ON Sunday, Simmonscourt was abuzz with excitement, as 34 riders competed in the Young Riders 1.10-1.15m National Championship class. The competition was intense, with each rider in the jump-off pushing the limits, shaving precious seconds off the target time, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats.

Retaining his title for the second year was Michael McGrath and Abbey Lagans. Fifth to go against the clock in the 12-way jump-off, the pair set the winning time of 32.85 seconds. McGrath didn’t hang about and he made up the time from fence four and then right-handed to the double. The decision to take the inside line to the penultimate oxer was what was needed to take the win. This was the second win for the combination, having also won the qualifier the day before. The six-year-old mare was bred by Richard Hurley and is by Lagans OBOS Quality and is out of the Coevers Diamond Boy-sired dam, Slievedodley Lady.

Speaking afterwards, Michael’s father Roger said: “We are absolutely delighted with the win. She is a very special mare. We told him to just go for it and thankfully it paid off, as he took all the tight lines. It was a very fast class and there was no other option but to go for it.”

Siobhan Doyle had gone just before McGrath and she had set the mark high aboard Dante DV, when she was the first rider to take the inside line to the penultimate oxer. However, her time of 32.90 was only good enough for the second place. Second last to go, Laura Hales took a series of tight lines with the big striding Killycloghan Knight Time and a clear in 35.66 saw them take third place.

The pressure was on last to go, Katie Duignan on Aboy Duggie, but a longer line to the penultimate fence saw them finish in 35.72 for eventual fourth. Gary Dooley and Killard Be Mine took fifth place in 35.87, ahead of Edward Feeney and Miss Jones in a time of 36.48 for sixth.