IT certainly has been a busy time for pony riders, with major championships in Dublin and Millstreet, but their summer season came to a close as Mullingar Equestrian played host to the TRI Equestrian National Pony Championships last week. Following four tough days of competition, championship titles were awarded.

Juliette McIntosh and Twin Cam were crowned the under 10 National Champion while Senan Reape and Mickeybo were crowned the 128cm National Champions. Claiming the 138cm National Championship title was Oliver Doherty with Springhill Copper Beach, while Niamh McEvoy and Fireman were crowned the 148cm National Champions.

Gateau Stables Young Pony Series

A popular series, competitors in the 128 six/seven-year-old Gateau Stables Young Pony Series were well up the challenge with 12 delivering double clears. Taking the red rosette was Lauren Adams with Brandon Reepicheep, clear in 28.25. Cian Dore was on form taking three places in the line-up, he delivered his best result with Lackaghmore Katie, in 29.70 for second. He also took fifth with Sparkling Ruby May when clocking 31.54 and sixth with Parkling Miss Leglands, fractions behind in 31.67. Slotting into third was Brid Ryan and Biddys Spot The Star, in 29.74. Taking fourth was Jamie Clarke and Lackaghmore Barbie, clear in 30.28.

In the 128cm four/five-year-old division, the win belonged to Noah Sinnott Murphy and BBS Silver Engima when they were awarded a score of 69.25. Michael Hannon and Midnight Raintook second place on a score of 67, while Rian Cummins and Cill Na Mona Snowball took third on a score of 63.

In the 138cm six and seven-year-old division, victory in the class went to Tyrone as Cara McFadden delivered the fastest of the six double clears in 30.60 aboard Cullagh Dawn. Again, it was a very competitive class with Daisy McNamara and Mayfield Celebration crossing the line in 31.06 for second. Little separated the next placing as Jenny Dunlop and Cornhill Snowy clocked 32.39 for third.

Winner of the 138cm four/five-year-olds was Lauren Murphy with Gurteen Marilyn on a score of 71.25. Daisy McNamara and Battlestown Tim finished on a score of 68 points for second. Little stood between the next two placings as Aoife Wafer and Lynard Nansi were awarded 67.75 points.

The 148cm six/seven-year-old final went down to the wire, with little separating the top six placings. Claiming victory was Roscommon’s Alannah Perrin when she delivered the winning clear in 26.09 aboard Lough Key Camouflage. There was nothing between the placings as Alex Finney and Corradion Du Bary crossed the line 26.10 for second. Max Foley also kept the poles in place with The Beast From the East in 27.57 for third.

In the 148 four/five-year-old division, the clear winner was Jess Widger and she went on to dominate this section, taking the win on Whitethornfoxglove when she was awarded a score of 76.25. She also took third with Grantstown Coat of Many Colours when finishing on a score of 70.25. Separating Widger’s placings were Seamus Hennessy and Ballynoe Lurgan Diamond in second with a score of 70.75. Widger also took fourth place with Grantstown True Loves, on 70 points.

Coolmore Stud Pony Premier

Last Saturday, the day began with the Coolmore Stud Pony Premier and first into the ring were the under 10s. Claiming victory were Juliette McIntosh and Twin Cam, clear in 36.23. Opting for the safer route paid off for Ruben Foley as he also delivered a clear with Flying Star in 38.35. Accounting for third was Saoirse O’Neil with Millfield Papoose, clear in 38.98.

The 128cm division saw a home win for the Fagan family as Alanna Fagan and Kiltormer Ruby galloped home in 37.91. Alanna has had a great few weeks with a series of top results in Dublin and Millstreet. Paddy Reape, who was in the ribbons multiple times earlier in the week, added to his tally when taking the runner-up spot with Heartbreaker, clear in 42.30. Charlotte McCracken also added to her tally when she delivered a clear with Uquam d’Emery PFS, in a time of 46.26 for third.

In the 138cm division, just four double clears were delivered and fastest of those was Matthew Conlon on Glenford Clausa in 42.73. Little stood between the next two placings as Coen Williams and Sligo Lux to Queeney crossed the line in 43.25, ahead of Brian Egan and Rebel Gealach in 43.45.

In the 148cm section, the competition was intense as three double clears were delivered from a nine-way jump-off. Coming out on top was Max Foley and Valma DE Fougnard in a blistering time of 36.18. Taking the runner-up spot was Niamh McEvoy and Fireman, clear in 38.25, while in third were Caragh Charlton and Kosmo Van Orchid’s clear in 51.66.

Kavanagh’s Home Derby

Winner of the 148cm Home Derby was Kerry’s Jack Geaney on Revel Diamond, clear in 87.50. Niall Doherty added to his record sheet when taking the runner-up spot with Henrietta Star, clear in 90.26, while in third were Erin Crawford and Foyfins’s Lady Muck, who were clear in 91.65.

In the 138cm section, just two double clears were delivered and faster of those was by Sorcha Gore and Banner Caramba in 104.77. Gore was chased home by Padraig Keogh and Midnight Sky who clocked 106.67. Matthew Sheehan proved that the time could be beaten when clocking 82.62 but a pole on the floor saw them take third.

Leading the victory lap in the 128 under 10s 85cm was Ella Rush and Wee Honey in 97.98 while taking the runner-up spot was Billy Filan and Carlton Ellgo, in 100.35. Saoirse O’Neill was back in the ribbons, taking third with Millfield Papoose after clocking 104.18.

Later in the day, the 128cm 90cm riders went to post and five combinations delivered clears. Claiming victory was Kate Lynch aboard Coppenagh With No Fear in 86.79. RDS champion Isobel Sheehan took the runner-up spot when stopping the clock in 86.88 with Magneto Cobra, while in third were Anna Sheehan and Pineview Bo, in 87.93.

National Pony League Final

Victory in the 128cm 90cm belonged to Alex Sheehan and Tyrrellspass Ruby when they remained within the 30-second barrier in 29.93. Caitlin Kelly and Bright Bling were over two seconds behind in 32.16, while slotting into third were Tomás Barry and Mabaroan Splash Mountain in 33.36.

In the 138cm 90cm National Pony League, in the Michael Morrissey Horse Trucks-sponsored Final, the standard was extremely high, with the top six coming home within the 40-second mark. Lucy McCann and Gortmore Julie took the red rosette in 37.37. Accounting for second were Rachel McGrath and Murloghdale Dark Moon, in 38.09. There was nothing between the next placing as Calum McVeigh and Knockagaron Fear Bui Falcon clocked 38.13.

In the 148cm 1m, Rachel McGrath and Aherlow Boy led the victory lap, clear in 28.91. Claiming the runner-up spot was Alana Rose Steele on Westide Mirah Jack, clear in 29.48, ahead of Natasha Foley and Dudes Law, in 30.01.

The 148 six/seven Mullingar H&P Sales Starfinder saw a win for Waterford’s Vivien Leslie and Oriental Princess, clear in 41.99.

Placed third in the earlier Derby, Erin Crawford returned to take the runner-up place with Charlton Supreme, while in third was Conor McLaughlin on Luitta, clear in 45.94. Earlier at the show, Anna Moloney and Little Tayto led the victory lap in the Walter Reape Newcomers League.