Emer Bermingham

NATIONS Cup day was a very busy one for pony riders as the 138cms riders were the first into the main arena to contest the TRI Equestrian Pony Championships. Course designer Tom Holden’s course for the 14 qualified combinations included a double at six, a water tray at eight and a treble at 10.

Spectators didn’t have to wait long for the first double clear as fourth to go, Amy Reape and Youghal Paddy, answered all the questions. John McEntee (Hubba Bubba) and Robyn Moran (Western Oreo) booked their place in the jump-off with Reape.

First to go with in the jump-off with Youghal Paddy, Reape failed to repeat her earlier performance when they faulted at the fence eight, but a fast time of 40.58 put the pressure on those following behind.

Next in, John McEntee and Hubba Bubba, who were second in the previous day’s qualifier, were hoping to move up but their attempt to demote Reape hit a stumbling block when they faulted at the first. Later, problems at fence eight meant that the combination had to settle for third place.

All eyes were then on Robyn Moran and Oreo, who were last to go. They were well up on time, but a mistake at fence nine saw them take a wrong line and knock the last oxer, putting them into second and leaving Reape in top spot.

Taking fourth place in the championship, having faulted early in the first round, was Lucy Shanahan riding Creative Dancer. The young rider also took fifth place overall with Pidget, having faulted in the first round, while Ruari Clarke and Mulvin Rollover also had an unlucky four faults in the first round to take sixth place.

148cms championship

The 148cms riders faced a technical course but six of the 14 starters booked their place in the jump-off. First to go, Jason Foley and Casino Royale, delivered the first clear, but they proved out of luck in the jump-off when faulting at the first.

The Carlow pair stopped the clock in 39.10 to take fourth place overall.

Winner of the previous day’s qualifier, Sean Monaghan had his eye on the ball with Orchid’s Vienna. Monaghan wasted no time, taking a series of tight lines, but it was the inside line to the last that saw him clock the winning time of 37.40.

Next in, Cora Sharkey incurred four faults at the double with Who’s Arco in 46.40, which would later see her slot into sixth place. Jodie Giles and Flintstone B picked up the pace towards the end of the course, but four faults at the penultimate fence in a time of 44.20 saw her finish just ahead of Sharkey in the line-up.

All eyes were then on Harry Allen, riding Aughnashammer, who was second last to go. Allen set off at a calculated pace and picked up the speed towards the end, crossing the line in 40.01 and temporarily taking second place.

Last to go, Jason Foley returned with More Clover and, although he opted for a series of tight turns, his clear round in 38.30 was not quite fast enough to beat Monaghan. However, he did succeed in pushing Allen down to third place.

Speaking afterwards, Sean’s mother Mary Monaghan said: “We are delighted with the win here today. Sean was asked by the O’Donnell family to ride the pony in April and they have hit it off. He adores the pony and they have clocked-up some very impressive results in a short time. He was going for it as she is an amazing pony against the clock.”