Katy Saunders

CAVAN Equestrian Centre hosted the first of this year’s Home Pony International competitions last weekend, July 9th-12th, where Marinus Vos joined Stuart Clarke, Alistair Megahey and Alan Lynch on the course designing team for the show.

Whilst the weather ranged from sunshine to clouds and drizzle, the conditions in the main grass arena were superb and, as always, Vos utilised the undulating ground to maximum effect.

Unfortunately due to a decline in the number of overseas visitors it was decided to turn the 138cms and 148cms team events into regional teams as there were not enough competitors from any of the other countries. In the under-10 and 128cms team categories, there were three teams battling it out as England and Scotland were able to field teams for this.

Another change in the format saw the 148cms team event start proceedings, where the four regions were very well represented with chef d’equipes appointed to each. Leinster was represented by Michael Condon, Munster by Adrian Williams, Connaught by Johnathan Reape and Ulster by Alo McEntee, creating a healthy rivalry between the team leaders. After the first round Leinster and Connaught were equal on four faults apiece, with Ulster on eight, Munster on 12 and the mixed visiting team on 20.

By the second round, a jump-off was required to separate Leinster and Connaught. Cora Sharkey and The Galway Blazer were nominated for Connaught and Kate Derwin with Vales Blue Melody was appointed the Leinster representative. Sharkey produced a very fast clear in 47.62 seconds only to be beaten by Derwin as she steered her pony home clear in 42.31 to rapturous applause.

A mystery benefactor had put up a prize for the leading team leader. At this stage Condon held pole position, having secured the first gold medal of the day with his Leinster team. Jason Foley was double-clear with Lyncott Fancy Pants and Kate Derwin and Vales Blue Melody produced a treble-clear. Sean Monaghan and Springhill Rebellious (4/0) and Kayleigh Soden riding Boolagh Gypsy Boy (8/0) completed the team score.

The 138cms team event saw all four regions remain on a zero score after the first round, where unfortunately the visiting international team were eliminated.

With the fences raised for the second round, the picture changed and only Ulster and Leinster remained on zero forcing yet another jump-off. Charlotte Houston and Woodfield Superstar were the Ulster nominees, whilst Leinster was represented once again by Kate Derwin, this time on Sligo Lux To Queeney.

Derwin was first to go and set the target at clear in 44.17. Houston gave it all she had and was marginally ahead on time until a turn didn’t materialise and she picked up four faults, leaving Leinster the gold medal winners for the second time and Condon as clear team leader.

The Leinster team was made up of Jason Foley who was double-clear with Kiltormer Hero, Kate Derwin jumping three clear rounds with Sligo Lux To Queeney, Harry Allen with Fountain Ranger (0/4) and Leah Stack with Amber Leaf who also jumped two clear rounds.

UNDER-10 GOLD

The under-10 contest saw a three-way battle between Ireland, England and Scotland, with the first two of these lying equal on four faults after the first round with Scotland on eight.

Scotland picked up another four faults to finish in second on 12 faults, as England and Ireland remained equal on four faults creating the need for a jump-off.

The English nominated Emily Wright on Billy Two Rivers, one of the many Irish exports competing at the show, but this combination picked up four faults. Irish representative Leo Dunne on Parc Popper carried the weight of the team on his very young shoulders - knowing that a clear round would secure the victory. This pair rode an incredibly mature round and left everything standing. Spectators launched into wild celebrations as Ireland won its first gold medal of the season.

The Irish team consisted of Kian Dore PARC Pixie (el/0), John M Kirrane with Billibob (0/0), Leo Dunne who jumped a triple clear with Parc Popper and Olivia Shanahan and Baronagh Boy (4/0).

In the 128cms division, the Irish quartet of Rhys Williams (Parc Lolita), Katie Power (Remington Steal), Darragh Sharkey (Lisboy Black Magic) and John McEntee with Star Spangled Banner rode like true professionals. They all completed on a zero score over the two rounds, securing a second gold medal for the home nation with England picking up silver on four faults and Scotland bronze on eight.

On Sunday the action returned to the main grass arena for the four Grand Prix classes, where eight-year-old Kian Dore and Parc Pixie +clinched the first title of the day by storming home in the under-10 Grand Prix ahead of Katie McEntee on Supersonic.

A hugely entertaining 128cms Grand Prix had 12 combinations into the jump off. Erin Crawford and Drumcaghey Jacko were first to go and set what proved an unbeatable target of clear in 34.66 seconds. Closest to this was Ashley Dunne riding Wingland Heloise, finishing on a zero score in 35.58, with third place going to Max Foley on Sparkel, also clear in 38.20.

In the 138cms category, the riders were competing for the Brian Taggart Memorial trophy and, with seven through to the jump-off, this proved to be a very hot class.

Harry Allen was first to go on Scarletts Billy The Kid, finishing clear in 36.94.

Third to go, Ciara Nallon riding Buttons Two took over the lead in 34.45 before Allen came back on his second ride Fountain Ranger, eventually finishing third in 34.83.

Second last to go, Jason Foley on Bear Me In Mind, snatched victory when clear in 33.51. Foley was presented with the winning rug, a sash courtesy of Ballywalter Farms, sponsors of all the Grand Prix classes, a rosette and the coveted Brian Taggart Memorial Trophy in memory of a great supporter of show jumping.

Concluding the action, the 148cms Kerry Turkington Memorial Grand Prix saw eight combinations completing Marinus Vos’s first round track on a zero score.

Only two of these remained on zero after the jump-off with Ciaran Nallon coming out with the fastest time when bringing Prince Of Ladytown home in 47.52 seconds, ahead of Patrick Hickey and New Forge Lady (49.61).

Third place went to Kate Derwin and Springhill Annora in a competition that woudd have pleased the late Kerry Turkington, a great supporter of pony show jumping.