Showjumping

Emer Bermingham

Windy conditions did not deter amateur riders last weekend as they made the journey to Mullingar EC for the Amateur Championships. Along with a selection of classes, the weekend saw the final of the Dingo league.

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A popular competition in the amateur division, a total of 43 combinations went to post. Taking the honours was Sharon Ryan and Diamond Pierre when they lodged the winning clear in 32.47 seconds. Following closely behind in 33.91 was Nicola Hughes riding P And N San Francisco. Aidan Lee also kept everything in place with Westmount Shadow Play in 34.06 for third.

Patrick Murphy and You Two Babe clocked 34.40 which proved good enough for eventual fourth. Fifth place belonged to Darragh McMahon and Sunnyside Boy, clear in 34.48, while Grainne McGarry and Aramis Encore completed the top six line-up when they crossed the line with nothing to add in 35.47.

A familiar face on the amateur circuit, Martin Wilson won the Amateur Grand Prix. It was a hard fought class with the top three combinations all coming home under the 34-second marker. Wilson clocked the winning time of 33.84 seconds with Hermes Diamond. Andrew Byrne and Hunters Lodge Puissance galloped home in 33.94 for the runner-up spot. In third place was Derrick Burke and Tyreda Chip, clear in 33.96, while Helen Dempsey and Captain Malibu clocked 35.33 for eventual fourth.

Daniel O’Shea’s clear in 36.98 with Kinmar Night ensured him fifth, while Andrew Byrne returned to take sixth place with Starling, clear in 37.97. Aidan Lee may have had to settle for fourth place in the Dingo final, but he made no such mistake in the Amateur Derby as he rode to victory. Riding Westmount Shadow Play, he lodged the winning clear in 106.79 seconds. Andrew Byrne kept all the poles in place with Starling, but a cautious approach saw him clock up a single time fault in 133.33 for second. Jamie Chellar was fastest of the four faulters with Totally Cavalier in 96.99 for third. The next two placings were occupied by Joanna Penfold when she incurred four faults with King Cruise in 97.63 and four faults with Playtime Cruise in 100.54. Liam Keogh had an unlucky four faults aboard Queen Ruby in 101.36 for sixth.