DESPITE plenty of jumping to be had at home, Irish chef d’equipe John McNamara travelled a buoyant contingent of ponies and riders to South View Equestrian Centre, Cheshire, for the final home pony fixture of 2017.

Team competitions were again hotly contested with the host nation England gaining three wins.

However, Ireland were not to be denied in the 138cm section, where Caragh Charlton, Leah Stack, Alice Power and Francis Derwin (Jnr) secured the gold medals.

With England and Ireland going into the second round ‘honours even’ on a zero score, it proved game-on, but the Irish team held their nerve.

After Charlton (Woodfield Super Star) opened with four faults, Leah Stack (Amber Leaf) and Alice Power (Bear Me In Mind) produced copy-book clears.

Meanwhile, England fell behind as three of their riders lowered a rail apiece.

As Ireland had opened up an unassailable lead, anchor-man Francis Derwin, riding Ruby Brown, did not have to jump again.

“By the end of the first round, this looked a tough section to win, but all credit to the riders, they did what had to be done,” said John McNamara.

England got off to a flying start in the 128cm section. Chef d’equipe Eleni Murphy fielded a strong team and her quartet of Eloise Squibb (Wyndham Tom Thumb), Aimee Jones (Koda), Olivia Banks (Reamington Steal) and Rachel Proudley (Painted Lady) finished on a final score of four-faults to win.

Ireland’s James Derwin (Ballyknock Master Road), Lauren Murphy (Taggarts Express), Ellen Power (Pie In The Sky) and Kian Dore (Miss Giggles) finished on a zero score in the first round, but added 16 faults in the second round to take the silver medals.

England and Scotland battled it out for top honours in the 148cm event, while Ireland’s Jodie Shorthall (Wee Spot), Katie Power (Knockroe Little Mike), Sean Foley (Tynagh Lady) and Francis Derwin (Jnr) (Master Stevie G) secured bronze.

England gained a third win in the Rising Stars team event, where the Irish team of Taylor Sweeney (Barnaby Bouncer), Katie Power (Carrigeen Moores), Alex Finney (Dirraw Caleb) and Francis Derwin (Kilrooskey Boy) took another third place.

FOLEY VICTORY

With two rings going full bore over five days, there were plenty of classes and championships for every level of pony and rider.

Sean Foley conjured a cracking final round from the relatively inexperienced six-year-old Quick Sirette to win the South View Future Stars (novice) championship.

With 26 contesting the jump-off, it proved a case of risk and reward and the Cork rider steered every inside line imaginable and topped that off with a daring long run to the final planks.

“We have always thought a lot of this pony and he’s jumped a lot of double clears in Ireland; but we decided to have a real go today and I am amazed he had the speed and ability to win a class of this calibre so soon,” said Foley.

Ellen Power and Pie In The Sky V challenged hard from fourth last drawn in the 128cm Grand Prix jump-off, but they had to settle for second place, behind Britain’s Eloise Squibb, after producing one of only three triple clears.

Claudia Moore topped the 138cm Grand Prix riding the much-admired Irish-bred pony Tullineaskey Fear Das, who finished ahead of Madison Heath (Sonas Barney) and Ireland’s Rosin O’Sullivan riding Triplicate.

After taking the pony show jumper of the year title at Horse of the Year Show, Scottish rider Shaunie Greig and Casino Royale VIII (Casino) rubber stamped their winning form at South View, the pair heading the final 148cm Grand Prix.

“Casino loves to be dared, so with plenty of open distances and turns, we really had a go and everything worked out,” Greig said.