Pony riders got an early morning call last Friday, as they were first into the main arena at the Stena Dublin Horse Show to contest their championships. First up was the 138cm division, with 14 riders going to post. Course designer Killian Clarke got it just right, as half of those maintained clean sheets to proceed to the jump-off.

Fifth to go, the winning round was delivered by Alice Power and Bear Me in Mind, when they crossed the line clear in 37.02 seconds. Bear Me In Mind is 17 years old and has an impressive record. He has previously qualified for the RDS with Annmarie Dunne and finished sixth with Jason Foley at the Dublin Horse Show Championship in 2015.

Defending champions Alex Finney and Dolly Du Carel had the difficult task of going first. They didn’t let the challenge faze them and delivered a quick clear in for second place. Double-handed in the jump-off, Sarah Fitzgerald delivered her best result with Future Memories, clear in 40.28 for third.

ADVERTISEMENT

148cm

Next up, the 148cm finalists faced a technical track, with six riders progressing to the timed round. Max Foley and Pumkins Pondi lodged a double clear in 40.82 to win the championship. Owned by Foleys Pony’s, the 15-year-old French stallion is by Apollon Pondy and out of Dakota Melody. Max Foley also won the leading pony rider of the show.

The only other double clear was delivered by Ellen Thompson and Sligo Little James, in 46.75. Ellen is the cousin of Niamh McEvoy, who won the Children on Horses Championships later in the week.

No stranger to success, Seamus Hughes Kennedy was unlucky faulting early in the course with Rock Dee Jay, but calculated riding saw him lodge the fastest time of 38.81, for third.

128cm

The 128cm competitors brought Friday’s jumping to an exciting end. 18 combinations battled it out for the coveted title.

Following a tough first round, seven combinations booked their place in the jump-off. Spectators didn’t have to wait long for the winning round, as Senna Reape and Mickybo took every chance and jumped clear in 32.27 seconds.

The 18-year-old Mickyoo has over 1,600 SJI points. The gelding made his first appearance in the RDS with Kerri McIvor in 2008.

Since then he has been campaigned by Hannah O’Shea, Susan Fitzpatrick, Orla Duffy, Stephen Gibbons and Ryan Ruane.

Fifth in was Jack Conlon Gateau and the stallion Blaengwen Kato Star. The combination kept up the pace and took a series of tight lines to come home clear in 34.71 to finish second.

At stud the 128cm boasts an impressive record. Approved at Cavan HSI Inspection in March, the English purebred 11-year-old Welsh champion was praised by the judges. Imported from France last September, where he holds two national titles in both 1.10m and 1m division. Fastest of the four faulters was Lauren Murphy and Taggarts Express in 48.54, for third.

148cm six and seven year-olds

Robyn Moran and Colesgrove Cavalier were first to go in the 14-way jump-off. The combination jumped clear in 34.13 seconds. Bred and owned by Eoin Glynn, the six year-old stallion is by Mermus R and out of the Cavalier Royale-sired mare, Glinsk Molly. This stallion comes from a strong line of show jumpers.

Mermus R, who stands at Euro Stallions, was awarded the Keur predicate for his outstanding contribution to breeding by the KWPN, alongside other stallions such as Numero Uno and Heartbreaker. He originates from one of the best dam lines available. Bred in Holland by Stal Roelofs, Mermus R is the culmination of more than 30 years of selective breeding. His dam, Dwermie, is by Ramiro Z. The penultimate rider in, John McEntee, built up a great rhythm with Dermot Lennon’s Brooklyn Du Granit and recorded a clear in 34.31 for second. A seven-year-old by Machno Carwyn and out of Rhapsodie Du Granit, the pairing qualified at the round at the Meadows. Third place belonged to Jodie Flanagan and Cullintra Royal, clear in 37.14.

Owned by Geoff Flanagan and bred by Dan Galavan from Kilkenny, the seven-year-old mare is by Royal Concorde and out of the Porter Rhodes-sired dam, Kilcoltrim Gold.