THE world of Irish equestrianism was quick to herald the win in last Saturday’s Crabbie’s Grand National at Aintree of Gigginstown House Stud’s Rule The World, who was brilliantly ridden to victory by former pony show jumper David Mullins.

Having his first ride in the four and a quarter mile feature, the 19-year-old is a son of Goresbridge trainer Tom Mullins and his wife Helen.

Naturally enough, Helen supplied David with most of his mounts during his show jumping days but he also got good ponies to compete from his aunt, leading international rider Marion Hughes, Hans Jurgen Kuehnle, Marguerite Ryan, Paddy Quinlan and Sharon Fitzpatrick.

Young riders out there may like to know that David didn’t confine himself to one discipline but was also very fond of hunting, was an active member of the Warrington Branch of the Irish Pony Club (competing in show jumping and one-day events) and also represented St Kieran’s College, Kilkenny in inter-schools’ show jumping and hunter trials.

“If it was a sport involving riding, I did it!” said David, who went on to complete a double on Saturday in the final race of the three-day meeting on Ivan Grozny, trained by his uncle Willie Mullins. Fourth in Saturday’s National was Gilgamboa, trained by Enda Bolger for J.P. McManus.

The eight-year-old Westerner gelding was ridden by a former winner of the race in Robbie Power, who still show jumps on occasion, famously returning to England in June 2013 to land the Speed Derby at Hickstead on Doonaveeragh O One.

A place further back came the Johnny Burke-partnered Goonyella, who is schooled in his flatwork by event rider Nicola Ennis.

Owned by Alan and Ann Potts and trained by Jim Dreaper, this nine-year-old Presenting gelding was bred in Co Down by veterinary surgeon Callie Berry, who is often on duty at Northern Region events, and her daughter Susie, who is competing at the Belton Park International horse trials in Lincolnshire this weekend.

Trainer Evan Williams’s pre-race interview wouldn’t have inspired much confidence in his runner Buywise who has his own way of negotiating fences. However, under the excellent horsemanship of Co Tipperary-born stable jockey Paul Moloney, another former show jumper, the nine-year-old Tikkanen gelding jumped out of his skin to place 12th of the 16 finishers.

Buywise is out of Greenogue Princess, who was owned by Anne Stack and her brother Martin Murray, husband of Horse Sport Ireland’s eventing high performance committee member Janet, who actually foaled the mare.

“When Buywise came out, the first thing I noticed was the white snip on his nose and I followed that throughout the race!” commented Janet.

“He took to the fences well and hopefully will improve on that run next year.”