Emer Bermingham

IT was a busy weekend for Showjumping Ireland as the Amateur Outdoor Championships took place in Maryville EC, Co Cork, where Andrew Byrne was crowned the 2015 National Amateur Champion.

Action kicked-off with the Gain Horse Feed Power and Speed last Saturday. Run as a two-phase, a total of 31 combinations battled it out. Taking the honours was Sara Gorman and Take A Gamble, clear in 31.82 seconds. Hilda Keane was fractions behind with Krafty Jack in 31.94.

It has been a good year for Joanna Penfold and she partnered King Cruise to third in 32.37. Little separated the next two as John Cullinan and Katzenjammer galloped home in 32.86, ahead of Byrne and Hunters Lodge Puissance in 32.87. Lorna Conroy and Lisbryan completed the top six line-up in 33.12.

Runner-up in the first class, AA rider Hilda Keane led the victory lap in the TRI Amateur Mini Grand Prix. Riding Ronan Tynan’s Krafty Jack, she lodged the fastest round of the jump-off in 28.09. Newly crowned RDS champions Sarah Kate O’Donovan and Valenthina kept all the poles up and their time of 30.39 secured the runner-up slot.

Val Joy and Craobh Oir stayed within the 30-second mark in 30.74 for third. Denis O’Riordan set off with Donoughmore Derry and crossed the line in 31.45 for fourth. Offaly rider Catherine Egan put in a foot-perfect performance with Dotty Blue in 31.84 for fifth, ahead of Byrne and Hunters Lodge Puissance in 32.66 for sixth.

Aileen McDermott led the victory lap in the Equine Warehouse Amateur Derby. Riding Kilcor Amber, she recorded the winning time of 27.08 and also won the O’Brien’s Table C class with Kilcor Amber.

Second place went to Michelle Griffin and Hillviews Rough Diamond in 30.46. Penfold was back in the ribbons, taking third with King Cruise, clear in 31.11. Stephanie Scullion and Tease Me Tiger took fourth, clear in 31.87, while Byrne and Starling picked up another rosette when clocking 35.64 for fifth. Gerald Penfold also took sixth with Playtime Cruise, clear in 39.10.

Lorna Conroy emerged victorious in the Masters Class with the only clear on Lisbryan Ranger in 50.78. Timothy Murphy and Mar Staton were fastest of the four-faulters in 42.26, followed by Marita Byrne and Don Brook in 47.11.

The Irish Farmers Journal final went down to the wire, Marie Crosse and St Helene delivered the only clear round in 33.90 to win. Val Joy (Craobh Oir) were over a second behind in 34.74.