THE Eclipse Horse Feed-sponsored five-year-old final class saw 44 finalists put through their paces. Junior riders came out on top again, with Junior European Champion Coen Williams taking the title. Riding Michael Doherty’s Flecha Hero Z, he was the fastest of the 11 double clears in a time of 35.35 seconds. Bred by Luc Henry, the mare is by For Pleasure and out of the Exxon Hedonist-sired dam Estrela Huereka Z.

Michelle Kenny partnered her own Milla Van De Kapel to a clear in 36.39 to take the runner-up spot. This Belgian Warmblood gelding is by Mithras De Roger and is out of the Franco-sired dam, Afi Van De Kapel.

Accounting for third place was Niamh McEvoy aboard the GBBS-owned BSI Candy Man, when they stopped the clock in a time of 37.06. Bred by Michael Buckley, the gelding is by Candy De Nantuel and is out of the Cobra-sired dam, BSI Ellie.

Lucy Gibson, clear with Lady Catoki in a time of 38.50, claimed fourth place. Owned by Charlotte Gibson and bred by Pauline Gibson, the mare is by Catoki and is out of the Ars Vivendi-sired dam, Vendi Luck. This pairing recently took fifth place in the five-year-old championship in the Portmore Autumn Championships.

Little divided the next placing as Linda Moloney and Kylemore Cool Hero stopped the clock in 38.52 for fifth place. Owned and bred by Michael Ormond, the gelding is by Diamant De Semilly and is out of the Cardento-sired dam, MHS Kylemore.

Completing the top six line-up was Deane Rogan and MCG Emerald, when coming home in a time of 38.54. Owned by Declan McGarry and bred by Lucy Buchanan, the gelding is by Emerald Van’t Ruytershof and is out of the Kannan- sired dam, Lachain Kandy.

SJI Amateurs Autumn Series Final

Following qualifiers in each of the regions, the Showjumping Ireland Amateur Autumn Series Final came to an exciting conclusion, with 29 combinations going to post.

The Fitzpatrick family, who have a long association with show jumping and in the amateur circles, had much to celebrate as they claimed two of the top six placings.

Taking the 2023 title was Colm Fitzpatrick [AA] aboard Maretto Flight, when they galloped home with nothing to add in a time of 26.74. From the original starting field, just 12 combinations proceeded to the jump-off and six double clears were delivered.

Tara Brandon [AA] took the runner-up spot when she partnered Gabriel Slattery’s Ice Cream VDT to a clear in 27.83.

Diarmaid Lang [AA] and Globetrotter took third place when they stopped the clock in a time of 28.61, ahead of Johnnie Fitzpatrick [AA] and Saunders Beach Ball Cruise, when they were fractions of a second behind, clocking 28.91.

Sheikh Samir Mirdad [AA] and Mirdads Soooraaat Alrahmaaan slotted into fifth place, when they came home in a time of 29.21.

Fiona Tansey was the sole A category representative in the top six, when she partnered her own Talbots Lass to a clear in 35.98 for sixth place.

Puissance

Saturday night’s jumping came to an exciting close with the Cladem Equi Store Puissance taking centre stage. Sharing the win was Robbie Healy riding KMS Clintland and Brendan Murphy riding Erne Riverrun.