NECARNE Castle is a magical venue and the Irvinestown venue played host last Saturday to the third leg of the The Hive & ESI Pony Premier & Boomerang.ie Starfinder competitions. The Walled Garden has to be one of the most beautiful arenas in the country and the well-presented Alan Lynch-designed courses presented the challenge for the country’s top pony riders.

The COH field was depleted due to the draw of teams and Hagen, but Harry Rush and Beach Buggy took the win here with the fastest four faults.

Fifteen combinations made it through to a hotly contested Under 10s 85cm jump-off. Edward Walsh continued his family’s good run of form with the Mayo native taking the win on Carra Pepper. Lucy Kent made the long trip from Waterford worthwhile taking second with the evergreen Grantstown Snoopy, while third place went to local girl Elsie Tunney with In It To Win It.

Charlotte McCracken on Drumcaughey Diamond, winning the 138 1.15m Premier class

Sisters pull off double win

Just seven riders managed to make it into the jump-off in the 128 1.05m Premier with the win going to Ulster’s Elizabeth McCracken and Uquam d’Emery who produced the only double clear in the class. Robbie Sheehan and Hes A Touch Of Magic followed up on their win in Ard Chuain Equestrian Centre when finishing second, with Charlie Flynn and Im A Starboy finishing third.

The 138 1.15m class saw the McCracken family completing a double when older sister Charlotte expertly steered Drumcaughey Diamond to the win. Ruben Foley and Mayfly Green Peter were second with fellow Leister rider Lauren Adams and D Drim’ De Brixia finishing close behind in third.

Lauren Murphy riding Corbeagh Legend took the win in the 148 1.25m Premier. Alexandra Kiernan followed up on her win in the previous leg with a second place riding Sweet Renees Girl, while another Ulster rider Lucy McCann and Trendy Blue rounded off the top three.

The final class of the day was the Boomerang.ie Starfinder for six- and seven-year-old ponies. It was a Leinster one-two-three here with Aine Shortall with the ultra-consistent Bungi following up on their win in the Ard Chuain equivalent and The Meadows RDS qualifier. Second place went to a relatively new combination with Lauren Adams riding Correlli Clover, with Jack Kent and W.P-B.R Machno Diamond Edition close behind in third.

The Rose Garden hosted the Mullingar ISH Auctions Young Pony Qualifiers and the Bob Sweeney Future Champions series. The winner of the 148 1.20m Bob Sweeney class was Zoe Keys riding Victory Day II. Charlotte Foley and Castlequarter Katie Bee won the U10 85cm, Eunan Kelly and Sparkling Miss Leglands won the 128 1m, while Nicole Brennan and Shenandoah Sadie were victorious in the 138 1.10m.