Waterford riders dominated the opening international classes at Cavan CSI1* last Friday evening with Tholm Keane claiming the Table A speed Welcome Stakes and Paddy O’ Donnell leading the victory lap in the the 1.50m jump-off class.

The Welcome Stakes saw 50 combinations battle it out for the €2,000 on offer. Keane and Future Storm set a winning time of 52.56. Future Storm, bred by Michael Cusack, is a nine-year-old by Future Trend out of the Cruising-sired mare Angel Of Harlem.

In the preceding 1.50m jump-off class, 52 riders went to post and of these 13 proceeded to the timed round. Last to go with Maeve Al-Aidarous’ Louis D’Or, Paddy O’Donnell knew what he needed to do and duly delivered as he took the win with nothing to add in 37.35. Louis D’Or is a 13-year-old gelding by Landcapitiol, out of the Grannus-sired mare Gina, and is new to the O’Donnell stable.

GRAHAM DOUBLE

It was double of wins for Kenneth Graham on Saturday night as he took the honours in the two international classes on the schedule. Last to go of the 40 starters in the Jim Derwin Bloodstock sponsored Table C, he made up time aboard Lyrical with tight turns and a daring gallop to the last to finish in a time of 52.82 to take the win.

Bred by Oliver Brennan and now owned by Graham, Lyrical is an 11-year-old mare by Limmerick out of Derravarragh Lizzy.

In the Cavan County Council International jump-off class, Graham was again on target, this time riding George, when he lodged the winning round of clear in 37.47 seconds. Owned by William Lapsley, George is a 14-year-old gelding by Touchdown out of the Clover Hill-sired mare Solas Dubh.

JOINT-WIN

Wesley Ryan riding Larthago and Anthony O’Regan riding Velvet Blackjack emerged as joint winners of the Kingsland Puissance. Six combinations went through to the fifth and final round. The winning combinations cleared 2.10m.

On Sunday, victory in the Farnham Arms Hotel Power and Speed belonged to Conan Wright and Cara Touche. Bred by Brian Gormley from Longford and owned by Norman Allen, Cara Touche is a 16-year-old stallion by Touchdown out of the Flagmount Diamond mare, Cara Pandora. This stallion has proved popular with Irish breeders and has produced offspring in all disciplines.

Shannon McKenzie brought Cavan Equestrian to an exciting close when she took the honours in the €8,000 International Grand Prix with Bens Lady Lux (ISH). Bred by Ann Marie Blessington and owned by Karen Mackenzie, Bens Lady Lux is a 10-year-old mare by Lux Z out of the Cavalier Royale-sired mare Leading Edge.

YOUNG HORSES

In the Euro Stallions & Robertson Equine four-year championship, it was Katie O’Sullivan and Cooley Farm’s owned Cooley Jump the Q that emerged as the winners. Bred by Pam Walshe in Carlow, this gelding is by Pacino and out of the O.B.O.S Quality-sired mare, Jump the Q.

Walsh has three other offspring registered for this mare, two by Cornet Obolensky and one by Amaretto Darco.

In the NV Stables-sponsored five-year-old final, it was Michael Pender on the Marion Hughes-owned Miss Belgium III who took the crown. Bred by Alan Waldman, Miss Belgium III is a Belgian warmblood mare by Der Senaat III out of the Indoctro-sired Pandora.

Sean Monaghan and Santa Catalina emerged as the winners of the Farnham Estate six and seven year-old championship. Bred by Paddy Quinlan and now owned by GBBS international and Paddy Quinlan the seven-year-old mare is by Capitalist out of the Ghareeb-sired mare Buenos Aires.

FACT FILE:

The wall: Wesley Ryan and Anthony O’ Regan were joint winners of the puissance jumping 2.10m.

Curtain closer: Shannon McKenzie brought the show to an exciting close when she took the honours in the International Grand Prix with Bens Lady Lux.

One to watch: The Cooley Farm’s owned Cooley Jump the Q won the four-year championship.