AFTER an impressive showing in Saturday evening’s Land Rover Puissance, Michael Pender was on form again on Sunday morning in the main arena at the Dublin Horse Show, triumphing in the Five-Year-Old Flexible National Championship. Partnering Marion Hughes’ MHS New York, Pender established an early lead to clinch the win in the Horse Sport Ireland-sponsored €10,000 class.

Frank Glynn set the challenge for the 16 finalists and reflecting the high standard that had been evident throughout the qualifying rounds, 12 combinations made it through to the jump-off.

Pender, as second to go, set the benchmark high for the remainder of the field with an exceptionally fast round. Galloping from the off, daring turn backs ensured the quickest route home and saw Pender stop the clock in a time of 33.93 seconds.

Bred by Tom Brennan, MHS New York is by Quidam Junior I out of the Cavalier Royale-sired dam Cavalier Kells Lady. Well related, the gelding is a full-brother to MHS Prime Time – the 2013 runner-up in the international seven and eight-year-old class in Dublin.

Speaking to The Irish Field Pender said: “He’s just a brilliant horse. I had aimed towards here all year and I’m delighted with the result, it’s fantastic to aim for something like this and have it actually come off.”

This is the second occasion for 18-year-old Pender to triumph in the Five-Year-Old Flexible National Championship, winning in 2016 before going on to take a silver and bronze medal at the World Breeding Championships in Lanaken in the same age division.

With Lanaken as a possibility Pender commented: “MHS New York won the first qualifier in Maryville, was second the first day here and won today (Sunday), a horse that’s that consistent really helps when you go to Lanaken.”

Aidan Killeen took the runner-up position with Klee Hellerman’s BP Wakita, posting a double clear in a time of 37.62. By Pacino, the mare is out of the dam BP Masterpiece (Cruising x Cavalier Royale) and was bred by Cheryl Broderick.

Qualified by Ballypatrick Stables’ rider Kellie Allen at the Meadows EC, Killeen took over the ride in June and showed off an established partnership when third in Saturday’s qualifying round.

In a reversal of fortunes from Saturday Richard Kerins was only fractionally off this pace to come home just behind Killeen in third place. Riding Gin And Tonic, Kerins fault free round in a time of 37.74 proved popular with his enthusiastic supporters in the pocket. By Clarebawn Sunshine Diamond (Ard VDL Douglas x Flagmount Diamond), Gin and Tonic is owned and bred by Matt Kane.

Derek McConnell put in a solid performance aboard Izzy (I’m Special de Muze x Larino). His time of 39.37 would secure the green rosette. Izzy was the 2017 National Discovery four-year-old champion at Millstreet under Shane Quinn.

Shane Goggins, victorious in the previous day’s Mo Chroi Four-Year-Old Championship, finished off a successful Dublin when recording the only other double clear of the competition. Goggins was paired with Dara O’Malley’s Hermes de Reve-sired gelding DPS Revere and recorded a foot perfect round in 39.87.

Ger O’Neill was one of only a few to make a serious bid for Pender’s time, coming home in 34.22 with his own homebred Castlefield Mathilda (Dondoctro Ryal K x Namelus R). O’Neill faulted on the way into the double but proved to be the fastest of the four faulters to secure the final place in the line-up.