A BIG crowd gathered to see the thrilling Kingsland Puissance at Cavan International Show as seven hopefuls took on the challenge of the big wall.

Those lining out were Michael Whyte (Amaretto), Alan O’Regan (Velvet Blackjack), Shane Goggins (Defi Bigtime), Capt. Geoff Curran (Bishops Quarter), Robbie Healy (KMS Clintland), Daniel McAlinden (Charpristi) and Wesley Ryan (Larthago).

Among the seasoned competitors, Daniel McAlinden, Shane Goggins and Robbie Healy were taking on the wall for the first time.

However, Healy’s mount, KMS Clintland, is no stranger to success having finished second in the Land Rover Puissance class in Dublin this year, ridden by Nano Healy. Wesley Ryan has tasted success in this class before having won it at Cavan two years ago. Both Capt. Geoff Curran and Michael Whyte had finished seventh in the Land Rover Puissance in Dublin this year.

Standing tall

Starting at 1.70m, the combinations met no problems with all clearing the wall with ease first time around. The wall went up to 1.80m and again all seven cleared it.

In the second jump-off, with the wall standing at 1.90m, Michael Whyte and Amaretto were first to go but faulted at it. Shane Goggins and Defi Bigtime were also ruled out of contention when faulting at the triple bar, although they cleared the wall.

In the fourth round, the wall was raised to two metres and at this point only Anthony O’Regan and Robbie Healy cleared it.

With the two riders opting to take on the next round, it was raised to 2.10m. First to go, O’Regan put in a gallant attempt but Velvet Blackjack hit the left-hand side of the wall.

With the pressure on, 17-year-old Healy didn’t seem fazed and carefully placed KMS Clintland to the wall and cleared it easily to take the win, leaving O’Regan in second. Third place was shared by Capt. Geoff Curran, Wesley Ryan and Daniel McAlinden.