Mullins completes the 128 double

Ponies and young riders

Frank Mulvihill

Gowran rider Daniel Mullins has come of age in show jumping terms over the past 12 months but last weekend he copper-fastened his supremacy in 128cm pony ranks by completing the Dublin/Millstreet double.

In a thrilling contest the determined 12 year-old was drawn third-last of eleven in the jump-off of the 128 AB Derby Final at the Green Glens.

In his usual 'get the whole duck or starve' fashion he steered Vina Buller's I'm Otto around Alan Wade's course to shatter the leading time by two seconds.

Previously, spectators were treated to an exciting jump-off where the first two riders in, Jordan Coyle (Woodfield Surprise) and Daniel Coyle (Glenkeen Calypso), came home clear with the latter setting a fast time of 29.48.

Mayo rider Neil Molloy and Eastern Flash set the indoor arena alight with an event-packed blistering round. In his effort to win the class Molloy was unseated after the penultimate fence but hung on as he rode to the last oxer.

Then regaining his position in a fine display of horsemanship he broke the beam to the applause of the stands in 27.77, a time worthy of winning the Final.

Try as they may none of the next four riders could better the time, but then Dublin winner Daniel Mullins galloped into the arena in a determined fashion.

With a foot-perfect round he stopped the clock on 25.74 which proved to be unbeatable on this occasion.

For his troubles he took home the beautiful Shona McLaughlin Trophy which was commissioned by Millstreet in honour of a young pony rider who died following an accident involving a goal post during horse show week in Millstreet a couple of years ago.

Mili's Millstreet Magic

It was Mili McIntyre's day in the 138AB Derby Final which was first on the schedule at Millstreet last Saturday morning. Riding over a galloping jump-off track, the Kilkenny girl left nothing to chance and gave her the partisan Kilkenny followers a lot to cheer about as she blazed around Alan Wade's course.

In the end she had a whopping three seconds to spare over runner-up, Peter Moloney and The Brother, while 128 Derby winner Daniel Mullins was a further second behind on Cappagh Cindy. Tuamgraney rider David Blake had the only other clear round on the stallion Annaghmore Boomerang.

Kuehnle's class shines again

He has hardly had time to put the Equestrian World of Maynooth 148 Championship trophy from Dublin Horse Show on display, but Benedict Kuehnle, from Coolrain Co.

Laois is not one to rest on his laurels. In true style the Irish pony team member jumped a clinical clock round in the 148AB Derby at the Green Glens to add another major award to his trophy cabinet.

Killean on fire in 148 BC Derby Final

In a thrilling contest Aidan Killean and Killtiera Fionn were 'on fire' when winning the 148BC Derby Final at Millstreet.

In a fast jump-off seven ponies produced double-clears in a class which saw many miss out when a sensible clear would have got them into the line-up.

Louise Igoe looked as if she would be the star of this one when holding the first two places with Misty Rath and Connie Liath at the halfway stage in the jump-off, but Jonathan Creswell shaved half of a second of her fastest time to take over the lead on Lenamore Bianca.

Then last-to-go Aidan Killean rode a blistering round to snatch the winners rosette on the grey Killtiera Fionn. This combination were also placed 8th in the 148 AB Derby on the following day.

27 year-old wins under-10 class

It's true. The winner of the thrilling under-10 class at Millstreet Horse Show is 27 years-old. Prawn, the chesnut mount of young Jeremy Sweetnam who won the exciting class, originally came from Jill Moran in Askeaton, is 27 and going strong.

Forty-four under-10 riders started out the week trying to qualify for the Final which proved to be one of the most entertaining at the Green Glens last weekend. Roars and screams emanated from spectators around this arena as the stars of the future threw caution to the wind and rocketed around the lower sand arena at Millstreet.

There were dozens of winners in this class who provided a feast of enjoyment for the duration of the competition, but the winner's rosette went to Sweetnam and Prawn who had the fastest round of the day.