Show Jumping

Emer Bermingham

Mullingar Equestrian celebrated its 10th CSI2* International show last week. International action kicked off with the 1.25m Mosstown sponsored class and it was a win for Australia as Jake Hunter took the honours when he partnered Sandra Duffy’s Knightfield Ella to a clear in 56.57 seconds.

Riding for Hadley Sport Horses, Tori Dunn took second place when she crossed the line with Victoria Z, clear in 59.39, her partner Sven Hadley and Quanbell took third place, adding four penalties to a time of 59.43. Local rider, Nano Healy delivered a clear with Trickin Around in 63.08 for fourth, ahead of his partner Harriet Ella Cooper and Lenamore Gideon in 63.82 for fifth. Daniel McAlinden and Knockash Galanta completed the top six line-up when crossing the line clear in 63.99.

In the proceeding 1.30m Devenish Bet Showjumping live qualifier, the honours went to Gerard Clarke and Ardragh Stein when they recorded the winning round of clear in 58.86 seconds. The runner-up place belonged to American rider Adrienne Dixon and Zuidam when they clocked a time of 59.71.

Neal Fearon’s tight lines with Magic Cuidam saw him finish in a time of 60.64 for third, ahead of Ger O’Neil and Cavalino 26, clear in 60.84. Going early in the class Frank Curran and Oliver Twister kept everything in place in a time of 60.94 which would later prove good enough for fifth place. Greg Broderick kept it extremely tight with Cartouche V Overis Z and a clear in 61.46 saw him take eventual sixth.

FEARON ON SONG

The Jim and Francis Derwin sponsored SJI National Grand Prix attracted another big entry with 66 combinations going to post. Scottish course designer Mark McGowan set the course and after the first round a total of 21 combinations proceeded to the timed round.

Heinrich Anhold set the bar high when he delivered the first double clear with KMS Clintland in 42.84 seconds which later proved good enough for eventual fifth. Cormac Foley riding Ballylynch Wizard lowered the target to 42.24, for fourth. Francis Connors and Erne Lady Goldilocks delivered the next double clear in a time of 47.71 which saw him provisionally slot into third and then eventual sixth place.

A rider on a winning roll, all eyes were on Liam O’ Meara as he took to the course with Mr Coolcaum, the Tipperary rider’s daring gallop to the last almost cost him as he rattled the last, but a clear in 41.46 saw him take the lead.

Next in, Neal Fearon meant business as he took to the course with the big striding Billy On Time and a series of tight lines saw him reduce the target to 40.98 for the win. Last to go, Kenneth Graham and Lyrical took a similar route to Fearon, but despite a good attempt a clear in 41.44 proved only good enough for second and in the process demoted O’Meara into third.

CLARKE TAKES CHARGE

Gerard Clarke took the honours in Sunday’s Devenish Bet Showjumping Live 1.30m Final. Riding Ardragh Stein he lodged the winning round in 33.96 seconds.

Francis Connors took the runner-up spot when he clocked 34.48 seconds with Uskerty Diamond Lady, ahead of Tholm Keane and Future Storm in 35.83. Fastest of the four faulters in a time of 34.06 was American rider Adrienne Dixon and Zuidam for fourth, while Alexander Butler and Hs Copperhead Cruise took fifth after they had an unlucky four faults, breaking the beam in 34.63. Liam O’Meara and Kenny’s flight completed the top six line-up when carry four faults in 48.29.

Victory in the Grange Motors Accumulator went to Tori Dunn. She recorded the maximum score of 65 Aboard Victoria Z, in 50.30. Competition in this class came down to the wire, with 16 of the 44 combinations recording the maximum score. Dunn was chased home by Paul Beecher, who clocked 51.28 with Asti 71. There was much support for Chloe Fagan as she took third place with Caricello when clear in 51.90, while Eva Boland and Lucky Caros slotted into fourth, clear in 52.39. Accounting for fifth place was Kevin Mccabe and Pittsburgh C, clear in 53.68, ahead of Vincent Byrne and Primo Royal in 53.98. Annabel Shields landed the spoils in the Colourtrend 1.40m Table A. Riding Carnoneybridge Challenger, she was fastest of the 10 clears in 58.44 seconds. Greg Broderick and Daify crossed the line in 61.59 for second, ahead of Sean Monaghan and I Do van de Kwakkelhoek in 69.26. In fourth place was Kelda Morgan and Orbiting in 70.06. Francis Connors added to his tally when he partnered Centolina RB into fifth when clear in 72.01. Jonathan Andrew and The Hurricane took sixth place when he kept everything in place in a time of 74.09.

Anthony O’ Regan (Velvet Blackjack) and Daren Hopkins (Mister Cruise) shared victory in the Pegus Puissance RDS qualifier.