It was a first-time win for producer PJ Casey and sire Emperor Augustus in the TopSpec supreme hunter championship on Saturday morning. Bred in Co Meath by John Simpson, the four-year-old and lightweight hunter champion Somerville went all the way to claim the title all show hunter connections want to win. Although he had a ‘for sale’ tag in the catalogue, his owner Patrice Dorney has decided not to sell her champion and will aim for another title next year instead.

Standing reserve supreme champion was Louise Lyons and Paulette Cooper’s First Rate, who had beaten Somerville in the earlier lightweight championship.

However, proving that every championship starts from zero, the Wallis Birch-bred six-year-old gave way in the supreme to the big galloping Somerville.

The same owners were doubly-represented with their Dartans Blockbuster (OBOS Quality), bred by Louise, taking the middleweight title, ahead of Richard McElligott’s Discreet (Golden Master. Marian Russell).

Working hunter championship

Twenty-four hours later, First Rate, by the Belgian warmblood Obelix, lived up to his name by winning the Monami Construction-sponsored working hunter championship, ahead of Miriam Cunning’s Burrough Hill Boy. He is by his breeder Norman Allen’s late stallion Porsch.

Saturday’s other main ring champions included Kieran Ryan’s heavyweight winner Park Ranger, another Dublin winner for his sire Castleforbes Lord Lancer and bred in the Banner County by Alan Morgan. Reserve heavyweight was Diana Gibson’s Ballycreen Apollo (Nazar).

Nicola Perrin’s Ballarin My Lady (Kings Master) turned the tables on Kief Queen B in the ridden hunter mare title and later produced a Cheltenham finish-style gallop during Saturday’s parade of ridden hunter champions in the main arena.