CONNOLLY'S RED MILLS NATIONAL SJ CHAMPIONSHIP MULLINGAR

BENBULBEN Riding Club won two of the three derby competitions on offer at the Connolly’s Red Mills National Show Jumping Championships at Mullingar Equestrian Centre last Sunday.

Rebekah Tansey picked up the Sligo clubs first win of the day in the advanced intermediate derby where 31 riders took on Michael Keaveney’s 16-fence track in the international grass arena.

The Ballymote resident was second into the ring and recorded one of only four clear rounds in the competition on her five-year-old chestnut mare, Riverfield Pacino in a time of 103.47 seconds.

Tansey’s clubmate Breda Perrin finished next best on Erronagh Sky but was almost four seconds off the pace as the Boyle resident took home the blue ribbon in a time of 107.08.

Corrib’s Colm Kelly (Sparkling Diamond) and Lakelands Joanne Cole (Sonnet)) recorded the only remaining clear rounds in the competition in third and fourth respectively.

The Sligo clubs second derby win came in the intermediate division where Avril Burke proved unbeatable on Rookery Sparkle, a 22-year-old grey mare.

The Collooney resident, who stopped the clock on 89.45, was fastest of nine clear rounds from 38 starters in the competition. Her nearest rival, Sarah Jane Flanagan put in a valiant effort on Merrywell Splash of Clover but was over five seconds off the winning time on 94.56 for Cheval.

Kieran Cahill ran out the victor in the open and advanced open derby where only two riders completed the 16-fence track with a clean sheet. The Thomastown and District member crossed the line in a time of 101.94, giving him a considerable winning margin over Brian Cassidy who stopped the clock on 126.38 on Looks Easy.

Lakelands riders enjoyed success in the accumulator classes for the advanced primary and primary riders.

Just four of the 19 starters in the advanced primary division crossed the line with all fences intact where Emma Reynolds claimed the red rosette on Shalamar Jlo after the Lakelands rider finished closest to the optimum time.

Reynolds was just 7.65 seconds off the target which gave her over two seconds of a winning margin over Benbulben’s Katherine O’Brien on Oscar (IPSA) who was 10.13 seconds off the target.

Clare Turner won the primary division where the Lakelands rider was closest to the optimum time on Lus Na Meala Ruby Tuesday. Turner was just 4.81 seconds off the target of the five riders who accumulated maximum points. Michelle Kelly followed closely behind in second place on Donatello Dreamer for Castle Carraig.