THE Summer League Finals last Saturday at Ballyrafter were tremendously exciting and entertaining. With more fantastic sponsorship from Horserail Ireland, manufacturers of safe, secure and durable fencing for horses and ponies, there was a great atmosphere as riders fought hard to gain the honours.

In a sport where men and women compete equally, it was not until the last event that the ladies prevailed. Mike Moylan, Seamus Meskill, Fran Mangan and Thomas Forbes won the first four finals with the final event of the day going to Denise Hanrahan.

The Horserail 90cms final saw two veterans of the sport, Pat Ronayne and Fran Mangan, battle it out with amazing rounds against the clock.

Pauline Landers with Niamh Melody’s Nire Valley Beezie had set 41.34 with a great round. However, Pat Ronayne on Coolbell Diamond stormed round taking a short route to the last in flying fashion and flashed through the clocks in 36.71.

Fran Mangan has made one of the most incredible returns to fitness after a battle with illness last year and with his chesnut mare Parkmore Boher Belle who had taken the leaders award was not going to be outdone. Jumping last of the nine through to the jump-off, he set off really quickly but in trying to turn to the second fence, lost precious seconds. However, from there on, he took every option available and incredibly stopped on 35.57 to great cheers from the supporters confirming him the winner.

In contrast, the Horserail 80cms final was won from the front by Seamus Meskill on his full Irish Draught Finches. Again, nine went into the jump-off and Seamus had a thrilling round in 40.69 which proved unbeatable. Nearest to him were Eilis McCarthy and her faithful partner Rolo who jumped another brilliant round in 42.65 to narrowly keep ahead of Jennifer Moore with Genoveva Galante Gaza who had 42.81.

Mike Moylan only started riding two years ago but on Saturday he showed great skill in guiding Super Ted round the 70cms course in 35.53 to win ahead of Martina McGrath on Coolbell Moss who had set the target of 37.02. Maura McNamara, another rider who has just returned to show jumping, took third place here but won the summer league leading rider award with her daughter Veronica’s Bailey.

TREMENDOUS SEASON

Thomas Forbes has had a tremendous season eventing this year with several wins on his own coloured mare but won the Horserail 1m final here on Nellie, proving an able deputy for her injured owner Gina O’Brien. The grey is by Nabab De Reve out of Fran Mangan’s great mare Auto Cruz who was ridden to so much success by Francis Connors.

Keelin Harty had set 47.10 with Helen Harty’s Wilson, the big-striding grey covering great ground but Thomas found the answer and won well in 44.26 with Nellie.

The last class of the day looked like providing a male whitewash but after an amazingly fast round (36.36), Michael Healy was unlucky to clip the last pole with his Irish Draught mare Welcome Bounce. Denise Hanrahan with her 17.3hh gelding Comeragh Cruise got close to the time, with 36.77, but crucially left everything standing to claim a well-earned victory.

Earlier in the day, the ponies battled it out for more lovely prizes from Horserail.

Caitlin O’Shea and Mr Coco only started show jumping in this league but she took home two Horserail rugs, winning the 50cms and 60cms finals. Ellie McNamara kept up with her mother when winning the league leading rider award with her spotted pony Patricia.

Cara Padden and Charlie had a welcome win in the 70cms final after taking a tumble from her new pony earlier. Amelia Green took second here with Snowman but won two leading awards for the 70cms and 80cms leagues.

Hazel Harte won the 80cms final with a new pony, Now or Never. This time Cara Padden had to settle for second and Ann-Marie Hynes claimed the last rug for the 90cms, on Cassie, being one second quicker than Luke McGovern and Ballyboy Rock n’Roll.