THE Meadows in Lurgan was the chosen venue for the first leg of the Ballinroe Horse Transport-sponsored Pony Premier Series, the Boomerang.ie Starfinder, Mullingar Young Pony Series and the Bob Sweeney Future Champions competitions, with something for everyone.

After the Spring Tour Series, the Premier Series is a step up to some bigger jumping for the summer and the podium presentations, sashes and rugs for the winners were once again a highlight of the day.

Action kicked off in the main arena with the COH and Juniors category. Robbie Sheehan and Ahare Olympic Flemmencio continued on from their successful Spring Tour campaign when taking the win, just 0.07 of a second ahead of Isabelle O’Conaola with Earl Greys Last Cruise, who was close behind in second place, with Helen Walsh and Limited Edition in third.

The Under 10 Premier class saw an increase in height for 2024, back to the pre-Covid 90cm. It was the feisty Tynan Tuttle Pip and Caitie McEvoy, who took the win on home turf, with Lily Russell taking after her father, jockey Davey Russell, with a speedy round on Coppenagh With No Fear. Khloe McLaughlin picked up third with Goldie Locks II.

It was a proud day for sponsors, Patrick and Susan Keane from Ballinroe Horse Transport, when daughter, Lucia, took the honours in the 128 1.05m Premier class. After coming into the jump-off double-handed, Lucia made good on her advantage with Bossinova, being last to go. In their second year supporting the series, Susan was delighted afterwards: “We feel it is very important going forward that the Premier Series remains strong. We were delighted to present the winning rosette to our daughter Lucia after a brilliant jump-off.” Jack Dore and Woodside Jerry-Lee picked up second, with the consistent Million Dollar Baby and Katelyn Horgan just 0.07 of a second behind in third.

Girl power

The 138 1.15m Premier class saw girl power putting an end to the early season dominance of Charlie Flynn, when Ella Rush and Shadow Dash put in a blistering round to take the win with Cliodhna McEvoy and Etiole Des Chesnaies in second, making it happy hunting for the McEvoy family. Charlie Flynn, meanwhile, rounded out the podium in third with Knud van Orchid’s.

There were just three first round clears in the 148 1.30m, where once again it was a strong performance from the Ulster Region athletes, as Zara-Jane Kelly and the nimble Romabout took the win, with Charlotte McCracken and Cwmello Champagne Charlie in second and Jamie Clarke with Belmont Blonde in third.

The Starfinder Six/Seven-year-old class was once again sponsored by Sinead Maher from Boomerang.ie and the Boomerang winners’ rugs are highly sought after among pony riders. The class saw eight combinations through to the jump-off, of which, all came from the seven-year-old section. Alice Moloney made it another win for the girls, when finishing on the top of the podium with Ralph Van De Achterhoek. Olivia Kinsella and Woodstock Queen finished second, with Ryan Horgan and Wrenwood Kingsley finishing in third. There was also a rug for the highest placed six-year-old pony, Grainmór Princess and Evanne Coyle.

Meanwhile in Arena Two, The Bob Sweeney Equine Ltd Future Champion was in full swing and well supported throughout the day. Eunan Kelly took the top honours in the 138 1.10m with Lurganmore LIttle Rocket, making it a successful day for the Kelly family. Harry Kelly and Paris won the 128 85cm U10 class, with Alice Steele and Zulus Dream winning the 128 1m. Finally, Jack Cash and Giorgio Armani won the 148 1.20m.