THE competition in the Amateur ranks was of its normal high standard, which resulted in hard fought national classes throughout the season. Along with standalone classes for amateur riders, the leagues were also hard fought. Here are a few of the highlights of 2023.
The first real test for riders, without a shadow of a doubt, has to be the RDS qualifiers. The first qualifier took place in Kernan’s Equestrian Centre, with 145 combinations going to post, these numbers continued at each of the qualifiers, and, to be in with a chance, you needed to deliver three clear rounds, with the jump-off proving very competitive.
Riders then travelled to Duffy’s Equestrian in Galway in a bid to claim one of the Amateur titles.
After two days of competition, SJI Amateur Chairwoman Aideen Kirby was crowned AA Champion, while Stephanie Forde was crowned A Champion.
Overall Champions - Stephanie Forde and Merlins Vixen (A) and Aideen Kirby and Derg Masterpiece (AA) at the National Amateur Championships at Duffy's Equestrian Centre \ Ballynagran Photography
Dublin Horse Show Championship
This championship is always one of my favourites, as the class always comes down to the wire and the atmosphere in the pocket is always electric.
After being crowned AA National Amateur Champion, Aideen Kirby claimed another title at the Dublin Horse Show, as she won the coveted Dublin Horse Show Championship aboard her own home-bred Derg Masterpiece. A 13-year-old mare by Lancelot and out of the Clover Hill-sired dam, Show Piece, the mare has been ridden by Kirby through the ranks with much success.
A total of 12 combinations battled it out that evening in the main arena under lights. Out of those 12, there were three A category riders, who jumped over a slightly lower course. First to go against the clock in an eight-way jump-off, Leonie Dunne set off strongly with Cavalino 26, but four faults in 40.93 saw her slot into eventual fourth.
A category rider, Lorraine MacGuinness took on the course with Horseware Kinmar Night, but she too came home with four faults, albeit in a slower time of 43.32 for sixth place on this occasion.
First of the AA riders to take it on was Lisa Patterson and Little Miss Shutterfly, but four faults at the first part of the double and crossing the line in 42.92 saw her take fifth place.
With no double clears being delivered at this point, all eyes were on Aideen Kirby as she took it on with Derg Masterpiece. There were anxious moments as they rattled fence two, but a calm approach saw her deliver the first double clear in 45.47.
Derg Masterpiece and Aideen Kirby, winners of the Amateur National Championship at The Dublin Horse Show 2023 \ Jane Emilly Potter jumpinaction.net
Speed merchant against the clock, Martin Flesk let the handbrake off aboard Killuppaun Magic, but four faults at the oxer in a time of 39.84 saw him finish fastest of the four-faulters and put him in third place.
Last to go, Catriona Cody opted for the safer approach with Shanroe Socialite, and it paid off, as she came home clear in 51.61 to take the reserve title behind Kirby.
Amatueur league
The Orchard Equestrian/NAPS National Amateur league 2023 concluded after 34 legs had been held around the country. The league, which has been co-sponsored by Orchard Equestrian for two years, proved popular with riders around the country.
Taking the title, and with it a €1,000 voucher, rug and Orchard Equestrian Jacket was AA rider Tara Brandon aboard Ice Cream VDT, after they accumulated 68 points.
Connaught League Leading Lady Tara Brandon being congratulated by Karen Broderick of Beyond Beauty \ Ballynagran Photography
Claiming the runner-up spot with her own Bernadette Lady H was A category rider Kerrie Anderson. Anderson, who was the long-time leader of the league, missed out on valuable show time due to an appendix operation, but 55 points was enough to stay ahead of her closest rival Colm Fitzpatrick and Mareto’s Flight. A superb win in the final leg in Cavan for young rider Colm Fitzpatrick moved him up to third place overall on 49 points. Little divided the next league placing, as sponsor Derrick Burke (AA) and Tyreda Chip accumulated 43 points for fourth after a series of good results. National Amateur and RDS Champion Aideen Kirby (AA) was also in the running, taking fifth place in the league with her own Derg Masterpiece on 32 points. Aoileann Nic An Iomaire (A) and Ursus finished on 31 points and, as a result, took sixth place.
Amateur Leinster League Final
Winner of the Amateur Leinster League Final was Marie Hartley [AA] and the very consistent Scarthill Vendi, when they delivered the fastest of the clears in a nine-way jump-off in 31.93. Hartley’s closest rival Laura O’ Connor came home almost six seconds slower (38.39) aboard her own DS Little Missy. Fractions behind O’Connor was Caroline Ryan and Primo Pandora, clear in 38.64 for third place. Hartley also took home fourth place with Nikita Van Het Heidenhof, when she was fastest of the four-faulters in a time of 32.79. Accounting for fifth place was Rachel Shaw and Leestone Vitaire, when they had one on the ground in a time of 35.88.
Completing the line-up was Sarah Connolly [AA] and her own MP Cosmina, four faults in 37.85.
Amateur A Farmers Journal Final
Following a nail-biting final, it was Lorraine MacGuinness and Horseware Kinmar Night, who took the coveted Amateur A Farmers Journal Final. MacGuinness, who is experienced against the clock, partnered the 14-year-old mare to a clear in a time of 34.54. The pair went into the final on a strong note, having claimed the 1.10m Classic at Barnadown the week prior, seeing off the challenge of over 100 combinations.
Lorraine MacGuinness and Horseware Kinmar Night, winner of the Amateur A Farmers Journal Final at Mullingar \ Rolf Stenberg jumpinaction.net
SJI Amateurs Autumn Series Final
Following qualifiers in each of the regions, the Show jumping Ireland Amateur Autumn Series finale came to an exciting conclusion with 29 combinations going to post. The Fitzpatrick family, who has a long association with show jumping and in the amateur circles, had much to celebrate as they claimed two of the top six placings.
Taking the 2023 title was Colm Fitzpatrick [AA] aboard Maretto Flight, when they galloped home clear in 26.74. From the original starting field, just 12 combinations proceeded to the jump-off and six double clears were delivered. Tara Brandon [AA] took the runner-up spot, when she partnered Gabriel Slattery’s Ice Cream VDT to a clear in 27.83. Diarmaid Lang [AA] and Globetrotter took third place, when they stopped the clock in a time of 28.61, ahead of Johnnie Fitzpatrick [AA] and Saunders Beach Ball Cruise, when they were fractions of a second behind, clocking 28.91. Sheikh Samir Mirdad [AA] and Mirdads Soooraaat Alrahmaaan slotted into fifth place, when they came home in a time of 29.21. Fiona Tansey was the sole A category representative in the top six, when she partnered her own Talbots Lass to a clear in 35.98 for sixth.
Colm Fitzpatrick and Maretto Flight, winner of the AA Section Schockemohle Indoor Derby at Cavan \ Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net
90cm Sports Member All-Ireland Final
The 90cm Sports Member All-Ireland Final, which boasted a prize fund of €1,800 took place in Mullingar at the SJI Summer Series Final. Taking the win was Laura Carrick, who was riding her own My Foxy Lass, as they put in a faultless round in 41.55. Pauline Burke came closest to catching the winner aboard her own Danagher, when she came home clear in 42.13. Ellie Ward put in a very fast round with Ardnaglass Lizzy, clocking 37.06,but it came at a price as she had one down and had to settle for third place. On four faults, but in a slower time of 37.64, was Vickie Collins and the Interpreter for eventual fourth place.
Stephanie Reid and Garryduff Hero crossed the line with eight faults in 39.40 for fifth place.
Completing the top six was Conrad McGuiness aboard his own Coolrock Dark Angel, when he also had two on the ground in a time of 52.30.
Laura Carrick and My Foxy Lass, winners of the 90cm Sports Member All Ireland Final \ Rolf Stenberg jumpinaction.net
Schockemohle Indoor Derby, Cavan
Another highlight in the Amateur calendar is the Schockemohle Indoor Derby, which takes place in Cavan Two-Day Amateur Show. Again it’s a firm favourite with riders and spectators that line the arena to watch the action. This year, the Schockemohle Indoor Derby saw 89 riders battle it out. Winner of the A section was Joanna Hyland, when she delivered a double clear with Queen Lu in a time of 28.65. Jessie O’Flynn Hall was almost a second slower with MMS Loreal, in a time of 29.40. Patricia Woods kept all the poles in place with Crissaun Just Joey in 32.38 for third place, ahead of Leah Mahony and Moygannon April Diamond in 33.52 for eventual fourth.
Joanna Hyland and Queen Lu, winners of the A Section Schockemohle Indoor Derby at Cavan \ Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net
Accounting for fifth place was Aimee McKenna and Aimee’s Diamond, clear in 34.10, ahead of Alan McCormick and Millridge Porthos, who delivered the last of the double clears in this section in a time of 35.51. Taking the win in the AA section was Colm Fitzpatrick and Maretto Flight when they were the fastest of 12 double clears in the section in a time of 26.60.
Louise Craig and Cherry Wine were fractions behind in a time of 26.72 to take second place. Alexandra Bailey and Callie LVS Z’s clear in 27.39 saw them take third, ahead of Ben Keane and Jericho, in 27.78. Fifth place belonged to Darragh McMahon and Shalamar Cassino, in 28.90, while in sixth was Tara Brandon and Oilean Dunlop, in 28.97.