IT seems that summer has yet to arrive for farmers, holidaymakers and equestrians alike, but thankfully the sun decided to make a rare and welcome appearance for the second leg of the Ballinroe Horse Transport Pony Premier Series and the Boomerang.ie Starfinder at Cavan Equestrian Centre last weekend.
With Gueorgui Gueorguiev and Stuart Clarke building in the beautiful new outdoor arena, the courses were challenging and up to height throughout the day. Action kicked off at a lively 8.30am, with the COH/JU Premier class.
Isabelle Ó Conaola and Earl Greys Last Cruise managed to put a halt to Robbie Sheehan’s early season dominance, when she knocked him into second place with Ahare Olympic Flemmencio. Juliana Duffy and Castlefield Blue rounded out the top three.
From the biggest to the smallest, the second class played host to the 128 U10 90cm Premier, where 19 combinations progressed to the second round making for a competitive jump-off. Daniel McKeon Devaney and Pillheath Camellia came out on top, with Lily McBride and Poynstown Little Albert Einstein in second, closely followed by Jack Rush and Dromore Hill Boy in third.
The 128 1.05m Premier saw Chloe Clarke make good use of her home advantage when taking the win with seasoned campaigner Kilcreene Apollo, who has partnered many a young jockey to pick up the winner’s rosette. Lucia Keane and Bossinova picked up second place, much to the delight of parents and sponsors, Susan and Patrick Keane, while Chloe Clarke was in the ribbons once again with Uquam d’Emery PFS in third.
The 138 1.15m Premier saw Charlie Flynn continue on from his early season dominance with the wonderful Knud Van Orchid’s, when taking the win from Cliodhna McEvoy, who gave him a run for his money on board Etoile Des Chesnaies. Harvey Oscar Foley, still an under 10 rider, finished third with Mayfly Green Peter.
Flynn double
Charlie Flynn managed to do the double in the 148 1.30m Premier on board HK Zena with a blistering round, where he took his chances to take the win. Fresh back from a successful trip to Zuidwolde with his horses, Cian McMunn showed that he can still mix it with the ponies, when he finished second with Dulk Du Thym and also picked up fourth with Esperando SK.
Lauren Adams put in a strong performance to finish third with the only seven-year-old in the class, ASJ Samurai, a pony that has been produced by the Adams family from a three-year-old.
The indoor arena played host to the hugely popular Boomerang.ie Starfinder six/seven-year-old class, where 49 combinations battled it out for the coveted winner’s rug and sash. Hugo Segrave and Barravalley Glory took the win, with Charlie Flynn once again in the ribbons with JDF Montana and Alice Moloney on MHS Colorado in third.
Bob Sweeney Future Champions classes were also held indoors and Charlie Flynn showed that he was having an excellent day when winning the 138 1m with Grand Crème Peccau, while Ruben Foley and Bearna Rua Jenny won the 148 equivalent. Lauren Woods and Last Resort won the 128 85cm U10 and Chloe Clarke with Gwennicks Hopestown Flyer picked up her second win of the day in the 128 90cm.