A popular date on the calendar, the 25th Cavan International CSI1* saw large numbers descend on the Ulster venue in a bid to claim glory in both international and national classes.

In the opening international on Friday, the Theraplate Ireland Welcome Stakes, it was Thomas O’Brien and Miss Darco that took victory, when they delivered a clear in 54.72 seconds.

Owned by Tomas O’Brien, the nine- year-old mare, was bred by Sinead Connelly from Galway, is by Darco and out of the Drossan sired dam.

The second International class on Friday evening, the 1.40/1.50m Gain Nutrition jump-off class went to Paul Carberry and Brandon View First Edition, when they clocked the winning round of clear in 37.05 seconds. Bred by Seamus Drea from Kilkenny, the nine-year-old gelding is by Douglas Cavalier out of the Balda Beau sired mare Brandonview Lady.

Curran Claims a win

On Saturday morning, Captain Geoff Curran and Dowth Hall led the victory lap in the Farnham Arms Hotel, Cavan 1.30m-1.40m jump off class.

The combination was the fastest of two double clears in a time of 40.67. Owned by Professor Alice Stanton and the Minister for Defence, the nine-year-old gelding was bred by Dr. Noel Cawley and is by Flexible and out of the Cloverhill sired mare, Ballinakill Clover.

He is a full brother to Hybernia, who was also bred by Cawley and jumped to CSI4* level with Greg Broderick.

Crowd Pleaser

On Saturday night, the Kingsland puissance proved to be a real crowd pleaser, with seven combinations taking on the wall. In the end it was 17-year-old Nano Healy and KMS Clintland that took the win, when they cleared 2.10m.

On Saturday, it was young rider, Mark Finnerty and all Action, that led the victory lap in the Cavan County Council Speed class, when they clocked the winning time of 67.27.

The first international class, which was sponsored by Abbey Upholstery Ltd saw a win for Frank Curran and Oliver Twister, when clear in 48.52.

Owned by Heffron Equine and bred by Sydney Cranston from Monaghan, Oliver Twister (ISH) is an 11- year-old gelding by the Voltaire sired Oliver and out of the Don Juan De La Bouverie sired dam, Skerrymores Don One.

The chestnut gelding was originally bought by Harvey Smith (IRL) in Cavan Horse Sales as a four-year-old.

Grand Prix

Later that day, the show came to an exciting end with the Grand Prix, where Kenneth Graham landed a big win.

Riding Beir Bua, he was fastest of the five double clears in 40.88. Graham was also crowned HSI International Grand Prix Challenge winner, winning a bonus prize of €10,000.

Bred by the late, Harold McGahern, this nine-year-old mare is by Lancelot and out of Rincoola Bua.