On Friday morning 14 combinations battled it out in the Main Arena for the Student Living 138cm Championship. The first double clear was delivered by Coen Williams and Sligo Lux To Queeney, he was joined in the jump-off by Sarah Fitzgerald and Dooneens Captain Classic.

Williams jumped first, crossing the line with four faults in 42.28. Fitzgerald knew what was required, but despite a great attempt she finished with 12 faults in 42.60. Alexandra Hourigan and Allie Stewy were the fastest of the four faulters to finish third, Robin Carey came fourth, Ellen Power fifth and Stephen Gibbons sixth.

128cm

Taking place directly after the Nations Cup, 18 combinations contested the 128cm championship. The course asked plenty of questions and a clear round wasn’t delivered until the eigth rider into the arena.

Isabel Sheehan opted for the safe clear in the jump-off with He’s A Touch of Magic and it paid off to as they crossed the line clear in 47.40, to win the championship. Kilkenny based Sheehan is trained by Clare Hughes and Jim O’Neill and has gone from strength to strength recently.

Last year’s winner Senan Reape (Mickybo) had to settle for second place this year. Third went to Juliette Kirsty McIntosh with Twin Cam, Lauren Adams (Ravara Mohawk) was last into the arena and claimed fourth place, ahead of Kian Dore and Dooneens Electric in fifth. Completing the top six, was Alanna Fagan and Kiltormer Ruby, four faults in 85.47.

148cm

The 148cm Student Living Championship proved equally as competitive with six combinations going forward to the jump-off. Ellie-Rose Cassidy, riding Claggan Gypsy Delight, recorded the opening clear of the class and went on to jump another clear round in 40.91 to win the class. Francis Derwin picked up four faults with Rincoola Babog to finish second.

Tom Wachman and Aughnashammer also had four faults, but a fast time of 52.74 secured him third place. Niamh McEvoy (Fireman lso) had two fences down in 35.32 to come home in fourth place.

Coen Williams was back in the arena, this time with Parc Judy, he finished fifth carrying eight faults in 39.79. Olivia Shanahan and Kiltomer Buckfast finished on eight faults in 44.60 for sixth. It was a great show for Shanahan as she later went on to claim the Children on Horses Individual championship aboard Rosalie.

On Saturday morning, 24 contested the 148cm six and seven-year championship. Following a tough first round, seven proceeded to the second round, and of those six were six-year-olds with just one seven-year-old.

First to go against the clock and winning the class was Isobel Hughes Kennedy and Romabout with one fence down in a fast time of 36.90.

Speaking afterwards, owner Clare Hughes said: “It’s all about the breeding. He is by Romanov and out of Emily 38. The dam also competed in the RDS with Bertram (Allen) in the 148cm.”

Taking the runner-up spot was Katie McEntee riding Barravalley also on four faults but in a time of 37.63. Last to go with the only seven-year-old of the class, Jack Brennan also had one down with Alonso in 39.69 to finish third.