ATHLONE’s new 50-50 combination championship turned out to be a hit on a sun-scorched day. Six previous RDS Breeders’ Championship-winning owners, plus several ‘frequent flyers’ were amongst 14 entries in the inaugural €5,000 Jim Derwin-sponsored championship.

A ‘Plan B’ measure was put in place by several shows after the Breeders’ Championship cancellation in February. Athlone, like other qualifying shows, was proud to host the Breeders’ Championship midlands qualifier. Amongst the Athlone-qualified strike rate in the Dublin final were last year’s eventing section winner owners, Martin and Mary Murphy and the eventing and show jumping reserves, Hurst Show Team and Pat Finn.