LIMERICK’s Robyn Moran is certainly proving to be a dominant force on the national circuit and she claimed all three of the Munster League titles last Sunday at the final held at Banteer Gymkhana. The Limerick rider finished runner-up in the TRM Showjumpers Club Spring Tour was also crowned young rider champion in August.
It was neck and neck in the Connolly’s Red Mills 1.35m Grand Prix League, with Rhys Williams and Cowboy Balou holding the lead going into the final on 24 points. Robyn Moran followed closely behind with Cushlas Friday on 21 points, while Brendan Murphy was also in contention, having clocked up 20 points with RHS Bule.
In fourth place on the leaderboard was Richard Hourigan on Killoan Cobra Care on 14 points. With the points so close it would all come down to the final round, however a third-place finish for Moran and Cushlas Friday was enough for her to take the title.
The final round proved to be nail-biting to the end, and it was Andrew Hodgins and Sandra who claimed victory when fastest of four double clears in 39.67. Seamus Hennessy took the runner-up place with King Louis, when they clocked 42.30, ahead of Moran and Cushlas Fryday in 43.25. Last of the double clears was Richard Hourigan with Killaloan Cobra Carel, in 49.16.
Fastest of the four-faulters and slotting into fifth were Tadhg Beecher and Loughnatousa Castlefield in 40.20, ahead of his brother Paul Beecher and Danqu, who also had one on the ground, in 41.01.
In the Sweet Oak Farm 1.20m league, it was all still to play for going into the final round. Top of the leader board on 43 points was Gerard Curtain with Walking in Paris, while Moran was in second place with European Cruise on 42 points. Once again it was Moran who came out on top as she took the final round win when clear in 26.08.
Timmy Doyle slotted into second with Hi Dude when clear in 26.46, ahead of Tadhg Beecher and Loughnatousa Castlefield in 27.23. Sean Dooley accounted for fourth place with Indie Girl, clear in 27.36, ahead of Ciara Fives and Loughnatousa Brennan, clear in 27.37. Amateur rider Aine O’Gorman was back in the ribbons, taking fifth place with Rincoola Tintean, clear in 28.11.
There was no disputing the Horseware 1.10m league as Moran went into the final on 40 points with the super consistent European Cruise, having secured four wins over the course of the league. Her closest rival was Emma O’ Connor on Quality Diamond on 18 points.
In the final round, Moran added another victory to her record when she partnered European Cruise to a clear in 30.97. Not content with the win, she also took sixth place with Miss Stella, when clear in 37.28. Ciara Fives took the runner-up spot with Loughnatousa Brennan, when clear in 33.05, ahead of Sarah Dinan and DRS Analemma in 33.18.
A clear in 33.97 with Cruise For Life saw Amateur rider Gerard Curtin slot into fourth, while in fifth were Aine O’Gorman and Rincoola Tintean in 36.55.