BARNADOWN was the destination for the fourth leg of the Ballinroe Premier Series and Boomerang Starfinder as many of Ireland’s top combinations availed of a rare opportunity to jump on one of the finest grass arenas in the country in this well-timed fixture in the weeks leading up to the Dublin Horse Show.

Despite heavy overnight rain, the footing remained perfect as rusty parents and helpers were reacquainted with the rare joy of studding up ponies. An ominous forecast thankfully did not materialise and for the most part it remained dry.

Action kicked off with the Children on Horses class, which was won by Alice Moloney and Castlefield Cass, with Cian McMunn and Captain Marko in second, both of whom had just returned from a heatwave at the European Championships in Gorla Minore, Italy. With less than a second covering the top three, third place went to Ted Fagan and Bella M.

DJ Kent and Dutch Lady, winners of the 128 U10 Premier at Barnadown

The always exciting 128 U10 class saw the top three covered by less than three hundredths of a second with DJ Kent and Dutch Lady coming out best of the decimal points, Harvey Oscar Foley and The Silver Legend were second, with DJ Kent again in third with Paris.

The 128 1.10 Premier saw eight combinations through to the jump-off. Ryan Horgan and Million Dollar Baby took the win here with Ava O’Neill and Hes A Touch of Magic hot on their heels in second and Lucia Keane and Bossinova in third in another class that was divided by margins.

The 138 1.20 Premier saw the 25% rule coming into effect as John Doyle’s track caused plenty of poles to fall, producing just four clear rounds in the first round. Interestingly all four combinations jumped clear in the jump-off, with Cian McMunn coming out on top with a blistering round on ET Hop De Naelle. Bonnie Loughrey and Cornhill Snowey were second, Ruben Foley and Sparkling Boomastasia took third with Cameron Kelly and Bishopscourt Lad producing the fourth clear round.

148 Premier winner at Barnadown, Kilkenny's Chloe Hughes Kennedy on HK Zena presented with her prize from sponsor Patrick Keane of Ballinroe Transport

Win for Chloe Hughes Kennedy

There were 35 combinations in the 148 Premier, with just five double clears. Chloe Hughes Kennedy, not wanting to be outdone by her gold medal-winning big brother, put in a gutsy performance to win with HK Zena.

Lauren Adams and Slieve Bloom Bella Rose were second and Charlotte McCracken and Cwmello Champagne Charlie picked up third.

The six- and seven-year-old ponies drew the short straw on the weather as the rain that had been forecast materialised for their class, however that didn’t slow them down as Aoife Seery and her pocket rocket, Parkroe Rio, put in an unbeatable round to take the win. Jack Kent and W.P-B.R Machno Diamond Edition took second and Saoirse Hanafin and CQS Russell Foley took third.

Sand Arena One featured all of the Bob Sweeney classes. Lucy McCarthy and Gorm won the 148 1.15, Lucy Brennan and Little Pumpkin won the 128 U10 85cm, Ellie Sheane and Newhaven Cooley won the 128 95cm and Henry Sinnot and AMS fi divine won the 138 1.10.

Maurice Cousins was highly impressed with the standard of riding, commenting: ‘The jumping in all classes was of a very high standard and a lot of the riders have a big future in the sport which is fantastic to see.’