RIDERS competing in the National Classes in Balmoral got an early morning call last Wednesday as they took to the arena to contest the young horse classes.
First up was the Bluefrog five-year-old championship, with 20 going to post. Following a very competitive class, seven proceeded to the jump-off and from those, two double clears were delivered. Taking the win was Tom Hearne and Wiedum, clear in 55.82 seconds. Owned by Joanna Curran, the KWPN gelding is by Warrant out of the Indoctro-sired dam Vicole.
Hearne said: “It was great to win here in such a competitive class. I was fifth to go and at that point there was no double clears, so I didn’t take any chances and kept it as tight as possible.
"I bought Wiedum as a yearling in Belgium and have produced him slowly. I sold a half share to James and Joanna Curran. He is a big horse and I felt it was important to take him slowly. He is a horse that we think a lot of and we think will have a bright future.”
The second double clear came courtesy of Stacey Watling and Omard Sansa, who stopped the clock in 59.58. Shane McCloskey proved that the time could be beaten aboard Drumrankin Ceasar in 49.54, but with four faults finsihed third.
Similarly, Tadhg Mulligan and Katrina’s Boy beat the time (51.33) but they also incurred four faults, for eventual fourth. Ausra Valuckyte and Janco V were last of the four faults in 51.79, for fifth. Jonathan Creswell clocked the fastest time of the day 46.06 with Lincourt Quality, but finished with eight faults.
Pony riders
On Saturday, 24 pony riders in the under 10’s 128cm battled it out for the £1,000 on offer in the Millar McCall Wylie 128cm 85cm championship.
Following a very exciting class, Elizabeth McCracken took victory. Riding Sweet Lily, she was fastest of the six double clears in 34.88. Calculated riding from Helen Walsh aboard Little Orchard Melody, saw her deliver a clear in 39.26 for second.
Little separated the next placing, as Cian McMunn and Moon Flower galloped home in 39.99, ahead of Johan Fitzpatrick Burns and Tynan Petal in 40.93. Cheered home by supporters, Caitlin Kelly and Bright Bling were fifth in 41.42 while last of the double clears was delivered by Lily Tunney and Crindle Bee Too in 42.93 for eventual sixth.
Northern riders dominated the Botanica International Amateur Championships filling the top six places. Six of the 25 starters proceeded to the jump-off, where five delivered double clears.
AA rider Niccola Hall and the Womanizer-sired Ladykiller rode to victory in 38.88. Donegal's Ruairi Holmes took the runner-up place with Figaro IV, in 38.95.
Third place was filled by Fermanagh's Fergus McGirr and Urban Cowboy, clear in 39.72. Fractions behind was Donegal rider Jennifer Leaper with Ardragh Cordubh, clear in 40.24, ahead of Karen Lynch and LCC Casey’s Cruise. Derry-based Fiona Thompson completed the top six line-up with Curolea Roni.