of the show in the 1.30m division; taking second place on Thursday, fourth on Friday and winning on Sunday. Owned by her father Liam, the nine-year-old gelding is by Voss, out of Marianne by Indoctro.

Their final round saw them cross the finish line in a time of 32.53, over three seconds ahead of their closest rival, runner-up Madeline Roberts Allen and the Dutch-bred Daroento VDL in 35.73.

Karen Millar’s German-bred KPCM Diorio was guided to third place by Olive Clarke in 39.50, while junior rider Joshua Halford and the German-bred Cartobet were fourth after they had one fence down and were the fastest four-faulters in 34.38.

Katie Nallon with Bally Fair Deal took fifth, and LT James Whyte riding Avonbeg (Flex A Bill x Temple Clover) were sixth.

Win for Dunn

Some 37 started in the HSI 1.20m final which saw Tori Dunn and Sumas Taloubet (Taloubet VDL x Pride of Shaunlara) take the win.

Just three combinations produced double clear rounds and Dunn was fastest of these in 40.39.

Young rider Eva Boland came closest to catching her with a time of 42.01 aboard the six-year-old BP Fandango (Elvis Ter Putte x VDL Arkansas).

Fellow young rider Cornelius Brennan and Escarda U posted the only other double clear to finish in third place.

Fourth went to Dylan Ward and Quality Sport Horses’ Kruser DHH as the fastest four-falter. Natasha Smith and Castana Maestro (Castana xd Corran Ginger) took fifth while Oisin Aylward riding Bally Kingdom Clover were sixth.

The seven-year-old mare Killycloghan Rising Star (Premier Sport x Hermes De Reve), ridden by junior rider Larisa Ryan, won the Paragon Trucks-sponsored 1.10m final on Sunday.

Of the 38 starters, 16 made it through to the timed decider. Of these, 11 remained fault-free with Ryan stopping the clock in the best time of 30 seconds even.

Ciara Fives and the Crannagh Hero gelding Loughnatousa Brennan were just slightly slower in 30.97 for second place.

Amateur rider Caitlin Duffy and Cathal McMunn’s Jockeyhall Midas Touch (Baloubet du Rouet x Coevers Diamond Boy) were third in 31.15, while Kate Dilloughery and Rosalie were fourth.

Lorraine McGuinness riding Horseware Kinmar Night took fifth, while Paddy O’Donnell and the seven-year-old Jadermie were sixth.