PONY riders got their opportunity to shine on the big stage when the 148cm Masters Final was held in the main Aloga Arena in the middle of the day on Bank Holiday Monday in Mullingar.

No stranger to the limelight, James Derwin came out on top aboard the impressively-bred Rincoola Babog, the double European gold medal-winning 13-year-old stallion by Luidam out of Rincoola Abu, by Cruising.

He was bred by the late Harold McGahern and his dam was ridden at Grand Prix level for the Army Equitation School by Captain Gerry Flynn.

James guided Rincoola Babog to a double clear round, stopping the jump-off clock at 34.42 for the win.

Second place went to Sam Widger riding Sandra Duffy/Ireland Horse Sport and Leisure Ltd’s Little Smithe, when they broke the beams in 35.40.

Stuart and Victoria Clarke’s son Jamie rode Knockeen Racing Ltd’s eight-year-old Connemara Belmont Blonde (Coill Rua Champ x Corrib Prince) into third in 37.32.

Conrad Sweeney and Paddy Sweeney’s Deluca Reape (Boswell Mr HeartBreaker x Artic Grey) took fourth.

Fifth went to Jamie Clarke and his second mount, Sandra Duffy’s MVS Carvelle (Carmena Z x Casco), while Mullingar’s own Alanna Fagan completed the line up in sixth, with David Staunton’s eight-year-old Ballyfore Rosie.