THE extra hour in bed last Saturday night gave those taking part in the Equestrian World of Maynooth 128cm 1m Grand Prix an extra spring in their step early on Sunday morning.

Thirty combinations came forward with 13 making it into the deciding round over the James Tarrant-designed course. In the end, Chloe Hughes-Kennedy delivered the fastest of the four clear rounds in the jump-off (33.46 seconds) with the Clare Hughes-owned Touch of Magic.

Separated by over five seconds, Katie Nallon (Jimm) took second place (38.65) aboard Sandra Nallon’s Jimm, while Calum Harte rode Christine Harte’s Tantassig Mist into a third place finish (41.73) and also secured the bonus prize money offered by Horse Sport Ireland to the highest-placed studbook registered pony.

Clare’s Lily O’Dea (Newhaven Nikita) accounted for fourth place, while a fifth-place finish for Ellen Power with Sasha contributed to her points earned during the week and ultimately saw her receive the leading Girl Rider title at the end of the show.

Amongst the riders visiting Millstreet last weekend, the Owners’ Charity Show committee were delighted to welcome three young riders from Australia who lit up the show. Part of the Duffy Sport Horses contingent, Zenniah Albonetti, La’Moza Velisha and Harley McNaughton are thoroughly enjoying their time in Ireland and hope to take in a few more shows before they head back to warmer climes.

La’Moza came into the Tailored Equestrian 138cm 1.10m Grand Prix with two wins under her belt and looked set to add a third when she produced one of the four clear opening rounds of the class. However, it wasn’t to be as a rail down saw her take second place in the final standings with the Duffy Sport Horses-owned King Ka Ching.

Double-handed in the jump-off, Kilkenny’s Robin Carey produced the only double clear of the competition to take the win with Kieran Carey’s seven-year-old mare Bay Times, having won the Grand Prix qualifier the previous afternoon. Two rails down saw him take fourth with the Ballywalter Farms-owned Chocolate Sauce, just behind Sarah Fitzgerald (Strandfield Ruby). Carey’s two victories saw him leap ahead in the final rankings; taking the Leading Boy Rider title at the conclusion of the show.

Thirty-five combinations contested the O’Brien’s Saddlery 148cm 1.20m Grand Prix with 10 advancing to the jump-off. Second to go in the deciding round, Molly Ryan set a target of a clear round in a time of 29.53 with Fiona Deegan’s eight-year-old mare HHS Chillax. Another of the riders departing from the pony competition ranks at the end of the year, Ryan’s time remained unbeaten; earning her the victory and seeing the final of the three pony Grand Prix trophies heading back to Kilkenny.

Riding for Liam Clancy, Ella Clancy put in a great performance but had to settle for second place when stopping the clock at 29.95 with Fernando, while Niamh McEvoy completed the top three with Fireman (30.12 seconds); just ahead of the last of the double clear performances from Orla Duffy with Sunny Jr (32.01).

James Connors Smyth (KEC Sofia) and Seamus Hughes Kennedy (Keatingstown Hunky Dory) were both up on the clock but took uncharacteristic falls at the turn-back to the penultimate fence on the jump-off course.

The pony competition action in the Indoor Arena came to a thrilling conclusion with the U10 Grand Final. Ten combinations had qualified earlier in the day for the class which was sponsored by Holland Homes Durrow and Alanna Fagan made the journey from Mullingar worthwhile when taking the top two places with Mill Field Duke (21.99) and Derravaragh Blue Stone (22.35). Gemma Buckley (Hollycreek Oran Splendour) was the only other rider to deliver a double clear and took third place.

As the 2018 show started to draw to a close, the spotlight turned to the Young Rider Grand Prix action.

Supported by the Duggan family, the 1.30m Young Rider Grand Prix was relocated to the International Outdoor Arena; familiar hunting ground for Ciaran Nallon who proved the eventual winner with Richard Nallon’s Bally Fair Deal (63.94). A winner at the CSI1* Welcome Tour in April, the combination had taken third place in the 1.25m Table A class during Millstreet International Horse Show last August.

Riding for Duffy Sport Horses, Cork’s Lucy Shanahan battled her way into a second place finish with Omane Des Faux (64.67), while fellow Duffy Sport Horses rider Kathy Wilding took third with Fennells Bay (65.21).

As daylight faded, the action returned to the Indoor Arena where those spectators remaining were rewarded with a thrilling 14-strong jump-off in the 1.20m Young Rider Grand Prix. Having placed third in the Young Rider Derby on Saturday afternoon, all eyes were on Meadhbh Mealiff (Plamas). Second to jump in the deciding round with the Jim Bolger-owned eight-year-old Cavalier Royale gelding, Mealiff made her way around the jump-off course faultlessly in a time of 32.12.

Sven Hadley (Vvood Stock de Breve) and Chloe Fagan (Caricello) came close to threatening Mealiff’s lead but the Offaly rider was left tasting victory until the final round when Cian Harrison and Mr. Big Cash secured the winner’s cheque when shaving almost a second off the target time; breaking the beam at 31.22.

A rail down in the deciding round with Emma (BWB) kept Mark Finnerty out of Grand Prix contention but cumulative points across the show, including a win in the 1.30m Grand Prix qualifier on Saturday night ultimately delivered a tie with Ciaran Nallon for the Leading Young Rider trophy which was presented on the night by founding member of the Owners’ Charity Show, Keith Griffin.