Pony Classes

In total 14 combinations contested the 138cm riders championships, with eight of those proceeding to the timed round. In the jump-off, the first double clear was delivered by John Killoran and Seapatrick Total Eclipse in a time of 33.71, which would later see him claim third place.

The lead was short lived as Rhys Williams and Sligo Lux to Queeney lowered the target to 32.98. The lead changed hands again as Alex Finney and Dolly Du Carel took a series of tight lines and took almost two seconds off the target and take the win, leaving Williams to take the runner-up spot.

Finney has certainly been on a winning role of late having won the Young Champion of Ireland at Millstreet before heading to Dublin. Dolly Du Carel who is owned by Alex’s mother Jean has been produced slowly. Broken as a five-year-old, the mare began her career with Jack Ryan and the Finney’s bought him two years ago.

The 148cm championship saw members of the victorious European Championship Team battle it out for the Dublin title. Following a competitive jump-off it was a 1-2-3 for the Connaught region. European Team Gold medalist, Ciaran Nallon, demonstated his talent with Dibidoe setting the time to beat at 29.41. Cora Sharkey wasted no time with Who’s Arco, but a clear in 30.05 would later see her account for third place. Last to go, Cian Goggins threw caution to the wind as he took every chance with Sligo Little James. Cheered on by the crowd, Goggins’ daring gallop paid off as he lodged a clear in 28.79 to take the win. European Champion Harry Allen and Aughnashammer took fourth place, while Individual silver medalist Kate Derwin took fifth place with Cul Ban Mistress.

Fantastic final

Following the Nations Cup, the 128cm finalists took to the arena to contest their Championship. As always this class came down to the wire. Following a tough seven-way jump-off, it was the 2016 champion Tom Wachman that took the title.

Riding Parc Epic, he lodged the winning round of clear in 29.49, ahead of Olivia Devereaux and Musboro Plunkett in 30.02. Ryan Ruane and Mickybo took third place when clear in 33.81. Wachman also took the leading pony rider title of the show.

In Simmonscourt, last year’s winners Seamus Hughes Kennedy and the Clare Hughes Keatingstown Hunky Dory returned to take the crown. Bred by Sharon Fitzpatrick in Kilkenny this pony has proved very consistent in the aged classes and is now jumping at 1.20m level.

Young riders

Action in the Young Rider Championship kicked-off on Saturday afternoon with the 1.35/1.40 division taking centre stage in Simmonscourt. Course designer Paul Duffy set the challenge for the 16 starters which saw five combinations delivered clears first time out.

As expected, it was a competitive jump-off and first to go Susan Fitzpatrick set the bar high when she answered all the questions with Cavalino in a quick time of 36.54, which would later prove good enough for third.

Following her tour of international duty, Jenny Rankin was well up for the task as she took to the course with Deirdre Bourns’s Beech Hill Lucia. Setting off in a determined pace, she took a very tight line to three and this matched with a good shot back to the double saw her take they leading when stopping the clock in 35.07. Last to go, Tim Macdonagh cantered into the ring with Tick Tock Tina in a determined pace and made up the time from the off. A series of good turns was enough make up the time as he crossed the line almost a second faster than Rankin in 35.07.

Winner of the 1.25/1.30 Championships was Michael Roche riding Seaburg when they lodged a clear in 35.04, ahead of Olivia Roulston and Valent when clear in 35.27. Victoria Brown and Portphilip Dioscruise took third place when celar in 35.37.

The final championship on Sunday the 1.10/1.15 saw a win for Mark Finnerty when he partnered Emma to a clear in 36.20. Little seperated the next placing as Meadhbh Mealiff galloped home aboard Plamas in 36.31, while Robyn Moral and Coolminga Inspector Royal took third when clear in 37.95.

Amateurs

Amateur riders were last into the arena on Saturday to contest the House & Garden Furnishing Championship. Fourteen riders took to the course and of those seven where A division riders and five where AA division. Just three combinations proceeded to the jump-off and from those one delivered a double clear.

Place runner-up last year, Daniel O’ Shea and Kinmar Night went one better to take the win when clear in 49.53 seconds. Amy Walsh and Keylogues Gold took second place when fastest of the four faulters in 52 secons ahead of Martin Flesk and Killuppaun Magic on 28 faults in 71.33 seconds.