AS the main contenders arrived at Kernan Equestrian Centre for the final of the Wilson’s Auction League, top class jumping was assured.

The 1.35m Grand Prix, sponsored by Racking and Shelving, had a prize fund of £4,000 and it was the talented young rider Katie McEntee on Samantha Dale’s Roundthorn Hercules who took the win, ahead of Aoife Owens. Indeed, Owens’ good performance on her own Omard Connery propelled her to second place in the league and £1,000.

However, the 1.35m series was dominated by Nicole Kershaw on the Keonan Stables-owned Clovalent, by Valent, who was bred by Mary McCann at Hartwell Stud in Co Kildare. Two wins and two seconds in the series ensured Kershaw took home the £3,000 first prize. Kershaw finished third in the final round aboard Keonan Stables’ eight-year-old Fury.

Michael Cave, chair of the Ulster Region horse committee, noted: “This year’s league was a great success and, with some £8,000 on offer here today, the jumping was very competitive. We are grateful to James Kernan for hosting the final and to Wilson’s Auction for their generous support. In addition to the £8,000 prize fund today, Wilson’s Auctions, in association with the Ulster Region of SJI, provided over £8,000 in league prizes and further additional young rider prizes at each leg.”

Kershaw also dominated the 1.20m series, this time with Lisa Rosbotham’s Novellent and it was this combination who came out on top in the final, taking the lion’s share of the £1,000 prize fund on offer in addition to the £800 league winner’s purse. Tyrone Flanagan took second and third place in the final with Coloo Colin and Trevra Indoctro Cruise.

In the newly formed Sports Members category, first place overall went to Lesley Coey on Alfie II, ahead of Ellie Ward on Beau and Carmel Conroy on Killarn PG.

After a competitive class in the ‘A’ section of the Amatuers, first place went to Danielle Logan on Demero; Egla Zakaraite took second on Talbot Swiss ahead of Naoimhe Laverty and Ballyknock Izzy in third place. The ‘AA’ Amateur section was just as competitive with Fiona Thompson, riding O’Harabrook, taking first place. Second went to Caroline Gaston on Miss Roman Kora and third to Niamh McFall on Bay of Biscay.

The 90cm class saw the longtime leader Lesley Coey and Alfie II take another win, followed closey by Ellie Ward and Beau. Sarah McClean and her new partner, Lisnawhiggle Happiness placed third.

The 1m league, competitive as always, saw Fiona Thompson and O’Harabrook score another win. Danielle Logan and Demero were close in second, ahead of Zakaraite and Talbot Swiss.

In the 1.10m class, the usual large number attended and, Thompson came out on top. Sarah Kinnear on Elf Queen was awarded second place, with Vicki Moffett and Calgot Cruise picking up third.