IT is only right to begin this year’s amateur review by honouring the memory of two remarkable figures in the amateur community, Paddy Mullen and Peter Dargan, who both passed away late in the year. Their absence will be deeply felt among their fellow amateurs.

Paddy Mullen was deeply devoted to the sport of show jumping, and many credit him with transforming the landscape of amateur show jumping in Ireland. He advanced the sport in innovative ways, while allowing riders of all levels to take part. Paddy had a genuine love for the camaraderie among amateurs and was famously known as the last to leave any gathering, always savouring the lively atmosphere he helped create.

Peter Dargan was the heart and soul of the Ballivor Show for many years and a distinguished competitor on the amateur circuit. Peter Dargan booked his place to the Dublin Horse Show in 2023 with his own Ballivor Man. In 2022, the combination won the amateur Farmers Journal league. Only back in the saddle for a short time, Peter and Ballivor Man returned with true determination and excellent form that year, winning the RDS Amateur qualifier in the round at Tipperary.

At the Dublin Horse Show, they missed out on a place in the final, when they had four faults in both qualifiers. Prior to the qualifier, they claimed two wins in Mullingar International and a win the week before in the Orchard Equestrian/NAPS Amateur in Edgeworthstown. Peter loved competing and his determination to get back in the saddle was admired by all around him, including me.

RDS qualifiers

The first big test for amateur riders each year is the Dublin Horse Show qualifiers, which begin in May. In total, there are 32 places for the taking and each round is just as competitive as another - there is no easy way to win your place. In the opening round at Tipperary, 131 went to post and 26 progressed into the jump-off, where 11 triple clears were delivered.

The top eight riders came home within 35 seconds, demonstrating just how competitive these qualifiers were going to be. In the opening round, AA rider Kyle McLaughlin and his horse Fernanda 22 claimed the first qualifying ticket. In the second round in Killossery, Val Ward (A) and her seasoned 22-year-old gelding, Venture, clinched the first ticket with a blistering time and the fastest of 13 double clears.

At the penultimate round in Kernan’s, claiming the first ticket was AA category rider Colm Fitzpatrick aboard Maretto Flight. The last qualifier in Galway Equestrian was nail-biting, as the last remaining places were filled. At this round, 11 triple clears were delivered and taking the win was Niamh Quinn and Clonguish Vivaro.

Dublin Horse Show

For the first time, the Amateur Championship took centre stage at Simmonscourt, where 12 qualified combinations competed head-to-head for the coveted title on Saturday evening. While many riders dream of competing in the main arena at the Dublin Horse Show, the atmosphere in Simmonscourt was nothing short of electric.

In total, nine booked their place against the clock and, of those, eight delivered double clears. The mix of riders was five A category riders and four AA category riders. Taking the win was AA rider, Colm Fitzpatrick and Maretto Flight. The combination was highly tipped after a strong performance on the first day, which saw them secure their place in the final.

Winner of the earlier class that day, Caitlin Duffy, rose to the challenge as she took to the course with Jockeyhall Midas Touch, however, despite a gallant attempt she had to be content with the reserve title. Caroline Gaston and Miss Roman Kora secured third place, ahead of first to go, Megan Nelson and Fancy Trend. Fifth place was filled by Ashley O’Sullivan with Dowdstown, while in sixth was Leonie Dunne with Cavalino 26.

Colm Fitzpatrick and Maretto Flight, winners of the Amateur National Championship at the Dublin Horse Show 2024 \ Jane Emilly Potter jumpinaction.net

Farmers Journal

One of the most coveted titles of the year in the amateur ranks is without a doubt The Farmers Journal final. In a hotly contested class in Mullingar in September, 29 (A) category riders battled it out and, with the pressure on, just eight of those proceeded to the second round.

Taking the win was Karen Boylan, when she galloped home aboard Pinegrove Aro with nothing to add in 37.20. Shauna Furlong put in a gallant attempt with her own Clogrennane Diva, coming home clear in 38.57. Little separated the next placing, as Mary Flynn partnered her own seven-year-old, Balrowan Clover, to a clear in 38.67 for third place. Egle Zakaraite and Talbot Siss put in a gallant attempt, but a clear in 39.37 saw them take fourth place.

Fastest of the four-faulters in 38.06 and slotting into fifth place was Vanessa Sweeney and Woodbank Clover. Ashleigh Mooney also had one on the floor with her own Jelo, but in a slower time of 40.36 for sixth place.

Amateur Leinster League Final

Gemma Drennan dominated the Amateur Leinster League final at Mullingar in September, as she took first and second place in the competitive class.

She claimed the class with Cool Finesse and second place with Cavachino, claiming the overall title was Lisa Doyle.

National Championships

Amateur riders travelled to Maryville the last weekend of August to contest the SJI-sponsored National Amateur Championships, which not only saw National titles up for grabs, but also a prize pot of €8,500 over the two days.

With points being allocated over three competitions, Lorraine Younge secured the AA National title with Little Miss Russell. Competing for the first time at the Nationals, Aoife Fitzpatrick’s consistent results over the weekend gave her the A Amateur Championship.

The Welcome Stakes then took centre stage. Clare rider Vicky Collins took the win in this class with her seasoned veteran Interpreter and then went on to claim the win on the second day. As a result, the pairing secured the overall National Sports Member title for the second year in a row.

The Amateur Power and Speed was a hotly contested class. Kilkenny rider Aoife Fitzpatrick has produced her horse My Buddy since he was a four-year-old. Their teamwork paid off, as they delivered a super-speedy double clear in a time of 31.02 to take the win in the A section.

No stranger to winning at the top level of amateurs is Lorraine Young, who started the weekend well by winning the AA section with Little Miss Russell, when clear in 29.82.

The Sports Members’ Derby course over 15 fences was an exciting competition, with less than half a second separating the top three against the clock.

The Keane sisters were on form, with Louise narrowly beating her sister Sarah, followed closely by Pauline Burke and Danagher, who had to be content with third place. Waterford rider Gary Flynn took the win in the Amateur Derby with his gelding Bahrain Prince, when they were fastest of six double clears.

The one-round speed class was hotly contested, with 13 riders going clear and fast. Jessie O’Flynn Hall threw caution to the wind with a daring run to the last fence aboard MMS Loreal and clocked the winning time of 60.02 in the A section. Caroline Ryan and her Lancelot-sired gelding Killersk Conor took the honours in the AA section, when clear in 61.31.

The final class of the weekend was the Grand Prix. Part of the National Amateur Orchard Equestrian / NAPS League, Kerrie Anderson had been vying for top spot in this League all summer. Her long journey from Dublin was worthwhile, when she steered Bernadette Lady K to the win over a twisting track, when clear in 30.45.

Amateur Championships Cavan

Cavan Equestrian played host to the very popular amateur championship and, similar to previous years, this event was well-supported. Cavan truly went above and beyond, delivering top-tier competition, alongside excellent evening entertainment.

The 90cm Welcome Stakes started the proceedings, with 48 combinations battling it out. Claiming victory was sports member Ellie Ward aboard Ardnaglass Lizzy. Winner of the AA Cladem Equi Table C Speed, which was the final of the Orchard NAPS league, was Lisa Doyle.

Riding Corland’s Clipper, she came home clear in 50.47. Doyle was chased home by Hannah Houlihan and Fantastico C. Taking the win was Sophie McKeen and the seven-year-old Pinecroft Kamiro. After a competitive season, it was Kerrie Anderson and Bernadette Lady H that claimed the league, while in second was Stephanie Forde. Third in the league was Nathan Kenny and Lachain Princess.

Winner of the A Section of the Schockemohle Indoor Derby was junior rider Sophie McKeen and Pinecroft Kamiro. In the AA section, it was another win for junior riders, as Nicole Fox and Bluestones Ludo took the win, when fastest of eight double clears in 29.05. It was an extremely close class, with the top four riders coming home within 30 seconds.

On Sunday, sports member Hannah McCrory took the win in the 90cm Welcome Stakes. Riding Killedmond Silver. Leading the victory lap in the SJI (A section) two-phase challenge was Danielle Logan and Demero. In the AA section, it was Karen Broderick and Earl Greys Last Cruise.

The Veredus Grand Prix saw 53 combinations battle it out, between A and AA riders. Claiming the win in the A section was Jessie O’Flynn Hall and MMS Loreal, when they were fastest of just two double clears. The second clear came courtesy of Fiona Tansey and Talbots Lass. In the AA section, of the 22 that went to post, eight delivered double clears. Taking the win was Louise Craig and Cherry Wine.