COEN Williams won his first National Grand Prix at the Charleville Agricultural show in Co Cork last Sunday. Riding a new addition to his string in Cranberry 14, the 16-year-old rider saw off all his senior rivals to secure the top spot and the lion’s share of the €4,000 prize fund.

Williams, who is still riding ponies, has enjoyed great success in that division of late as part of the recent winning Nations Cup team in Opglabbeek and in Zuidwolde

Speaking to The Irish Field after the win Williams said: “We’re delighted with the win. I’ve only been riding her (Cranberry 14) for six weeks now, my first show on her was last Thursday in Ard Chuain and she jumped really good up there. We got her through our friend Tom Zedler. She is Danish-bred (LBD Christiano - Florestan II) and was ridden before by Nikoline Dresler.

“I was very happy with my round in the jump-off; I got a good shot to number one, and then got to number two clean off the corner. I managed a good inside turn into four and just kept her in a good rhythm and tried to stay tight with an inside line to the last fence. I didn’t take a pull all the way.

“Her rideability is good, she is quite straightforward and covers the ground well. My plan is to try to follow the rest of the National Grand Prix league and get in some junior classes too.

“My brother Rhys is doing the junior Europeans in two weeks’ time and I’m hoping to make the European pony team Championships at the start of August with my pony Saxton Freedam.

“Altogether in the yard (PARC Stables, Ennis Co Clare) we have seven animals qualified for the Dublin Horse Show with different riders. I have a six-year-old and a seven-year-old, as well as the pony stallion Gilton Des Islots which I ride for Greg Broderick, so hopefully we have a good show there.”

Just 12 combinations lined out for the 1.40m Tony Hurley-designed track. Of these only five managed a clear first round to progress to the timed decider.

Williams proved the best of the bunch recording a jump-off time of 44.60 for the win. Runner-up was Madeline Roberts Allen aboard Celah Sue De Rialfo Z (Coupe De Coeur - Caletto III). They broke the finish beam in 46.53.

Ronan Costello riding his own Altivo (VDL Arkansas - Clover Hill) took third as the fastest four-faulter. Fourth place went to Williams aboard his second mount PARC Cushy Number (Quasimodo VD Molendreef - Ars Vivendi) after they had two fences down for eight faults, while fifth was Liam O’Meara riding James O’Sullivan’s Lux Trendy (Future Trend - Lucy Lux).

Tipperary’s Andrew Hodgins and his own mare Sandra (Lux Z - Sandro Boy) completed the line up in sixth as the fastest four-faulter from round one.

Win for Hodgins

Andrew Hodgins and Sandra dominated in the 1.30m on Sunday producing the only double clear round to secure the win. The pair have delivered consistent wins and placings at 1.30m level recently taking the top spot at the Kingdom County Fair in May, as well as in the Banner Equestrian Center in April and at Roscrea in March.

Peter McMahon and his own six-year-old mare Martell Me This (Martell - Queen Bea) were runners-up as the fastest four-faulters. Hodgins and his second mount Bobello (Lux Z - Cavalier Royale) were third.

Amateur rider Lorraine Younge, riding Belfieldflight (Errigal Flight - Ballinvella), earned first place in the 1.20m when the pair lodged a double clear round and stopped the clock at 26.34.

Junior Brid Ryan and Drombane Celtic took second place breaking the beam just slightly slower in 26.71. Peter McMahon and Martell Me This were third, while Andrew Hodgins and Bobello slotted into fourth.

Patrick Joyce and Dan and Olive O’Connor’s six-year-old Newmarket Connor (Newmarket Jewel - Mermus R) took fifth, while Seamus Hayes and another six-year-old the Swedish-bred Uphoria Di June were sixth.