PONY riders returned to Cavan Equestrian last weekend for a full schedule of jumping in the December three-day Winter Pony championships.

On Saturday evening, the highlight was the 148cm Retiring Riders class, with 86 riders putting their best foot forward in a bid to add another victory to their record. There was plenty of support for Connaught rider Tadhg Dillon as he took the win, when he lodged a clear in 56 seconds with Glencroft Go For Gold. Over two seconds behind was Niamh Staunton and Turpane Jessie, who also kept the poles in place in a time of 58.16. Alex McMaster and Aghalann Brexit were a mere fraction of a second behind, stopping the clock in a time of 58.17. A clear from Kym Moore and Drumcashel Legend in 58.77 saw them take fourth. Fifth place belonged to Mary Fitzgerald and Rathduff Good Guy, when they stopped the clock in a time of 59.02, ahead of Ryan De Sousa and Swanview Sparrow in 59.62.

Chloe Clarke and Kilcreene Apollo, winners of the 128cm 1m class at Cavan \ Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net

1.10m Derby

Action kicked off on Friday with the 148cm 1.10m Derby with 76 combinations taking it on. Claiming victory was Munster rider Kate Lynch and Kilclogher Klassy Lady, when she was fastest of three double clears in a time of 27.24. Less than a second separated the next placing, as fellow Munster rider Eugenie Sheehy galloped home aboard Millfield My Time with nothing to add in 28.22 for second. Leinster rider Bonnie Loughrey and Happy Girl were last of the double clears in a time of 30.33 for third place.

It was a good day for Kate Lynch, as she also took the win in the 148cm 1.20m Derby. Riding Lahorna You Two, she answered all the questions in a time of 26.58. Ulster rider Kym Moore also kept the poles in place with Drumcashel Little Legend in 27.97 for second, ahead of Jill Greene and Greenfield Star in 28.68.

Leading the victory lap in the 128cm 90cm Derby was resident rider Chloe Clarke and Pepsi Mac, clear in 24.22. Aimee Moloney and Magnificant Magnet were only a fraction behind, clear in 24.25 for second, while in third was Edward Walsh jnr and Chocolat II clear in 24.40.

Tadhg Dillon and Glencroft Go For Gold, winners of the 148 Retiring Riders class at Cavan Winter Pony Championships \ Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net

1m Derby

The Ballygerald Sport Horses 128cm 1m Derby saw 13 going to post and, from those, two double clears were delivered. Claiming this victory was Munster rider Katelyn Horgan and MHS Rebel Pride, in a time of 27.94. Claiming the runner-up spot was Tabitha Morgan-Evans and Rathcoole Rupert, when they came home in 28.97.

Taking the win in the 138cm 1.05m Derby was Ronan Gilvarry and The Hilly Billy, when they were the fastest of the two double clears lodged in a time of 27.40. Elizabeth McCracken and Drumcaughey Diamond took second place when they came home in 28.08. Ryan O’Neill was fastest of the four-faulters with Jedi Skywalker in 33.32 for third place.