FOLLOWING two competitive rounds in Simmonscourt, combinations in the pony divisions took their places in the Main Arena at Dublin Horse Show last Friday, in a bid to take one of the three North Star Championship titles which were up for grabs.

First up were 14 finalists in the 138cm championships. Of the original starters, a total of five booked their places against the clock.

First up was Cathal McKeon-Devaney, who was riding the very experienced Ruby Brown. The combination started off strongly and took a tight turn to fence three, unfortunately, they proved out of luck when they faulted at the telephone box fence, crossing the line with four faults in a time of 41.78 seconds for fifth place.

Next up was Cliodhna McEvoy and she clearly had a win in mind, as she took to the course with Etoile Des Chesnaies. Taking that turn to fence three and maintaining a strong pace, the pairing crossed the line with a clean sheet in a time of 34.17, which would prove unbeatable, as the only double clear round of the class.

Speaking after the win, Cliodhna’s father, Martin, said: “We are delighted with the win, as so much goes into getting this far. She has only had the pony since Christmas and has been going very well. We told her to just go for it. A special thank you to Abby Morton for all her hard work and dedication.”

Padraig Howley entered the arena at a determined pace aboard Conazar Jayne, unfortunately their hopes of a win were dashed when they faulted at the Karlswood fence, crossing the line with four faults in a time of 37.17 for third place. Next up, Katelyn Horgan and Take Off Van Prinseveld knew what was required, but four faults in a time of 37.89 would only prove good enough for eventual fourth.

All eyes were on last to go Sam Widger and, again, he took a very tight line to fence three - unfortunately this pairing also faulted at the Karlswood fence, but their fast time of 35.18, would see them take second place. Sixth place belonged to Jack Dore and Seefin Breeze, when they were fastest of the four-faulters in the first round in a time of 66.38.

148cm Championship

Next to take on the course were the finalists in the 148cm Championship. As expected, this class came down to the wire and competitors didn’t have to wait long, as the first combination Lily Tunney and Fireman answered all the questions. Following this clear round, a further five joined her in the jump-off.

With the pressure on, Tunney kept her cool and, for the second time in this pressurised competition, she delivered a clear round in a time of 35.90 seconds to take the championship.

Lily Tunney and Fireman, winners of the 148cm Championship at Dublin Horse Show 2024 \ Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net

Next up, Zara Sharkey put in a gallant attempt with Iflex, but, despite leaving all the poles in place, a clear in 36.98 would only prove good enough to claim second place. James Derwin had a win in mind, but his hopes of a championship were lost when Rincoola Babog faulted at the double and crossed the line in a time of 33.59 for fifth place.

Next to take it on, European champion Jack Kent looked up for the challenge with Double Pleasure, but he had to settle for fourth when faulting at the second part of the double in 37.35. Cian McMunn and Esperando Sk slotted into sixth place, when they faulted at the water tray fence, and later at the last, crossing the line in 35.73. Last to go, Cameron Kelly and Rdjw Merclov, kept all the poles in the cups in a time of 39.52 for third place.

128cm Championship

After a long wait, the 128cm Championship hopefuls entered the main arena following the Nations Cup. One of the crowd favourites, riders put on a great performance, with 11 of the 18 competitors booking their place against the clock. Taking the 2024 title was Jack Dore and Woodside Jerry-Lee, when they galloped home clear in 34.84.

Speaking after the class, Jack’s father Carl said: “It was a very exciting class and it went down to the wire. Last year, he was unlucky not to win it, as he had the last fence down. He really deserved the win. The pony is super and has won a lot, so the win in the Main Arena at the Dublin Horse Show was the win they were chasing. I would like to thank Michael Condon who trains Jack.”

Very little separated the next placing, as Kate Hurley and Brookhall Elizabeth also maintained a clean sheet, albeit in a time of 35.08. A clear from Hannah Horan and Neary Perfect in 37.34 saw her take third place. Alice Steele was last of the double clears with Sparkling Miss Leglands in 38.53 for eventual fourth.

Katelyn Horgan put in a very fast time with Million Dollar Baby, clocking 31.98, but with one on the ground, she had to settle for fifth place. Similarly, Michael Barry and Killorglin Boy beat the time, when stopping the clock in 34.25, but this cost him dearly, as he finished on four faults for sixth place.

Age classes

On Thursday, winner of the 138cm six/seven-year-olds was Ted Fagan and Houla Oups Ed’M on a mark of 166.5. Zoe Mellett and Lynncot Lady Eleanora took the runner-up spot on a mark of 164.5. Slotting into third was Elsie Tunney and Tullinaglug Rosheen on a mark of 160.5, while in fourth was Blathnaid Murphy and Orchid’S Serata, who was less than a percentage mark behind on 157.5. Fifth place belonged to Katelyn Horgan and Mystic Du Charooli on a mark of 156.5, while Cathal McKeon-Devaney and Rosie Raine took sixth on a mark of 154.5.

There were joint winners in the 128cm age class, with both Chloe Clarke (Gwennicks Hopestown Flyer) and Isobelle Keating (Sheeaun Lady Misty) both finishing on score of 161. There was very little between them and the next placing, as Ruby Kelly and Trasnagh Sandstorm were awarded 160. Fourth place belonged to Ellie Sheane and Shirsheen Cooley on 158, while in fifth was Nuala Arbuckle and Serge on 155. Completing the top six was Charlotte Foley and Ardville Chystal Clear on 154.5.

On Saturday morning, 23 combinations contested the 148cm six- and seven-year-old championship. Taking the 2024 title was Charlie Flynn and the seven-year-old Montana. Going midway in the 14-way jump-off, they lodged the winning round of clear in 32.02. Owned by Jonathan Flynn and Diane Fletcher, the mare was bred by W.J.M Jansen and is by Irvington Vdl and is out of Denzel V’T Meulenhof (KWPN).

Lauren Adams tried hard to catch Flynn and, despite keeping the poles in place with the seven-year-old Asj Samurai, a clear in 32.31 saw them settling for the reserve title.

Jack Kent and the seven-year-old Riviera were fractions behind, delivering a clear in 32.34 for third. Following a winning performance in the 138cm age class, Ted Fagan put on another great display with the seven-year-old Hachtag Kerbotin, but a clear in 32.94 saw them take fourth place. Hugo Segrave and the six-year-old Barravalley Glory slotted into fifth place, when clear in 33.78, ahead of Lillymai Walsh and the six-year-old, Chapel Hill Chino, clear in 34.97.