RETIRING pony rider Ciaran Nallon was straight off the mark in the first of Sunday morning’s young horse finals at Cavan International last weekend. Riding Judy Murphy’s Javas Keltic Freedom, a son of Pacino out of Celtic Tiger (by Clover Hill), Nallon set an unbeatable time of 34.43 seconds in the nine-horse jump-off.

A total of 36 horses and riders came through the qualifying rounds to line out in the grand finale, which, sponsored by Patricia Foley, carried a prize fund of €1,000.

Second place went to another one by Pacino, Ronan Byrne’s mare Be Aware, who is out of the Cruising-sired Warrenstown Well Aware. Ridden by Kilkenny show jumper Vincent Byrne, they recorded a time of 34.46, just 0.3 seconds behind the leader.

Young event rider Christine O’Donnell was concentrating on pure show jumping last week and she guided Grace O’Donnell’s Diamond Infinity to third place after a brilliant round in 35.44 seconds. Bred by Ruth O’Malley, the mare is by Cassino and out of the Diamond Lad mare Ryehill Diamond.

Fourth place went to Nour Alain who was ridden to a double clear round in 38.29 seconds by Orla Queally. By Numero Uno out of Crown Lady Cruise, and bred by Patrick Keane, she is owned by John Queally.

Francis Connors and Erne Riverrun took fifth place in 43.31. Owned and bred by Connors’ loyal supporter Hugh Fitzpatrick, the gelding is by Antaeus, out of Erne Clover Z (by Aldatus Z).

Filling sixth place were Annaghquinn Lady Jane and Garth Swaile with the final clear in a time of 44.46. By Royale Concorde and out of the Cavalier Royale-sired mare Mocking Bird, she is owned by Ballynakilly Farms and was bred by John Purcell.