THE final Grand Prix classes took centre stage at Cavan’s three-day December show last Sunday.

Kicking off the action was the 128cm 1m Grand Prix which saw 38 combinations battle it out. Claiming victory was Ellie Sheane with Cooley Farm’s Newhaven Nikita, when they were fastest of the eight double clears. Eimhin Kellett put in a great attempt with BT Drumlerry and their time of 29.94 was good enough to take second.

Jack Dore and Woodside Jerry-Lee were back in the ribbons, taking third when they clocked 30.15, while in fourth was Lucia Keane and Bossinova, crossing the line in 33.03. Caoimhe Murphy was only a fraction of a second behind with The Nutcracker (33.10) for fifth, while Blathnaid Murphy and Kiltormer Ruby stopped the clock in 33.11 for sixth place.

Winner of the 138-1.10m Grand Prix was Lauren Adams and D Drim’ De Brixia, when they were one of only two double clears in a time of 32.96. The second clear came courtesy of Edie Codd and Tempest Glenville in a time of 33.56. Cian McMunn had no problem beating the time with Pride of Greagh, but four faults in 31.45 meant that he slotted into third place.

Isolde Jane Tivy and Knocknahorgan Velvet also put in a very fast round in 32.15, but with four faults had to settle for fourth. Nicole Brennan and Shenandoah Sadie also had an unlucky four faults in a time of 32.87 for fifth, while sixth place was filled by Brian Sheehan and Bay Times after he recorded four faults in 32.99.

Exciting finale

The 148cm 1.20m Grand Prix saw 56 combinations go to post and, following a very exciting class, it was Mullingar’s Alanna Fagan who landed victory. Riding Kilkillahara Beauty, she was fastest of eight double clears in a time of 30.05.

Finishing off her pony career, Lauren Murphy was only fractions of a second behind Carnhill Misty in 31.16 for second place. Fagan returned to take third place with Glor Tire Cruise, when clocking 32.35. Lily O’Dea, also a retiring rider, and KFS Budweiser put in a gallant attempt and stopped the clock in 32.60 for eventual fourth.

Abbie Oakey and Boutade STE Hermelle was just over a second behind in 33.70 for fifth, while in sixth was Anna White with Red Star Optimus (33.85).

Winner of the 138cm 90cm was Luke Sweeney when he partnered Rogild’s Artrax to a clear in 19.81. Isolde Jane Tivy took the win in the 138cm 1m when she partnered Knocknahorgan Velvet to a clear in 27.44. Sam Widger topped off a great weekend as he took the win in the 128cm 90cm with Creevelea Fire Fox when he came home with nothing to add in 24.49.