THE feature class of the Ballina Agricultural Show in Co Mayo last Sunday was the 1.10m Jack Dodd Tribute class, sponsored by Mercury Renewables and Cllr Seamus Weir, which saw 51 horses line out to contest the class worth €3,000.

Run as a one round speed, with an optional 1.30m Joker fence, the competition proved to be an exciting one with 48 contenders posting a clear round.

In the end, it was Kelly Taggart and her own McCleans Pacino Royale who took first place. Bred by Sean Nugent, she is by Pacino out of Smirnoff Ice (Cavalier Royale). As sixth last to go, Taggart learned from what she had seen and posted the fastest time of the day 38.62 to take the win.

Sandra Duffy’s King Of Troy (Captain Clover x Diamond Lad) bred by Gerard Gibbons and ridden by Morgan Carty, finished in second; they stopped the clock at 40.43. Claregalway amateur rider Orla Dixon and her own Prada Royale were third in 41.01, while another amateur, Caitlin Duffy riding Jockey Hall Midas Touch (Baloubet du Rouet x Coevers Diamond Boy), was fourth.

Fifth went to Matt Gordan and Carmel Fergus’ Guido (Guidam x Castana). Completing the line-up in sixth place was young rider Michelle Hughes and her own eight-year-old Oliver Nolan-bred Captain Jackson (Fss Correlli Bravo x Imperial Heights).