THERE was little time for rest for pony riders as they had a full packed schedule of classes at Millstreet. Following a host of qualifiers during the week, riders contested the Young Championships of Ireland Grand Prix events.

Last Sunday, the winner of the 128 70cm Under 8 Years of Age Grand Prix Final was James Cleary and JK007, clear in 22.87 seconds. Following closely behind and slotting into second was Lucinda Heffron and Ballykett Highlander, in 25.84. Zara Sharkey and Lisboy Black Magic, also delivered a clear in 28.04 for third, ahead of Ted Fagan and Woodpark Raphael in 30.43.

Slotting into fifth were Stephen Kelly and Ballyskeagh Pixi in 30.96, while sixth place belonged to Eoin Carr and Trigger Vanglorious, clear in 31.68.

Balmoral winners Alanna Fagan and Little Bob were back on the podium as they took the win in the under 10 Grand Prix. The pair delivered a calculated round when they took the win with less than a half a second to spare in 36.83.

Fagan was chased home by Robyn McOwan and Cocky Rocky in 37.10, ahead of Juliette McIntosh and Twin Cam, in 37.54. Claiming fourth place was Harry Rush and Major Blue, in 38.18, while fifth place belonged to Charlie Weldon and Castle Ellis Tina, clear in 38.26. Completing the top six line-up were India Heffron and Miss Susie, clear in 39.03.

No stranger to success, Kian Dore took the win in the 128 1.00m Young Champion of Ireland Grand Prix Final aboard Boom Box. The combination was fastest of five double clears, in 32 seconds. Reserve champion in Dublin Horse Show, Jack Conlon Gateau took another reserve placing when he partnered Uquam D’Emery to a clear in 32.40.

Placed fourth in the championship in Dublin, Kian Dore and Dooneens Electric went one better when claiming third place, after delivering a clear in 32.58. Ellen Power and Kiltormer Ruby took fourth, when clocking 32.67, ahead of Jamie Clarke and Snow Patrol, in 38.67. Daniel Kerins put in a blistering round with Little Miss Big Time, clocking 29.90, but a pole on the ground saw him take fifth. Calum Davern and Ballyvalley Liberty also had a pole on the ground, but in the slower time of 34.09, for sixth.

DERWIN VICTORY

Team member at the recent European Championships, Francis Derwin maintained his good show of form when he took the win in the 138cm 1.10m Young Champion of Ireland Grand Prix Final. Riding Ruby Brown, the Athlone native lodged a clear in 31.88. In total 24 finalists went to post and from those, five delivered double clears. Second placed belonged to Cormac Taggart and Mr Dougherty, clear in 33.97. Dublin Horse Show champions Alice Power and Bear Me In Mind were back in the line-up, this time taking third when clear in 34.52. Max Foley, who also took a championship win in Dublin, took fourth when he clocked 35.52 with Mayfly Green Peter. Stephen Gibbons was last of the double clears with the Hilly Billy in 36.05 for fifth. John Martin Kirrane and Night Lady proved fastest of the four-faulters in 33.65 for sixth.

Francis Derwin was certainly on form as he claimed another Championship. Riding Rincoola Babog, he was fastest of four double clears in 35.88 seconds in the 148 1.20m Young Champion of Ireland Grand Prix.

Winner of the young pony championship in Dublin, Robyn Moran experience showed as she opted for a safer approach with Dote Mate and it paid off as she lodged a clear in 39.66 for second.

Erin Crawford and Sparkling Castlewarren Gold’s clear in 39.76 ensured her third. Aisling McGuinness and Our Trendy Vivendi clear round in 42.05 secured her eventual fourth. Robyn Moran was back in the ribbons when she was fastest of the four-faulters in 37.25 for fifth. James Connors Smyth was also unlucky to have a pole on the ground with Kec Sofia in 39.73, for sixth.

Winner of the 148cm 1.10m Grand Prix Final was Maebh Hassett, clear with G.V Fred in 33.59. Just fractions behind was Ella Clancy and Fernando in 33.75 for second, ahead of Tom O’Shea and Cullintra Golden Daylight in 34.95 for third.

Fourth place in the line-up was filled by Seamus Hughes Kennedy and Fleur J & F in 40.01. Yiayan Evans proved that the time could be beaten when he clocked 32.35 with Ewald, but four faults meant that he had to be content with fifth. Also carrying four faults, in a slower time of 33.53, were Ciaran Foley and Crown Jewel, who finished sixth.

PONY DISCOVERY FINAL

The winner of the Pony discovery final (four/five division) was Joanne Sloane Allen’s WKD Aris Boy mount, ridden by Jennifer Torrens, the five-year-old gelding achieved the highest score of 97 points.

Taking the runner-up spot was Bossinova, who was under the command of Coen Williams and finished on a score of 90. In third place was the charge of Rachel Carey, Urlanmore JJ, who finished on a score of 88.